<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><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Aptos;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#467886;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle21
{mso-style-type:personal-reply;
font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1472286567;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:240840772 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715 67698703 67698713 67698715;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:alpha-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:roman-lower;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:right;
text-indent:-9.0pt;}
@list l1
{mso-list-id:1609581329;
mso-list-template-ids:1529766350;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>And it’s all about where you live and how well the system serves it. It would truly be helpful to consider other viewpoints and abilities rather than to sit in judgement.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Cheryl and Ed via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 14, 2025 3:52 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org><br><b>Cc:</b> griffsanders@gmail.com<br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBF-Tampa] Lunch/Dinner Afterwards RE: May 15: A Public Reading & Presentation of Our Resolution<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>I disagree as we use route 12 which is a great route. It is all about how you view the system H-plus is good but $$. You are always puttingdown the system. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>marion.gwizdala--- via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 14, 2025 1:59 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:marion.gwizdala@gmail.com">marion.gwizdala@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBF-Tampa] Lunch/Dinner Afterwards RE: May 15: A Public Reading & Presentation of Our Resolution<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> There are even closer places but “walking distance” is relative. The closest places are actually nearer to 7<sup>th</sup> Ave. & 15<sup>th</sup> St. Since HART does not make it easy to do business with them if you rely upon their services, fixed route service is inefficient and time-consuming. Perhaps the best option is to gather on Saturday and share our experiences with the rest of the group, inspiring them to take part in the future. I will see those who join us tomorrow and the rest of you on Saturday!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Scott greenblatt via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 14, 2025 9:01 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:sgreenblatt76@gmail.com">sgreenblatt76@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBF-Tampa] Lunch/Dinner Afterwards RE: May 15: A Public Reading & Presentation of Our Resolution<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>I looked around with Copilot and found that the best options for food are likely <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>1. **Acropolis Greek Taverna** – 1833 E 7th Ave (0.3 miles) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>2. **La Terrazza Restaurant** – 1727 E 7th Ave (0.4 miles) <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'>I’d just like to know what time to schedule my return trip so paratransit doesn’t cause problems. I’m thinking that a 5:00 ready time should be adequate to get to and from the restaurant and back to the meeting location for a ride home. What does everyone think?<o:p></o:p></span></p><div><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Scott Greenblatt<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Talk/Text: 8134601606<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:Sgreenblatt76@gmail.com">Sgreenblatt76@gmail.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you see excellence, you should try to surpass it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When you see the opposite, examine yourself.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>- Lao Tzu<o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Courier New"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Louise Peyton via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, May 14, 2025 8:39 AM<br><b>To:</b> NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> Louise Peyton <<a href="mailto:lp2473@hotmail.com">lp2473@hotmail.com</a>><br><b>Subject:</b> Re: [NFBF-Tampa] May 15: A Public Reading & Presentation of Our Resolution<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Where can we email comments on the resolution since I cannot attend due to a mobility lesson with Martha, the other Lighthouse o/m instructor?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Louise<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-Tampa <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org</a>> <b>On Behalf Of </b>marion.gwizdala--- via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Tuesday, May 13, 2025 5:50 PM<br><b>To:</b> 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <<a href="mailto:nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org">nfbf-tampa@nfbnet.org</a>><br><b>Cc:</b> <a href="mailto:marion.gwizdala@gmail.com">marion.gwizdala@gmail.com</a><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBF-Tampa] May 15: A Public Reading & Presentation of Our Resolution<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Dear Tampa Bay Chapter Members & Supporters,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> The National Federation of the Blind is the transformational organization for blind Americans. The Tampa Bay Chapter is transforming transportation in Hillsborough County. Our resolution passed at our April 26 meeting is an example of that transformative power. Passing this resolution is only the first step. The next step is the most important and it requires *<b>YOU</b>* to show up and, if you have the inclination, speak up! Here is what we need from you.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> The most important is to show up! Wear our yellow shirt (I will be wearing mine on the dais) and sit together in the gallery. The sea of yellow shirts will definitely be seen. If you do not have a chapter shirt, any yellow shirt – the brighter the better – will suffice. If you feel comfortable or wish to step out of your comfort zone and would like to address the committee, we would like to find individuals willing to share how the issues raised in the resolution affect them. After reading the following concerns from the resolution, please let us know if you can illustrate them from your experiences.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Artificial return blackouts – This refers to the window during which you cannot schedule a return trip. That blackout window is 90 minutes. If you schedule an appointment to be dropped off at 9:00 a.m., you cannot schedule a return trip before 10:30 a.m. If the purpose of your trip is to pick up items, such as prescriptions, in which you will be “in & out”, such a window, though perhaps necessary when the policy was first created, seems to serve no practical purpose. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Longer than needed cancellation windows – HART requires customers to cancel trips within two hours of the scheduled pick up. Failure to do so can result in a “No show” and excessive late cancellations can result in suspension of services. Such a long cancellation window can be burdensome to those who may need to work late unexpectedly or may not have the ability to stay on hold for long periods of time sometimes needed when calling HART customer service. <o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Archaic cancellation protocol – Cancelling a trip currently requires a customer to speak to a live person. At some times during the day, this may mean staying on hold for an extended amount of time, even longer than a work break allows. Simple current technologies, such as voice mail, email, and text messaging could be easily employed to make the system more efficient, not only for the customer but for HART.<o:p></o:p></span></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Unneeded recertification timelines for permanently disabled patrons HART requires patrons wishing to use para transit to recertify every five years. Many of us are permanently disabled and there is no realistic expectation of recovery. Nonetheless, those of us totally and permanently disabled are required to complete burdensome paperwork, undergo unnecessary medical examinations, and time-consuming in-person interviews.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>If you wish to address the committee on any of these issues, it is strongly suggested you sign up by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14. Speakers are allowed to sign up upon arrival. Each speaker will have three minutes to address the committee. If you wish to sign up in advance, please email your name to Danielle Jackson at<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="mailto:JacksonD2@gohart.org">JacksonD2@gohart.org</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>After the meeting, we are planning to go to an early dinner or late lunch, depending upon your perspective. I will find the closest location for such a gathering and email it to the group so you can make your transportation arrangements. Here are the meeting details:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>WHAT: HART ADA Accessibility Committee Meeting<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>WHERE: 1201 E. 7<sup>th</sup> Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>WHEN: 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>More information concerning the meeting and the after gathering will follow once those details are finalized. We look forward to a great turn-out! Please plan on showing up!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Fraternally yours,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Marion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraph><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>