I am researching starting a nonprofit to deliver paratransit in my area.
This would provide jobs and facilitate employment for the
mobility challenged.
I had to refuse several jobs and performances, because
I have no way to get there. This was extraordinarily painful, but
no more so, than being unable to shop for myself nor be
able to get to the doctor with any ease ( my appointments
always contingent on the vagaries of the bus).
Does anyone know about creating/starting nonprofits?
Does anyone know about taxi/livery services?
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Background:
My DX is idiopathic transverse myelitis. I am paralyzed from the
waist down and in a wheelchair.
I rehabbed in Rochester, NY, which had a 20 hour a day, 7 day a
week, on demand para transit system.
I've been home over a year and can't go anywhere.
I've spent more that time wading through misinformation, misdirection,
ignorance. Before I came home, I asked for information on
transportation, so I could
apply for it. It took 3 months and numerous phone calls and the day
before the first time I was to use Dial A Ride, I was told that it
did not service my area.
I started all over again, re-calling everyone I had before. Then I
found the local Institute for Human Services offered a
transportation. For two months I had transportation to shop and go to
the doctor, then they cut out shopping. Then they limited medical
transport to 3 times a month.
This meant I had to give up physical therapy.
When, despite, giving a weeks notice, I was told I couldn't get a
ride to the doctor, I began calling around again.
Our public transport said it could not help me get on the bus. After
another 3 months, letters to legislative officials, the head of the
transportation agency CAME TO MY HOUSE and said well WHY YES, our bus
drivers can and should indeed help you over the grassy median and on
to the bus. When I used the bus, there was no seat belt and only 3
tie downs which left me riding with my heart in my throat.
The second time I used public transportation (they call the pick up,
route deviation)
there was again no seat belt nor sufficient tie downs despite the
fact that I had called the week before, two days before and earlier
that day, to assure my trip.
In March I got correspondence saying that driver training was
refreshed and there would be
seat belts and tiedowns and that they ( the public transit company)
would institute a log to record requests. So that I would not have to
repeat my reservation request and re-educate each person I spoke to,
when I was trying to insure/assure that I had a ride.
I am loathe to take my life in my hands again, annoyed that the
public transit is "learning on" me and only responds after months of
letter writing and phone calls; and infuriated that there is no
on-demand paratransit in my area.
So I am
1. Checking ADA to see if they are in compliance
2. Researching starting a nonprofit to deliver paratransit in my area.
This would provide jobs and facilitate employment for the
mobility challenged.
I had to refuse several jobs and performances, because
I have no way to get there. This was extraordinarily painful, but
no more so, than being unable to shop for myself nor be
able to get to the doctor with any ease ( my appointments
always contingent on the vagaries of the bus)
Akua
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