Aloha,
I am a Disabled Veteran who lost my eyesight while in Defense of my Country. I
feel strongly that all blind people have a right to safe and independent travel
just as any other citizen in the United States Of America. As a former
experienced cane traveler, and now new guide dog user. I am experienced in
street crossings, both with heavy traffic patterns and light, in city and
country/rural environments. I had the opportunity to use street crossings with
the audible signals while in New Zealand. I found them extremely helpful in
safely crossing the busy streets. Upon my return to Hawaii, I learned that some
of our downtown streets have them here in Hawaii. Each time I crossed a crossing
that utilized detectable warnings and audible signals, I felt safer and more
independent. No longer having to strain to hear which direction traffic was
coming from at busy intersections. Or misjudging the traffic pattern or length
of stop and being caught crossing while traffic was coming, or started back up.
I Most Strongly believe that these types of devices must be made widely
available, especially in high traffic areas, and at all streets that are
required to be crossed in order to safely catch The Bus. This includes rural
areas such as the Leeward Coast of Oahu in Hawaii. I realize, this is likely to
be a huge expense. However, cost can be spread out over time by first
concentrating on installing signals and devices in all heavy traffic crossing
areas and at main crossings in the communities (main bus stops and shopping
plazas/malls) and at street crossings in neighborhoods known to be inhabited by
blind persons. The right to safe and independent travel for all blind and
deaf/blind people is a right I fought to preserve while serving my Country in
the United States Navy. It is one of the rights I sacrificed my eyesight for in
defense of my Country! I will continue to fight for this and other rights when I
believe they are being infringed upon or denied!
Mahalo,
Twila Lai Waianae, Hawaii
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