The names and addresses listed in the signature of this letter are the members
of the Mid-Tennessee Council of the Blind. Our chapter is located in Nashville,
Tennessee, although a couple of our members live outside the immediate area.
We all strongly agree with the report and recommendations of the Public Rights
of Way Advisory Committee, particularly where detectable warnings and accessible
pedestrian signals are concerned. We feel that they greatly increase both the
safety and independence of blind and visually impaired pedestrians.
A DETECTABLE WARNING IS THE TACTILE EQUIVALENT OF A FLASHING SIGN.
It instantly focuses the pedestrian's attention as nothing else can. The
warnings can be easily and independently detected by blind pedestrians. We find
them particularly helpful at intersections where
street boundaries are unclear. there are intersections in Nashville, like
Gallatin Road and East Webster Avenue, where it is difficult to determine where
the sidewalk ends and the street begins. In addition, the warnings are essential
on approaches to subway entrances. It's a really scary experience when one goes
to a city with a subway system and nearly falls into the pit. Unfortunately, a
number of blind people have actually fallen in and were killed or seriously
injured.
Accessible pedestrian signals produce clear audio tones that sound when the
light is in the pedestrian's favor. This information makes it much easier for us
to negotiate busy intersections like 5th Avenue and Deadrick Street and move
quickly and safely toward our destination. Some signals, like the one at 42nd
and Charlotte go a step further. They have a button that the pedestrian can push
to change the light.
Installing detectable warnings and accessible pedestrian signals will allow both
drivers and pedestrians to use our streets safely and efficiently. We urge you
to carefully consider all the comments submitted, and decide in favor of saving
lives by adopting the recommendations in the Public Rights of Way Advisory
Committee's report. Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincerely,
Nathan Baker
[address]
Sonny Bennett
[address]
Hattie Bond
[address]
Sylvia Bradley
[address]
Stanley Coe
[address]
Bobby Cowan
[address]
Jacqueline Davis
[address]
Tennie Dietsch,
[address]
Brenda Dillon
[address]
Dan Dillon
[address]
Barbara Fitts
[address]
Carolyn Fitts
[address]
Evelyn Flippin
[address]
Carol Francisco
[address]
Orlando Francisco
[address]
Darlene Gann
[address]
Jill Garvey,
[address]
James Hardison
[address]
Phillip Hebert
[address]
Cary Johnson
[address]
Kathy Lamb
[address]
Joan Ledbetter
[address]
Tammy Maynard
[address]
Herbert Mooneyham
[address]
Janie Mooneyham
[address]
Irene Morgan
[address]
Marie Roberts
[address]
Selin Saldona
[address]
Gladys Sharp
[address]
Delois Smith
[address]
Maggie Thomas
[address]
David Treveno
[address]
Mozelle Wakefield
[address]
Jean Ward
[address]
Hulen Walker
[address]
Sherri Williams
[address]
Roslyn Williamson,
[address]
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