<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Please circulate the following message as widely as appropriate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>May 1, 2024<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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. 7<sup>th</sup> Avenue in Ybor City on the third floor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> 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 <a href="mailto:Advocacy411@gmail.com">Advocacy411@gmail.com</a> or call or text 813-626-2789.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>In service,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>