To Whom It May Concern:
         
I am blind, but I am also an American taxpayer!  I am strongly opposed to your June 17 proposed rules which would require that, to "help" the blind, our government would require detectable warnings at every street corner or accessible traffic signals at every traffic light.
         
What blind people need is high-quality training, not gadgets and gimmicks!  The enormous financial cost to the American taxpayer far outweighs any supposed benefit to the blind.  Trained blind people cross busy streets "just as they are" every day, but an outraged American taxpayer won't be so eager to hire us if this high cost is heaped upon them.

 

As a visitor to Salt Lake City, UT this summer, I found the detectable warning,  audible traffic signals very confusing.  It was difficult to focus on traffic sounds and to know which direction the signals were indicating.  With good cane travel skills, it is not necessary to rely on these confusing sounds.  The cost to put these devices on each corner is prohibitive and I am absolutely opposed to them.

 

Marilyn Moss Donehey