[Athen] Accessing Higher Ground Conference

[Wink Harner]

I enjoy the light rail here in Portland and use it extensively, even though
I have my own vehicle. I often ride to band gigs with my bass trombone and
all the gig gear piled on my w.c. It's "okay" for a ride that doesn't
involve transfers or transfers between light rail and bus service. While
both of these are "technically" accessible for wheelchair users in
Portland, the snow is not plowed from the accessible platforms, any
sidewalks, or any of the curb cuts. Since the snow and ice is also a
problem (or a challenge, at least) in Denver, I would assume the same
challenges exist in keeping access to the platforms and loading areas clear
of snow and ice would be chancy. I have now invented "snow chains" for my
w.c. tires so I have *some* traction on slippery surfaces, but this McGyver
plan did not include a snow plow ;>)

When SuperShuttle ran in & out of the Denver Airport, I was thrilled! It
was expensive, but it was reliable, efficient, and dependable. I use
SuperShuttle wherever it's available. For a few years, before SS got a
couple of w.c. lift vans, they contracted with the YellowCab accessible
taxi service for the same price as SS for transport to & from the airport
to the hotel in Westminster. OK, but not as comfortable or dependable as
Super Shuttle. Then SS dropped support for the cab service (meaning for the
same flat fee) and the cab service began charging the $2.25/mile + a bunch
of surcharges to the point that a one-way fare from DIA to the Westin was
more than $100 each way.

What *should* be an under $80 each way charge based on mileage and airport
hack license fees has added fees etc. so that a wheelchair user cannot tell
ahead of time WHAT the fare is going to be up front.

This is not meant in any way as a complaint. It is just the reality of what
those of us who are wheelchair users have to finagle and juggle just to get
back and forth to the conference. It costs significantly more for a
wheelchair user for ground transportation than it does for able-bodied
people.

Wink Harner
Accessibility Consultant/Alternative Text Production
The Foreign Type

Portland OR
foreigntype at gmail.com
480-984-0034

This email was dictated using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Please forgive
quirks, misrecognitions, or errata .


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On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 10:32 AM Doug Hayman <dhayman at uw.edu> wrote:


> It appears that a user could get off light rail at Westminster then take

> the #31 then transfer to the #104 but that says it takes 1 hour and 22

> minutes.  And today they have snow and icy condition...not good at all for

> wheelchair use.

>

>

>

> On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 9:58 AM Wink Harner <foreigntype at gmail.com> wrote:

>

>> Dan et al,

>>

>> It is impossible for wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments

>> to use the light rail + hotel shuttle or other public transportation. It

>> would be lovely if the conference venue were close and accessible to the

>> light rail. The hotel does not have any accessible vans for their

>> complimentary shuttle service. While this option works for many, it is not

>> accessible for all.

>>

>>

>> Wink Harner

>> Accessibility Consultant/Alternative Text Production

>> The Foreign Type

>>

>> Portland OR

>> foreigntype at gmail.com

>> 480-984-0034

>>

>> This email was dictated using Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Please forgive

>> quirks, misrecognitions, or errata .

>>

>>

>> On Thu, Oct 10, 2019 at 8:13 AM Doug Hayman <dhayman at uw.edu> wrote:

>>

>>> I only attended the conference a couple of times and missed last year.

>>>

>>> I took the train from the Denver airport then the one that runs to

>>> Westminster and believe that would be an inexpensive and accessible route.

>>> One would just need to bridge the gap from the Westminster station to the

>>> hotel.

>>>

>>> In looking at this section of the AHG web site you can see the info

>>> where it mentions light rail and it only costs $10.50.

>>>

>>> https://accessinghigherground.org/lodging-and-transportation/

>>>

>>> Here is a link to accessible transport in the area:

>>>

>>> https://www.rtd-denver.com/services/access-a-ride

>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> On Wed, Oct 9, 2019 at 5:38 PM Kluesner, Bryon <Bryon-Kluesner at utc.edu>

>>> wrote:

>>>

>>>> Hope to see / meet many of you at this year's AHG conference.

>>>>

>>>> If you are planning to attend, please note that the conference link for

>>>> transportation is not correct regarding Super Shuttle service. I attempted

>>>> to schedule a shuttle to and from the hotel and was informed that Super

>>>> Shuttle is no longer available between the Denver airport and the Westin in

>>>> Westminster. Please plan accordingly. Guess I'll Uber for the 1st time.

>>>>

>>>> Bryon

>>>>

>>>> Bryon Kluesner, RhD

>>>> Adaptive Technology Coordinator

>>>> Disability Resource Center

>>>> Adjunct Professor

>>>> College of Health, Education & Professional Studies

>>>> University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

>>>> 103 Frist Hall

>>>> Chattanooga, TN 37403

>>>> 423-425-5251

>>>> _______________________________________________

>>>> athen-list mailing list

>>>> athen-list at mailman12.u.washington.edu

>>>> http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

>>>>

>>>

>>>

>>> --

>>> Doug Hayman <dhayman at u <dhayman at u.washington.edu>w.edu>

>>> Senior Computer Specialist

>>> DO-IT Program (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, Technology)

>>> UW Technology Services

>>> Box 354842

>>> Seattle, WA 98195

>>> (206) 221-4165

>>> http://www.washington.edu/doit

>>> _______________________________________________

>>> athen-list mailing list

>>> athen-list at mailman12.u.washington.edu

>>> http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

>>>

>> _______________________________________________

>> athen-list mailing list

>> athen-list at mailman12.u.washington.edu

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>>

>

>

> --

> Doug Hayman <dhayman at u <dhayman at u.washington.edu>w.edu>

> Senior Computer Specialist

> DO-IT Program (Disabilities, Opportunities, Internetworking, Technology)

> UW Technology Services

> Box 354842

> Seattle, WA 98195

> (206) 221-4165

> http://www.washington.edu/doit

> _______________________________________________

> athen-list mailing list

> athen-list at mailman12.u.washington.edu

> http://mailman12.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/athen-list

>


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