[nagdu] An APS victory

[sblanjones11]

WAY TO GO TRACY!
Isn't that a great feeling!
How much our independence means to us!

Everybody have a great weekend!
Don't be too heavy on the mail, now, 'cause it'll all be waiting for me when
I get bacdk!
(smile)
Susan & Rhoda
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Friday, May 22, 2009 9:00 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
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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