[Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
firoz
firojjee at gmail.com
Mon Oct 11 18:50:35 UTC 2010
hi friend david,
you are so impressive.
thanks for every things your words give me the boost, now i am looking
forward to my meeting with rehab.
thanks
firoz
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2010 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
> Dear Firoz,
>
> I use to live in San Jose Calif and graduated San Jose State University
> and did Grad work at Stanford and Cal Berkley.
> I was a Nuclear/Aerospace Materials Engineer. I worked in the Space
> Program and built the Lunar Rovers that went to the Moon while still going
> to school at San Jose State.
> I worked for Lockheed Space and Missiles in Sunnyvale, Lunar Rover Labs.
> I later worked for them in Palm Dale on the SR-71 and the F-117 Stealth
> Fighter Programs.
> I left and worked as a contractor for the Stanford Research Institute and
> Leaner Accelerator. A year later I went to work for General Electric,
> Nuclear Energy Division in San Jose on their Sodium Test Rig.
> I got out of the Nuclear business in 1979 and moved to Florida and ran a
> department for Garrett Hydraulics in Fort Lauderdale Florida until 1986
> when I retired. Now I work for MV Transit in West Palm Beach Florida.
>
> with your background, you could try to work as a teacher in the California
> School System or for a private School.
> There are companies in the area, that employ Blind people and could use
> your knowledge in Chemistry.
> If you need some help, reach out to the Lighthouse for the Blind and the
> California State Division of Blind Services as well Vocational Rehab.
> There is opportunity there, but you will need to be able to get yourself
> around on Public Transportation, such as the BART and the fixed route bus
> or Para-transit services.
> If you need additional Blindness skills training, get them. You can ask
> the lighthouses if they can help you with tactile maps of the area so you
> can get an idea of how the different communities are arranged and how to
> get around in them.
> Just don't give up and keep working toward a goal.
> At Lockheed we had a saying, "the difficult we do immediately; the
> impossible just takes a little longer."
>
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
> P.S. Contact the NFB HQ in Baltimore and ask about chapters in your area.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "firoz" <firojjee at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2010 7:40 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>
>
>> thanks david
>>
>> i am from india and master degree holder in chemistry and education also,
>> all these from india and that time i was partial .
>>
>> i used to teach chemistry to grade 11 and 12 level now here i want to do
>> any time of job which a total blind person can do i am open for any job
>> since i am in dire need of earnings.
>>
>> next week i am going to fill up the form for department of rehabilitation
>> ,only contact i know
>>
>> i am with my cousin's place with my wife at san jose ca.
>>
>> i am very happy to get answer from you since i do not have any v i
>> friends here
>>
>> back in india i was very active and had full orientation about the roads
>> but here situation is different i feel lonely and without any type of
>> earnings i feel help less
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> firoz
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2010 2:46 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>
>>
>>> Dear firoz,
>>>
>>> Here in the States, there is a Federal Law for Civil rights for the
>>> Disabled called (ADA) the American's With Disabilities Act.
>>> It coversEmployment, Physical Access to buildings, services and sets
>>> standards for access. it also covers communication and transportation
>>> too.
>>> Under the ADA, it mandates that anywhere you have a Fixed bus Route
>>> system, that operates on designed routes and times, you must also
>>> provide a complimentary Para-Transit service that mirrors that bus
>>> service, for disabled people who, because of disability or barriers in
>>> the environment, that prevent them from accessing and using the fixed
>>> route bus system.
>>> In other words, they provide a van service that will pick the disabled
>>> up an transport them where they need to go and bring them back.
>>> You have to apply for this kind of service and it totally depends upon
>>> your ability to access and use the fixed route bus system or not.
>>> The vans run the same hours of service as the fixed route bus and are
>>> not required to travel more than 3/4 TH of a mile off the fixed bus
>>> route to pick people up or drop them off. There are some areas where
>>> special zones are set up that serve an entire area, regardless of the
>>> 3/4 TH mile rule, such as here in Palm Beach County Florida, but most
>>> places do not do this.
