AACT Executive Board will meet from 10:00 AM to Noon and
the Membership meeting will be held from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on the fourth Wednesday of the month, except when noted.
AACT has a page on the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning
Organization’s (MPO) website at www.bostonmpo.org; click on “Get Involved” then scroll down to “Access Advisory Committee
to the MBTA.” Links can be found there for the following items: agendas, upcoming meetings, past meeting minutes, the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the MBTA and AACT, and the AACT
bylaws, and ADA regulations. There are also links to the MPO’s
newsletter, TRANSreport, and information on accessibility at the MBTA. This page includes the contact information for the AACT
Coordinator.
Comments and questions concerning AACT should be directed to the
Interim Chairman James White by contacting the AACT Coordinator,
Ms.
Janie Guion, see the above information.
The AACT meeting location is accessible to people with disabilities
and is near public transportation. Upon request (preferably two weeks
in
advance of the meeting), every effort will be made to provide
accommodations such as assistive listening devices, materials in accessible formats and in languages other than English, and
interpreters in American Sign Language and other languages. Please contact the MPO staff at 617.973.7100 (voice), 617.973.7089 (TTY), 617.973.8855 (fax), or publicinformation@ctps.org.
The MPO complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other federal and state
non-discrimination statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. The MPO does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, English proficiency, income, religious creed, ancestry,
disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or
expression, or military service. Any person who believes herself/himself or any specific class of persons has been subjected to
discrimination prohibited by Title VI, ADA, or other non-discrimination
statute or regulation may, herself/himself or via a representative, file a written complaint with the MPO. A complaint must be filed no later
than 180 calendar days after the date on which the person believes
the discrimination occurred. A complaint form and additional information can be obtained by contacting the MPO (see above) or at www.bostonmpo.org.
Members needing service information or wanting to inquire about
MBTA services should do so through the MBTA Marketing and Communications Department at 617-222-3200 or 800-392-6100,
TTY
617-222-5146, Monday through Friday 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM and
Sat/Sun from 7:30 AM to 6:00 PM, or the MBTA website at
www.mbta.com/customer_support/feedback/.
Please sign in at all meetings.
Announcements are always welcome. Please be prepared to give as many details as possible: date,
time, location, contact person, and phone number. A written notice is always appreciated.
The
meeting opened at 1:05 P.M.
James White, Rick Morin, Ian Perrault, Mary Ann Murray, Beverly Ann
Rock, and Alan Karon
Matt Archer and Janie Guion
MassDOT/MBTA Staff:
Carol Joyce-Harrington and Michael Lambert
Massachusetts Rehabilitation
Commission: Lisa Weber
Boston’s Higher Ground: Mossik Hacobian
A motion to approve the May 22, 2013 meeting minutes
was made and seconded. The minutes were approved unanimously.
IC White commented on the following:
On June 5th, he and Board Member Beverly Ann Rock met with MBTA General Manager Beverly A. Scott and with her staff: Catherine Lynds, Chief of Staff;
Michael Lambert, Special Assistant; and Carol Joyce-Harrington, Assistant
Manager of Administration from the Office of Transportation Access.
Three
main issues were discussed:
1)
a
lack of communication on policy
decisions;
2)
Innovative
Paradigms/In-Person Assessment representative attendance at AACT meetings, just
as other contractors of THE RIDE; and
3)
reimbursement
for travel the AACT Board of Directors on meeting day.
•
Dr. Scott noted that AACT is a recognized ADA group working
with the MBTA
•
She
will discuss the IPA representative with her staff
•
He also discussed that he read in the local newspaper
that the Key Bus Stop Improvement is complete. He stated that when AACT was
presented with the information, members were told that a draft would be
presented before implementation. He contacted Dr. Scott with his concern that a
major policy change has been implemented without AACT’s knowledge. He has heard
from Dr. Scott who was very apologetic and said she would be reviewing the
issue.
