Maria Morais

October 24, 2002

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing in response to the proposed guidelines on making public rights-of-way accessible to the blind. I have reviewed many of the comments already posted on your website and it is clear that their is little consensus on what is truly needed in order to assist blind pedestrians. This fact alone should give you pause and cause you to reflect on whether the proposed guidelines would address the needs of this population.

Clearly, blind persons have not historically found lack of physical adaptation necessary to access pedestrian pathways. While it may be true that some intersections are undoubtedly more readily negotiated because of their straight-forward arrangement, the blind population has managed to make great strides in intergrading into society as a whole. Nevertheless, it is conceivable that it may be desirable to include artificial cues which would provide additional data where non-visual information may be insufficient to provide adequate prompts.

I understand that the issue of cars with non-combustible engines concern many who claim that the recommendations in your proposal are necessary. To them I would say that if you cannot hear the engine of an automobile, it doesn't matter whether the light is green or red. If the driver runs the light you can still be hit regardless of who had the right of way.

In closing, I would like to strongly urge your committee to listen to the population for whom your guidelines have been drafted to help. If indeed adaptations will be incorporated into new intersections, every effort should be made to ensure that the most beneficial technology will be used. Again, because of the opposing views which you have received, it seems logical to study the issue at greater length. This subject is far too important to be made from an emotional bases and empirical data should be gathered with the assistance of the blind, themselves, and progressive professionals in the field of working with the blind.

Cordially,
Maria Morais