Julie Hunter
|
October 22, 2002 |
Dear Access Board:
I am writing to express my concern about the proposed requirement that audible
traffic signals be installed wherever there exists a walk-don't walk signal. As
you know, blind pedestrians use the sound of the traffic to know when it is safe
to cross an intersection. Audible signals make it more difficult to hear the
traffic. A person cannot rely on a light change to be sure that there is not a
car running the red light. A person needs to be able to clearly hear the
environment. Locater tones to find the button are also distracting, and doubly
so when combined with the crossing noises. I urge you to consider only silent,
i.e. tactile vibrating signals, when it is necessary to have an assistive
device. I believe that crossing assistance should be limited to intersections
which are complex in nature and where the signalization is unusual. It is
unnecessary and far too expensive to mandate conversion of every intersection
that has a walk-don't walk signal. The blind are perfectly able to cross simple
intersections safely by using the sound of the traffic. Thank you for
considering my opinion.
Julie Hunter
Sighted parent of a blind adult.
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