[nagdu] Questions about Federal regs regarding paratransit

[Margo and Elmo]

You are right on, marion.

Oh, well, I don't know if I like that bid system.  it's not done that way 
here and I think I'm glad of it.  I can certainly see why telling the 
cabbies you have a dog is not a good idea in Tampa and most everywhere else.

I have refused airline so-called accommodations many times.

margo and Elmo
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 8:22 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Questions about Federal regs regarding paratransit


> Dear All,
>    the problem that arises when one is asked about whether a service 
> animal will be accompanying a person is the potential for discrimination. 
> This may not occur with paratransit, however, it could happen with private 
> transportation services. For instance, if a taxi company flags someone in 
> their system and, when that person calls for a ride is asked the same 
> question, it could result in an unequal treatment. Should the dispatcher 
> place a call for a pick-up in what is known as a "bid" system in which the 
> call is placed and drivers respond that they are willing to take the fare, 
> as is true here in Tampa, we could wait an inordinate amount of time for a 
> ride. If the dispatcher says, "I have a fare with a dog in zone 50." and 
> drivers are not willing to take my dog, they will not bid on that fare and 
> I am being discriminated against because of my choice to use a guide dog.
>    Another instance is with the airlines. If you tell them in advance that 
> you will be accompanied by a service animal, any of the personnel who have 
> access to your information will see that and make certain assumptions "in 
> your best interest"! For instance, they will automatically assume you want 
> to sit in the bulkhead (or not), that you will want to pre-board, will 
> need certain assistance, etc. Frequently airline personnel will insist 
> that you accept such accomodation, whether or not you want them and, when 
> you decline them, insist it is "Federal regulation", which it is not. In 
> fact, Federal regulations say we have the right to refuse any 
> accommodation. HTH!
>
> Fraternally,
> Marion
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Margo and Elmo" <margo.downey at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 9:41 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Questions about Federal regs regarding paratransit
>
>
>> Charlene, I just spoke with a couple of folks in the know about these 
>> things.
>>
>> Generally speaking, they are not doing anything illegal by asking you to 
>> mention that your guide dog is accompanying you on each trip.  Now, it 
>> was suggested to me that perhaps it might be possible that the 
>> paratransit service might be using an outdated software program on their 
>> computers. it was further suggested that they look at a software called 
>> Trapeze which is extremely accurate--not perfect but accurate.  For 
>> example, our paratransis sytem which is a very good and reliable system 
>> uses Trapeze. On the application I filled out, I checked that I have a 
>> guide dog.  that info went into my records on this software and that fact 
>> automatically goes into my trip when I make a paratransit reservation. 
>> the reason they like to know these things is to ensure comfortable space 
>> for the dog. They also know about scooters, wheelchairs, PCA's and such 
>> to ensure space on the van.
>>
>> hope this helps.
>>
>> margo and Elmo
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Charlene Ota" <caota at hawaii.rr.com>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 11:27 PM
>> Subject: [nagdu] Questions about Federal regs regarding paratransit
>>
>>
>>> Several of us in Hawaii are having a problem with guide dogs on 
>>> paratransit.
>>> We've all notified the company and validated that the fact that we have
>>> guide dogs is in our records and the reservationists see this at the 
>>> time we
>>> make reservations.  However, even so, we're having a problem if we make 
>>> a
>>> reservation when we are picked up we are at times given a hard time 
>>> about
>>> because we didn't tell the reservationists that we have a service dog. 
>>> The
>>> other day I was almost put out of a cab from one of the companies that
>>> paratransit contracts with. When I pointed out to the reservationists 
>>> that
>>> it is in my record that I have a guide dog so why do I have to tell you
>>> every time that I take him she kept arguing that it's assumed that if 
>>> you
>>> don't mention that you're taking the dog then you're not taking the dog. 
>>> She
>>> compared it to having a PCA. I tried to tell them that it's actually the
>>> norm for me to have my guide dog with me, but this didn't matter to her.
>>>
>>> So, my question is, can we be put off of paratransit if we don't
>>> specifically mention our dog every time we make a reservation? Is a 
>>> service
>>> dog or guide dog comparable to a PCA? Personally, I think this is going 
>>> too
>>> far and it is verging on discrimination.  Also, one final question, are 
>>> our
>>> HIPA rights violated when our information is discussed over the air of 
>>> the
>>> radio or cell phone with the drivers?  To me, paratransit is public
>>> transportation and I don't feel they have the right to do some of these
>>> things. But, I need the Federal regs to do much about the situation.
>>>
>>> Any help would be appreciated.
>>>
>>> Charlene
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>>
>>
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>
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