<div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><span id="m_-3674003303167504822gmail-m_-7345331608039845866gmail-m_7170441764142072392gmail-m_142038247195658804gmail-docs-internal-guid-43fafb94-7fff-e814-8d3a-1d8c9c3394b9"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default"></span><span class="gmail_default"></span><span class="gmail_default"></span><span class="gmail_default" style=""></span>Greetings Access Link Clients,</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Today <span class="gmail_default" style=""></span>during the October<span class="gmail_default" style=""> 25,</span> 2021 NJT Citizens Advisory Council (CAC) meeting, where I am an appointed member, I delivered an Access Link statement for Richard Fox, President of the NFBNJ Northern Chapter on behalf of the<span class="gmail_default"></span> members (Region 5). Clarke King, President of the NFBNJ Northeast Chapter also <span class="gmail_default">delivered</span> a statement on behalf of the<span class="gmail_default"></span> members (Region 6).</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font size="4" face="tahoma, sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail_default" style=""></span></span><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;color:rgb(0,0,0);vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Michelle Stiehler, Access Link General Manager responded by saying they are aware of the issues and working on them. This is due to  a  shortage of drivers and reservationists. </span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">NJT has hired individuals to take reservations and we should begin to see an improvement <span class="gmail_default"></span><span class="gmail_default">pertaining to </span>busy signals and long wait times. Access Link is also testing an email reservation system and will be working with the NFBNJ for screen reader accessibility.</span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">As for the issue of lack of drivers I find this to be unacceptable.<span class="gmail_default"> </span></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">I gave them an analogy that if all motorists had to park their vehicles in different regions and make a reservation to pick them up with a 30 minute window and when they arrived they had to wait an additional two hours t</span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">o <span class="gmail_default">receive th</span>eir ve</span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">hicles how would this affect their lives? They would be late getting to work, taking the children to school, doctors appointments and various other errands. I stated this would be a hardship on their lives and could cause them to lose their jobs. Well this is what’s happening with Access Link clients. </span></font></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">I<span class="gmail_default">n addition, I sta</span>ted it is difficult for blind Americans to obtain jobs because of preconceived notions and low expectations. Seventy percent of blind Americans are unemployed or underemployed so those who are fortunate to have a job do everything within their power to stay employed. </font></span></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font size="4"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif">CAC advised us they will no longer address Access Link issues during these meetings and we were advised to have Access Link clients call or email them directly . I advocate zealously on your behalf and feel they are dismissive of me and other <span class="gmail_default">council </span>members <span class="gmail_default">who </span>speak</font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> out<span class="gmail_default"> about Access Link</span>.</font><font face="tahoma, sans-serif"> I too am frustrated, especially, since there is no Access Link Consumer Advisory Board or Citizens Advisory Council. </font></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">They may not  realize the <span class="gmail_default" style="">number</span> of individuals I represent when I speak as the President of the NFBNJ<span class="gmail_default"> and on individuals on our distribution list</span>. Let's give them what they want! This is why I am urging everyone to please contact Access Link with every  valid complaint<span class="gmail_default"> </span><span class="gmail_default">by </span> calling or emailing them for each issue and holding them accountable to give you a response for each complaint.  </font></span></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">This is your chance for all our voices to be heard together in unity for Access Link improvements. Please invite other Access Link clients to do the same!<span class="gmail_default"> </span></span><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">Listed below is their phone number and email address. I know this means more work for you, however, this is the only <span class="gmail_default" style=""></span><span class="gmail_default" style="">course </span>of action we have available to us. </span></font></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="background-color:transparent;color:rgb(0,0,0);white-space:pre-wrap">Phone number:  973 690 6720 </span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Email address below: </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="mailto:Adaservices@njtransit.com" target="_blank">Adaservices@njtransit.com</a><span class="gmail_default"> </span></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"> </font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">You can also click on the feedback option in Access Link online or the mobile app.</font></span></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">After the state convention, I will request a virtual forum where they can <span class="gmail_default">discuss </span>improve<span class="gmail_default">ments to </span>services and take individual <span id="m_-3674003303167504822gmail-m_-7345331608039845866gmail-docs-internal-guid-b61a998a-7fff-c940-f43c-b6a5945451ee"><span style="background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline">concerns and issues</span></span>. Let's see if they honor my request. </font></span></p><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><span class="gmail_default"></span></span><span class="gmail_default" style="white-space:pre-wrap"></span><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Warmly, </span></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">Linda Melendez, President</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey</font></span></p><p style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><span class="gmail_default"></span>732-421-7063</font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="mailto:president@nfbnj.org" target="_blank">president@nfbnj.org</a></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><a href="http://www.nfbnj.org/" target="_blank">www.nfbnj.org</a></font></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4"><br></font></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.38;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><font face="tahoma, sans-serif" size="4">The National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey is a community of members and friends who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation’s blind. Everyday we work together to help blind people live the lives they want.</font></span></p><div><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:Arial;color:rgb(0,0,0);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span></div></span><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>