[nagdu] paratransit woes

[Steven Johnson]

Rebecca,

I would first start by formally requesting a modification of policy and
practice that allows you to conduct this interview over the phone.  As you
know, para-transit is in place for individuals who are unable or who have a
qualifying conditions that prevent them from using the fixed route service.
If you need more info on how to request a modification of policy and
practice under Section 504 and ADA/Dot (Title II), just let me know.  It is
a pretty simple concept, and it is easy to locate by simply performing a
google search.  This is due to the fact that transportation entities,
receive federal dollars to operate thus triggering these protections.
Hope this helps,

Steve


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Rebecca Ilniski
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2012 4:50 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] paratransit woes

hi everyone.  I'll post this here and see what you all would do about this.
This is a long story so be prepared to read awhile.
Back in 99 I moved to Philadelphia and in 2000 I got my first apartment at
7250 walnut street.  I got travel trained to go to work  from my apartment.
Yes instead of mobility they call it being "travel trained." 
I made the mistake of saying so then starts a nice long battle with the
paratransit company.  Every 3 years you have to get recertified.  In
2004 I moved to my new apartment.  I never had mobility or "travel training"
as they call it from here.  In order to have paratransit, you have to make
yourself sound so disabled.  They claim every bus and train is ADA
accessible.  It may be for the wheelchairs but they aren't for the blind.
If they were done correctly, every stop[ would  be announced which they
aren't.  The county where I live has two pikes baltimore pike and
westchester pike which are both very dangerous to cross.  It's like a
highway with a median in the middle.  Three years ago I had to attend a
hearing to have my paratransit certified.  Septa had an attorney and I had
an attorney.  They had no evaluations or anything to stand on and I had
paperwork from my neurologist talking about some of the medicines that I'm
on as well as the fact that my physical condition has changed since the 90's
as we get older certain things change.  For me sometimes I get such bad
headaches and the medicine that I take at times either forces me to stay
home or sometimes if it's bad enough I get a ride home from work sometimes.
At the hearing, they determined that I was "conditional" meaning that I
would only use paratransit in unfamiliar destinations.  Here comes this
year.  I got a letter stating that the that my paratransit service would end
in September.  If I wanted the service I needed to call so I did.  I spoke
to my friend Fran before I called and she said that her and her husband had
a phone interview since they are unconditional.  So I call today and spoke
to the person that handles these interviews.  He said that he'd take a look
at my file.  He called me back and said that I couldn't have the phone
interview because I was conditional and that I'd have to come to the office
and have someone help me fillit out.  Well, when I get back from
Williamsport I'll take paratransit to the septa office and if I don't show
up either because they are late or whatever they will see.  The issue for me
too is yes I can get on a bus or train but where on earth do I go after I
get off?  The transportation company is not thinking about safety or
anything like that.  So if you read this far how would you proceed?
--
Rebecca and Zeb
email: rilniski at gmail.com
facebook: facebook.com/rebeccai5
Zeb's facebook: facebook.com/zeb.ilniski

--
Rebecca and Zeb
email: rilniski at gmail.com
facebook: facebook.com/rebeccai5
Zeb's facebook: facebook.com/zeb.ilniski

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