[Travelandtourism] Amtrak
Steven Johnson
blinddog3 at charter.net
Tue Oct 1 22:25:25 UTC 2013
Just a thought, but how about empowering this individual to get to the
bottom of the issue himself and instead of doing it for him, providing
support so he can become a stronger and more effective advocate for himself?
Sometimes, I believe that outside interference/intervention is unnecessary.
Teach a man to fish, don't fish for him. As you can see from a number of
responses, this is not generally the case and is most likely a very isolated
situation as it occurred over a year ago.
Steve
-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Trevor Attenberg
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 5:18 PM
To: 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List'
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Amtrak
Hey guys,
I don't feel one necessarily has to state their blindness when making
reservations. That's not typically something I do--I prefer getting the help
I need when I need it instead of having people decide that for me ahead of
time. That holds true with train, plane, and bus, but it's just my
preference as I like to be left alone sometimes. Of course there are plenty
of situations where you will want to bring up the issue of your blindness
ahead of time in order to optimize your outcome. I don't think I can add
anything else to the Amtrak conversation, save ditto to those who pointed
out the fact this is illegal, and unprofessional behavior. Quite often
people will ask me how much vision I have in casual situations when I'm
asking about something or trying to just chat. I generally feel it's a lame
topic that will just waste time without helping anyone; so I will sidestep
the issue as politely as possible. People's perception that they should plan
ahead of time about how to react to you based on how much vision you have
suggests ignorance about blindness and providing assistance in general.
Speaking for myself, it is extremely difficult to describe my vision, even
if I have all the time in the world. With that said, I recommend going into
situations with a clear idea of what kind of help and directions you need.
This way folks shouldn't be left guessing as to how best they can provide
accommodation.
Best,
Trev
-----Original Message-----
From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jordan Gallacher
Sent: Tuesday, October 01, 2013 2:56 PM
To: NFB Travel and Tourism Division List
Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Amtrak
The horrible experience happened in March 2012, and the dining car issue was
both in March 2012 and November 2011.
Jordan
Sent from my iPhone
> On Oct 1, 2013, at 4:46 PM, cheryl echevarria
> <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
wrote:
>
> Jordan, you are saying when you had a guide dog. How long ago did this
issue happen?
>
> Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateLeading the Way in
Independent Travel!
> Cheryl Echevarria,
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.comww
w.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>
> Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
#1018299-10 FLST 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: jordanandseptember at gmail.com
>> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 16:44:01 -0500
>> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Amtrak
>>
>> At the time, I was using a guide dog. I can tell you that they are
>> not
following or have not been following their dining car reservation policy at
the time of travel. There was at least once I can recall where I was denied
access to the dining car with the statement being made there is no room for
your dog. There is a very simple solution to the dining car issue. Amtrak
needs to make sure that they are walking through the cars for lunch and
dinner taking reservations. There is still no excuse to tell me that there
is no room for my dog or the dining car is full. The two trains that have
been the issue are the City of New Orleans and the Crescent. I will give
you as much details as I can.
>> Thanks,
>> Jordan
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>>> On Oct 1, 2013, at 4:20 PM, cheryl echevarria
<cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Really, wow!
>>>
>>> Please again, write everything up so we can help.
>>>
>>> Send me the information please to
>>>
>>> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>>>
>>> And we will get to the bottom of this.
>>>
>>> I will be seeing Mark Riccobono this weekend at the NFB of NY State
Convention in Albany
>>>
>>>
>>> Do you also use a guide dog, cane, sighted guide, just wondering,
>>> that
way if it has to do with a guide dog as well, we can get some assistance
from Marion Gwizdala, President of NAGDU.
>>>
>>>
>>> Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateLeading the Way in
Independent Travel!
>>> Cheryl Echevarria,
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.comww
w.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>>>
>>> Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
#1018299-10 FLST 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: jordanandseptember at gmail.com
>>>> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 16:01:34 -0500
>>>> To: travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
>>>> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] Amtrak
>>>>
>>>> I've been denied access to the dining car too based on being blind
>>>> as
well.
>>>> Jordan
>>>>
>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>
>>>>> On Oct 1, 2013, at 3:57 PM, cheryl echevarria
<cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> No that is against, ADA about this. We had our monthly meeting
>>>>> last
night, would have loved to learned this then, but I will be contacting
Amtrak, and forwarding this to Mark Riccobono and the paralegals in
Baltimore.
>>>>>
>>>>> That is none of their business how much vision you have.
>>>>>
>>>>> Cheryl Echevarria, President
>>>>> NFB Travel & Tourism Division
>>>>> National Federation of the Blind
>>>>> www.nfbtravel.org
>>>>> 631-236-5138
>>>>> info at nfbtravel.org
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Disabled Entrepreneur of the Year 2012 of NY StateLeading the Way
>>>>> in
Independent Travel!
>>>>> Cheryl Echevarria,
Ownerwww.echevarriatravel.com631-456-5394reservations at echevarriatravel.comww
w.echevarriatravel.wordpress.com
>>>>>
>>>>> Affiliated as an independent contractor with Montrose TravelCST -
#1018299-10 FLST 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: jordanandseptember at gmail.com
>>>>>> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 2013 15:53:50 -0500
>>>>>> To: Travelandtourism at nfbnet.org
>>>>>> Subject: [Travelandtourism] Amtrak
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Is there a reason Amtrak asks for how much vision a blind person
>>>>>> has
when calling on the phone to book a reservation? I ask because the last
time I took Amtrak somewhere I ended up being treated horribly.
>>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>>> Jordan
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sent from my iPhone
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
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>> _______________________________________________
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>
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