[nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

Tue Apr 26 15:46:33 UTC 2016

Hi. 
 Thank you. This sounds like I would expect. Was asking on an fb group about
paratransit in general getting recertified and just yeah. Every state seemed
pretty chill except Austin TX! Guess they're terrible. Will do anything to
deny anyone! So yeah. 
 Thanks for all this information. It's really helpful. 
 Sam 

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
via nabs-l
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 11:24 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Ashley Bramlett
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

hi,
well, I think it will be easier getting metro access if you have paratransit
elsewhere.
I think getting accepted will be alright; some areas seem more formal than
others. so, someone can tell you about the types of dress people wear.
If interested in nfb, dc has a large affiliate so you won't find it hard to
meet blind people. Also, arlington has a large club meeting in ballston, a
sort of town in arlington, so you could check them out too if you wanted;
not far from dc at all.

Ashley

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Nelson via nabs-l
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 10:00 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Cc: Sam Nelson
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

Hey Ashley,
Thank you so much for this.
My friend  is totally blind. Not  sure if her other friends are sighted. I
know she takes metro a lot which sounds so scary. Considering my mental
health issues this feels impossible at the moment but she's such a good role
model that I trust her and would at least try if I had to. I would
definitely want paratransit in my corner.
How's the process of getting  accepted in the area? If I came from Chicago
to DC with my  paratransit granted in Chicago would it be easier to get
certified as though I'm moving I would still have the same needs.
Like I said thanks for  everything. Will keep everything in mind around this
visiting and talking more with this friend will bring more clarity.
Sam

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
via nabs-l
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 8:44 PM
To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
Cc: Ashley Bramlett
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

Hello Sam,

I live outside the district in northern virginia.
What joe says is right on.

I'd say DC is expensive and yes there are a good amount of friendly blind
professionals. I've had a hard time believing the high unemployment for the
blind as most have good stable jobs primarily in the federal government,
federal contractors or large nonprofits.
There is a variety of food from the fast food places to the expensive dining
and in between. You will find lots of foreign cousine in dc, too.
We have a subway with color coded lines; each line takes you to a different
place but some lines share the same track for a certain number of stops.
We have buses too; in dc there is dc circulator and in northern va you got
the metro buses plus the fairfax connector for most of fairfax county and if
you go to arlington county there's the art buses.

There is paratransit too, metro access, but it can be late getting you as
most paratransit systems do; they are a bit overwelmed with demand.
And the regular transit system is going under repairs. our subway system
called metro rail is so old and is falling apart with frequent accidents.
Single tracking is common.

I'd say if you visit your friend and they drive, then you can do the car
thing and not worry about the transit.

Overall, the dc area is a walkable place and friendly.

HTH,
Ashley

-----Original Message-----
From: Sam Nelson via nabs-l
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 7:01 PM
To: jsoro620 at gmail.com ; 'National Association of Blind Students mailing
list'
Cc: Sam Nelson
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

Hi  Jo,
Thanks for your post.
Well I'm visiting this friend and it's a distant possibility that if things
went well and I felt comfortable I would move out there.
I'm most used to paratransit. What's that like?
Thanks!
Sam

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe via nabs-l
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 5:56 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Cc: Joe
Subject: Re: [nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

Sam,

I'm out here in the DC area. It's hard to tell from your post though what
specifically you're looking for if all you're doing is visiting. I can tell
you the subway system, though not as comprehensive as New York City's, will
get you most places you need to go, but for any interns coming out to join
us here this summer, it's worth noting our Metro is undergoing a lot of
repairs. It won't be unusual for your train to be either late or not running
at all, so it would behoove you to become as familiar with the bus routes as
you become with the train stations.

Airport-wise, Ronald Reagan is the closest to DC. BWI and Dulles, both
further away, could be cheaper options if you're willing to lay down a
little cash for ground transportation or take a bus/train into the District.

Entertainment? Not as lively as NYC. This is more of an intellectual
stimulus than music and dancing, but you'll find a fair amount to keep you
busy. People are generally nice, if a little self-absorbed, but I've yet to
experience anyone beyond lending a little help when help was sought.

Friendly blind people? I might could be considered one of these. There is
certainly a good concentration of blind professionals in the local region,
enough of us willing to take time to show you around the area if you needed
help orienting.

I've toyed with the idea of doing a post on DC travel for blind people on my
personal blog. If there's enough interest, please post your questions or
curiosities. I'll write something of a comprehensive post and update it as
needed for interested travelers. Whatever else you take away, note DC is
freaking expensive. I survived here my first year on an AmeriCorps budget
but just barely. If you're here to see the sites, a lot of them are free.
Most of your money will drain on food, drinks and lodging.

Hope that's a starting base for other questions. Sorry I can't help you with
the mental health resources, but I'm sure we can get you connected with the
right people there.

Joe

--
Musings of a Work in Progress:
www.JoeOrozco.com/

Twitter: @ScribblingJoe

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sam Nelson via
nabs-l
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2016 2:40 PM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
Cc: Sam Nelson
Subject: [nabs-l] anyone on here from the DC area

Hey  Everyone,

Hope you're all  doing well.

I'm from Chicago. I have a friend who lives in DC. May visit at some point.
Am just doing some initial investigating into what the area is like.

If anyone on here is from DC  I would like to hear what you think of the
areas far as what it's like to be there and be blind. From getting to know
my friend it seems like there are quite a lot of friendly blind and other
disabled people there.  Feel free to message me privately.

And, if people feel comfortable I'm also very interested to hear the
experience of those who are blind and have any psychiatric disabilities as
I'd be definitely needing mental health services as well.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

Sam

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