[Travelandtourism] Travelandtourism Digest, Vol 97, Issue 6

Tue Aug 6 15:01:37 UTC 2013

We will always get people who don't know squat about guide dogs or other service animals and even though this has to do with traveling.
You should also bring up the issues with NAGDU, we are trying to join together to work on issues, since they go hand in hand our 2 divisions.
So if you are on the NAGDU list as well, I would recommend you cross post the ideas of para-transit and guide dogs.
Margo Downey who is our Secretary, I am sure will be able to say a few things on this topic.
We will be discussing these things and others on my Radio Show, The Echevarria Travel Show which is on the http://www.thruoureyes.org website, at 8PM Eastern Time. It is a live call in show, and the number is 1-888-572-0141
Margo will be on my show for the full hour, and the show starts airing at 7:30PM Eastern, but the show goes live at 8PM Eastern.
I would recommend if you are calling in, that we stick to a few topics at one time, so we can have others call in and ask questions.
We hope that you will be listening and calling in tomorrow night August 7, 2013
Thank you.
Cheryl Echevarria

Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateLeading the Way in Independent Travel!
Cheryl Echevarria, Ownerhttp://www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations@echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST - #1018299-10 FL CST T156780Your old car keys can be the keys to literacy for a blind child.  Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking https://nfb.org/vehicledonations or call 855-659-9314.Echevarria Travel has partnered with Braille Smith. http://www.braillesmith.com for all her braille needs.Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama

> Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2013 07:18:06 -0700
> From: tracieinman at yahoo.com
> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Travelandtourism Digest, Vol 97, Issue 6
> 
> Para-transit has gone up in cost here, too.  Unfortunately, the quality of service has gone down rather than up with the cost.  Here in Jacksonville, the city is too spread out and the regular route bus not very dependable.  So options for the blind and physically handicapped are limited. Our Jacksonville NFB chapter has been on this issue for a while now,but with very limited success. I wish there was an easier solution for every one. It is no fun to be on public routes and have ignorant people state their opinions of our service animals or what ever else they may think we are doing "wrong".
>   I just wanted to add here that with more travelers taking ground transportation (i.e. Greyhound and the train) a few of us agents with my host agency have started asking our host to add rail service to our websites. I am hoping that this will happen as I have quite a few friends and acquaintances who prefer rail service and it would make it so much easier for them (and for me). What ever your preferred method of travel, or even if you stay close to home, we love having every one participate in this list and sharing their thoughts and concerns.  We're here for each other and for all.  
> 
> Your friend in the cause, 
> Tracie Inman
>  
> 
> "Making Your Travel Dreams Come True No Matter What the Obstacles"
> 
> Tracie Inman, Independent Contractor
> http://www.Inmantravel.com
> 904-372-0644
> reservations at inmantravel.com
> 
> Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose Travel
> CST - #1018299-10
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ________________________________
>  From: "travelandtourism-request at nfbnet.org" <travelandtourism-request at nfbnet.org>
> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org 
> Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 8:00 AM
> Subject: Travelandtourism Digest, Vol 97, Issue 6
>  
> 
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>    1. Re: Discusssion Blind people can travel anywhere with the
>       right planning (Jemal Powell)
>    2. Paratransit Expense and Other
>       (Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 16:46:14 -0600
> From: Jemal Powell <derek2872 at gmail.com>
> To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Discusssion Blind people can travel
>     anywhere with the right planning
> Message-ID:
>     <CACMASsy_nmOkrEUpX5feDOdoqDMj7U6NSv+YmtbuzwEdHh24DA at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
> 
> Cheryl, you did the right thing by asking the party in question about their
> trip and their needs.  I think that it's sad that some people are very
> defensive and hyper-sensitive when asked about their trip preparations.
> 
> On Sun, Aug 4, 2013 at 7:25 AM, cheryl echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
> > wrote:
> 
> > Good morning Bibi and Odie:
> > You don't have to travel to be part of this division. It was what you like
> > to hear about, and we also need to know about the issues with the
> > Paratransit as well. That is what we work on. I know that Margo Downey was
> > appointed by our Governor Cuomo as Niagara Frontier Transportation
> > Authority's board of Commissioners  here in NY. Margo is our Secretary of
> > this Division. Also Jemal Powell of Illinois  has been an active member of
> > the NFB of Illinois for 21 years, and I have a resume in with my local
> > legislator to sit when there is an opening for the Suffolk County Board of
> > People with Disabilities.
> > Why do I mention this for Bibi, is because you have rights when you ride
> > the para-transit, it should be an affordable transportation for you and not
> > a burden. We did have a raise in our services this past spring, to go from
> > $2.50 to $3.00 each way, and we haven't had a raise in it since I started
> > using the program which was in 2001, so that is over 11 years.  But I also
> > use the public transportation when I can, it is only $.75 when I use that
> > one, it is also less waiting and aggravation.
> > I do not suppose to know you own income that is not any of my business of
> > those on this list.  But I hope you get information on hearings in your
> > area so you can go and speak up at them if you can, I know many who cannot.
> > Is there someone in your state that either sits on a transportation board
> > with the NFB or maybe even call your state president and let them know
> > about the issues.
> > I do want to remind everyone that on Para-transit that other people with
> > disabilities ride the bus and not just the blind.
> > So in this case, it was a person on the regular route bus, they should
> > just mind their own business and you should not let it bother you either. I
> > just say thank you and have a great day. Yes, many times we all don't think
> > before we open our mouths. I don't know if people who are sighted think
> > that we are stupid, uneducated or just like to be big bullies.  I also say,
> > "What goes around, comes around". I don't wish ill things on people. But
> > God doesn't like nastiness.
> > Your sister in the NFB
> > Cheryl Echevarra, PresidentNFB Travel and Tourismhttp://
> > www.nfbtravel.orginfo at nfbtravel.org
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateLeading the Way in
> > Independent Travel!
> > Cheryl Echevarria, Ownerhttp://
> > www.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations
> > @echevarriatravel.comhttp://www.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
> > Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
> > #1018299-10 FL CST T156780Your old car keys can be the keys to literacy for
> > a blind child.  Donate your unwanted vehicle to us by clicking
> > https://nfb.org/vehicledonations or call 855-659-9314.Echevarria Travel
> > has partnered with Braille Smith. http://www.braillesmith.com for all her
> > braille needs.Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
> >
> > > From: orleans24 at comcast.net
> > > To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
> > > Date: Sat, 3 Aug 2013 19:23:36 -0600
> > > Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Discusssion Blind people can travel
> > anywhere  with the right planning
> > >
> >  > Sadly, it seems that disrespect and rudeness is becoming more common.
> > > I have seen it on both sides of the coin.
> > > All of that can create lots of emotional damage or even, enemies.
> > > Although this may not be related to the topic directly, but just an
> > example...
> > > Yesterday while Odie and I were returning home for a short time before
> > doing anything else, I was on the route0 bus.
> > > I always try to stick with using public transportation for the most part
> > if I can do so.
> > > Paratransit is getting too expensive and I find it becoming more
> > inconvenient, given that they expect people to be on the van under five
> > minutes.
> > > When Odie travels with me while I'm out and about, I have him wear shoes
> > to protect his paws.
> > > Some lady sitting next to me had the nerve to tell me it was too hot out
> > for Odie to be wearing shoes.
> > > I told her no it wasn't and that either my partner's feet stay protected
> > or get burned.
> > > I let her know that if I have to wear shoes, then so should my working
> > partner.
> > > He also wears them when I use my power wheelchair so if he should
> > accidentally get his paws caught under the wheels, his feet don't get hurt
> > as badly.
> > > Cheryl, keep on doing the best you can and if I should ever do any other
> > type of traveling, I'll be sure to let ya know.
> > > I just hope that one day, I'll be able to get over the discomfort of
> > flying again, as I'm not fond of flying that much.
> > > I have dealt with Greyhound in the past and also used Amtraak last year
> > which Odie and I both liked and enjoyed a lot.
> > > The experience was great.
> > > Bibi and son Odie
> > > who wish if it is going to storm,
> > > that it would do so
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > Travelandtourism:
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> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2013 21:02:03 -0600
> From: "Criminal Justice Major Extraordinaire" <orleans24 at comcast.net>
> To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
> Subject: [Travelandtourism] Paratransit Expense and Other
> Message-ID: <A43A46CDFC344AAB87A4A78681A6B270 at bibi>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset="iso-8859-1"
> 
> Hi, Cheryl,
> For the trip on our Accessaride Paratransit, it costs $4.50 one way and the same coming back: totaling $9.00.
> As for the booklet of tickets for Accessaride, price runs around $20.00 per booklet.
> Definitely expensive since I am on SSI and getting $710 monthly.
> I do remember a friend of mine who is also bling and I attending a regional Transportation District public meeting maybe six or seven years ago, but am not completely remembering.
> She did bring up to RTD her concern about the cost of Paratransit and that the price needed to be lower and stablelized for one cost.
> unfortunately, it ended up hot happening.
> I also do agree with you that it's not just those who are blind that use the Paratransit, but other people as well that are wheelchair mobile or have various medical ailments which don't allow them to be able to walk a lot.
> There are also individuals who have a developmental disability that use Paratransit.
> I do have an Accessaride ID which allows me free access to all public transportation like the buses, light rail and Denver International Airport Sky Ride.
> I ended up getting Acessaride eight years ago more due to my arthritis ad I did find it hard to walk at times.
> There were areas that I would travel to where there was no bus service and dificult for traveling if there wasn't any sidewalks to walk on.
> Still, I can only do the best I can and open another chapter.
> *Smiles*
> Now that I think about it, I probably ought to be going through my mail to see if I was able to recertify for Accessaride Paratransit as I'm also able to use Accessicab which I did a couple days ago.
> Normally for a cab ride, depending on where you're going can run up to $20.00 or more.
> With accessicab, the price is lower and cut in half.
> Yes, I can agree with you as far as remarks that other people make, especially like the one I dealt with.
> I probably should have let it go and just ignored it completely when it came to the dog shoes.
> Thankfully, I am glad that I make sure Odie is safe and his paws don't get burned or injured.
> Bibi and son Odie
> 
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> End of Travelandtourism Digest, Vol 97, Issue 6
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