[Perform-talk] Florida NFB leader, NAGDU president & blind performer takes on Tampa public transit

[Donna Hill]

Group asks HART to Provide Verbal Cues

By MARION GWIZDALA
http://brandonnews2.tbo.com/content/2009/jun/10/br-group-asks-hart-to-provide-verbal-cues/
Special to News & Tribune

Published: June 10, 2009

PALM RIVER - As a blind citizen, it is my desire to fully participate in 
all aspects of society on equal terms with my sighted peers. As an 
elected representative
of the National Federation of the Blind -- the oldest and largest 
organization of the blind in the United States - it is my responsibility 
to ensure that
every blind person has the opportunity to do so.

Frequently, my desire as a private citizen and my responsibility as an 
advocate for the blind overlap, and I find myself fighting not only for 
my rights,
but for the rights of others. After all, what affects me as an 
individual affects all blind people. There are some issues that may seem 
to only concern
a few blind people, such as the right to access public places 
accompanied by a guide dog or the right of a job applicant to be 
considered for employment
based upon qualifications and credentials rather than being discounted 
because of blindness.

There is one issue, however, that is truly a fundamental concern of all 
blind people and, I would assert, many members of society. If we are to 
live, work,
play and enjoy a fulfilling life, we need to be independently mobile. 
Public transportation fills this need.

Members of the federation have been on the forefront of improving public 
transportation in Hillsborough County and throughout the nation. If we, 
as blind
citizens, are to realize our goal of equality, an efficient public 
transportation system that is usable by the blind is essential.

One element of usability is the federal requirement for fixed route 
systems to make specific announcements about connecting routes, major 
intersections
and destinations, and intervals along a route in order for blind people 
to maintain orientation to their environment. In addition, public 
transportation
providers are required to provide a means whereby a blind person can 
identify the vehicle they wish to board.

Unfortunately, in spite of nearly 15 years of advocacy, the Hillsborough 
Area Regional Transit Authority is still non-compliant with these 
regulations.
Though the federation has filed scores of internal complaints with HART, 
met with key staff personnel responsible for the implementation of their 
legal
requirements, attempted several times to contact the agency's executive 
director, and taken our concerns to its board of directors, it was not 
until recently
when a formal complaint was filed with the U.S. Departments of 
Transportation and Justice that HART seemed interested in complying with 
the regulations.
The cynic in me wonders if these are only more placations or are they 
really going to comply? In either case, we will continue to work with 
HART with cautious
optimism.

The National Federation of the Blind has shaped the freedoms enjoyed by 
every blind person and, as an extension, every disabled person in the 
country. Your
input and energy are essential if we are to continue our progress. Our 
collective voice is much stronger than our individual ones. For 
information, go
to
www.blind411.org
 or call (813) 626-2789. Together we can change what it means to be blind.

Marion Gwizdala, a Palm River resident, is president of the local 
chapter of the National Federation of the Blind.


Read my articles on American Chronicle:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3885

Join Me on LinkedIn:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/dwh99

Or,  FaceBook:
http://www.facebook.com/people/Donna-W-Hill/1506852042


For my bio & to hear clips from The Last Straw:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill

Apple I-Tunes

phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374

Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
www.padnfb.org



-- 
Read my articles on American Chronicle:
http://www.americanchronicle.com/authors/view/3885

For my bio & to hear clips from The Last Straw:
http://cdbaby.com/cd/donnahill

Apple I-Tunes

phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playListId=259244374

Performing Arts Division of the National Federation of the Blind
www.padnfb.org