November 17 Hearing on ADA and Accessible Transportation

from AAPD Advocacy:

On Thursday, November 17 the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions (HELP) will hold a full committee hearing on The Americans with Disabilities Act and Accessible Transportation: Challenges and Opportunities.

This is an opportunity to let the HELP Committee know important accessible transportation is for people with disabilities and urge them to take tangible, immediate steps to fund projects that promote transportation access.

Did you know? Twelve percent of people with disabilities have difficulty getting the transportation they need, compared to three percent of people without disabilities.

Access to affordable and reliable transportation allows people with disabilities important opportunities in education, employment, healthcare, housing and participation in community life. Because our nation’s investments in transportation infrastructure have disproportionately favored cars and highways, those who cannot afford cars or do not operate cars often lack viable transportation options. People with disabilities—particularly in rural areas—need accessible, affordable transportation options that bring employment, health care, education, and community life within reach.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in public transportation services, such as city buses and public rail (subways, commuter trains, etc.) and requires that public transportation be accessible.

We must let the HELP committee know how important these provisions of the ADA are for our community and demand that our leaders focus on the need for transportation equity. This is the time to overcome the challenges and take advantage of opportunities in order to fulfill their obligations to Americans with disabilities.

Contact members of the HELP Committee to let them know how important this issue is to you.

Click here for more information on the hearing and Committee members

Metro Taxi offers more accessible taxis, discounts

From New Haven, Connecticut, where a taxi company has committed itself to meeting the transportation needs of people with disabilities by increasing its accessible taxi fleet and offering discounts to the disabled community. You can read more here. Kudos to them.

A call to participate in the United We Ride dialogue

via the NCD-news list serv


CCAM announces the United We Ride National Dialogue



November 2-13, 2009

www.UWRDialogue.org

Please join a Federal Government Online Outreach Effort to Develop New Ideas in Transportation Access for People with Disabilities, Older Adults and Persons of Limited Income

Do you have suggestions and ideas that you would like to share with national leaders that can assist communities to increase access to affordable and reliable transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes?

If so, please register to participate in an upcoming national online dialogue with representatives of the federal government, state and community leaders! For more information, and to register, just click the link to visit the Dialogue website: www.UWRdialogue.org

The Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) invites you to participate in the United We Ride National Dialogue. This groundbreaking, web-based interactive dialogue is designed to allow a broader range of opinions and ideas to inform future policies, the CCAM Strategic Plan and to strengthen the CCAM's relationship with is vast array of partners and stakeholders, including state, local, and tribal governments, transportation agencies, human service agencies, healthcare providers, employment specialists, educators, and consumers.

In order to capture this critical input, the CCAM is seeking your participation in a 2 week long, web-based dialogue that will begin on November 2nd and end on November 13th. This dialogue will allow participants to submit, comment, and rate ideas interactively on how to increase access to affordable and reliable transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes. Your invaluable participation will directly inform the work of the CCAM on future policy decisions and the Strategic Plan.


Mark S. Quigley

Director of External Affairs

National Council on Disability

1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850

Washington, DC 20004

202-272-2008

202-272-2022 fax

www.ncd.gov

You also may want to join more than 2,000 subscribers who receive the latest news from NCD via its listserv. Please sign up at http://listserv.access.gpo.gov/ and click on On-line mailing list archives, then select NCD-NEWS-L and complete the short subscription form.

Easy Stow demo

Here's a few videos showing the Easy Stow device that via remote lifts your manual wheelchair into your vehicle. According to the description, it will work on a variety of vehicles.

The first video shows a male wheelchair user transferring onto the driver's seat, which has been extended outwards with an attached board that flips down and out of the way when driving, but is pulled out for transfers. It appears to have a safety strap. He then attaches the wheelchair to the lift and it is brought up into the rear door of the van. He shuts the rear door via remote control. The driver then transfers fully onto the driver's seat, flips up the attached board and closes the door. The second video reverses the process. The lift in the back of the car can apparently be removed easily in case you need the cargo room for other purposes.





For further questions call 520-292-8769 or email lfinman@specialneedsvehicles.com. Their website is http://www.specialneedsvehicles.com.

