Bring back the audible signals on traffic lights
I used to travel into and out of Dublin city centre regularly, but this has changed since the turning off of audible signals on traffic lights, which are essential for blind and visually impaired people.
Now I have to rely on people to bring me across the road.
I have been trained to negotiate crossings throughout the city, but now I am unable to get around because my own safety and that of others is at risk in the absence of the signals.
The city council have said they had to turn them off because of complaints by sighted people.
I find this ridiculous and hard to believe.
I cannot understand why the city council are continuously trying to shy away from this issue.
With the restoration of the signals the independence of visually impaired people would be restored and we would be able to go about our business just like everyone else.
After all, it is our democratic right.
The recent trial of a tactile-only system is unrealistic and not helpful to blind people because they would have to get their hand to the pole, which would be impossible in a crowd of people at the light.
Tactile and audible is the system that all blind people have been trained in and are used to.
I am hoping for a speedy solution to this problem as we are becoming increasingly frustrated and angry that we are unable to travel our capital city independently.
Andrew Green
16 Parnell Cottages
Malahide
Co Dublin
