[NFBMO] Doing work at the local level

[Daniel Garcia]

Dear Missouri Federationists:

The NFB does quite a bit of work at the national and state level. But we also do very important work at the local chapter level, especially when there are burning issues like transportation.

In Kansas City, the city council wants to eliminate bus fares. We had a discussion about the subject during our November 16 meeting. I subsequently wrote a letter to the Kansas City Star which was published yesterday. The URL and text can be found below my signature.

Regards

Daniel Garcia, President, Kansas City Chapter
National Federation of the Blind of Missouri
dangarcia3 at hotmail.com
(816) 621-0902
www.nfb.org
www.nfbmo.org
Live the life you want.


***

https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/article237372809.html

Transit concerns


In August 2017, people with disabilities became eligible for free fixed-route bus rides in Kansas City. We don't oppose extending this privilege to the rest of Kansas City's residents, but we are concerned about the loss of revenue this would mean for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.



Blind Kansas Citians rely on fixed-route buses and KCATA's paratransit door-to-door service as our primary means of transportation.

Irrespective of the City Council's decision on eliminating fares, we hope the level of service provided by the KCATA is improved. As it stands, there is no or little bus service on weekends in certain parts of the city.

The city would also do well to construct more sidewalks to make our city more walkable, and increase the number of audible pedestrian signals.

By undertaking these citywide enhancements, Kansas City would improve the quality of life for all residents.

- Daniel Garcia, president, Kansas City Chapter, National Federation of the Blind, Kansas City