[il-talk] Ventra Access Update

[Kelly Pierce]

On Friday evening, I spoke to Amy Serpe who is the compliance manager
for the Americans with Disabilities Act at the Chicago Transit
Authority.  Amy said the CTA has received and reviewed all the
feedback regarding the Ventra open fare payment system and is working
to resolve the accessibility issues raised.   Volume control has been
increased on all fare machines, according to Amy.  The agency is
trying to balance an acceptable volume level using headphones along
with an acceptable volume level with the loudspeaker on the machine.
Volume can be increased when the audio button on the Ventra machine is
pushed rapidly several times when it is initially started.  Amy
encourages community members to try using the machines with the new
volume level, increasing volume and using headphones.  The CTA can
make additional adjustments if needed.  Amy welcomes additional
feedback with the new volume level and if headphones or volume
adjustment make any difference.  Before the volume increase, the audio
was so low, I could not hear all the prompts with noise canceling
earphones.

CTA will have a meeting of its ADA Advisory Committee on Tuesday,
October 15, 2013, at its offices at 567 West Lake Street in the
boardroom on the second floor.  Amy said representatives from the
Regional Transportation Authority, CTA, and companies from the private
Ventra consortium will address access issues with the new fare system.
 All are welcome to come.  The meeting officially starts at 1:30 and
lasts to 4:30.  The Ventra discussion will not begin until 2:00 or so.
 Near the end of the meeting, ADA Advisory committee board members,
Ventra representatives,  and transit officials will travel down to the
building lobby for a demonstration of the Ventra machine, including
its audio interface.

Kelly