Deb Marinos

October 9, 2002

To: Access Board
Re: Pedestrian Access and Safety in Traffic
From: Deb Marinos, legally blind and hard of hearing teacher, business owner in Oregon.

I wanted to let you know that I truly favor the audible signals. I've had a chance to use them in Salem, OR and Houston TX. I travel frequently and find them to be a wonderful tool. Every tool I have gives me greater flexibility to be a productive worker. Also,with my hearing loss I can not always rely on my hearing to be "balanced" for correct localization of sound. The tweets and cuckoo allows me to know for sure, which traffic flow is going to move. Also, I don't lose precious time waiting for traffic to move in getting across the street. I've also noticed that when it is clear to drivers that I'm crossing immediately, the cars behave better!:) ie, they don't try to turn the corner in front of me, thinking I might not start right away.

Also it is very important to have some system for knowing when the ramped sidewalk is now the street. I have seen (felt) different styles and all seem to work. Some blind folks stay in the areas they know best, I don't have that luxury. So I do need some help with the clues that keep me from running out into a road unaware.

Thanks for listening
Deb Marinos
Oregon