>>> Some areas operate 5 AM to 6 PM and some other places have service that
>>> runs around the clock, day and night.
>>> You just have to educate yourself and ask questions.
>>> As for other people who have come here from other countries and made it,
>>> the Country is full of them. Every one here has their origins somewhere
>>> else.
>>> I do know people, but I can not send their names or e-mail addresses
>>> without their permission.
>>> Where are you from anyway. That might be helpful to know? What is it
>>> that you want to do or be?
>>>
>>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "firoz" <firojjee at gmail.com>
>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 10:39 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>
>>>
>>>> what is the difference between bus and pera transit system
>>>>
>>>> i am new to america so out of curiosity i am asking
>>>>
>>>> still i have not gone out either by bus or by cab
>>>>
>>>> by the way is there any person who after blindness came here to america
>>>> and got settled?
>>>>
>>>> please write to me off the list to my e mail i.d. . i do have lot of
>>>> questions in my mind
>>>>
>>>> firoz
>>>>
>>>> firojjee at gmail.com
>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>> From: "Anjelina" <anjelinac26 at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 6:49 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>I wouldn't compare your situation to other blind people; you have to do
>>>>>what's best for *you*. Try the bus system, try the cabs to get to the
>>>>>store but $5 is not at all unreasonable for a cab. Most cabs charge you
>>>>>a $2 fee just to sit in the cab and than the additional fees for
>>>>>mileage are added on. This is just my opinion, but whatever gets you
>>>>>out of the house and running your own errands is a step in the right
>>>>>direction whether if it's a cab the first few times while you traverse
>>>>>the bus/paratransit system. Wal-Mart, and Amazon can deliver
>>>>>nonperishable groceries and you can buy an insolated reusable bag for
>>>>>colds and frozen items when traveling to the store. These bags are
>>>>>environmentally friendly, more sturdy and you can pack a lot more in
>>>>>them than in the flimsy plastic bags
>>>>> Just my thoughts
>>>>>
>>>>> Anjelina
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 8:33 PM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi All!
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wanted to reply to answer a few questions.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Thanks for the suggestions...I'll have to look into either one of
>>>>>> those carts or a reusable bag.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> But, I just checked on both Peapod.com and Safeway.com and neither
>>>>>> delivers to my area. I will call Kroger and ask them but I kind of
>>>>>> doubt it as I didn't see anything on their website about it. We also
>>>>>> have Walmart and Giant Eagle but I don't think either of those
>>>>>> delivers either.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I keep meaning to call the bus about paratransit or dial a ride
>>>>>> service but something tells me that if they had it I would've known
>>>>>> about it already as I've made contact with the bus before about other
>>>>>> matters and they never mentioned it.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I understand cabs go by mile and time you are in the cab...I just
>>>>>> don't know whether I should just not be concerned and take cabs all
>>>>>> the time to get around or whether I need to be really concerned and
>>>>>> make an effort to take the bus. The cabs here don't have an exact
>>>>>> flat-rate but the town is small enough that $5-6 each way is what it
>>>>>> usually comes to. Of course if I make an extra stop or something it
>>>>>> goes up but that is usually for the most part what it is. I just
>>>>>> don't
>>>>>> know whether I should be concerned or not that's all.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I use an NFB fiberglass cane and was taught how t use it at
>>>>>> convention. I have also read tons of articles about structured
>>>>>> discovery so know how to ask assistance/directions when need be. I
>>>>>> also try not to use human/sighted guide much and it has improved my
>>>>>> walking speed and cane travel skills significantly. I just want to go
>>>>>> and do more but don't know whether I need to make a real effort to
>>>>>> learn the bus or whether to just take cabs all the time and not worry
>>>>>> about it. The sighted people tell me not to worry about it but I
>>>>>> notice many blind people don't like to take cabs.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I've been told before that we don't have paratransit but I don't want
>>>>>> to say anything until I call. I wish Safeway or Peapod delivered here
>>>>>> but they don't...at least that's what the website said when I entered
>>>>>> my zipcode. There is a Kroger right across that 6 lane highway with
>>>>>> no
>>>>>> pedestrian light so I could easily cab there but my problem is how
>>>>>> much to get in one trip and how to carry it all.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Kerri
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 10/8/10, Cindy Handel <cindy425 at verizon.net> wrote:
>>>>>>> Kerri,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> As far as the cost of cabs, in most places, cab companies charge a
>>>>>>> fare
>>>>>>> based on the distance they take you, as well as the time. So, if
>>>>>>> you're
>>>>>>> going five miles and it takes 20 minutes, you might pay, let's say
>>>>>>> $10.
