I support the PROWAC report. I am legally blind and have been since high school. I am now 60 years old. Blind people need to have detectable warnings at places where vehicular traffic is likely to be found and we need accessible pedestrian signals. I am in favor of ramped sidewalks for those who use wheelchairs, but those ramps are a serious danger to blind people without tactile warnings at the ramps. I have traveled to cities where detectable warnings are used, and they are a tremendous help in knowing one is approaching a ramped area. There is no question about how important the detectable warnings are for train and subway platforms.

In addition, intersections are no longer the simple perpendicular two lane traffic flow areas where you can hear if a car is coming or not. Audible pedestrian signals are vital for safe travel and need to be part of the modern day intersection development. People who are blind want to be full and independent members of society. We need to be safe going to our jobs, getting to the grocery an clothing stores, and going to leisure and recreational activities.

It is time to enact these safeguards. Please, let's have no longer delay!

Jeanette M. Schmoyer
 

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