[Nfbf-l] Bureaucracy To the Max: My Experience with the Florida DMV how it works in the sunshine state

[Alan Dicey]

Dear Friends,
This article appeared a few weeks ago in one of the most popular, prestigious,  and widely distributed  electronic magazine sent out to Blind or Visually Impaired people throughout  the United States.
Just what we needed another article portraying our State as less than the optimum place to live.
I wanted to send this out sooner, but was very busy, with a move of residences, and it slipped my mind, but I had a similar experience with the Florida DMV, not as bad as this, but it was very uncomfortable so I wanted to make others aware not to let their Florida State Identification Cards expire or when they go to get a "State Identification Card" what to know and what to expect.
My personal experience was that I  had such a hard time getting anyone to understand that I was Blind, believe it or not, and that I needed assistance.
Having a white cane in your hand means nothing at the DMV I went to, well, you best know how to say you are Blind and need assistance in Spanish, and hope for the best, let me leave it at that!

With Best Regards,
Alan Dicey
Miami, Florida
This is the Matilda Ziegler Magazine
Weekly Edition for July 2, 2012
Address: 20 Thorndal Circle
Darien, CT 06820
Local Phone: 203-604-8601
Toll Free: 877-424-5481
Website: www.matildaziegler.com
Email: editor at matildaziegler.com
Ross Hammond, Editor

Contributor Patricia Lipovsky - Bureaucracy To the Max: My Experience with 
the DMV
I wanted to write and share my wonderful experience I had recently with the 
Department of Motor Vehicles in the state of Florida.  Talk about 
bureaucracy, this is bureaucracy to the max as far as I'm concerned.  I 
don't know if it is the same in every state, but this is how it works in the 
sunshine state.

It all started when my state ID expired.  Warning: If you do anything at 
all, do not let your ID expire.  It will be one of the biggest mistakes you 
make!

First trip to the DMV

I was told by a friend, even though my ID expired, just take it to the DMV, 
and they will just issue me a new one.  Wrong!

Since there is a two hour turnaround time with my Para-transit, a very kind 
lady from my church offered to take me to the DMV so I wouldn't have to wait 
so long for my return trip.

I took my expired ID, as my friend suggested, which of course had my picture 
on it, and after standing in line for about 30 minutes, was told it could 
not be accepted because it was expired.  I then offered another ID with a 
picture of my service animal and myself on it, but they still wouldn't 
budge.  They told me I needed to come back with two utility bills, to show 
proof of address, a social security card or birth certificate, and I would 
be good to go.

 Second Trip to the DMV

About two or three weeks later, my very kind church lady and I went back to 
the DMV, water and electric bills in hand, along with my two photo ID's, my 
birth certificate, and got back in line to wait my turn.  I got up to the 
reception desk with all my info, and after looking at it, was asked for my 
social security card.  I explained I misplaced it, and the last time I was 
there, was told my birth certificate along with the other pieces of 
information I had would suffice.  She apologized, and stated my social 
security card was required.  I could go to the social security office and 
obtain a letter which they would accept, substantiating that I did have a 
social security card.

Feeling very frustrated, since I truly thought this issue was going to be 
resolved at this time, and had other things to do, I told my very kind 
church lady friend that we would deal with this another day.  Once again, 
she graciously offered to take me to the Social Security office one day the 
next week, and then back to the DMV, which was exactly what we did.

Third Trip to the DMV

We went back to the DMV a week later, social security letter in hand, two 
utility bills, two picture ID's, and my birth certificate.  I anxiously 
awaited my turn, and after waiting approximately 30 to 45 minutes, got up to 
the desk and handed the person my info.  After looking through it, she 
stated my name on my birth certificate was not the same as on the other 
pieces of information. My response was, "Yes, I know, I got married." Can 
you guess what her next statement was? You got it.  She now needs a 
certified copy of my marriage certificate.

Needless to say, at this point, I wanted to scream, but thanks to our Lord 
and Savior, managed to compose myself.   I then proceeded to tell her that 
this was my third trip to the DMV, and pointed out that she did have two 
picture ID's right there in her hot little hand (well, I did leave the hot 
little hand part out), with me standing right in front of her, verifying 
those pictures, plus two utility bills which verified home address and name, 
as well as my social security letter.  Noticing how frustrated I was, she 
decided to check with her boss, and upon return, proceeded to apologize for 
my inconvenience, but stated I would still have to come back with the 
marriage certificate.

Frustrated, disappointed, and discouraged, out the door we went for the 
third time, knowing I had yet another obstacle to overcome.

After numerous calls to New Jersey, I finally got to the correct office, 
where I was told they would be happy to send me a copy of my marriage 
certificate, provided I furnished them with a current driver's license or 
ID.  Hmmm, another obstacle!  Long story short, I ended up contacting my ex, 
who found it, and sent it to me.  Elated, I almost said "I love you," but 
caught myself in the nick of time, as that wouldn't have been a very good 
idea.

Fourth Trip to the DMV

So now my church lady friend and I are back at the DMV, with two photo ID's, 
two utility bills, my social security letter, my birth certificate, and my 
marriage certificate.  I once again, got up to the desk, feeling very 
confident this would be the day I get my new ID, but there was yet another 
glitch.  The marriage certificate that my ex thought was the original, was a 
copy, and I was told she could not accept a copy.  Now, I could feel the 
blood rush to my head, and tried very hard to maintain my composure.  She 
obviously took note of my expression, knowing I had been there before, and 
decided to ask her boss if she could accept it.  Luckily, for my sake, they 
did, and I was finally able to go on my merry way with my new ID.

Now, let me say because of what happened with September 11th, and the 
ever-present identity theft problem, I do understand the security issue, and 
totally agree with it one hundred percent.  But what happened in my case, 
though, I feel was overkill.  If I didn't have two photo ID's, which 
obviously reiterated who I was, I could understand connecting all the dots, 
but truly feel that wasn't necessary here.  Also, people who drive get 
notified 2 months in advance that their license will be expiring.  People 
with state ID's who do not drive, do not ever get notified.  What's up with 
that?

Are people who don't drive less important? Do they not deserve equal 
treatment?  Is this discrimination?  You tell me.
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