[stylist] disability law advice

Wed Nov 24 23:35:18 UTC 2010

Anita,
I'll write you offlist, as some list members may get upset about this 
topic on the stylist.  also, we have a second writers division list, 
"writers chat" that is set up for such topics as this, our being 
writers but discussing nonwriting relevant things.

I have been a Public Transit Advisory Commissioner for a couple of 
years and have an idea or two about this.
jc
Lawrence, KS

At 03:01 PM 11/24/2010, you wrote:
>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 agains
>t 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
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