[stylist] disability law advice

[Anita Adkins]

Hello everyone,

I am hoping it is okay for me to ask this on this particular list.  It is a writing list, and I prefer to write down my more serious thoughts at times.  I didn't know which list would be appropriate for it, and so please forgive me if this is not the appropriate way to ask about this.

Today, I took the bus to and from another town in my area.  On the way home, I caught the Grene line.  Using my cane, I identified an individual in seat 1 behind the driver.  My other favorite choice is the first seat on the left, but this was also taken.  After this, I just remain on this side and check each seat until an empty one presents itself.  In this case, it was the very next seat, and so I sat down and buckled up.  As I was doing this, the bus driver proceeded to tell the lady who was sitting behind him that it was the law that she move and allow a blind person to have that seat.  Stubborn me immediately spoke up and said that was discriminating against the blind.  It is also probably discriminating against this lady who had every right to sit where she was sitting.  Having a sighted person move so a blind person could sit in the front seat is also offensive to the blind because it suggests they are helpless, which is not true.  I tried to tell the driver how this was discrimination, but he kept speaking about how it was the law and how it would be so dangerous if a blind person was moving back on the bus, and he had to slam on his brakes.  I let him have the last word because having the last word isn't always my goal.  Now, my sollution to this situation is to first identify is such a law does exist.  I think he said it was a federal law, but he may have said public law.  I googled a touch, but one of my weaknesses is dealing with laws and all that, and so I could not find anything.  The rest of my sollution is for us blind to purposefully choose to sit farther back on the bus if the seats in front are taken.  By farther back, I mean in the first available seat we happen to come to.  Also, I believe that training for bus drivers about blindness and somehow building their confidence in the blind is in order.  I am not angry with this particular driver because I realize he holds negative views of blindness as a result of the lesson taught to him by society.  He was not purposefully discriminating against me, and he certainly wasn't intending to offend me and other blind people.  However, I feel he and other bus drivers need enlightened to our capabilities.  My question for you is:
What should be done about this?
One answer is nothing.
Another answer is just to move back and take up a different seat, refusing to sit in front even if the person does move.  In addition, one would simply say thank you to the person.
Another sollution would be to train bus drivers about blindness.
Another answer might to do what I just said, but to include blindness training shades to develop confidence.
IIn my opinion, the real answer, whether it be dealing with school teachers who will be likely to work with blind children, or public employees who will deal with blind customers, is to train them so that they develop confidence in the blind.  However, I am afraid this real sollution is impossible due to finances and for other reasons.  I think we are changing what it means to be blind over time, and I am hoepful that this attitude of blind people being helpless will decline and disappear in the future.
Finally, the final sollution might be to make sure there is not a federal or public law stating that sighted passengers must move for a blind passenger.  And, if there is, then this law needs to be eliminated.  How do we do this?  I am extremely inexperienced in this area.  Please share your thoughts and/or expertise on any of this.  Maybe, I am overreacting to this situation, and I need to know that as well.  Also, there may be other sollutions that I have not thought of, which is why it is wonderful to have others to listen to my concerns.  Thanks.  Happy Thanksgiving to all.  Anita
Remember, Jesus Loves You.
Anita Adkins
81 E. Mechanic ST
APT 207
Frostburg, MD 21532
p: 301-689-5212
c: 301-876-8669
aadkins7 at verizon.net