[NFBF-Tampa] HART ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

Wed Feb 7 14:12:37 UTC 2024

Ineko: you have your choice as to whomever you want to fill out your ADA Hart application,, that is an individual choice; just like deciding whether to use a cane or a dog guide.  Each of us is different.  The question here is accessibility of the application so that it can be completed in privacy.

From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Ineko Gary via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 7:31 AM
To: NFB of Florida Tampa sChapter List <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Ineko Gary <rubiigary at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Tampa] HART ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

Whenever I need an application, they always mail me an application. And they accept my application that I ask for. And they accept it from when my doctor and sign language interpreter help me fill it out.

I do not go to the Lighthouse For The Blind to get my application. When it’s time for me to renew my application, I always ask them to give me my application and I tell him or ask him when they can mail it so I will have it in time for my appointment with my doctor. And they always accept my application. That’s from my sign language interpreter and from my doctor. Because they both fill it out for me.

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 7, 2024, at 6:43 AM, Louise Peyton via NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>> wrote:

Scott and all:
HartPlus will accept an application from the Tampa Lighthouse or your doctor.  However, they should accept it from us in an accessible format.
Also, their rider’s guide isn’t accessible, either, and any notices of changes in policy are not sent to us.
Louise Peyton

From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Scott greenback via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Wednesday, February 7, 2024 5:08 AM
To: 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: sgreenblatt76 at gmail.com<mailto:sgreenblatt76 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Tampa] HART ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

Good morning, Tampa chapter. I couldn’t sleep so I decided to jump onto my computer to get some things accomplished. First of all, I downloaded the Hart Plus application and reviewed it to determine what exactly is contained within the document and how easy/frustrating it might be to fill out over the phone with a HART Plus worker since up until now that is the only accessibility option that they offer.
First and foremost, I was astounded that the PDF document which is available as a download to fill out wasn’t even made accessible for sighted individuals in that there are no editable fields within the document for someone to activate with a mouse to fill in their information. Likewise, all of the questions which require an applicant to check off a box for an option that concerns his/her personal condition are not clickable elements. THE  ENTIRE DOCUMENT IS MENT TO BE PRINTED OUT AND FILLED IN BY HAND! What is even funnier is that it states very clearly towards the beginning of the document that HART will “not accept copies, faxes or scans. If any sections are faxed or left blank, then the application will not be processed.” I find this absolutely ridiculous because in order for any visually impaired person to fill out this application independently we would have to OCR this document and then paste it into Word in order to fill it out and from the text on the application it sounds like such an application might be dismissed out of hand. In addition, how much easier would it be for all applicants and HART to make this document an accessible PDF file which can be filled out on a computer and then submitted over a computer directly to a HART email address? There is also another section in the application that literally questions who helped an applicant fill out the application; “was it a friend, relative, or a professional?” From this it seems like they know their form is not accessible and they don’t really care. In truth the reason why this statement is present is more likely due to the fact that persons with cognitive disabilities have the right to use this service and such persons may not be capable of filling out such an application independently.
          As I continued to read through the document it seems to me that most of what they are asking for is simple enough but also concerns a person’s private information. Of course, the person who approves submitted applications will be reading your information, but it seems like a betrayal of a person’s privacy to force them to tell a stranger from HART all about their physical/psychological conditions in order to fill in all the required information that they are requesting. For some people talking about their condition as someone with a disability is not an agreeable task and by forcing someone with a visual impairment to fill out this form with a stranger from HART, if they don’t have a friend, relative, or professional to help them out, is quite an imposition.
It may be within the letter of the law to make this document accessible by making sure someone from HART will assist in filling out this application, but it certainly isn’t within the spirit of the ADA to help people with disabilities live their lives independently with as much privacy as they desire. I know that I pride myself on being as independent as possible, and this means managing all of my affairs on my own with all the technology that gives me the freedom to do so, so especially when it comes to filling out forms related to applications for service or medical forms, I’m adamant about doing such things alone.
I hope my assessment of the HART Plus application has been helpful to you and that you take the opportunity to show up on Feb 15 to stand with Marion and the NFB to champion our right to live independently with pride in ourselves and our right to privacy. Just in case any of you want to review the HART Plus application and make your own judgement on what information they are requesting a stranger to help you fill out I’ve attached it to this message for your review. Lance and I will hopefully see you on the 15th.

Scott Greenblatt
8134601606
Sgreenblatt76 at gmail.com<mailto:Sgreenblatt76 at gmail.com>

From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Marion Gwizdala via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2024 2:14 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>>
Cc: marion.gwizdala at verizon.net<mailto:marion.gwizdala at verizon.net>
Subject: [NFBF-Tampa] HART ADA Advisory Committee Meeting

Dear Tampa Bay Chapter Members & Supporters,

                As we discussed during our chapter meeting on Saturday, HART has very poor performance when it comes to accessibility of its fixed route services, as well as their para transit services. One important issue is the inaccessibility of HART’s para transit application which is currently inaccessible to screen reading software. I spoke with Kemly Green this morning and she promises an accessible application “is coming soon”! What is “soon” and why has it taken thirty-three years, especially when they were told ten years ago and again five years ago? As you know, HART  has many other challenges when it comes to accessibility and you are invited to be a part of the solution

                On Thursday, February 15, 2024 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m., the HART ADA Advisory Committee will meet. We are encouraging as many of you as possible to don your yellow Tampa Bay Chapter polos and attend this meeting in solidarity to tell HART and this committee we will no longer stand for their practice of disregard toward their disabled patrons. I sit on this committee and will wear my shirt! If you do not have a yellow chapter shirt, wear any yellow shirt in union with us! Here are the details for the meeting.

WHAT: HART ADA Advisory Committee Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, February 15, 2024
TIME: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: HART Board Room
                   1301 East 7th Avenue in Ybor City
                 Tampa, Florida

                If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me!

Fraternally yours
<Marion

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