I am writing to request that efforts be made to implement the necessary measures to require the installation of pedestrian crossing signals at major/dangerous intersections to protect the safety of individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

Both myself and my husband are visually impaired; and though I have a minimal amount of usable vision, my husband has none. We live in a busy metropolitan area where there is lots of public transportation allowing us to maintain an active lifestyle. However, to access this transportation, we must walk to busses and/or subways. There is a major intersection that we cross numerous times daily which can be quite dangerous with speeding traffic, and cars turning "right on red". When crossing this intersection, we often are carrying our young son who is just 15 months old, so safety is of the utmost importance for us and our precious little boy. This particular intersection has no audible crossing signal so it can be quite difficult to navigate.

There are many factors which can make crossing streets quite difficult for individuals who are blind; the amount of traffic flow, poor weather conditions such as wind, rain and snow as all these factors can diminish one's ability to hear clearly, thus making it difficult and dangerous to cross any street. I have had the opportunity to use audible crossing signals and there is no question that they dramatically improve one's ability to navigate the crossing with a greater sense of confidence and safety.

I urge you to proceed in your work to ensure that more accessible audible crossings signals be required to protect the lives of those who are blind and their families.

Mr. & Mrs. John Mattioli Jr.