The ripple effect of mass transit cuts on people with disabilities

Arizona.

Connecticut.

Twin Cities

St. Louis

Wichita

Boston

Albany, Reno, Niles Michigan.

And now Utah.

Just some of the places where rides for the disabled are being cut and further cuts are being wrestled with, eliminating the only source of transportation for many to work, the doctor, church, the grocery store and to get out of their homes. In some places, fare hikes are in effect eliminating the use of services by those on fixed incomes already grappling with the prices of food and medication.

At the Utah Transit Authority, people with disabilities cried as they spoke about the effect of cutting their only means of transportation. Many have been there before and know what it's like to not have a way to get anywhere.

"Please don't keep us prisoners in our homes," Patricia Williams, a disabled 40-year Reno resident said at a recent hearing. "Let us get out and see our family. Let us go to the grocery store.

The mass transit cuts also affect those who work with people with disabilities, who receive low wages and rely on bus routes. In St. Louis, about half of a care center's kitchen and housekeeping staff have no other way to get to work. Aides caring for those in their homes also can't get to some places, cutting off individuals who need services.

The ripple effect of mass transit cuts, including paratransit cuts and fare hikes, affects those least able to find alternatives, at the lowest income levels. There isn't any wiggle room in their household budget, nor do they have access to other forms of transportation. Many live alone and receive no rides or financial help from families. And, in some cases, even if a friend or family member could give a ride, their car can't hold a heavy wheelchair.

As the number of cities cutting these vital services increases, more people are left without transportation, without care, without a way to get health care and food. Some will be forced into nursing homes, unable to sustain themselves in the community, costing the government far more in the end for their daily care. Others will live as virtual prisoners in their homes. Many will lose jobs or have to stop volunteer work. Even more cut off, they will have fewer chances to get rides from anyone in the community.

Yes, they cried at that hearing in Utah. And how many are crying behind closed doors?

Paratransit services : raising the fees and cutting services

Hard fought progress that's been made in transportation for people with disabilities is being lost as paratransit services are cut back and the fees are raised. Yet the need for such services continues to grow.

The raise in fare is too steep for some who don't work and can't afford it. For example, the article states that in Niles, Michigan, where the fare was raised by a dollar a trip, "ridership decreased by 53% after that from 6,154 trips in 2007 to 2,896 in 2008."

Statistics show that ridership has gone up and more people are in need of paratransit service.

At the same time that partransit systems are struggling with funding, ridership is up. There was a 5.8% increase in national paratransit ridership last year, according to APTA's "Public Transportation Ridership Report" released in March.

Many Dial-a-Ride passengers are upset with fare increases because the service is their only way to get to work or medical appointments. "Please don't keep us prisoners in our homes," Patricia Williams, a disabled 40-year Reno resident said at a recent hearing. "Let us get out and see our family. Let us go to the grocery store." viaUSAToday.com

Bus route closings affect most vulnerable

Those with disabilities and the poor are devastated by the cutbacks to bus routes in the St. Louis area, eliminating their only form of transportation, reports CNN. A reporter who rode the route writes about a couple in wheelchairs who are losing their form of transportation, as the result of one of two dozen routes being cut as of March 30. [Related: Commuters Already Trying to Cope Before Cutbacks]

Riding the buses this week offered a glimpse at the impact.

At one stop Wednesday, a handful of developmentally disabled passengers boarded outside a local facility where they work. One told CNN she optimistic "something will get done about it" but said she isn't sure how she is supposed to get around after Friday.

200 drivers will also lose their jobs. The stimulus money, the reporter noted, can't be used for operational costs.

How long does it take to get a wheelchair accessible taxi?

In Las Vegas, this man calls at 1:37 p.m. for a wheelchair accessible taxi and is told to call back every ten minutes. After over two and a half hours, he's told a cab will be sent, but then told that cab will be delayed.

New year resolution number two: providing safe, accessible transportation to people with disabilities

A 22 year old man with CP was left on a school bus new year's eve in New York city and spent the night alone, while temperatures dropped under 20 degrees.

