September 2, 2008 The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board 2700 Lighthouse Point East, Suite 310 Baltimore, MD 21224 Re: Comment Period Closing on 2 September, 2008 To Whom It May Concern: This is to furnish the public comment of the National Council for the Support of Disability Issues. This is as follow-up to the public comment that we timely furnished in or about July or August 2008. Obviously, $340,000,000 composes a substantial financial allocation towards transit projects in the region. Budgets and the allocations that are contained within them evidence the priorities of a governmental body or institution. In as much as the $340, 000,000 should be allocated in a way that benefits the public as a whole, inclusive, of people with disabilities, it is equally important transit projects be initiated specifically to address the needs and issues of people with disabilities. NCSD recommends that a sum certain proportion of this line item be allocated through grants to local communities, especially, larger urban metropolitan statistical areas, such as, Baltimore City to ensure installation of Accessible Pedestrian Signals and towards shoring-up the Taxi Access program and other same-day responsive Paratransit options in the region. Please do not hesitate to telephone me at (410) 241-6745. Sincerely, Gary CC. Norman, Esq., Vice President, Legal Counsel and Spokesperson National Council for the Support of Disability Issues CC: Pat Sheehan, President American Council of the Blind Pat.sheehan@va.gov Melanie Brunson, Executive Director American Council of the Blind mbrunson@acb.org |