[nagdu] Odd encounter second edition

Mon Aug 16 18:07:37 UTC 2010

Cool!  Good for you!

Snotty brat kids!  Urgh!  I am glad you were able to get them to knock it
off.  And maybe put the fear of Steve into them? /grin/

Our bus drivers are really pretty good, especially compared to stories I
hear from other parts of the country.  All the budget tightening we're doing
over here does seem to be having an effect on how Tri-Met manages the
disabled -- we do seem to be getting less honored, although I haven't been
riding the bus a lot lately so cannot speak from firsthand experience or
observations.  They did create a special office for us to travel to by bus
(naturally!) if we have problems with the changes in the bus service so that
it is not possible for us to ride the bus...  I'm sure I don't need to
explain the really gaping flaws in that maneuver!  Still, it's a new thing,
so we'll see how it plays out.  I'm pretending I'm an optimist when it comes
to replacing services with bureaucracy... I am much too naïve and innocent
to think this move might be saying something about Tri-Met's attitudes
towards Honored Citizens.  /grin/

Trains can be iffier, since they don't appear to be so closely policed.
Sometimes the Honored Citizen seating is a free for all...  Even when the
entire rest of the train is almost empty.  It is possible to stuff a 50
pound poodle under the regular seats, but it takes a lot of work and
thoughts of having to disassemble the poodle, then wondering if I also need
to disassemble myself to fit in as well.  Maybe they need to start making
telescoping guide dogs or at least ones you can break down conveniently,
then snap back together when you need them?  /grin/

Anyway, I'm looking forward to hearing how your transit project works out.
I'm getting some things wrapped up and put together before I stick my nose
back into politics in order to address what I see as some serious issues
with the Oregon Commission for the Blind (abuse of clients, little things
like that! Oh, and abuse of taxpayer funds in the process.), but if I play
my cards right, maybe I can work my way into some meaningful involvement in
other areas...  We'll see.  It's not like I'm going to be busy working
anytime soon..

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Steve Johnson
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 11:00 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Odd encounter second edition

Tami

Your comments just brought to mind an issue that I have had occur at least 2
times in the past 3 weeks.  The first was when I was on the bus and going
over to see my girlfriend and her guide.  There were some younger adults in
the back of the bus purposely making short whistles trying to gain Misha's
attention.  After a few more whistles, I turned and said that if you are
whistling at my dog I would ask that you please stop as she is working, and
thanked them.  About 15-20 seconds later it again resumed at which point I
quickly turned and stated, that if you continue to conduct yourselves in
this manner, I will ask the bus driver to have you removed.  Furthermore I
am a member on our Transit Board, and I will further see that you are
removed.  And as a special point of interest, it is against the law in the
State of Wisconsin to harass or interfere with a service dog team, and you
are doing both which you can be fined for.  They shut up, and I left at the
next stop.  This again happened just a week ago when some younger adults
were meowing in the back of the bus.  At first, it sounded like a baby, and
it was very difficult to distinguish. When it would occur, the small group
of about 3-4 would laugh.  They exited, and I was uncertain what it actually
was.  I confirmed with the driver what happened and he too believed they
were provoking my guide.  At a meeting this past Tuesday of our ADA Advisory
Committee, and I being the Chair, I presented this and we moved forth a
motion to have management implement a policy not only addressing the new
definition of a service dog, but adding the clause about harassment and
interference of a service dog team can result in immediate removal by the
driver.  The transit company will be working with the drivers to further
educate them on this as they are indeed wonderful drivers, look out for our
best interest as customers using dog guides, and have a vested interest in
such issues.  We are really pushing for a no-tolerence policy that goes
beyond this type of behavior when anyone is facing such harassment,
interference  or verbal comments that are perceived as being harmful or
hurtful to the individual.

Steve

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Saturday, August 14, 2010 11:21 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Odd encounter

Sean,

It does help when the driver has his/her eye on the ball.  /smile/  Still,
it can be very disconcerting in the short time before things get sorted out.
/smile/

One thing I have learned is to wait in the back of the line to get on if
things are crowded, so that I don't get all confused by the people moving
around where I'm trying to sit down.  It used to be that when people would
play the "after you" game, I would thank them politely and get on, which
would work fine unless there was something strange going on at the front of
the bus that I had to deal with -- like somebody trying to pet my dog or
getting down in her face to see if she would shake hands...  Good grief!

So now, I smile swweetly and say, Thanks, you go ahead please.  /lol/  This
doesn't stop surprising things from happening when it's time to sit down,
but it does give me a better chance of not being entirely baffled and
confuddled.  Just mostly.  /grin/

Most of our bus drivers here do a pretty good job of watching what's going
on, so when it's just obnoxious conversation, I get the impression they make
sure this innocent little lamb doesn't get off the bus and go home with the
drunk guy.  In fact, with one, the driver advised me to go to a different
stop, which I was happy to do as my new best friend staggered off all by his
lonesome.  Sheesh!  I agreed with the bus driver wholeheartedly, and she was
great about telling me how the next stop related to the stop I had planned
to get off on and how the streets between were laid out.  I thought that was
really great of her and told her so!

Anyway, glad your oddness was short and that Franklin was untroubled by the
crazy man.  /smile/  I love how you describe the look on his face.  

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Sean Moore
Sent: Friday, August 13, 2010 2:40 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Odd encounter

The driver saw that guy was a little off. That and he was hitting on one
lady who lives in my apartment complex, with her husband right there. THough

I think he didn't pay attention at all or he was asleep.

But the drunk was kicked off the bus after like 3 stops.

Yours,
Sean Moore &
Southeastern Guide Dog, Franklin

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