Joe Sontag

October 22, 2002

I'm writing in support of the recommendations of the Public Right Of Way Access Committee report regarding audible traffic signals. When properly designed and placed, these devices can save lives, permit properly trained blind travelers to negotiate complex, busy intersections with safety and confidence, and generally increase public awareness of the blind as active, motivated members of the communities in which they live.

As a blind person and an independent traveler, I have encountered many situations where audible traffic signals, although not absolutely mandatory, would have been helpful to me. It is my opinion that a truly civilized society can and should make traffic safety information available equally to its blind and sighted pedestrians. Finally, I dare say that many blind people who now claim that they oppose these devices will change their tunes as their individual circumstances also change - a move to a major city, advancing age, a serious injury suffered by themselves or their friends while crossing a familiar intersection, etc.

Thank you.