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Hi everyone. Today I'd like to talk travel. Nope, I'm not going to gripe about my lack of independent travel skills right at the moment other than to say that it's not my fault and I know it. Well...in a way it is my fault for not exactly getting out and practicing as much as possible. But my life has been busy with other engagements.
But there was an announcement a few weeks ago in an e-newsletter to which I subscribe, about the Blind Travelers Network. This is a website which was recently set up for people who are visually impaired to come discuss all things travel among one another. I'm not sure yet if the site can also be used by people who have other or no disabilities, but it would certainly make sense. Even if it will only serve the visually impaired traveler though, that's cool. The URL is https://www.blindtravelersnetwork.org . I think the description on there pretty much speaks for itself, but I for one am excited to participate and have already contributed some things of my own. One thing about which I'm particularly curious is how somebody who is visually impaired themselves goes about teaching travel to somebody in their own disability group. In my view it makes a lot of sense to teach the use of the white cane this way, but I'm wondering how street crossings are taught for example. I've heard and read about accessible pedestrian signals before, and I got to hear one while walking with a group of friends not long ago home from a birthday party. But I've never had the opportunity to actually work with these myself.
I'm not going to lie and say that I pity myself for being blind, because I'm not in the least bit ashamed of that. I have always been blind and am now in my mid-40s, so I think I've had more than enough adjustment time. Moreover, I ask for help when needed and have had very good results doing so for the most part. A few years ago, however, I was scolded rather harshly when walking back to my apartment from a friend's St. Patrick's Day party. I had asked for somebody to please walk me back to my apartment. The friend who hosted this party offered to do it, and I took her up on her offer. As it turned out, a friend of hers at the time wanted to accompany us. We said no problem, thinking it would be just that--no problem. Well...how wrong we were! During the short walk back to the building in which I live, my friend's friend basically chided us about my not being able to cross the street by myself at that age. My friend promptly turned to her and told her in no uncertain terms that I hadn't had good formal travel training in a long time, and to please stop it. The next day my friend telephoned me to apologize for her ex-friend's behavior, and then went on to tell me that their friendship had ended because of that incident.
I have since gone out walking with neighbors and tutors, and prior to the incident mentioned above I got out several times with people. I even had a formal O&M instructor come out and work with me, but that didn't last long at all. She informed me that the only solution for getting across the street safely--other than advocating like crazy for accessible pedestrian signals to be installed in my locale--was one simple card. Can anybody guess what is printed on that laminated card which is still in my apartment? That's right, it says something to the effect of "I'm blind, could you help me across the street?" That's right, I was to stand at a street corner, not moving, with one arm bent at the elbow holding that card out. Sounds rather like begging, doesn't it? I wonder what the odds are that I'd get mugged or something if I were actually to try it by myself? Would that formal O&M instructor come pay me a visit in the hospital? Or better yet, would those 2 agency workers who were so rude to me come?
I realize that this all may seem to some like I am in fact feeling sorry for myself. If those people want to think that, go right ahead and do so. America is a free country, or at least for the most part. All I ask for in return is no flame wars. This is in fact how it has been for me since the summer of 2004. I'm not saying that I haven't gotten out at all by myself. Quite the contrary. I have used the local ADA paratransit system off and on since the late-90s, with mixed results. I also recently began using Uber, and I have to say that they're very good. Their iOS app needs a bit of work in order to make it fully compliant with Apple's on-board screen reader and perhaps with the other accessibility features, but it is definitely usable. Lyft might also be an option, but I've read that their app is not that good yet with VoiceOver. I've used taxicabs in the past, as well as trains and the local fixed-route buses. I really appreciate those automated stop announcements. They especially came in handy several years ago when I was attending a Jesuit college about 45 minutes away. My mother would drop me off at the local bus stop in the mornings, and when the number 213 bus came the driver would kneel the steps and I boarded. Upon our arrival at the bus station to transfer to number 472, one of the passengers would escort me to a bench. Then I boarded the bus when it arrived. At the end of the day I reversed the route, and someone from my family met me and we drove home. Regarding taxicabs, some drivers I've had--particularly from one local company which shall remain nameless--don't speak and/or understand English that well.
