Fighting for his four-year-old granddaughter, Richard Landale wants something very simple from the city – a small sign alerting traffic that there's deaf kids at play.
Landale appeared before the city's transportation committee Dec. 2 (his second visit to the group over the issue) to put forward the argument that his granddaughter will be safer with a sign on the street in both directions.
Kate Bishop, 4, lost her hearing when she was a year old.
Landale is afraid as she grows, she won't hear traffic coming near their home in the 1200-block of 161A Street.
Kate's mom didn't have time in her day to argue the case to the transportation committee, but Landale is happy to pick up the fight.
He told the committee there are hundreds of signs throughout the city warning drivers of potential hazards, including children at play, school zones, cyclists, etc.
"Even deer crossing," he said.
Surely, he argued, a deaf child deserves the same effort to create a safe environment.
City staff noted several other nearby cities that examined the issue of signs for the deaf and ruled it out, primarily because the signs don't change the behaviour of drivers.
One city that had them is now taking them down, staff said.
Kate's mother Alexandria told Black Press the family would happily pay for the signs and alert the city when they move so that the sign could be taken down.
The transportation committee referred the issue to engineering staff for more study.
Landale was content with their time and consideration.
"I've had a quality hearing," Landale said after the meeting. "When I get a final `no', I'm going to make it personal."