[Nfbc-info] Chance for public participation regarding protruding objects on utility poles

[Karla Gilbride]

Hi NFB list:

I am writing from Disability Rights Advocates to let you all know of an
issue that some of you in the L.A. area may already have experienced.
We have had reports that Verizon is installing boxes containing
equipment for its fiber optic phone and Internet service (FiOS) on
existing utility poles but placing them so that they protrude out into
the sidewalk at around chest height.  Obviously canes would not be able
to detect these boxes and so they present an annoying and potentially
painful obstacle for blind pedestrians.  We've been told that these
boxes have been installed in the Granada Hills section of Los Angeles
but that similar installations are planned for other areas around the
state.

There is a meeting taking place at City Hall this Friday morning,
September 25, where this issue will be discussed.  It would be great to
get members of the blind community to come out and explain why this
placement of utility equipment is problematic for people who are blind,
especially if you've actually encountered these obstacles yourselves.
Here is the info on the meeting location:

The meeting will be on Friday the 25th at 9:30am.  The address for the
meeting is:

Edward R. Roybal BPW Session Room
Room 350 City Hall
200 North Spring Street
Los Angeles, California  90012

I hope that some of you will be able to come out and share your
experiences and/or concerns about this issue. IN the meantime, if you
have any questions about this, feel free to contact me at
kgilbride at dralegal.org or at 510-665-8644.

Best,
Karla

Karla Gilbride
John W. Carson Fellowship Attorney
Disability Rights Advocates
2001 Center Street, Third Floor
Berkeley, California  94704-1204

510-665-8644  ext. 117 (Tel)
510-665-8716 (TTY)
510-665-8511 (Fax)
kgilbride at dralegal.org

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