Back to paratransit for a bit though. As seasoned paratransit riders know, one has to call the reservation lines in advance to book a trip unless and/or until they are put on what I'm told is a subscription list. While it's been said that other states have the option of calling in up to 2 weeks in advance, I and others in my state are only permitted to call in one day in advance. When I first began using the service, it was only possible to call in up to half an hour in advance for booking trips. Furthermore, the reservationists would often phone my parents around dinner only to inform us that they had to change my ride times. This meant I was either late to my scheduled destinations, and/or I'd have to cut class at the end of the day. Thanks to an upgraded telephone experience, it is now possible for myself and others in my state to phone in our orders up to one day in advance. So yes, we have made a bit of progress there. Additionally, there is now an online portal where paratransit riders can view trips which they have already scheduled. Apparently it is also possible to book and cancel trips online now, but I have yet to come across those options. This online portal hasn't worked at all for me lately though, due to me not being able to log in even if I reset my password. So while progress has indeed been made regarding the local ADA paratransit service, there have also been some setbacks.
I also have a free app on my iPhone called Microsoft Soundscape. This app is supposed to be used in conjunction with the maps app native to iOS, but it will also work on its own. I have as a matter of fact used the app on its own, and it works great. But I have yet to use it in conjunction with the native iOS maps app.
My whole point in writing this entry is as follows. Those states like mine that are still in the dark ages with regards to services for those of us who have disabilities, absolutely need to change. Based on what I've read and heard from others, my state might in fact be the only one which is still this behind in their provision of these services. Furthermore, one of the so-called voc/rehab professionals mentioned above had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to kill myself. Just for the record, this is not the case at all. Thinking back on that, I wonder what this person would've done if I told her that I did in fact want to kill myself. What kind of training did she receive, if she just asks that out of the blue? Is this person actually a "certified rehabilitation counselor" as suggested by the letters following her name? Are some of these people actually serious about helping clients to become successfully "rehabilitated?" I think not, if they go and do things like that. I could mention other examples, but I think I'm making myself clear enough. I strongly believe that something needs to be done about this. We need real change in the way these services are handled.
But there was an announcement a few weeks ago in an e-newsletter to which I subscribe, about the Blind Travelers Network. This is a website which was recently set up for people who are visually impaired to come discuss all things travel among one another. I'm not sure yet if the site can also be used by people who have other or no disabilities, but it would certainly make sense. Even if it will only serve the visually impaired traveler though, that's cool. The URL is https://www.blindtravelersnetwork.org . I think the description on there pretty much speaks for itself, but I for one am excited to participate and have already contributed some things of my own. One thing about which I'm particularly curious is how somebody who is visually impaired themselves goes about teaching travel to somebody in their own disability group. In my view it makes a lot of sense to teach the use of the white cane this way, but I'm wondering how street crossings are taught for example. I've heard and read about accessible pedestrian signals before, and I got to hear one while walking with a group of friends not long ago home from a birthday party. But I've never had the opportunity to actually work with these myself.
I'm not going to lie and say that I pity myself for being blind, because I'm not in the least bit ashamed of that. I have always been blind and am now in my mid-40s, so I think I've had more than enough adjustment time. Moreover, I ask for help when needed and have had very good results doing so for the most part. A few years ago, however, I was scolded rather harshly when walking back to my apartment from a friend's St. Patrick's Day party. I had asked for somebody to please walk me back to my apartment. The friend who hosted this party offered to do it, and I took her up on her offer. As it turned out, a friend of hers at the time wanted to accompany us. We said no problem, thinking it would be just that--no problem. Well...how wrong we were! During the short walk back to the building in which I live, my friend's friend basically chided us about my not being able to cross the street by myself at that age. My friend promptly turned to her and told her in no uncertain terms that I hadn't had good formal travel training in a long time, and to please stop it. The next day my friend telephoned me to apologize for her ex-friend's behavior, and then went on to tell me that their friendship had ended because of that incident.
