Brenda S. Ford

October 14, 2002

To Whom it may concern:

I am a member of the National Federation of the Blind.  I would like you to know my opinion on installing audio signals and truncated domes at lighted intersections. 

I would appreciate the government (local, state or Federal) to use money on something that actually needs to be done!  This proposal is a waste of billions of dollars!  In the city of Boise this money could be used to improve public transportation.  The BUS system is barely worth mentioning here.  Blind people know how to cross the street without a chirp or beep, it's been happening for many years now.  I could understand taking a look at unique intersections and evaluating what might make that intersection safer.  Sometimes an audio signal would make it more dangerous.  To put these things in every city, or even every large city, at every lighted intersection is crazy!  Frankly I can't understand why anyone would think that this would be a good use of funds. 

In some of Portland's local media I see it is reported that the ACB and  the NFB have equal membership.  This is absolutely untrue!  The NFB has a minimum of 50,000 members to the ACB's 20,000.  And  it is the larger organization that has a problem with this issue.  I think if you work with the NFB as well as the ACB an agreement can be made. 

Thank you,

Brenda S. Ford

cc:    Mr. McCarthy/NFB