Authorities said police found Edwin Rivera in a bus yard Thursday morning. He had been on the bus for 19 hours while the temperature outside dropped below 20 degrees.

Rivera, who cannot speak, was being evaluated at a hospital. He was expected to recover

via foxnews.com

See also Cold over at Dave's award winning blog, Chewing the Fat.

Rail Assistance Failing [Disabled] Passengers

The Accessible Journey: Issues for Disabled Passengers

What (accessible) minivans look like in other countries

My friend mentioned to me last night that minivans available in other countries now come with one door and offer various accessible options. So we went looking to see how much smaller minivans (or microvans and micro SUV's) are and found this video.

There are a lot of them. None available in the U.S. She mentioned that if the driver's seat wasn't on the wrong side, she'd be tempted to import one of them. Here's one accessibility option but if you go to YouTube and search Toyota Porte, you can find others:

The global auto industry is addressing consumer concerns about fuel consumption. As the Senate holds hearings on the Big Three auto situation, it behooves us all to question when vehicles like this will become available here.

Greyhound bus driver fails to lower lift for paraplegic passenger

Larae Ransom, a 25 year old woman with paraplegia, has filmed parts of her trip, claiming that a Greyhound bus driver repeatedly refused to lower the bus lift to allow her to use a restroom for six hours on a trip to Las Vegas. Another witness appears on the news tape supporting the fact that the driver failed to lower the lift for Ransom.

She says she called the company ahead to make sure they could accommodate her needs and her wheelchair. She says they told her they could and she couldn't believe what happened.

Ransom says she felt discriminated against and "even held hostage somewhat" by the driver's refusal to accommodate her need to use a restroom. Her video shows other passengers getting off and on the bus as she remained on board, unable to access a restroom at San Bernadino. The supervisor told the driver to let her off at the next stop in Riverside. According to the news video, the driver again did not lower the lift. At the next stop, the driver claimed the station was closed, although it appears open. She was forced to relieve herself in her wheelchair. On the tape at one point another passenger says to the driver "You were supposed to let her off at the last stop." It was not until the last stop that he let her off.

"It's a violation of the American Disabilities Acts probably a violation of UNRA, it's a violation of common decency," said Randy McMurray, Cochran Law Firm.

Greyhound officials said Friday afternoon that this is a very serious allegation and they will investigate. They say all bus drivers are trained to help anyone with disabilities at any stop.

via abclocal.go.com

Docking your wheelchair

Based on technology used to dock a spaceship, this new wheelchair accessible van design uses laser technology to load your chair onto a lift on the back after you, uh, disembark. A video description would be that the van seat lowers, you transfer into the vehicle, then the power chair is remotely guided toward the rear of the van where a lift descends. Laser lights on the arms of the chair then guide the chair onto the lift (something inventors says was too difficult to do remotely), the lift goes up and - voila- you and your chair are aboard. Liftoff!

Well all kidding aside it is less pricey than current setups, so check it out. The figure I heard was 30 grand. So it depends what you buy - however here's what is new and great about it: the equipment can be transferred to a new vehicle. Developed by New Scientist, if you're looking for more info or check out a post at Gizmodo where I caught onto this video.

More scifi stuff for the day: what do astronauts falling from the sky have to do with nomads in Central Asia?

h/t gizmodo

Like trying to predict the rain

Yesterday I received a phone call telling me my mom had a stroke.  My first inclination, of course, was to run over to the hospital to see her and then I realized, as I've had to realize many times over the past year, that it wasn't an option.  My power chair doesn't fit into anything but accessible vehicles, and there's no bus that goes over there.  I have no available accessible transportation.

My sister went over after getting the message (she had been out all morning) and then called me to say that there is some paralysis, but that my mom was eating. I asked questions, trying to figure out what was going on and when I hung up the phone, I was filled with a feeling I've had often over the past year or so this has been going on: frustration. Sheer frustration that I can not get at what I need to do when I need to do it.

I've learned that trying to imagine what one will need with quadriplegia isn't easy. It's like trying to predict the rain in a way.   And then affording it is yet another issue.

