[il-talk] I need some advice because of unfair treatment by a paratransit service

[Kelly Pierce]

Joshua,

First, I would call Greg Gates the director of LOTS at (815) 288-2117
and explain that you are a blind person and a misunderstanding has
occurred about your independence and capacity to use lots. Be sure to
tell him that you were unaware of any policy that expects passengers
to meet vehicles curbside. You can meet the vehicle curbside and are
happy to do so.

If he will not take your call, I would write him a letter asking him
to resolve the issue and clear up the confusion and to include your
statement of independence in your chart.  I have other ideas if the
letter is ignored, but I would start with this. Keep us posted on what
happens.



Kelly




On 5/7/19, Lewis Wood via IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Liability.   They are concerned about liability if you fall.   If they
> remove the status and you get hurt, they are in serious Jeopardy.  So now
> you need someone official to sign off on your ability to walk.   Vocational
> official and/or Doctor, then they assume liability.
>
> Other approach is post on local Facebook walls a video of you walking the
> front walk and describing how paratransit has you labeled incorrectly and no
> way to change it.  This is more confrontational, though.
>
> Lewis Wood
>
> ________________________________
> From: IL-Talk <il-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org> on behalf of Leslie Hamric via
> IL-Talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, May 7, 2019 5:10:05 PM
> To: louvins at gmail.com; NFB of Illinois Mailing List
> Cc: Leslie Hamric
> Subject: Re: [il-talk] I need some advice because of unfair treatment by a
> paratransit service
>
> I would strongly recommend that you get to and from the vehicle you by
> yourself using your can from now on. I'm not sure who to contact about the
> issue of them saying you need an escort. My question is, how did that come
> up in the first place? Did you tell them about being blind or that you
> needed a guide? I think it's wrong for them to say that. Lt me do some
> Research and see what I could come up with.
> Leslie
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On May 7, 2019, at 4:05 PM, Joshua Hendrickson via IL-Talk
>> <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> Hi to all.  I don't usually post messages to this group.  I do enjoy
>> reading what is going on with NFB of Illinois.  However, today I have
>> encountered a situation that needs your help.  I use a service called
>> LOTS which stands for Lee Ogle Transportation.  They go in my local
>> area, and I usually use them to go to lunch.  However, sometimes I use
>> them to go to Rockford.  I scheduled an appointment for a week from
>> tomorrow to get some new strings on my guitar as well as go to lunch.
>> I called lots today to see if I could change the restaurant where I
>> would be having lunch.  Well, I was asked if I would be having an
>> escort with me when they would be picking me up.  When I told the
>> dispatcherI would not be having an escort, but going by myself, I was
>> told my rides to Rockford would be suspended until I got an escort.
>> In the past, the driver would come in where I was at and guide me to
>> the bus.  The driver didn't tell me that he wasn't allowed to leave
>> the vihickle.  I didn't think anything of it.  I just thought the
>> driver was being nice.  Its not like I can't walk outside to the
>> vehicle by myself.  I am so frustrated that lots is making such a big
>> deal out of this.  I tried to talk to a supervisor and tell them that
>> I would now come out to the vehicle myself.  However, she said since
>> it was in my chart, she could do nothing about it.  I tried looking on
>> lots website to see if there was a number to cantact another
>> supervisor, but couldn't find one.  There didn't seem to be an email
>> address I could contact someone at either.
>>  Thanks for any help.
>> --
>> Joshua Hendrickson
>>
>> Joshua Hendrickson
>>
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