[Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
firoz
firojjee at gmail.com
Wed Oct 13 01:07:56 UTC 2010
oh yeah
thanks for the help
just now i have filled up the forms for re hab and now i am gona post it to
tehm and fixed the appointment
my first meeting here lets see what happens
surely i am going to approach every body here in order to settle down here
still i have not lost hope with the friends like you all now i am encourage
to stay longer
thanks
firoz
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Evans" <drevans at bellsouth.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 5:48 PM
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>
> Dear Firoz,
>
> Something you might consider is advertising your knowledge of chemistry
> and work as a tutor to high school and college students who need a little
> help in their classes. Even volenteering your skills at a local high
> school might help you to gain some friends and maybe get your foot in the
> door.
> If you need some help with training or equipment, the California State
> Division of Blind Services should help you get what ever you need to hold
> and do a job.
>
> You will have to find a niche for yourself and doing anything you can to
> make new friends and influence people to your favor is what is needed.
> Just keep trying until you are successful.
> We have a saying," you are not licked until you quit and you don't quit
> until you are licked.
> ----- Original Message
>
> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack. -----
> From: "Kerri Kosten" <kerrik2006 at gmail.com>
> To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 3:28 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Grocery shopping, and transportation questions
>
>
>> Hi:
>>
>> First, to Fearez...have you thought about contacting the National
>> Federation of The Blind in California? They should be able to help
>> lots! I want to say the president of California is Mary Willows but I
>> don't have contact info for her...just have heard her name. There may
>> be an NFB chapter in San Jose, CA as well you could get help/support
>> from. Blindness should not be a stopping factor in doing what you want
>> in your life!
>>
>> To David thanks for the info. I did not realize this about the
>> paratransit. I will have to call again and be more assertive with
>> them.
>>
>> I do have another question though. Here in town we have an area with
>> sevral businesses called University Town Center. I initially was under
>> the assumption it was a strip mall and everything could be walked to.
>> However, it is very inaccessible. The buildings are very spread out
>> and to get from one to the other you have to either drive
>>
>> On 10/10/10, firoz <firojjee at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> 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
>>>>>>>>> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> blindtlk:
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>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>
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