Brian Charlson

October 15, 2002

Hello, My name is Brian Charlson [ ...]  and I am a blind user of a guide dog. I am writing to express my support for the proposed regulations that would result in the use of detectable warnings in curb cuts and the expanded use of accessible (audible) pedestrian signals. I understand that a number of individuals expressed the opinion at a resent meeting of the Access Board that blind people do not support such devices and I couldn't stand aside while such statements were being made. I travel by air at least once a week, going to major metropolitan areas all around this country and I have experienced an increasing number of intersections that require that I use the assistance of sighted people to cross them safely. This has been a change for me, a very independent traveler and I can't say that I like it much! With the installation of detectible warnings at curb cuts and audible pedestrian signals where traffic patterns are difficult to understand, I will once again be able to independently travel around the country I love.