Walter.Hart@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Hart) (08/10/90)
Index Number: 9695
As the user of a power wheelchair I am very concerned about transit
company exercising "de facto" discrimination. Our local transit
system refuses to allow power wheel chair users to remain seated on
their wheelchairs on either mainline or Mobility Impaired Transit
(paratransit). The operable word at this moment is "Foul"! Can
anyone suggest a group involved in helping insure civil rights of
the disABLED? The abvious (A.C.L.U.) appear primarily interested
in questions of color and ethnicity, not equality. I understand
and hope the final Dept. of Transportation regs due in late
September may address this. The ostensible excuse is "Safety: of
individuals who cannot transfer. All had hoped the ADA would help,
perhaps things will change when it become effective. Complaints
have been filed with Advocacy, Inc. and the local Dispute
resolution services but to no avail.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Walter.Hart
Internet: Walter.Hart@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.orgJoe.Chamberlain@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.org (Joe Chamberlain) (08/10/90)
Index Number: 9700
WH> As the user of a power wheelchair I am very concerned about transit
WH> company exercising "de facto" discrimination. Our local transit
WH> system refuses to allow power wheel chair users to remain seated on their
WH> wheelchairs on either mainline or Mobility Impaired Transit
WH> (paratransit). The operable word at this moment is "Foul"!
I don't understand the reasoning. Are regular w/c users
allowed to remain seated in their chairs? The paratransit system
here in Delaware allows any w/c. It is then secured to the floor
and a special seatbelt used for the passenger. Please explain
further. It sounds like they have not made their system totally
accessible.
-=joe=-
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!150!140!Joe.Chamberlain
Internet: Joe.Chamberlain@f140.n150.z1.fidonet.orgWalter.Hart@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Hart) (08/10/90)
Index Number: 9709
Joe, The T (local mass transit) is seeking to continue it's past
arbitrary and discrimanatory policies. They have refused to allow the
users of three or four wheel power chairs to ride either Mainline or
Mobility Impaired services. The Dallas Area has these same policies
ineffect. I (personally) have been the subject of a memo to each driver
requiring that I be forced to transfer to a regular seat. Since my
mobility is extremely limitted (and I actually feel safer on my Amigo) I
have filed a complaint with Advocacy ,Inc in Austin and have filed a
complaint with Dispute Resolution. The T claims three and four wheelers
areless safe than convwentional wheelchairs which will lock down in the
RTS buses. As the local ADAPT organizer I have trieded working with
them. Their "safety director" keeps trying to ignore the fact that many
users are absolutely unable to transfer! Nationwide statistics compiled
by the UMPA funded Project Action reveals this as the third highest
complaint. Fact is there are more modern tie down systems in effect than
what we have here. Both the Q-straint and Masachusetts Bay "Universal "
restraint systems are superior. Our drivers, by and large, attempt to
ignore the situation using the Nazi excuse "I was just following orders!"
The chairman of the local executive board over two months ago offered to
ride with me. He never did. If Dispute resolution does not end this
then 91 days from July 25,1990 I'll beg an attorney to file suit on
behalf of all residents, as a class that are being denied access.
I doubt that these persons even realize that under the ADA they will have
an obligation under "paratransit" which will reqiure service comparable
to mainline service that the current three day notice must shorten to
no more than the length of time for mainline service. Their apparent
intent is to keep giving the disABLED community here what "they" want to.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Walter.Hart
Internet: Walter.Hart@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.orgWalter.Hart@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Walter Hart) (08/10/90)
Index Number: 9710
Gene, your suggestion is appreciated. I( have already filed complaints
with This regions office of civil rights. Not to mention with the off of
civil rights from the urban maqss Transit Administration in KAansas City.
Are you aware that there will be a gathering of disABLED individuals in
Atlanta on Sept 29 -Oct 4 in an effort to improve attendant care policies
thru out the United States? It is our belief that there currently are a
number of individuals existing in "nursing Homes that are fully capable
of improvong their quality of life with a proper client managed program
while saving the states and federal government many dollars?
My battles , within and outside this system, will no doubt end only
when I pass this plane. All disABLED have a stake in this continuing
battle. With the passage of the ADA we must continue our efforts and
vigillance to insure our access to our civil rights!
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!130!10!Walter.Hart
Internet: Walter.Hart@f10.n130.z1.fidonet.org