[Blindtlk] Hiring Drivers Re: Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes

Mon May 2 20:08:37 UTC 2011

ditto Cindy....I have the same experience.
Michael
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Handel" <cindy425 at verizon.net>
To: "Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 2:43 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] Hiring Drivers Re: Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes


> Diane, Your comments made me think about trying to hire drivers.  I 
> thought,
> in a relatively small city, that it wouldn't be hard to hire drivers.  Not
> So!  I've posted notices at my local grocery store and attempted to put 
> the
> request in a newsletter for a rather large retirement community near me.
> The store notice brought no results.  The person in charge of posting in 
> the
> newsletter at the retirement community wouldn't even put it in.  She said
> something about a no soliciting policy in the community and she made the
> decision that their residents wouldn't be interested.  So, I never got to
> ask.
>
> We've also requested transportation from the local Lions Club, of which my
> husband is a member.  But, that's also very difficult.  We have gotten
> rides, on a couple of occasions.  But, for the most part, when my husband
> asks, there is no response.
>
> I don't know what the explanation is, for the Lions Club.  But, finding
> someone to hire isn't always as easy as it would seem.
>
> Cindy
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
> To: "'Jeanette Fortin'" <jeanette at fortin-home.com>; "'Blind Talk Mailing
> List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 3:31 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
>
> Oh yes. This is why fixed route is as limited as it is in Indianapolis and
> other areas. The well-to-do and upper middle class do not want the busses
> bringing the inner city folks into their areas. So those who look down on
> others who choose to use paratransit, should know that there are others
> towering above the fixed route riders looking down their noses as well.
>
> If you live someplace like Chicago or New York and have their quality of
> fixed rout service in terms of regularity and parameter, you are lucky. 
> The
> majority of us don't.
>
> Diane Graves
> Civil Rights Specialist
> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
> 317-232-2647
>
> "It is service that measures success."
> George Washington Carver
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jeanette Fortin
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 3:21 PM
> To: Blind Talk Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
> you are so right about sighted people and public transit, they are
> alsosometimes offended when t it is suggested they carpool, the idea of 
> not
> having thier own wheels at their disposal is unheard of to them. jeanette
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Graves, Diane" <dgraves at icrc.IN.gov>
> To: "'Blind Talk Mailing List'" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 1:16 PM
> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>
>
>> Very well said David. You are absolutely correct in my opinion and right
>> on target with Dr. Jernigan's speech.  If people want to get into the
>> stereotypes set forth by the use of paratransit, let me just point out
>> another. There are sighted people who have never taken a fixed route bus,
>> and never would, because they believe that public transit is for 
>> low-lifes
>> and others who they deem to be beneath them.  Is this fair or true?
>> Absolutely not, but you couldn't convince them of that. I've known some 
>> of
>> these people. If there weren't a car available, either theirs or someone
>> else's, they just simply wouldn't go. They believe they are too good to
>> use the bus.
>> Diane Graves
>> Civil Rights Specialist
>> Indiana Civil Rights Commission
>> Alternative Dispute Resolutions Unit
>> 317-232-2647
>>
>> "It is service that measures success."
>> George Washington Carver
>>
>> Confidentiality Notice: This E-mail transmission may contain confidential
>> and/or legally privileged information intended only for the individual or
>> entity(ies)
>> named in the E-mail address. If you are not the intended recipient, be
>> advised that any unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution, or 
>> acting
>> in reliance
>> upon the contents of this E-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have
>> received this E-mail transmission in error, please reply to sender to
>> arrange for the return and proper delivery of the transmission.
>> Subsequently, delete the message from your system immediately.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of David Evans
>> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 2:53 PM
>> To: Blind Talk Mailing List; davidb521 at gmail.com
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>>
>>
>> Dear All,
>>
>> All I am advocating is that we all must use the tools and materials we 
>> are
>> given to get around.
>> If you can use the fixed route bus for your needs, use it.
>> If Para-transit is there and there are barriers that prevent you from
>> using
>> the fixed route bus for all of your trips, use the Para-transit.
>> There should be no shame either way.
>> In some cases there are no options.  We just need to get the job done of
>> getting ourselves where and when that we need to go to live our lives the
>> best we can.
>> If you could hold a job,by taking Para-transit, but not the fixed route
>> buses, would you choose to hold the job or sit home and let your live 
>> pass
>> you by?
>> Reverse that an ask yourself if you could hold a job, using the fixed
>> route
