[Travelandtourism] John Pare, Jr is now a member of the Amtrak Disability Advisory Committee.

Sat Aug 22 18:04:19 UTC 2015

Very interesting stuff.

Justin

On 8/22/15, Cheryl Echevarria via Travelandtourism
<travelandtourism at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Jordan:
>
> John Pare's phone number is cell number is 410-917-1965
>
>
> I am not sure if you are an NFB member of not, but that is not true; but
> that is your own opinion, and I am not going to say you don't have a right
> to your opinion, but as stated if you have any issues with this that you
> contact him. I just did via messaging on Facebook and he doesn't get it.
> How
> are we going to change the way Amtrak does things, I mean, we had a
> resolution passed to work on this, and they hadn't complied when I reached
> them months ago, and the student division had written a resolution on this
> issue and had it passed at National Convention, it is now time to work on
> it.
>
> You don't have to agree with everything that the NFB does, but I don't
> agree
> with everything myself, but I believe in our Philosophy, Live the Life You
> Want.
>
> If you are feeling the NFB is doing that to you. There are people off this
> list that you can chat with, like President Riccobono, John Pare, Anil
> Lewis, your state president.
>
> We have never thrown anyone out of the NFB just because they don't read
> braille, or don't use their cane correctly or don't have jobs or don't go
> to
> an NFB School.
>
> If that is the case, then I should be fired, I don't read braille, I don't
> plan on learning, I use my cane skills, and have a guide dog. Plus I sit on
> many transportation committees like the different cruise lines, and CLIA,
> which is the Cruise Lines International Association, and others. So because
> I am an NFB member I cannot sit on these boards, I am also on a local
> transportation committee here on Long Island.
>
> Why don't you call the cruise lines and other transportation committees and
> get all of us thrown off the boards. Let's see we have 3 members of the
> Travel & Tourism Board that sits on these types of committees across the
> country and I know ACB members that also sit on the boards that I am on. We
> do work together, and it isn't the NFB way or the highway.
>
> So again, I have stated, if you are not happy with what the NFB is doing, I
> would suggest that you contact 410-659-9314 and speak to someone on Monday
> morning about your concerns with the NFB. You cannot fix something, if the
> person doesn't understand the problem.
>
> But if you are going to bash the NFB then I would recommend you do not do
> this here.
>
> Thank you.
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
> A proud division of the
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
> www.nfbtravel.org
> To join the talk list
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> 631-236-5138
> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
> ages is our passion!
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
>
> Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
> Professional"
>
> I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
> family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine
>
> P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
> out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
> or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
> that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family,
> I
> would love to help you.
>
> We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
> braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Cheryl Echevarria via Travelandtourism
> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 1:20 PM
> To: 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List' <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Cheryl Echevarria <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>; 'john Tebockhorst'
> <jptebock at earthlink.net>; 'Steven Hastalis' <steve.hastalis at gmail.com>;
> 'Jemal Powell' <derek2872 at yahoo.com>; miltjotaylor at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] John Pare, Jr is now a member of the Amtrak
> Disability Advisory Committee.
>
> Really and why is that.
>
> Does it state anywhere that we cannot sit on committees.
>
> Other leaders in the Federation have sat on Transportation committees or
> advisory boards?
>
> Does it say somewhere in the constitution that we cannot sit on
> transportation committees.
>
> I know many that are including local transportation committees in their
> towns and states.
>
> Both the NFB and the ACB of NY State are on the Executive Board of the NYS
> Commission for the Blind.
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division A proud
> division of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
> www.nfbtravel.org
> To join the talk list
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> 631-236-5138
> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
> ages is our passion!
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
>
> Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
> Professional"
>
> I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
> family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine
>
> P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
> out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
> or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
> that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family,
> I
> would love to help you.
>
> We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
> braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Jordan Gallacher [mailto:jordanandseptember at gmail.com]
> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 1:16 PM
> To: 'Cheryl Echevarria' <cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com>
> Subject: RE: [Travelandtourism] John Pare, Jr is now a member of the Amtrak
> Disability Advisory Committee.
>
> Lol.  And I will refrain from saying what I am thinking, but the NFB has no