There are many others like myself who live day to day with these restrictions.  How many people would want to visit their mom in the hospital after she had a stroke? Heck, wouldn't everybody? 

I did a poll that included mobility and transportation issues for people with disabilities. It was far less popular than the peeps and bunny poll that Meredith is doing now. But basically it shows these are concerns for many in our community. Just getting around, things that we take for granted, are an issue. Although not as popular as peeps and bunnies.

It could happen to any one of us, is the thing.  

My mom told me that it's okay, she understands I can't get there. I'm trying to decipher from her slurred words exactly what's going on.  I'll know more after the doctor does a consult.

It's like trying to predict the rain.

Jay Leno disses Amtrak for charging wheelchair users more

I'm a Jay Leno fan - and am glad to see his show back on the air.

Tonight he won my heart again when he spoke about Amtrak's policy where they've charged wheelchair users more to ride on their trains and how it is wrong. [Amtrak won a lawsuit against a disability group in 2005 where the judge ruled that Amtrak only had to provide one accessible spot for a wheelchair and one spot to store a chair and can charge passengers more when they have to provide additional spaces for wheelchair users. The lawsuit occurred after Amtrak charged some members of the group 200 dollars in addition to the regular ticket price of 90 dollars to travel together and the group sued Amtrak. ]

Go Jay. I wish more people would speak up about issues like this, that are so blatantly wrong.
[visual description: A photo of Jay Leno, who is smiling, is shown. Actually I think he's smirking. He's wearing a dark suit and a tie.]

New to the Blogroll: DisabilityInfo.gov

Need information about US federal government programs? Have questions about where to go to get help or assistance? Start here - at DisabilityInfo.gov, a resource containing disability -related information and resources about  federal government programs.

It also has links to programs like Easter Seals' Project Action,  which is holding a seminar next month to help transportation entities set up travel training programs for those with disabilities. Go on over and see what else is going on!

Hall of Shame: Wheelchairs and Taxis

This report shows how not listening to the disability community wastes time, money and resources. In this case, purchasing Uplanders as taxis created issues of lack of access for power chair users - whereas side entry Dodge Caravans and back entry Toyota Siennas would solve some of these problems.

Click above to see a video and a story about this.

hat tip United Spinal

You (tube) GOJO!

GOJO is sending comedians with disabilities onto public transport to further their efforts toward encouraging use of public transport by pwd. This clip is entitled "Is there going to be dribbling?" Enjoy!

Mobility 102: The economic factors in mobility

In Mobility 101 I explored accessible vehicles for wheelchair users. In this post, we'll take a look at how economic factors can limit the mobility of a wheelchair user.

Several factors are involved in this equation. First, the wheelchair user must have a wheelchair that is "right" for them - that is, it must be suitable to transport them where they need to go - in and out of the house,for example. Some wheelchair users can push a manual chair only for short distances depending on the weight of the chair. So if their insurance provider will only pay for a heavier manual chair, they may become housebound because they don't have a wheelchair that's suitable - unless they can afford to pay out of pocket for a suitable chair, such as an ultralight wheelchair or power wheelchair.

Another factor regarding wheelchairs is having the resources to get repairs done. Some people have manual or power wheelchairs that break down and have difficulty with access to repairs for economic reasons. They may not have the means to transport the wheelchair to a shop for repairs or lack funds or coverage to pay for repairs. More frequently, their wheelchair may run but in a limited way because of these factors and this in turn limits their mobility. There is also the issue of needing a new wheelchair long before a person is eligible for funding. Keeping an old wheelchair going can be tricky.

Another mobility issue affected by economics is transportation. Public transportation may be an option for some if they live near a bus route. We are still working toward accessible taxis in our country. Some communities provide services for disabled people where a van or small bus will transport them to certain places, such as a doctor's office. These options vary and result in varying levels of mobility for those depending on them based on where the person lives.