• Dr. Scott contacted him to inform him that
more cooperation with AACT would be forthcoming. She named the Assistant
General Manager, Marie Trottier, from the System-Wide Accessibility Department
to be more involved in assisting AACT on policy issues and projects.
• He stated that he had heard from Ms. Trottier and noted that she is still learning and would be more involved.
•
Finally,
he discussed the MBTA’s decision to not provide service to the disability
community to attend the Fourth of July event on the Esplanade.
He then asked for questions. No questions were asked.
PowerPoint Presentation
Michael
Lambert, Assistant to the General Manager
and Deputy Administrator for Rail and Transit noted that he was happy to have the opportunity provide
an overview of THE RIDE Eligibility Center (TREC) and address the Board and
answer questions.
He stated that THE RIDE is an Americans
with Disability Act (ADA) mandated complementary paratransit service that is
designed to provide an alternative to fixed route buses, light rail, subway,
and offers door-to-door safety net service.
Here are a few highlights:
• THE RIDE service is made available to persons with disabilities who are unable to board fixed route services, get to stops or stations independently or navigate the system
•
THE
RIDE has changed from a paper based application to an in-person interview
designed to enhance customer service and improve accuracy of determination
•
There is a new Medical Necessity Program (MNP)
which offers short-time eligibility to new customers with major changes in
their lives. The MBTA will be able to offer instant access to THE RIDE until
the customer can come for a more formal interview
• TREC staff has completed some 5,000 determinations.
·
He then asked for questions.
R.
Morin asked about the number
of appeals requested and the outcomes.
M.
Lambert/CJ Harrington stated
that in all there have been four that did not meet the criteria.
IC
White commented that a
consumer shared her positive experience about the MNS which had to be extended
for additional time due to medical complications.
BA
Rock asked for more
information on the System-Wide Travel Orientation.
M.
Lambert stated that he
attended the pilot program. The training is very informative to those who
travel on the MBTA. The training explains all the accessible improvements that
have been made over the last five years. The trainer takes the class to a
waiting bus and explains how the accessibility features work on the bus.
CJ Harrington
commented that the information regarding this program
can be found on the MBTA’s website under Accessible Services.
R.
Morin asked for the status
of the Orientation Mobility Specialist staff.
M.
Lambert stated that the
contract requires orientation mobility people who are trained in the field to
be on staff as needed.
IC
White stated that he has
been in contact with the Brigham and Women’s and Faulkner hospitals; he found
that only department heads had been notified about the MNP. He stated that
there are independent professionals such as orthopedic and oncology
specialists, to name a few, who are not aware of the program.
M.
Lambert stated that the MBTA
has done excellent outreach to the medical community about the program. He also
commented that these professionals can also contact the MBTA for information.
MA
Murray commented that no
matter how much the information is publicized it is never enough.
M.
Lambert stated that he was
directing his comments on outreach toward the professionals and noted that for
the consumer there can never be enough outreach.
IC
White thanked Mr. Lambert
for his presentation.
IC
White thanked both BA Rock
and R Morin for their coordinating the recent presentation on comments to the
draft No-Show/Cancelation policy. He then asked for their comments.
R.
Morin had no comments.
BA
Rock acknowledged the input
by others and that their focus was making sure that persons with disabilities
are not penalized for situations that may be beyond their control.
IC
White stated that Ms.
Dullea’s cooperation in providing AACT the draft for review on the upcoming
policy decisions is how these matters should work. He noted that she was
pleased to receive the comments.
MA
Murray stated that she
attended the RTAC meeting and discussed transportation issues.
I.
Perrault stated that the
members of the Rider Oversight Committee discussed the idea of the MBTA
providing the local colleges and universities with a discounted fee based on
special passes for students. The Chicago Transit Authority offers this type of
program to colleges. The pass would be part of a student’s tuition.
IC
White discussed his
attendance at one of the largest MBTA classes for new bus operators. While
there he participated in mobility device tie-down and he emphasized to the
operators the need to be aware of people needing pre-boarding access on the
platform at stations.
