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

[Marion & Martin]

Donna,
    Thanks for sending this out! It completely slipped my mind that it was 
to be published today, as I am dealing with the very serious illness of our 
Pinellas chapter President and friend, Dave Anspach. Please keep Dave and 
his wife, Tammy, in your thoughts and prayers!
fraternally,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donna Hill" <penatwork at epix.net>
To: "nfbp-talk" <nfbp-talk at yahoogroups.com>; "NFBnet Writer's Division 
Mailing List" <stylist at nfbnet.org>; "Performing Arts Division list" 
<perform-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 10:53 AM
Subject: [Perform-talk] Florida NFB leader, NAGDU president & blind 
performer takes on Tampa public transit


> 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
>
>
>
>
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