Although some wheelchair users are able to afford cars to transport their wheelchairs, many cannot. This issue is clearly explained when one looks at the cost of accessible vehicles, which range in price from $50,000 down. If certain adaptive features are necessary, that can raise the cost even higher. If a wheelchair user needs a ramp or lift to transport their wheelchair, they fall in the category of needing an accessible vehicle. Some wheelchair users, as noted in Mobility 101, can use "regular cars" to transport their wheelchairs. But this depends on their disability.

Grants and agencies that may help fund this equipment do exist. However, it can be difficult to get this funding and it isn't something a wheelchair user can count on. There is also the option of buying used equipment, but this carries some risks and even used equipment can be pricey.

Due to the high cost of this equipment, wheelchair users with the same level of disability will experience very different levels of mobility based on their financial situation, insurance or, if they are fortunate enough, assistance from family and friends. In fact, their mobility level will vary over their lifetime if their accessible vehicle ages out, for example, and they can't afford to replace it.

It is important for all of us to work toward a higher level of mobility for wheelchair users by continuing to explore available options to access to the equipment that makes that possible. One of the important factors in this equation for the wheelchair user is to remain as empowered as possible while exploring all options, whether it be used equipment, funding, or using this as an opportunity to create new options.

Economic limitations are a reality, however working to empower ourselves and assist others on that journey is key.

Mobility 101: Checking out the Options

[visual description: The interior of a van is shown from a sideview. A man is seated in the driver's seat. Behind him is his wheelchair.}

]visual description: A woman is seated in a car that has both front and back doors open. The doors open like those of a plane's cockpit leaving an opening to lift in a wheelchair. Outside the car is her wheelchair with the wheels off.]

One of the most important aspects of quality of life for wheelchair users can be their mobility. Many wheelchair users can drive with hand controls or other adaptations but the question often becomes: where can I find an affordable vehicle to transport my wheelchair?

If you use a manual wheelchair, you may have several options depending on your ability to lift the wheelchair into a car. In the picture above to the left, a car similar to the one I use, a Saturn Ion Quad Coupe, is shown. Because the doors create a natural opening, the wheelchair can easily be lifted into the back seat of the vehicle without much upper body strength. This is aided by the low height of the car and a lightweight or ultralightweight manual wheelchair. Depending on your trunk control, you can add straps to hold yourself in the car as you bend over to lift the wheelchair. This car is a great option financially. It comes with the doors like this so you don't have to pay for additional modifications.

Some wheelchair users who are unable to lift their wheelchair into a vehicle and want their independence choose vans with either lifts or ramps. The photo to the right above shows the interior of such a vehicle. These vans can hold manual wheelchairs and, depending on the model, some power wheelchairs. It is important before purchasing a van to make sure that you have enough height clearance to comfortably clear the opening, have planned out whether you can transfer to a driver's seat, need a power assist driver's seat to help you transfer or need to remain in your wheelchair while driving. These modifications, as well as special driving controls, will ensure your safety and can be determined by an evaluation.

[visual description: A photo of a van with a rear entry ramp. Some vans have ramps or lifts with a side entrance.}

Many of my paraplegic friends drive cars or vans with no modifications except hand controls. They are able to dissemble their manual wheelchairs and put them into the car because their upper body strength is adequate.A few use a van and lift the entire wheelchair into the van behind them from the driver's seat. However, this arrangement does not work for everyone so before you assume you can do it, it's best to try it out on the particular vehicle you want to purchase.

I recommend reading message boards online (CareCure forum, apparelyzed.com) to determine which cars work out well for others with similar disabilities. You can find message boards online for folks with MS, ALS, spinal cord injuries, MD, and other disabilities by googling (check my blogroll too).

A few cars are notoriously unsuitable for wheelchairs and just don't have enough room to hold them. The important thing to remember is that you may be putting your wheelchair in and out of the car numerous times a day - so research your options carefully before you spend your money on a new or used vehicle. Even though mobility is definitely a do-able goal for a wheelchair user, it's important to carefully consider all your options and take your time before making a purchase.

GOJO: Using Public transportation in the UK

I received a link to this new site earlier this week and just went over to look at it. It's a great idea to encourage more disabled people to get out and use public transportation- provides links to information, tips and trip planning (and some fun stuff too!) It even provides ideas for outings.

Click above to check it out.