To: Governor Phil Murphy
Maintaining safety for Blind persons as they cross the street
My name is Samson Carr. I was born with cataracts which later developed into glaucoma and over time I developed a detached retina, which means part of the eye (the retina) pulls away from its supportive tissue and its normal position at the back of the eye. I had had eight eye surgeries by the time I was 17 and as of 2012 I am totally blind.
There are approximately 50,000 blind persons in the state of New Jersey who lead independent lives; they work, they attend schools, colleges and universities. They shop, attend events and more. They live alone, navigate airports, train stations and large buildings. As a blind American I would also like to remain independent and free to come and go as I please. However independent travel for me (as well as other blind people) is made more difficult when attempting to cross the streets even with the truncated warning dome system.2
Imagine for a moment having to cross a busy four – lane intersection; you are waiting for the perpendicular traffic (the traffic running across in front of you) to come to a stop at a red light. You listen for parallel traffic (this comes off your shoulder into your ear) to begin moving. Once parallel traffic begins to move you know that it is time to cross the street, at the same time being very careful not to cross in front of a turning vehicle. As you enter the intersection you are listening to the roar of the parallel traffic coming off your shoulder into one ear while listening to the idle of cars stopped at a red light. Imagine all of this going on around you at one time while trying to safely maintain a straight line from one side of the street to the other.
While I applaud the placement of truncated domes at curbs as a good indicator to blind people that they are about to leave the safety of the sidewalk and enter into the street, there is also the issue of stability. Blind people cannot walk in a straight line, which presents the danger of veering outside the crosswalk area perhaps even into that parallel line of traffic or some other unintended direction before safely reaching the other side.3
A tactile pattern cut within the crosswalk itself would eliminate 60 to 70% of the fear that blind persons face while crossing the street. This type of pavement, Braille for the feet so to speak, would act as a guide enabling us to traverse in a straight line from one corner to the next greatly reducing the risk of accidents.
I truly believe that this is an issue that should receive bipartisan support and it could be done by the yearly event known as White Cane Safety Day which will be observed on Thursday October 15, 2015. 4
I thank you in advance for taking time out of your busy schedules to read this and I appreciate the consideration of your signatures on this petition in support of safety for blind citizens everywhere.
Sincerely,
Samson J. Carr
References:
1. Detached Retina Information www.kellogg.umich.edu
2. Truncated Domes; Detectable Warnings www.fhwa.dot.gov
3. National Federation for the Blind www.nfb.org/mobility.php
4. White Cane Safety Day www.nfb.org/white-cane-safety-day
There are approximately 50,000 blind persons in the state of New Jersey who lead independent lives; they work, they attend schools, colleges and universities. They shop, attend events and more. They live alone, navigate airports, train stations and large buildings. As a blind American I would also like to remain independent and free to come and go as I please. However independent travel for me (as well as other blind people) is made more difficult when attempting to cross the streets even with the truncated warning dome system.2
Imagine for a moment having to cross a busy four – lane intersection; you are waiting for the perpendicular traffic (the traffic running across in front of you) to come to a stop at a red light. You listen for parallel traffic (this comes off your shoulder into your ear) to begin moving. Once parallel traffic begins to move you know that it is time to cross the street, at the same time being very careful not to cross in front of a turning vehicle. As you enter the intersection you are listening to the roar of the parallel traffic coming off your shoulder into one ear while listening to the idle of cars stopped at a red light. Imagine all of this going on around you at one time while trying to safely maintain a straight line from one side of the street to the other.
While I applaud the placement of truncated domes at curbs as a good indicator to blind people that they are about to leave the safety of the sidewalk and enter into the street, there is also the issue of stability. Blind people cannot walk in a straight line, which presents the danger of veering outside the crosswalk area perhaps even into that parallel line of traffic or some other unintended direction before safely reaching the other side.3
A tactile pattern cut within the crosswalk itself would eliminate 60 to 70% of the fear that blind persons face while crossing the street. This type of pavement, Braille for the feet so to speak, would act as a guide enabling us to traverse in a straight line from one corner to the next greatly reducing the risk of accidents.
I truly believe that this is an issue that should receive bipartisan support and it could be done by the yearly event known as White Cane Safety Day which will be observed on Thursday October 15, 2015. 4
I thank you in advance for taking time out of your busy schedules to read this and I appreciate the consideration of your signatures on this petition in support of safety for blind citizens everywhere.
Sincerely,
Samson J. Carr
References:
1. Detached Retina Information www.kellogg.umich.edu
2. Truncated Domes; Detectable Warnings www.fhwa.dot.gov
3. National Federation for the Blind www.nfb.org/mobility.php
4. White Cane Safety Day www.nfb.org/white-cane-safety-day
Why is this important?
I am a blind American who wants to maintain my independence so I am starting this petition in order to promote safety for blind citizens as they cross the street