Donna Rose |
September 11, 2002 |
We are writing to let you know that it is our
belief that detectable warnings and audible pedestrian signals are beneficial
to people who are blind and visually impaired and that they save lives. We
understand that their are groups of blind and visually impaired people, who in
their arrogance and lack of self esteem, are certain that such devices will
only lead to further stigmatization of people who are blind. They are
ignoring the many deaths which have occurred, stating that if these
individuals had only received proper training, then they wouldn't have been
killed. Even if improper training were the result of these deaths, we can't
ignore the fact that detectable warnings and accessible signals may have
prevented them from being unduly killed!
It is crazy-making behavior to argue against these
safety measure simply based on the impact these devices may have on the
perceptions of the public. Besides, when people in our city, Ann Arbor,
Michigan, see and hear the few audible pedestrian signals that we have around
town, they are reminded that people who are blind/visually impaired live full
lives, including crossing streets and riding trains and subways!
Perhaps people who complain loudly that we should
not have detectable warnings and audible pedestrian signals are Super- men and
women! To our knowledge, we are not, and we want and invite these devices to
help us be more independent by making our environment as safe as possible!
Thank you for taking a moment to read and consider
our viewpoint.
Very sincerely,
Ms. Donna Rose
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