I have since gone out walking with neighbors and tutors, and prior to the incident mentioned above I got out several times with people. I even had a formal O&M instructor come out and work with me, but that didn't last long at all. She informed me that the only solution for getting across the street safely--other than advocating like crazy for accessible pedestrian signals to be installed in my locale--was one simple card. Can anybody guess what is printed on that laminated card which is still in my apartment? That's right, it says something to the effect of "I'm blind, could you help me across the street?" That's right, I was to stand at a street corner, not moving, with one arm bent at the elbow holding that card out. Sounds rather like begging, doesn't it? I wonder what the odds are that I'd get mugged or something if I were actually to try it by myself? Would that formal O&M instructor come pay me a visit in the hospital? Or better yet, would those 2 agency workers who were so rude to me come?
I realize that this all may seem to some like I am in fact feeling sorry for myself. If those people want to think that, go right ahead and do so. America is a free country, or at least for the most part. All I ask for in return is no flame wars. This is in fact how it has been for me since the summer of 2004. I'm not saying that I haven't gotten out at all by myself. Quite the contrary. I have used the local ADA paratransit system off and on since the late-90s, with mixed results. I also recently began using Uber, and I have to say that they're very good. Their iOS app needs a bit of work in order to make it fully compliant with Apple's on-board screen reader and perhaps with the other accessibility features, but it is definitely usable. Lyft might also be an option, but I've read that their app is not that good yet with VoiceOver. I've used taxicabs in the past, as well as trains and the local fixed-route buses. I really appreciate those automated stop announcements. They especially came in handy several years ago when I was attending a Jesuit college about 45 minutes away. My mother would drop me off at the local bus stop in the mornings, and when the number 213 bus came the driver would kneel the steps and I boarded. Upon our arrival at the bus station to transfer to number 472, one of the passengers would escort me to a bench. Then I boarded the bus when it arrived. At the end of the day I reversed the route, and someone from my family met me and we drove home. Regarding taxicabs, some drivers I've had--particularly from one local company which shall remain nameless--don't speak and/or understand English that well.
Back to paratransit for a bit though. As seasoned paratransit riders know, one has to call the reservation lines in advance to book a trip unless and/or until they are put on what I'm told is a subscription list. While it's been said that other states have the option of calling in up to 2 weeks in advance, I and others in my state are only permitted to call in one day in advance. When I first began using the service, it was only possible to call in up to half an hour in advance for booking trips. Furthermore, the reservationists would often phone my parents around dinner only to inform us that they had to change my ride times. This meant I was either late to my scheduled destinations, and/or I'd have to cut class at the end of the day. Thanks to an upgraded telephone experience, it is now possible for myself and others in my state to phone in our orders up to one day in advance. So yes, we have made a bit of progress there. Additionally, there is now an online portal where paratransit riders can view trips which they have already scheduled. Apparently it is also possible to book and cancel trips online now, but I have yet to come across those options. This online portal hasn't worked at all for me lately though, due to me not being able to log in even if I reset my password. So while progress has indeed been made regarding the local ADA paratransit service, there have also been some setbacks.
I also have a free app on my iPhone called Microsoft Soundscape. This app is supposed to be used in conjunction with the maps app native to iOS, but it will also work on its own. I have as a matter of fact used the app on its own, and it works great. But I have yet to use it in conjunction with the native iOS maps app.
My whole point in writing this entry is as follows. Those states like mine that are still in the dark ages with regards to services for those of us who have disabilities, absolutely need to change. Based on what I've read and heard from others, my state might in fact be the only one which is still this behind in their provision of these services. Furthermore, one of the so-called voc/rehab professionals mentioned above had the nerve to ask me if I wanted to kill myself. Just for the record, this is not the case at all. Thinking back on that, I wonder what this person would've done if I told her that I did in fact want to kill myself. What kind of training did she receive, if she just asks that out of the blue? Is this person actually a "certified rehabilitation counselor" as suggested by the letters following her name? Are some of these people actually serious about helping clients to become successfully "rehabilitated?" I think not, if they go and do things like that. I could mention other examples, but I think I'm making myself clear enough. I strongly believe that something needs to be done about this. We need real change in the way these services are handled.
