[Nfbc-info] Navigating the Temporary Transbay Terminal: Transbay Joint Powers Authority, LightHouse partner on a proactive solution for blind commuters using the temporary terminal

Tue Aug 3 16:41:12 UTC 2010

>
Please read attached or below.

Regards,
Lisamaria Martinez

Contact:         Bryan Bashin, CEO
(415) 694-7346
bbashin at lighthouse-sf.org <mailto:bbashin at lighthouse-sf.org>

Lisamaria Martinez, Public Affairs
(415) 694-7350
lmartinez at lighthouse-sf.org <mailto:lmartinez at lighthouse-sf.org>

Courtney Lodato, Singer Associates
(415) 227-9700
Courtney at singersf.com <mailto:Courtney at singersf.com>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Navigating the Temporary Transbay Terminal: Transbay Joint Powers
Authority, LightHouse partner on a proactive solution for blind
commuters using the temporary terminal

SAN FRANCISCO, CA (August 2, 2010) - Prior to the opening of San
Francisco's Temporary Transbay Terminal, the Transbay Joint Powers
Authority (TJPA) has partnered with the San Francisco LightHouse for
the Blind to provide enhanced accessibility and safety of the terminal
for blind and visually impaired travelers. On August 7, 2010, the
Temporary Transbay Terminal, bordered by Main, Beale, Howard and
Folsom streets, will open. Braille, tactile and large print maps will
be available
> through the LightHouse. Certified LightHouse Orientation and Mobility Specialists will be available by appointment to provide information, guidance and route training through the initial changeover period, with direct services through December 2010. Blind and visually impaired individuals desiring up to two hours of one-on-one instruction can arrange for an appointment with a certified Lighthouse Orientation and
> Mobility Specialist by calling (415) 694-7302 or emailing  temptransbay at lighthouse-sf.org.

"We applaud the TJPA for this proactive step in addressing the
information and training needs of blind Bay Area commuters. Hundreds of
blind and visually impaired travelers will pass through the Temporary
Transbay Terminal, and the accessibility of the physical location and
the information about it is paramount to ensuring safety and efficiency
for our community," said Bryan Bashin, CEO of the LightHouse. "All too
often, planners fail to take necessary steps in advance to promote
workable access considerations for people with disabilities. TJPA is
sending a powerful message by partnering with the LightHouse in this
way, not only for the initial temporary terminal, but later for the
design and operation of the West Coast's premiere transit facility."

"The TJPA is taking every step it can to educate and inform
transit riders of the upcoming changes due to the start of operations of
the Temporary Transbay Terminal on August 7th," said Maria
Ayerdi-Kaplan, Executive Director of the TJPA. "We are proud of our
partnership with LightHouse for the Blind and are appreciative of their
experience and expertise at reaching a critically important segment of
transit riders."

For more information about obtaining Braille, tactile or large
print maps and information on Orientation and Mobility training for
areas in and around the terminal, LightHouse representatives will be on
hand at the Temporary Transbay Terminal Open House on August 3 from
4:00 - 7:00 p.m.

About the LightHouse

The LightHouse serves thousands of individuals annually through a
combination of blindness rehabilitation, education, recreation and
employment services. Further, the organization's accessible web-site and
on-line networks serve as a critical resource for blind and visually
impaired individuals across the region and beyond. LightHouse advocacy
initiatives in areas of employment, transportation, healthcare and
technology have an immeasurable reach across the state, touching the
lives of not just the blind community, but the community as a whole as
the organization promotes equality and accessibility. For more
information visit www.lighthouse-sf.org <http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/>.

About the TJPA

>> The TJPA consists of a historic collaboration of Bay Area government and
transportation agencies committed to replacing the current Transbay
Terminal in San Francisco with the new Transbay Transit Center to
improve the transportation needs for the entire Bay Area region and the
state of California. The TJPA is managed by TJPA Staff and is overseen
by a six-member Board of Directors. The TJPA Board of Directors is
comprised of representatives from the City and County of San Francisco,
including the SF Municipal Railway (MUNI), the Office of the Mayor and
the Board of Supervisors; the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC
Transit); and the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board-Caltrain,
composed of the City and County of San Francisco, the San Mateo County
Transit District and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority;
and an ex-officio member from Caltrans.

About the Transbay Temporary Terminal

Starting on August 7, 2010, the Transbay Temporary Terminal will serve
as a temporary bus facility until the completion of the Transbay Transit
Center at First and Mission streets in 2017. Bounded by Main, Beale,
Folsom and Howard streets, the temporary terminal is an open air bus
terminal located in downtown San Francisco in close proximity to the
Financial District, Embarcadero BART/Muni station, Market Street, the
Ferry Building and AT&T Park. The Transbay Temporary Terminal will serve
AC Transit, Muni, WestCAT Lynx, Greyhound, SamTrans and Golden Gate
Transit. For more information about the terminal, please visit:
www.temporaryterminal.org <http://www.temporaryterminal.org/> .

Lisamaria Martinez
Public Affairs Coordinator
LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired
214 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102
Direct: (415) 694-7350
Email: lmartinez at lighthouse-sf.org
www.lighthouse-sf.org <http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/>
http://www.lighthouse-sf.org/events/2010/ehc-60th.php
Enchanted Hills Camp: 60 Summers of Community and Connection
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