As Shawano and the rest of the nation mark White Cane Safety Day on Wednesday, the city Police Department is reminding motorists to be alert to the presence of visually impaired citizens in crosswalks, driveways and parking lots.
Police Chief Mark Kohl said there have been some near misses reported recently, including one incident where a visually impaired man was bumped by a vehicle in a parking lot.
“That cane or guide dog should be like a flashing yield light,” Kohl said.
Kohl said many motorists might not be aware of the laws requiring them to yield.
“It’s something not a lot of people know about,” he said.
In 1964, Congress set aside Oct. 15 as White Cane Safety Day, “to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.”
Mayor Lorna Marquardt issued a proclamation commemorating White Cane Safety Day at last week’s Common Council meeting.
Shawano in particular has been progressive in meeting the needs of people with disabilities, according to Jim Graser, a member of the mayor’s People with a Disability Committee.
Graser recently told the Shawano Common Council that he came to the city five years ago and was surprised at the level of cooperation from the community, city officials and city departments.
“We’re achieving some successes for people with disabilities,” he said.
He noted the Department of Public Works has begun installing safer crosswalks that have two ramps cut into the curb that each follow the direction of the crosswalk.
The old crosswalks had just one ramp in the middle that led diagonally into the intersection, requiring those on scooters or in wheelchairs to make a turn to get into the crosswalk.
Graser said people with disabilities often refer to those crossings as “suicide corners.”
Eddie Sheppard, Shawano Public Works coordinator, said the city installs the new crossings as part of its annual street projects, which this year included Franklin Street from Third to Fourth, Third Street from Lafayette to Washington, Bartlett from Division to Eagle, and Lafayette from Eagle to Picnic.
The new crossings are the design now preferred by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Graser said his group has gotten similar cooperation from Matt Hendricks, city park and recreation director, after pointing out that the new concession stand at the ball park might be better for people with disabilities in wheelchairs if the city would consider lowering one of the counters.
“Matt went immediately and contacted people and made it happen for us,” Graser said.
Categories