>>>>>>> But, another day, if you go five miles and run into traffic and it
>>>>>>> takes 30
>>>>>>> minutes, they might charge $15. These are just examples. So, if
>>>>>>> the cabs
>>>>>>> have a flat rate, it sounds pretty good.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> You could learn to take the busses. But, it would probably be wise
>>>>>>> to get
>>>>>>> some instruction before you venture out there on your own. Do you
>>>>>>> use a
>>>>>>> cane, and have you had cane travel instruction?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Some towns/cities have paratransit. Often the bus company is
>>>>>>> somehow
>>>>>>> involved in operating it. You could ask about that. It is more
>>>>>>> inconvenient, because you have to schedule rides ahead of time.
>>>>>>> But, it
>>>>>>> might work to go shopping.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> When I go grocery shopping I buy what I'll need for the week. If I
>>>>>>> need
>>>>>>> something else during the week, I have to walk to a shopping center,
>>>>>>> about
>>>>>>> 15 or 20 minutes away. As far as carrying bags in, if there's a
>>>>>>> secure
>>>>>>> place to put your bags, so no one takes them while you're going
>>>>>>> upstairs,
>>>>>>> that would be fine. I wouldn't get any kind of a bag, though, that
>>>>>>> would be
>>>>>>> strong enough to load down with more than you can safely carry
>>>>>>> without
>>>>>>> hurting yourself.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Cindy
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> --------------------------------------------------
>>>>>>> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, October 08, 2010 6:43 PM
>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Hi All:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I have some more questions about grocery shopping and
>>>>>>>> transportation.
>>>>>>>> Instead of making two separate posts, I figured I'd just put all my
>>>>>>>> questions in one post...they are somewhat related to each other.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I'll start with the grocery shopping questions.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> In the apartment building I live in, there is no elevator.
>>>>>>>> Unfortunately I live on the third floor, which is up four flights
>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>> steps. What is the best way to carry lots of groceries up the
>>>>>>>> steps?
>>>>>>>> Would it be okay, when having lots of groceries to set some of the
>>>>>>>> bags on the floor in the hallway by the door, go up with as much as
>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>> can carry, then come back for the rest? Is there any better way to
>>>>>>>> carry groceries than in the plastic bags the grocery bagger puts
>>>>>>>> them
>>>>>>>> in? I've been told about burlap sacks that you can carry on your
>>>>>>>> shoulder...does this reduce the load much? I want to make this as
>>>>>>>> easy
>>>>>>>> as possible.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> How often do you usually go grocery shopping? When you go, do you
>>>>>>>> just
>>>>>>>> get the things you absolutely need, and keep the load as little as
>>>>>>>> possible or do you usually take advantage of the fact you are at
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> store and get lots of stuff?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My next questions are about transportation. I live in a college
>>>>>>>> town.
>>>>>>>> I guess it's your typical college town. It's big enough to be
>>>>>>>> considered a small city or large town...we have five Krogers, four
>>>>>>>> or
>>>>>>>> more Walmarts...tons of restaurants and bars, two malls...two movie
>>>>>>>> theaters. It isn't a major city though.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> We do have a bus system but I've never been encouraged to use it.
>>>>>>>> I've
>>>>>>>> just been expected to take cabs everywhere.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> One of the problems though is that the town is not really a walking
>>>>>>>> town...there are parts of it you can walk in but not very many.
