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We are writing to let you know that it is our belief that detectable warnings and audible pedestrian signals are beneficial to people who are blind and visually impaired and that they save lives. We understand that their are groups of blind and visually impaired people, who in their arrogance and lack of self esteem, are certain that such devices will only lead to further stigmatization of people who are blind. They are ignoring the many deaths which have occurred, stating that if these individuals had only received proper training, then they wouldn't have been killed. Even if improper training were the result of these deaths, we can't ignore the fact that detectable warnings and accessible signals may have prevented them from being unduly killed!

It is crazy-making behavior to argue against these safety measure simply based on the impact these devices may have on the perceptions of the public. Besides, when people in our city, Ann Arbor, Michigan, see and hear the few audible pedestrian signals that we have around town, they are reminded that people who are blind/visually impaired live full lives, including crossing streets and riding trains and subways!

Perhaps people who complain loudly that we should not have detectable warnings and audible pedestrian signals are Super- men and women! To our knowledge, we are not, and we want and invite these devices to help us be more independent by making our environment as safe as possible!