As Chair of the Fresno Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Council, a cross-disability consumer organization chartered by Fresno City Council in 1993, I want to endorse The Access Board's proposed guidelines on Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). The Advisory Council, which has a number of blind members, unanimously endorsed a motion to install APSs at a number of dangerous and high traffic volume intersections. The first of these was installed at an inteersection with high pedestrian use. In addition, the Fresno Center for Independent Living is located nearby and many disabled consumers and staff cross at this intersection. Several more APSs are scheduled to be installed during the current fiscal year.

With right on red, left turn signals controlled by the volume of vehicular traffic, in attentive drivers, etc. pedestrian safety has become an important issue for the city as well as the Advisory Council. APSs are one way of dealing with this problem and creating a safer environment for all of us.

Like curb cuts that are valued by mothers pushing baby carriages and strollers, seniors with some mobility impairments and children on skates, in addition to wheelchair users, I am sure that APSs will be a welcome addition for all members of the public.

Ed Eames, Ph.D.,
Chair Fresno ADA Advisory Council