RESOLUTION #2006-03

Resolution Urging the Mayor to Commit to a Specified Program
for the Installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals
at 25% of City Intersections by 2010,
and that processes be put in place to ensure
the expeditious installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals
in a manner that is responsive to citizen requests.

WHEREAS, the City and County of San Francisco has demonstrated its concern for the safety of sighted pedestrians by installing or planning to install three types of visual information relating to when it is safe to cross the street (standard traffic signals, Walk-Don't Walk illuminated flashing signage, and visual countdown signals) at over 800 intersections in San Francisco; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor's Council on Disability views the absence of accessible (audible) pedestrian signals as a violation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act whereby blind travelers are denied access to a city program or service of pedestrian signals at street crossings; and

WHEREAS, apart from a 5-intersection pilot project, no accommodation has been made for those pedestrians who are blind or visually impaired or otherwise cannot utilize visual traffic or pedestrian signals; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor's Disability Council supports the right of blind and visually impaired pedestrians to have safe and independent access to travel within San Francisco;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mayor's Disability Council urges the Mayor of San Francisco to commit to an Accessible Pedestrian Signal installation program that will result in 25% of controlled intersections being equipped with accessible pedestrian signals by 2010; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the city ensure that by October of 2007, individual requests for the installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals are addressed within six months of the date of the request; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that individual requests for accessible pedestrian signals having been made soonest, including those having been made to date, be evaluated and given priority for installation.

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September 15, 2006 Mayor's Disability Council – ADOPTED

Ayes: 5 - Jul Lynn Parsons, Norma Block, Elizabeth Grigsby, Denise Senhaux and Tatiana Kostanian.

Nay: 1 - Richard Ow

Absent: Jack Fagan, Robert Neil and
Amy Wishnie