[Nfbf-l] Help Improve Transit for the Blind!

[Marion & Martin]

Please distribute the following message as widely as possible. For your convenience, the text of this message is also attached!

                Are you a person who is blind or visually impaired who would like to make a positive impact on the quality of service provided by Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART)? If you use the fixed route service and would like to provide input to help improve HART's accessibility to its blind and visually impaired patrons, we would like to hear from you!

            Representatives of the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) have been asked to assist the local transit provider more effectively comply with regulations of the United States Department of Transportation as they pertain to announcements on their fixed route system. According to the Code of Federal Regulations (49 C.F.R. § 37.167)

 

"(b) On fixed route systems, the entity shall announce stops as follows:

1. The entity shall announce at least at transfer points with other fixed routes, other major intersections and destination points, and intervals along

a route sufficient to permit individuals with visual impairments or other disabilities to be oriented to their location.

2. The entity shall announce any stop on request of an individual with a disability.

 (c) Where vehicles or other conveyances for more than one route serve the same stop, the entity shall provide a means by which an individual with a visual impairment or other disability can identify the proper vehicle to enter or be identified to the vehicle operator as a person seeking a ride on a particular route."

 

            If you would like to offer comments or suggestions that will help the NFB advise HART officials on this issue, please get in touch with

 

Marion Gwizdala, President

East Hillsborough Chapter

National Federation of the Blind

President at Blind411.org

 

Please provide your name, telephone number, and email address, along with the routes you regularly ride. Also, please provide specific locations where you believe more adequate information would help you maintain orientation to your environment or where you feel better audio information would assist you in identifying the vehicle you need to board. Comments may also be submitted by calling 813-626-2789. Thank you for your assistance in helping us improve public transportation for blind and visually impaired people in Hillsborough County.

 

 Sincerely yours,

Marion Gwizdala-Schoch, President
East Hillsborough Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Florida
813-626-2789
800-558-8261
president at blind411.org
www.blind411.org

 

 
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