[Ohio-Talk] Seeking ideas

[nmpbrat at aol.com]

Jordy,I wholeheartedly agree with you...I do think we need to take these opportunities when they come along and that is why I am really trying to figure this out.  I am very interested in this opportunity.  Unfortunately, I am very doubtful that my employer will be willing to pay the cost for transportation since it is not something they have asked me to participate in.  Honestly, I don't know that they would even if it was something they had asked me to participate in.  Ironically though, should I be chosen as a member, they will be very interested in how it might benefit them.   The idea of riding with another member has crossed my mind...and have thought about investigating further whether there are other members in the northeast Ohio area....even if it meant me meeting up with them like a half hour away and then riding the rest of the way there with them, it would be so much easier to find someone to take me that half hour or to use some time of ride service for that amount of time.  I looked a little bit at the bus situation but the schedules just wouldn't be a good fit.  I think taxi type services for that distance could be quite costly.   The paperwork states that they do provide transportation costs at state rates....what those are, I am not sure...and as I stated to Barbara, I am going to have to investigate as to whether those would also include the "down time" involved, should I hire a driver to take me.  Paying for that down time could become quite expensive, which is my concern, since we are not paid for our service on the panel.  Thanks for your suggestions,NIcole


-----Original Message-----
From: Jordy Stringer <jssocil at gmail.com>
To: NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: nmpbrat <nmpbrat at aol.com>
Sent: Fri, Oct 4, 2019 9:51 am
Subject: Re: [Ohio-Talk] Seeking ideas

Hi there, opportunities like these are supremely important for us as blind  individuals to take advantage of when we can. The hurdle of transportation is one that is not uncommon in our community, and takes creative ways to resolve.
If it has to do with your professional work, perhaps your employer can share the cost especially if it is a committee, or counsel that directly affects the mission of the individuals, and or agency you work with. Perhaps with proper planning as Barbara articulated you could find it in individual who’s going for the day and tagalong with them. At that point in Columbus you’ll be able to use ride share, or other options that are available. Similarly you might befriend another councilmember and do some riding with them.
 I would research any taxi services that may be available to your area, as well as services like fun bus. They have a rather extensive route throughout the state, although their schedules can be a bit wonky to manage. I would not at all be shy about asking about what the reimbursement policies of this group bar, especially if you find it necessary to pay for it out of pocket. In most cases councils, and other committees always reimburse their members for travel expenses. In some cases there is even a daily Perdiem that you may be able to take advantage of. I hope this helps. Best of luck.
 

Jordy D. Stringer
Executive Director, Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living 

> On Oct 3, 2019, at 9:44 PM, Nicole Poston via Ohio-Talk <ohio-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Good Evening Ohio,I don't often post but I thought I'd reach out and see if any of you might have some ideas or suggestions that might work for me.  Here's my situation....I have unique and exciting opportunity, in both a professional as well as personal capacity, to apply and possibly be chosen to be on a state advisory panel.  I am very interested in it and feel I meet the criteria they are seeking.  It will require though that I travel at least a half dozen times a year to the Columbus area for all day meetings.  The meetings will not necessarily occur at the same location...in fact, they even state "various locations".  I would be coming from the Canton area (Stark County).  My one concern with this situation is the transportation.  How would you do it if you were me?  I'd consider paying a driver as a possibility... but what the heck do they do for 8 hrs?  I mean, it surely doesn't make sense for them to drive 2 hrs down and 2 hrs back to Canton...and then repeat to come back and get me?  But do I want to pay them for 8 hrs?  How do any of you handle a situation such as this??  Thoughts or ideas?!Thanks in advance,Nicole
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