<html><head></head><body><div style="color:; background-color:; font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px"><div id="yiv9065104351"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_5717"><div style="color:#000;background-color:#fff;font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, Lucida Grande, sans-serif;font-size:16px;" id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_5716"><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_4615"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_5918">Dear East Valley and whoever this may concern,</span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_5917"><span><br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_5915"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">On June 18th 2017, I have asked Ron Brooks and possibly some people from his team to come to the East Valley Chapter meeting to discuss some of the issues that have been brought up regarding Transit and Dial A Ride.</span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9268"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9199"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">I explained to Ron that members are feeling quite concerned about the changes that are going to be taking place. There is a lot of talk and rumors circulating among our members, as well as the total transit drivers which is causing quite a stir.<br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9277"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9278"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">Ron and I had a very nice talk. Here is what you need to know. These are facts that you can take with you. I am hoping that this information will calm some of your fears, misconceptions, misunderstandings and or any false information and ideas that you may have been given.<br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9508"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9412"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">1. We need to understand that as unfortunate or fortunate as this may sound, contracts do end. So, what is the quote, death and taxes are inevitable, well, add the fact that contracts ending is inevitable too.<br></span></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9510" dir="ltr"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9794"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">2. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! The only thing that will change with Dial A Ride is the service provider. That is it. The service hours, service windows, fees, and all services associated with Dial A Ride will remain the same. Valley Metro as well as TRANSDEV have openly stated directly to the public that they guarantee our services will remain as they always have</span><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">, along with a really exciting promise that services will only get better. Yes, the vehicles will be different and yes, you may have to share rides from time to time. We have already been doing that.<br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10078"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10079"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">Yellow cab has been hired as a sub contractor by TRANSDEV to help with a few calls. You will probably hardly see them.<br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9632"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_9630"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_81358"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">Valley Metro has asked Total Transit to make sure that their drivers are not spreading false information. They are strongly advised not to discuss or say anything to us, as passengers about the new contracts. Ron has asked that if any drivers are giving you information about what is and will be happening with these contracts to report this to Valley Metro immediately at: 602-253-5000.<br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_81370"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_81371"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">We need to remember to do likewise, if you are not sure about something, don't put it out there.<br></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10432"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10455"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">3. Ride Choice is getting even better and more affordable!! When Valley Metro visits us, they will explain the great new benefits and conveniences that they will be adding, so be looking forward to that as well.<br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10540"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10503"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">I know that change is really hard. I really do. I understand that it is hard to fathom the unknown, or what may or may not happen. After all, this is our independence we are talking about right?<br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10638"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10566"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">I hope that you all know and understand, that the NFBA is closely working with Ron Brooks and Valley Metro to provide the best and most affordable services possible in order for us to remain independent and equal in a sighted world.<br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10816"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_10815"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_34881"><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7557">Please don't forget about buses and light rails as well. They are always there.</span></div></div><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_5916"> </div><div class="yiv9065104351signature" id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7549"><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_61050">These are the facts and that is it. I am not leaving anything out.<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_61057"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_66858">Let's please stay positive as we look forward to our visit from Valley Metro in June.</div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_97120"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_97121">We will send out more reminders as the meeting gets closer.<br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_63961"><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_97123">Thank you.<br></div><div><br></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492638996455_61051">Sincerely,
</div><br>Megan Homrighausen
<br><b id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1492632089460_7560">East Valley Chapter President<br>National Federation Of The Blind Of Arizona</b>
<br>480-510-6196<br><div id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3130"><br></div><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3132" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3133" style="">National Federation Of The Blind Principles<br><br>1.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3134" style="font:7.0pt;"> I</span></span></span>t
is respectable to be blind. It’s okay to be blind. Being blind is
something that we need not feel troubled or embarrassed about, concerned about
or emotionally exhausted over. It’s okay to be blind.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3136" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3137" style=""><br>2.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3138" style="font:7.0pt;"> T</span></span></span>he real problem of blindness is not the absence of vision but is
the social misconceptions and stereotypes that exist about blindness. It is not the physical absence of eye sight but it is what society has come to
believe about our blindness. We reject the misconceptions that society has and
we accept that the physical absence of our sight is not the big problem.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3140" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3141" style=""><br>3.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3142" style="font:7.0pt;"> </span></span></span>With proper training and opportunity the average blind person can
do the average job in the average place of work.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3156" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3157" style=""><br>4.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3158" style="font:7.0pt;"> </span></span></span>Blindness
is simply one of many human characteristics, like being tall or being short,
being big or small, being bright or average. Blindness is simply one of many<br>characteristics.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3175" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3176" style=""><br>5.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3177" style="font:7.0pt;"> </span></span></span>Blindness
can be reduced to the level of an inconvenience or physical nuisance. <span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3188" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3189" style=""><br>6.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3190" style="font:7.0pt;"> </span></span></span>We
believe in the effectiveness of alternative non visual techniques.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3213" style=""><span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3214" style=""><br>7.<span id="yiv9065104351yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1461649445555_3215" style="font:7.0pt;"> </span></span></span>If
we want equal rights we need to accept equal responsibility.</div></div></div></div></div></body></html>