To Whom It May Concern:
I am blind, but I am also an American taxpayer! I am strongly opposed to your
June 17 proposed rules which would require that, to "help" the blind, our
government would require detectable warnings at every street corner or
accessible traffic signals at every traffic light.
What blind people need is high-quality training, not gadgets and gimmicks!
The enormous financial cost to the American taxpayer far outweighs any
supposed benefit to the blind. Trained blind people cross busy streets "just
as they are" every day, but an outraged American taxpayer won't be so eager to
hire us if this high cost is heaped upon them.
As a visitor to Salt Lake City, UT this summer, I found the detectable
warning, audible traffic signals very confusing. It was difficult to focus
on traffic sounds and to know which direction the signals were indicating.
With good cane travel skills, it is not necessary to rely on these confusing
sounds. The cost to put these devices on each corner is prohibitive and I am
absolutely opposed to them.
Marilyn Moss Donehey