He discussed that images captured on camera on
MBTA buses are only kept for 72 hours. He shared this information with Judge
Patrick King who was also not aware of the limited time videos are retained.
He also
stated that on four different occasions he has been denied access to buses
by the operators who refuse to let a person with a mobility devices board the
vehicle before other passengers. He noted that not enough is being done to
assure consumers that operators are being penalized for not servicing persons
with mobility devices. He is going to speak with Marie Trottier, the Assistant
General Manager for the System-Wide Accessibility Department on this issue.
BA
Rock asked that operators
during their training be taught that they do not reserve the accessible seating
in anticipation of someone getting on the bus with a baby carriage or mobility
device. She stated that it becomes a safety issue and that a consumer should
not have to lower the seat on a moving bus.
Another concern communicated is that the elderly should not have to
request that the operator lower the bus.
IC
White commented that the operator
will only kneel the bus when it is away from the curb; otherwise a request to
lower the bus should be made. He suggested that all members attend the operator
training to see and learn about the in-depth training.
BA
Rock stated that she did not
attend the May MBTA Board of Directors meeting due to a conflict with the AACT
Membership meeting.
IC
White discussed the upcoming
Americans with Disabilities Act event at Boston City Hall on July 25th.
He asked that members volunteer to staff a table concerning AACT.
He expressed disappointment that Tyler
Terrasi has stepped downed due to other commitments, but wished him well. He
will discuss his replacement at the next meeting July 24th.
He stated that it would be helpful to invite
Ms. Pam Wolfe, MPO staff, to give a presentation to find out what kind type of
public input they are seeking for the revision to the Draft FFYs 2014-17
Transportation Improvement Program and proposed Draft Amendment Two of the
Long-Range Transportation Plan.
He informed the Board Members that he
received a call from Michael Lambert advising him that Dr. Scott has agreed to
honor the request of the Board to give complimentary rides to AACT
meetings. He noted that a list of Board
Member names will be forwarded to Ms. Harrington of the Office for
Transportation Access who will then confirm the details with the vendors for
the complimentary fare. Also, a representative from the vendor will call the
Board Member informing them that your fare is waved for a complimentary ride on
the day in question.
IC
White discussed that a fall
event for disability month is being planned. He noted that a Board meeting will
be held on Tuesday, July 16 from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM to discuss location, time,
date, and many other details.
R.
Morin stated that in order
to have a successful event the General Manager’s name needs to be involved.
IC
White stated that the
event’s main focus is to have leaders and supervisors of agencies, groups, and
organizations involved in policy decisions attend; to name a few that would be
invited are the Boston Center for Independent Living, Massachusetts
Rehabilitation Commission and Bay State Council for the Blind.
R.
Morin made a motion that the
AACT Board of Directors meet specifically for a planning session for the
October event where all aspects of the session pertain to the (agenda,
invitation, and logistics of the event) will be discussed. The motion was
seconded.
IC
White presented the motion
and took the vote as follows: 4-in favor, 0-Opposed, 0-Abstension
The motion passed unanimously.
IC
White noted that the
planning session will be on Tuesday, July 16 from 3:30 to 5:30 PM at the
Central Transportation Planning Staff.
L.
Weber asked for more clarification
about the fall event.
IC
White stated the idea
started with a suggestion from Michael Lambert as an opportunity to bring as
many organizations and groups together at the same time and location to have a
dialogue with the MBTA’s department heads and those that are in policy making
positions. He noted that in the past individual groups would hold private
meetings with the General Manager; decisions would be made and no one would
ever discuss the meetings outcome.
Policy changes were made and AACT was never informed; according to the
MOU between the MBTA and AACT all policy changes should be discussed with AACT.
R. Morin
commented that he hopes that AACT will gain creditability with the outcome. It
will show that we can all work together on issues.
IC
White hopes this will
strengthen AACT’s position as the premier ADA group to the MBTA.
Meeting adjourned at 12:05 PM.