· Forms and policies of social service agencies are confusing. Consumer-Generated Alternatives Organize consumer group to review forms used by social service agencies. Provide corrective feedback and information to social service agencies that fail to inform clients about benefits to disabled consumers. Provide social service agencies with training on benefits available to disabled consumers. Consumers should demand that VR cases be reopened, if they have not been fully informed about all benefits available. Independent living centers should train consumers in what benefits are available and how to access then effectively. Independent living centers or consumer groups could organize regular cooperative meetings involving representatives of all social service agencies in the community, or if such an organization exists, become active and advocate for services to people with disabilities. If consumers are referred to an agency unable to serve them, they should contact the referring agency and tell them the referral was inappropriate and why. Educate consumers to use the state CAP agency, Legal Aid, and other available legal help when services are unjustly refused. Set up courses in self-reliance that teach consumers to use social services, such as the one used by the CIL in Anaheim, CA. TRANSPORTATION: AVAILABILITY AND AFFORDABILITY Five survey items related to the availability and affordability of accessible transportation services were identified as aajor problems by 8,213 consumers in 12 surveys. They received an average importance rating of 80% and an average satisfaction rating of 42%. 20 Consumer-Identified Dimensions Disabled citizens are segregated from the rest of the community and forced to remain at home because of lack of transportation. In most areas, public transportation is not wheelchair-accessible, and paratransit is expensive or nonexistent. In rural areas. accessible transportation is available infrequently. Lack of transportation is the primary barrier to community participation, education, employment, recreation, adequate medical care, and independent living for people with disabilities. Weekend and evening transportation is a probles. Transportation between neighboring cities and from rural areas to cities is a problem. Ideally, a city should have accessible mainline transportation for those who can use it and paratransit for those who need it. Recreational events and facilities are sometimes inaccessible. Consumer-Generated Alternatives Consumer groups need to work with existing community recreational facilities to make them accessible and usable for people with disabilities. Contact organizers of recreational events for transportation for disabled participants. People with disabilities need to become involved in the planning of community recreational events and active in interest groups. Form a local task force on transportation, decide what local consumers need and want, then fight for it. It is against federal law for paratransit to cost more than Bainline transportation. Educate consumers about this law, how to make complaints, and how to ensure its enforcement. