[NFBF-Tampa] Why the NFB?

[marion.gwizdala at verizon.net]

Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.

 

May 1, 2024

 

                My name is Marion Gwizdala. I am a member of the
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) ADA Accessibility Committee. As an
independent  blind professional, I know the challenges of using public
transportation to live the sort of life I want to live. I sit on this
committee in a very unusual position, as I do not represent and agency
providing services to the disabled nor do I bring to this committee only my
personal opinion; rather, I bring the collective voice of the most
transformational organization of any disabled consumer organization - the
National Federation of the Blind. I am very pleased to share that our
persistent efforts are beginning to reap rewards.

 

                This afternoon, our board member, Scott Greenblatt, and I
will participate in a workshop with key staff members of HART. This upcoming
workshop will focus on services for those who are visually impaired and will
provide an opportunity for participants to split into working groups to
brainstorm ways to improve our services for all and to better understand
each other's experiences and needs. This is an excellent way to have our
voices heard and gain an insight into the sort of training HART staff is
currently receiving as it pertains to blindness and visual impairments.  

 

                I would also like to take advantage of your attention to
remind you that the next meeting of the HART Board of Directors will be on
Monday, May 6 at 9:00 a.m.I will be in attendance and will likely make some
comments complementing HART on their interest in hearing our voices and
encouraging them to continue this collaboration. I will also be making
similar comments during my open remarks during the next ADA Accessibility
Committee meeting. I believe that, if you can only attend one of these
meetings, it be the ADA Accessibility Committee, as this committee's
business is limited to disability-related items as opposed to more general
administrative details of HART. The next meeting of the committee is on May
16 from 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. All HART public meetings are held in the HART Board
Room, 1201 E. 7th Avenue in Ybor City on the third floor.

 

                If you have any concerns or suggestions you would like the
HART ADA Accessibility Committee  address, please feel free to get in touch
with me. You can either email Advocacy411 at gmail.com
<mailto:Advocacy411 at gmail.com>  or call or text 813-626-2789.

 

In service,

Marion Gwizdala

 

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