Heidi Cook

October 22, 2002

Hello, My name is Heidi Cook and I am legally blind. I am writing concerning the proposed guidelines for accessibility.

While having street names and crossing indicators would be nice it is not a necessity and I am concerned that the money needed to fix roads and provide public transportation, which I use daily, would be used instead to provide something that is not a necessity. As a tax payer and a visually impaired person I would rather see my money go to something that all people can use.

I have the training and ability to safely cross streets without the aid of beepers or chirping sounds. I am also concerned about the use of noise to indicate crossing. There is already so much noise on city streets. I would rather have a tactile notice of safety to cross if you do proceed with this proposal.

Again I am against the proposal as currently written. Please reconsider your proposal.

Thank you.

Heidi Cook