>>>>>>>> When
>>>>>>>> things/places are built, often pedestrian accessibility is left
>>>>>>>> out.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> There doesn't seem to be any blind people; there is no NFB chapter.
>>>>>>>> So, naturally the majority of the people, including most of the
>>>>>>>> students drive. From what I've read on their website, the bus
>>>>>>>> covers
>>>>>>>> many areas, but usually until only 6 o'clock, unless it's downtown
>>>>>>>> where the students are. I don't live downtown though. Because of
>>>>>>>> this,
>>>>>>>> I find myself having to take cabs almost everywhere. Cabs here are
>>>>>>>> about $5-6 each way. Is this normal for a college town? Is this
>>>>>>>> expensive for a cab?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Are my only options to either take the bus when it is available or
>>>>>>>> take
>>>>>>>> cabs?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Should I just not worry about the expense and take cabs when and
>>>>>>>> wherever?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Is learning to use the bus hard or is it as simple as calling and
>>>>>>>> asking the right questions?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>From what I can tell, from where I live, in order to take the bus
>>>>>>>> again since I'm not in the downtown student area I will have to
>>>>>>>> take
>>>>>>>> two buses to get anywhere and it usually takes about two hours. Is
>>>>>>>> this normal for a large town/small city?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> The closest major city to me is Pittsburgh. There is a bus that
>>>>>>>> goes
>>>>>>>> there twice. In order to take a grayhound bus, or AM track train
>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>> have to somehow get to Pittsburgh. Is the bus going twice daily
>>>>>>>> reasonable?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> For those of you who live in college towns similar to this how do
>>>>>>>> you
>>>>>>>> find a balance between taking cabs, using family and friends, and
>>>>>>>> taking the bus?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> What is the cost monthly of owning a vehicle compared to taking
>>>>>>>> cabs
>>>>>>>> all the time? I'm sorry to ask this...I've never been told.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I guess I am just asking these questions because I want to make
>>>>>>>> sure
>>>>>>>> I'm not getting screwed so to speak. I don't mind taking cabs, but
>>>>>>>> sometimes I feel like I'm just automatically expected to spend the
>>>>>>>> money just because...if you know what I mean by that! I've been
>>>>>>>> told
>>>>>>>> owning a vehicle is several hundreds of dollars a month when the
>>>>>>>> cost
>>>>>>>> of maintaenance, car payments, insurance, and gas is added up but
>>>>>>>> again these have just been from sighted people who don't take cabs.
>>>>>>>> It
>>>>>>>> seems like most other blind people I know don't take cabs unless
>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>> absolutely have to and I hate having to do it all the time. In one
>>>>>>>> sense I feel like I'm being told to go ahead, don't worry about it,
>>>>>>>> owning a vehicle is expensive too...but then on the other hand so
>>>>>>>> many
>>>>>>>> blind people don't seem to like doing it. I know each town is
>>>>>>>> different...but if I want to go somewhere and it's after 6 and the
>>>>>>>> bus
>>>>>>>> doesn't go are cabs or family/friends my only options? I've never
>>>>>>>> gone
>>>>>>>> completely broke or run out of money by taking cabs but again...I
>>>>>>>> feel
>>>>>>>> as if I'm getting mixed messages and I want to make sure I'm doing
>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>> right/best thing. From where I live you can't walk anywhere as
>>>>>>>> there
>>>>>>>> are several things across the street but it's not actually a street
>>>>>>>> but a major six-lane highway...so walking is out. I'm not married
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> live alone. Do those of you who live in towns like this find
>>>>>>>> yourselves having to also take cabs more frequently than other
>>>>>>>> blind
>>>>>>>> people? I know my questions seem a little crazy but I thought I'd
>>>>>>>> ask
>>>>>>>> them all in one post.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thanks so much!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Kerri
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
>>>>>>>> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>> blindtlk:
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>> blindtlk mailing list
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
>>>>
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>>
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