January 2022 Advocacy Update

Transportation

What’s up with The RIDE??

Many of those who use the MBTA’s paratransit service, The RIDE, have been experiencing unacceptably long waits to be picked up, as well as on hold with dispatch. Here’s why: The RIDE transitioned to a new scheduling software system (“Routematch”) roughly a year ago, which was more transparent and efficient up to a point, but ultimately collapsed when ridership increased after the Delta wave of the pandemic subsided. The MBTA finally made the difficult decision to “abandon ship” and transition back to its original scheduling software (“Adept”).

At the Dec 16 meeting of the Riders’ Transportation Access Group (R-TAG), interim RIDE director Mahour Rahimi reported that on-time pickups have improved to 93%, and that hold times are down to 3-4 min. MBTA leadership says they are by no means satisfied with this level of performance, and are working to further stabilize the Adept system and hire more dispatchers and drivers. When that is accomplished, they will turn their attention to developing specs for a new system that provides some of the modern advantages that Routematch promised, including online booking, ‘where’s my ride?’ visibility, and the ability to save “favorite” destinations.

At both the Dec 16 regular quarterly R-TAG meeting and at a Nov 16 “emergency” meeting on The RIDE convened by the Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL), participants complained of inadequate space for two power wheelchairs on newer-model vehicles dispatched for shared-ride trips. This and other direct feedback from users on their experiences were extremely valuable for MBTA managers to hear. Please consider attending R-TAG meetings to hear updates by the MBTA's Department of Systemwide Accessibility on paratransit as well as fixed-route (bus, subway, rail) services, ask questions, and share YOUR experiences and suggestions. Click on the “Fill our interest form” at https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/get-involved/rtag to receive the R-TAG email newsletter. Stay up to date on The RIDE by checking https://www.mbta.com/accessibility/the-ride/updates-ride-customers.

Fear of Flying?

Fall 2021 featured public hearings by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on two issues of keen interest to those who use wheelchairs and travel by air: access to lavatories, and power chair stowage. United Spinal Association staff, as well as Greater

Boston Chapter volunteers, participated in both hearings to advocate for the interests of wheelchair users. Just a bit more detail:

On Dec 16, the USDOT and the Architectural Transportation Barriers and Compliance Board (Access Board) hosted a meeting to receive comment on a Jan 2, 2020 USDOT Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) and an Aug 20, 2019 proposal by the Access Board for advisory guidelines for aircraft onboard wheelchairs. The ultimate goal of both is to improve accessibility of lavatories on single-aisle aircraft for passengers with disabilities, as well as to provide safer and more workable means of reaching lavatories. Currently, only twin-aisle aircraft are required to have accessible lavatories. Shaun Castle of Paralyzed Veterans of America was on the program and gave excellent testimony; other participants vividly portrayed the importance to health and dignity of being able to take care of bodily functions during flights. For more info see https://www.transportation.gov/airconsumer/latest-news, and https://www.transportation.gov/individuals/aviation-consumer-protection/traveling-disability.

On Sept 22, the Access Board held a public meeting to share the findings of a report they commissioned on the feasibility of securing power and manual wheelchairs for in-flight seating in place of standard seating on aircraft. The option of remaining seated in your wheelchair rather than transferring to a standard seat could improve the comfort and safety of travelers, as well as eliminate the risk and worry of stowing your wheelchair as baggage. There is much work to do to flesh out engineering details, economic feasibility, and other issues, but the quest is underway! The nonprofit org All Wheels Up (https://www.allwheelsup.org/) was mentioned by presenters as an important collaborator. Learn more at https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2021/09/most-airplanes-could-accommodate-people-to-travel-seated-in-a-personal-wheelchair-but-follow-on-safety-feasibility-assessments-needed

Coming up in 2022, USDOT plans to host a hearing on wheelchair handling (as baggage) to address serious complaints of damage and other consequences. United Spinal staff and GBC volunteers will have our ears to the ground. Check the GBC newsletter for alerts on meetings and other opportunities to comment, and please join us in advocating for the needs and desires of the SCI/D community!

Accessible Housing and Workplaces Legislation

Virtual HEARING January, 11 at 1 PM

Please join GBC members and the community at this hearing and/or by providing written testimony as we continue our ongoing advocacy to pass legislation to address the need for safe, accessible housing in our communities for older adults and people with disabilities as well as legislation to remove barriers to employment for people with disabilities.

We encourage you and will help you to prepare and present oral and or written testimony. Legislators need and want to hear our stories.

· Sharing oral testimonies are very powerful for the legislators in attendance. Many GBC members have done so in the past. Now the virtual hearings eliminate the difficulty of getting to the statehouse.

· Written testimony can get into more details and will be read by all committee members.

Please contact Chris Hoeh if you are considering providing testimony.

· He will let you know when the process for registering for the hearing and directions for submitting testimony becomes available.

· Answer any questions or would like guidance preparing oral and/or written testimony.

These fact sheets provide details about the legislations.

ACCESSIBLE MA ACT (Senate) fact sheet

ADAPTABLE HOUSING MA (House) fact sheet

ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACES MA (House) fact sheet

PCA Program Updates 

Chris is the vice chair of the PCA Workforce Council he represents consumer/employers including the SCI/D community. Big changes are coming to the PCA program. He is of available help answer questions and navigate. cdhoeh@gmail.com.

Fiscal Intermediary Transition (FI) If your current FI is Stavros or Northeast Arc you will need to fill out paperwork to complete a transition to the new single FI- Tempus Unlimited by mid December. He can provide guidance to navigate this confusing process.

Electronic Visit Verification (EVV) will be rolled out in 2022. This is a federally mandated initiative that none of us like. I'm working closely with advocacy organizations, MassHealth, and the union to develop the least disruptive plan for implementation and ways to address issues as they arise. There are lots of details but it's important for you to know that this will be done in smaller groups with at least a month's warning before individuals will need to start to use EVV. There will be many ways for you to learn about EVV and to give feedback. But if you have any questions or feedback please don't hesitate to contact Chris!

From United Spinal National

Support the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act
The Oct. 31 death of longtime disability-rights activist Engracia Figueroa has amplified calls from the disability community to reform disabled air travel. TAKE ACTION to ensure we improve air travel for all disabled Americans. Read more here.

Federal Government Funding Update
Funding for the Federal Government has been extended from December 3 with a short-term extension through February 18. That gives more time for the U.S. Congress to finalize all its end-of-year funding bills for all agencies across the Federal Government such as for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Transportation. In the meantime, take action below to support critical initiatives for the disability community.

Support the Build Back Better Act
The Build Back Better Act would provide a permanent improvement in Medicaid home and community-based services (HCBS), with an investment of $150 billion over the first 10 years after enactment.