James Terry Wheeler and Diane Howe

October 28, 2002

This is in regards to the American Council of the Blind regarding the draft guideless for the accessible public rights-of-way.

We Terry Wheeler and Diane Howe are totally blind. If you have never been blind then you are lucky and by the grace of God. We, being blind, we want to tell you that we are for this “Public Rights-of-Way”, Docket Number 02-1, published in the Federal Register on June 17, 2002.  We applaud the Access Board for your fine work in developing Draft Guidelines for Accessible Public Rights-of-Way. Such guidelines are long overdue, and it is our hope that the recommendations contained in this draft will be retained in a speedily promulgated final rule.

We belong to the Huntsville, AL Chapter of the ACB. Of particular concern to the members of the American Council of the Blind are those provisions dealing with the installation of detectable warning surfaces at curb ramps and rail crossings, the installation of accessible pedestrian signals, and those proposed guidelines related to enhancing the visual contrast of signage and walking surfaces at stairs. We are pleased with the Access Board's recommendations on these items and have a few comments regarding our reasons for this position.

The blind people are left out of so many things that they could be helped with.
We pray for your guidance and direction on helping the blind people with things that would help them in their daily lives. We thank you for working to help us.

James Terry Wheeler
Diane Howe