My name is Maurine Barcelo and I reside in the state of California. I
understand that there is a draft proposal, which will put audible signals and
detectible warnings at new and repaired street corners. As the proposal stands
now, I am against the entire draft. I feel, both as a blind person and as a
wheelchair user, that this draft will have a direct impact on me; therefore, my
comments are as follows. First there is the issue of the audible signals. I
personally believe that audible signals are not needed to allow a blind person
to cross the street. If there has been proper mobility training, there
shouldn’t be any problem crossing the street. However, if a particular corner
becomes a traffic hazard for the blind of a given community, then that community
and its blind citizens can determine if and where audible signals are needed.
Secondly, there is the issue of the detectible warnings. Once again, if there
has been proper mobility training, finding the street should pose no problems
for a blind person traveling. Most importantly is the fact that curb cuts were
made for wheelchair users, and I feel that these detectible warnings will become
an obstruction for the wheelchair user. What are these warnings going to be
made of? How high will they be? Will these warnings also cause problems for
walkers and cane users? Will the wheels of my wheelchair get jammed in the
detectible warnings and will I tip and fall out into the street? I am totally
against these detectible warnings in all cases.
Sincerely,
Maurine E. Barcelo
index
next comment
