[Colorado-talk] Check out the model of the proposed Commuterrail car for RTD's new lines

Tue May 31 23:35:00 UTC 2011

Greetings:

I was not privy to the conversation referenced below so hopefully my 
information is not off based.

Generally if you are using public transportationand you are seated in the 
"handicapped" seat and a person using a wheelchair boards then of course the 
public transit operator will probably ask you to move and the expectation is 
that you should move.  of course, this is a safety issue rather than 
preference.  Also these spots are specifically designated for keeping items 
with wheels stabilized such as strollers and wheelchairs.

of course it is my opinion that you should move as well because i do not 
believe there needs to be a designated seat for a blind person on public 
transportation.  However given the above situation, the person with a 
disability who is not using a wheelchair technically does have the right to 
request the public transit operator assist them in locating a seat.

However, lets say that public transit was completely full with strollers 
whether they are disabled or not and a person using a wheelchair wants to 
board, then the person using the wheelchair technically has to wait for the 
next scheduled arrival just the same as a person using a stroler would have 
to wait if it was full of people using wheelchairs.  for the matter, the 
same as a person who is blind would have to wait if there were no availble 
spaces on public transit.

How many times have we observed a person using a wheelchair having to wait 
for the the next schedule  arrival because public transit is completely full 
during rush hour.  if the person using a wheelchair had priority then the 
public transit operator  should ask all of the patrons occupying the space 
where the wheelchair is to travel and reside to to exit the bus.

of course as we know even though the regulation is in place human behavior 
is not regulated.  so some drivers may think that because on a bus for 
instance the person using a wheelchair may be a higher priority because 
their are only two spaces.  also, a person using a stroller may choose to 
remove their child, fold the stroller, and move to a different seat because 
it is an option but technically they do not have to do so if they are 
properly following the policy.

We also know that this is because people who do not have a disability often 
believe that people who do have a disability are inferior.  for instance, 
how many times have you observed a person using a stroller  fold the 
stroller and move for another person using a stroller.  Also how many times 
have you observed a strroller being able to wait in the aisle while in 
transit and how many times have you observed a wheelchair being able to wait 
in the aisle while in transit.

Generally in issues of transportation all disabilities are equal because the 
service should inherently be equal.  this is true even for para transit 
because once you qualify for the programthen you are eligible for all of its 
services.

for instance, if para transit was completely full with people who are blind 
and at the next pick up location a person using a wheelchair was scheduled 
to board then the driver could not ask the people who are blind to vacate 
the vehicle and give up their spot to the person using the wheelchair.  Now 
of course, the operator could ask people to exit in order so that their can 
be some maneuvering to best accomodate everyone.

Please remember that at Mile High Counseling and Vocation Services "we are 
in business for your success".

Thank you,

Eddie K. Thieszen - Culp M.A., CRC, CVE
Vocational Expert / forensic Rehabilitation Consultant
Mile High Counseling and Vocation Services
9451 Welby Road
#812
Thornton, CO. 80229
Phone: 720-244-9748
Fax:  303-280-4927
Email: MHCVS at comcast.net

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "james triplett" <jamestriplett at comcast.net>
To: "'NFB of Colorado Discussion List'" <colorado-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2011 1:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Colorado-talk] Check out the model of the proposed 
Commuterrail car for RTD's new lines

> Hi Chris
>
> Did you get the e-mail I sent you last week concerning the driver that 
> said
> people in wheel chairs have more priority over people with other
> disabilities?Let me know you got this e-mail.
>
> Have a great day.
>
> Joe
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org
> [mailto:colorado-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Foster
> Sent: Monday, May 30, 2011 10:02 AM
> To: 'Colorado Association of Blind Students List'; NFB of Colorado Mailing
> List
> Subject: [Colorado-talk] Check out the model of the proposed Commuter rail
> car for RTD's new lines
>
> Hi Friends,
>
> Check out the information below and try to make time to go to downtown
> Denver to check out this model train car RTD plans to use by 2016 on its 
> new
> lines.  Please give lots of feedback.  Thanks, Chris Foster
>
> Experience the commuter rail car of the future at
>
> Denver Union Station (1701 Wynkoop, Denver 80202)
>
> May 24 -June 18, 2011
>
> May 31 -June 18, 2011:Monday -Friday, 10 am -6 pm; Saturday 10 am -4pm
>
> For more information, go to http://www.rtd-fastracks.com/main_1
>
>
>
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