>> bus and not the Para-transit service, would you hold that job?
>> Holding the job would likely change your life for the better, so why does
>> it
>> matter how you get there to do the job
>> Having a job could let you move closer to the job and maybe walk to work
>> or
>> ride some other form of Public Transportation to work and all of the 
>> other
>> places you need to go.
>> Accessing Public Transportation, in any form, adds to your independence
>> and
>> advances your life.
>> I must commute 43 miles one way, 5 days a week to work at my job.
>> It takes me , and my guide dog Jack, about 2 to 2.5 hours one way each 
>> day
>> to do this.
>> I have 3 ways to get to my job.
>> I can take the Para-transit, which takes just as long as the Fixed route
>> bus.  I can take the fixed route bus which means taking 3 buses and a 3
>> hour
>> each way trip or I can take 3 buses and the Tri-rail train that cuts 45
>> minutes off the fixed route time as long as the train and the buses are 
>> on
>> time.
>> I can access the fixed route bus at two different points by walking, but
>> need to cross some busy streets to do it.
>> One of these is the intersections of two 6 lanes roads that have 
>> meridians
>> in the middle, duel left hand turn lanes and all 4 corners and right on
>> red
>> lanes at all four corners too.  I have to cross both roads to get to the
>> stop.
>> The other way , I have to walk out of my way , which is over a mile and
>> need
>> to cross two busy streets at the corner of a adult living complex, 
>> Century
>> Village, and a shopping center.
>> With the risk of crossing these streets, which I do if I must, and the
>> time
>> it takes to walk there, with a back pack full of computer equipment, 
>> lunch
>> and raincoat, dog treats and toys, and you can see why taking the
>> Para-transit looks to be the best way for me to do the trip.
>> I have also been hit twice right outside Century Village in the past so
>> forgive me if I am a little gun shy now.  Both times were hit and run and
>> they were never caught.  .
>> I can even work in my computer as I go while we are picking up and
>> dropping
>> off other people.  I am more productive verses the bus and train options.
>> I do what works for me.  I think that you should do the same.
>> My job and my travels can range over 3 counties and 130 miles sometimes
>> just
>> to attend meetings of boards and committees I serve on.
>> I use all available forms of transit in my area at least once or twice a
>> month.
>> I serve on the Palm Tran Service Board, the Palm Tran Para-transit
>> Sub-Committee, the Transportation Disadvantaged Local Coordinating Board
>> and
>> the South Florida Regional Transit Authority/Tri-Rail Advisory Committee.
>> At my job, I run the window dispatch and get the manifests out to the
>> drivers, log them in and out, answer the switchboard and route the calls,
>> handle the lost and found and do some driver training.  I am totally 
>> blind
>> at this point in my life.  I also do public outreach and public relations
>> and handle legislative affairs too.
>>
>> David Evans, NFBF and GD Jack.
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "nikki Wunderlich" <nikki0222 at gmail.com>
>> To: <davidb521 at gmail.com>; "'Blind Talk Mailing List'"
>> <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 1:36 PM
>> Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>>
>>
>>> Hello David,
>>>
>>> I think if you don't have to use parra transit because you can use fixed
>>> routes with confidence, then I would use the fixed routes. But as I said
>>> in
>>> my last email to the list I do not live with in walking distance of a 
>>> bus
>>> stop, and have no way to get to it. Also even if I did live with in
>>> walking
>>> distance of the bus stop there's a busy high way between where I live 
>>> and
>>> the bus stop. I believe it's 4 laines either direction. SSo in total I'd
>>> have to cross 8 lanes of traffic, some of which are turning lanes.
>>> Crossing
>>> 2 or four lanes of traffic doesn't bother me, but any more than that is
>>> really daunting to me. I mean I could probably do it if I had to, but if
>>> I
>>> don't have to I'm not going to. I used to live with my sister in the 
>>> same
>>> apartment complex that I'm living in now, and back then I qualified for
>>> Metro Mobility, so I don't see why I wouldn't qualify for it now, but
>>> we'll
>>> have to see. Personally if I could use fixed routes I would, because 
>>> it's
>>> less expencive, but I can't. It's not because of my travel skills 
>>> either.
>>> They're pretty good. My vision is my only disability too. Well I think
>>> this
>>> email is long enough, so I will end it and say to all I hope you have a
>>> great day!
>>>
>>> Nikki
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] 
>>> On
>>> Behalf Of David
>>> Sent: Monday, May 02, 2011 12:17 PM
>>> To: 'Blind Talk Mailing List'
>>> Subject: [Blindtlk] Paratransit Vs. fixed Routes
>>>
>>> Hello. I was reading the thread discussing the pros and cons of blind
>>> driving, and noticed some discussion regarding paratransit versus fixed
>>> routes. What I am wondering is this. Does paratransit in most cities
>>> closely
>>> follow fixed routes within a certain radius as I assume it does in Palm
>>> Beach County? From what I read from the list, paratransit is neither
>>> superior or inferior to fixed routes, hence it's name. Therefore, if
>>> blindness is your only disability, and your travel skills enable you to
>>> travel anywhere you please with confidence, as is the case with me, what
>>> are
>>> the advantages of paratransit, if any? I am interested in hearing your
>>> thoughts on this.
>>>
>>> David
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
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