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Riding The Bus with a Guide Dog
Travelers with Disabilities and Medical
Conditions
Riding The Bus with a Guide Dog
In one of our regular HAB meetings, Landa Phelan narrated her unpleasant
experience while riding the Honolulu public bus. She travels with her guide
dog "Miss Pearline."
As she got in the bus, the driver immediately asked her for a dog bus pass.
She was never asked that question before by a bus driver so she just
smiled thinking it was just a simple case of a practical joke and helped
herself to a seat. Apparently the driver was not in a joking mood. To her
surprise, the driver adamantly repeated the demand and that's when it
dawned on her that this public servant really meant every word he uttered.
He told her she has to get off the bus if she didn't present a dog bus pass.
Armed with the knowledge of what her legal rights are under the ADA
(Americans with Disabilities Act) and the State statutes of Hawaii, she
politely explained to the driver that she was not moving out of her seat until
she reached her destination.
Intimidation did not shake her. She stood her ground for what she believes
were her rights.
Landa attempted to show the driver the card she always carries which
states that ADA Section 36.104 of Title 3, guarantees the right of a blind
person accompanied by a guide dog to use any public means of
transportation. However, she failed to get his attention. He arrogantly
refused to read the card.
Evidently the driver was living in the past and he did not know the ADA
stipulations.
It is very clear at this point that there is a lack of knowledge being
communicated to the bus drivers during their training period.
The access laws in the United States and Canada including the Americans
with Disabilities Act or ADA, permit guide dogs and their handlers to go
everywhere the general public is allowed: stores, restaurants, office
buildings, taxis, buses, boats, trains, planes, hotels and all areas of public
accommodation.
When a passenger got in the bus, Landa asked her for the bus number and
other details. The driver wouldn't even give his name to her for records.
The driver also said Landa was lucky this time and threatened that next
time if she did not show him a dog bus pass he would not let her board the
bus.
After the ride, she placed a call to theBus 808-848-5555 and left a message
for one of the trainers who never responded. Next, she went up to higher
authority and gave her story to a responsible person in charge. He was not
happy, to say the least, with how the driver treated her.
Landa knows her rights and knows she can file discrimination charges.
Instead, however, she countered with an offer to educate not only the
drivers but the trainers, and management/staff of theBus company.
As of this writing, she awaits the decision of theBus company authorities
with regards to her suggestion. She explicitly said she did not wish for the
erring driver's termination but rather ensure that he be in the audience
when she provides training to them.
The story doesn't stop there. A blind person's rights have been
violated and needs resolution in the earliest possible time so it will not be
replicated in the future.
(Landa is on the Speakers Bureau for Guide Dogs for the Blind and has her
own business called "Sharper Senses" which provides on sight customized
management and staff training to extend quality customer service which
entails sighted guide techniques, safety and services available for the blind
community and the ADA laws on Guide Dog Etiquette.)
Stay tuned as we keep you posted on any developments. 06/03/07
Travelers with Disabilities and Medical
Conditions
Traveling has never been the same after that fateful 9-11 attack. Airport
security
has been heightened and beefed up and for good intentions - it's all for our
safety
and security. We all agree on that one. As for people with disabilities or
medical
conditions, traveling proves more daunting than before. Chances are you carry
one or more of those electronic gadgets you need for everyday living. We're
talking about assistive technology devices like note takers and GPS navigation
to
name a few. Below are tips on how you can make your way through the airport
security checkpoint with a bit of ease. Just talk to the security people.
You may ask the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) Security Officer
to...
- Explain the security process to you.
- Verbally communicate to you throughout each step of the screening process.
- Provide you with assistance by placing your items on the X-ray belt.
- Provide you with assistance by providing you with an arm, hand, or shoulder as
you move through the process.
- Find someone to escort you through the security process.
- Let you know where the metal detector is located.
- Let you know when you will be going through the metal detector.
- Let you know when there are obstacles you need to avoid.
- Perform a physical inspection (in lieu of an X-ray inspection) of your white
collapsible cane. This will allow you to guide yourself through the walk-through
metal detector.Inspection of your white collapsible cane will be completed after
you go through the walk-through metal detector. If your white
cane cannot be cleared with by physical inspection, the Security
Officer will notify you that the cane must be X-rayed.
- Perform a hand inspection of equipment (e.g., Braille note-takers) if you are
concerned that the X-ray inspection may damage them.
- Reunite you with all of your carry-on items and assistive devices after the
X-ray
or physical inspection of the items is completed, including electronic equipment
that has been specially adapted for your use.
- Verbally direct you toward your gate once the screening has been completed.
For information on dog guides, please see the "Service Animals" section.