Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!231!230.3!Jay.Steinhardt From: Jay.Steinhardt@p3.f230.n231.z1.fidonet.org (Jay Steinhardt) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: Transportation Message-ID: <13734@bunker.UUCP> Date: 28 Aug 90 01:01:05 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.UUCP Reply-To: Jay.Steinhardt@p3.f230.n231.z1.fidonet.org Distribution: misc Organization: FidoNet node 1:231/230.3 - Ordovician Ooze, Indianapolis IN Lines: 50 Approved: wtm@bunker.UUCP Index Number: 10017 EK> Hi, William EK> I am actively involved with the South EK> East Minnesota Center for Independent EK> Living here in Rochester Minnesota. We EK> also have a citizens advisory on transit EK> and a state task force on mainline transportation. EK> In regards to your statements on the issues of power chairs I have EK> a few questions. > 1> Is the issue of transfer imposed on all types of power chairs or just EK> 3 - wheelers > 2> Is there an interest to form a citizens coalition to work with the city EK> and local bus company to approve guidelines for use of mainline systems? > 3> Has the bus company recieved a copy of the Americans with Disabilities EK> Act so that they can set up a schedule of implimentation? EK> EK> I would be willing to provide EK> information on what we have accomplished here EK> in Rochester. EK> EK> My address is : Ernie Klechner EK> 325 1st Ave. S.W. Apt #502 EK> Rochester, Minn 55902 The issues about the type of chair is irrelavant at this time. The ADA is signed and passed that is true. As of this date we still have no regulations attached. The ADA data that was mailed to my office from NAPAS says that the transport agencies still have "time" to comply. In some cases the compliance is to be made by attrision. That is that the bus company has to replace veichles w/ accessable units AS THEY ARE AVAILABLE. Thus by playing a paber game a transit. company could reasonably take up to 20 years to become accessable. I will be reciving training in the ADA this month. Right now the legal department sees the ADA as a nice law that says access and equal rights must be granted but offers no penilty for failure to comply. I hope to learn different. Right now for mass transit the best tool we have may still be the 504 option. weak but getting stronger w/ the ADA. That is a transit company that fails to meet standard may be held responsible as a recipent. The ADA may not have teeth but 504 dose. The 504 option also supplies a tool to enforce. OCR hearings will be more likely to enforce the intent of the law with the ADA on the books. -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!231!230.3!Jay.Steinhardt Internet: Jay.Steinhardt@p3.f230.n231.z1.fidonet.org