> business on that committee.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cheryl Echevarria [mailto:cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com]
> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 12:14 PM
> To: 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List'
> Cc: 'Jordan Gallacher'; 'Amy Baron'; 'Denice Brown'; 'Jemal Powell'; 'john
> Tebockhorst'; miltjotaylor at gmail.com; 'Steven Hastalis'
> Subject: RE: [Travelandtourism] John Pare, Jr is now a member of the Amtrak
> Disability Advisory Committee.
>
> Can you be more explicit on the issues with this.
>
> So we all know what you are talking about. Also, I had been in touch with
> Amtrak since December 2014. So I also sent the information that I got from
> Amtrak to John Pare. FYI, Amtrak has been saying the same things for months
> with no changes. But at least we have someone from the NFB now on the
> Board.
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division A proud
> division of the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
> www.nfbtravel.org
> To join the talk list
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
> 631-236-5138
> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
> Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
> ages is our passion!
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
> 631-456-5394
>
> Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
> Professional"
>
> I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
> family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine
>
> P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
> out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
> or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
> that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family,
> I
> would love to help you.
>
> We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
> braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Jordan Gallacher via Travelandtourism
> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 12:53 PM
> To: 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List' <travelandtourism at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Jordan Gallacher <jordanandseptember at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Travelandtourism] John Pare, Jr is now a member of the Amtrak
> Disability Advisory Committee.
>
> Oh no they don't.  E-mailing someone now who can make sure that that does
> not happen.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Travelandtourism [mailto:travelandtourism-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
> Behalf Of Cheryl Echevarria via Travelandtourism
> Sent: Saturday, August 22, 2015 10:55 AM
> To: 'NFB Travel and Tourism Division List'
> Cc: Cheryl Echevarria; 'john Tebockhorst'; 'Steven Hastalis'; 'Jemal
> Powell'; miltjotaylor at gmail.com
> Subject: [Travelandtourism] John Pare, Jr is now a member of the Amtrak
> Disability Advisory Committee.
>
> Good afternoon everyone:
>
>
>
> I was on Facebook today and, John Pare, Jr., Executive Director for
> Advocacy
> and Policy with the National Federation of the Blind had announced he is
> now
> a member of the Amtrak Disability Advisory Committee.
>
>
>
> I am a member of the Amtrak disability advisory committee. We had our first
> face-to-face meeting this past week at the Amtrak headquarters in
> Washington
> DC. I urged them to fix the calendar problem and to discontinue use of a
> separate, specialized web site for blind and low vision customers. The
> calendar problem prevents a blind person who is using screen reading
> software from entering ones travel dates thereby completely blocking a
> blind
> person from purchasing a ticket. This problem will be fixed in one to two
> months. The reason for the long delay is not the difficulty of the problem
> but the long testing time for Amtrak to roll out any changes to their
> website. In the meantime you can use the low vision website or the IOS app.
> They will also be phasing out the separate website for blind and low vision
> customers but I did not get an exact date for this change.
>
>
>
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria, President
>
> National Federation of the Blind's Travel and Tourism Division
>
> A proud division of the
>
> NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND - "Live the life you want"
>
> www.nfbtravel.org <http://www.nfbtravel.org>
>
> To join the talk list
>
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/travelandtourism_nfbnet.org
>
> 631-236-5138
>
> cherylandmaxx at hotmail.com
>
>
>
>
>
> The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the
> characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the
> expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles
> between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want;
> blindness is not what holds you back.
>
>
>
>
>
> Cheryl Echevarria
>
> Travel is our specialty and offering the best of meaningful travel for all
> ages is our passion!
>
> http://www.echevarriatravel.com
>
> reservations at echevarriatravel.com
>
> 631-456-5394
>
>
>
> Visit my website to get my FREE report, "Top 5 Good Reasons to Use a Travel
> Professional"
>
>
>
> I build my business on referrals. Please pass my details on to friends and
>
> family members that deserve the best vacation that they can imagine
>
>
>
> P.S. - Families of all sizes is my specialty. Whether you are just starting
> out and looking for that romantic destination for your destination wedding
> or honeymoon. Booking that planned family vacation to Walt Disney World or
> that bucket list trip that Grandma  & Grandpa are planning for the family,
> I
> would love to help you.
>
>
>
> We have partnered with Braille Smith. www.braillesmith.com for all her
> braille needs.  Gail Smith is the Secretary of the NFB of Alabama
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
>
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>
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