[stylist] disability law advice
James H. "Jim" Canaday M.A. N6YR
n6yr at sunflower.com
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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