[nagdu] An APS victory

[Sherri]

That's great Tracy. We're working on that agenda here too. Of course, 
nothing takes the place of good O & M training. *smile.
Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tracy Carcione" <carcione at access.net>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 8:59 AM
Subject: [nagdu] An APS victory


>I have been trying for the last 2 and a half years to get an audible
> signal at a T intersection near my house.  It was finally installed this
> week!  Last night, my husband and I were walking home after an evening
> class, and we were able to cross the street without worrying if we really
> had the light, or if it was just a lull in traffic.  I won't have to call
> my husband to come and meet my bus home from work, because he can see the
> light a little bit.  I'll be able to go to the hair salon, the pharmacy,
> the dollar store, or any other business on the other side of the street
> without feeling like I'm taking my life in my hands.  Of course, Ben and I
> will still have to pay attention for scum running the light, or turning
> when they shouldn't, but at least now I know when the light is in my
> favor.
>
> Lukas Franck at The Seeing Eye was a huge help to me.  He was a real
> advocate.  He directed me to template letters to make my original request,
> and to copies of the relevant regulations.  He came to look at the
> intersection, to confirm that an audible signal was needed there.  He came
> to a meeting with the traffic engineers and the town manager, and educated
> them on the regs, and on the types of signals.  He met with the engineers
> again in Morristown, and gave them a tour of the APS's set up there.
> That's what I call real advocacy!
> I don't think I could have done it without his help, and the help of the
> town manager, who understood the need and kept bugging the county to get
> it done.
> Lukas says it is the first audible signal in my county.  The county was
> very resistant, because they thought that if they put in one, they'd have
> to put one at every lighted intersection.  But we were able to educate
> them, and occasionally threaten them, and at last it's done!  It's so
> great, when a long struggle actually bears fruit.
>
> I'm immensely grateful to Lukas, and to The Seeing Eye for letting him
> spend time helping me solve a problem not really related to my dog.
> I also asked some local NFB leaders for help and advice, but they didn't
> really know any more than I did.  But now I know, and could advise others,
> maybe.
> Tracy
>
>
>
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