[nfbmi-talk] colorado center to voice opposition

[joe harcz Comcast]

Colorado Center for the Blind to voice opposition to reduction in bus service

By Howard Pankratz The Denver Post

Posted: 10/11/2011 12:50:49 PM MDT

Updated: 10/11/2011 12:50:54 PM MDT

 

The Littleton-based Colorado Center for the Blind - a private nonprofit school that trains blind students from around the country - said today it is coordinating

a grassroots effort to save bus routes that RTD has proposed cutting.

 

The center said discontinued or reduced service on four routes will have a direct and adverse impact on the center's blind students.

 

Julie Deden, the center's executive director, said she was "appalled" by the proposed bus cuts which will mean blind students will be left with reduced

bus service.

 

"Reduced public transportation equates to reduced opportunities," said Deden. "Bus travel is a vital link for blind citizens. Without it, we are not able

to live independently and are forced to rely on others - a cycle of dependence we are striving to overcome."

 

The Colorado Center for the Blind is headquartered in Littleton and is located near downtown Littleton due to the proximity of light rail and RTD service,

said Deden.

 

Brent Batron, youth service coordinator for the center and president of the National Federation of the Blind in Denver, said a major part of the center's

curriculum involves travel training.

 

"Many of our students come to the center specifically to gain the skills they will need to live in urban settings like Denver, and travel independently

to work, school and for leisure. We utilize RTD and the light rail system specifically for this training," said Batron.

 

Representatives of the center will be at RTD meetings Wednesday and Thursday to voice their concerns. The meeting Wednesday will be at the Bemis Library,

6014 S. Datura St., and the Thursday meeting will be at the Ken Caryl Middle School, 6509 W. Ken Caryl Ave.

 

Daria Serna, RTD spokeswoman, said she is glad representatives of the school will be at the two meetings.

 

"It is very important to know how these changes affect people," said Serna. Serna said it will be "great" for RTD staff to hear the input from the school.

 

"We want to make sure we work with everyone," said Serna, adding that such input could result in modifications.

 

She said that RTD is looking at the ridership per hour on the routes and how much RTD subsidizes each passenger per hour.

 

Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or

hpankratz at denverpost.com.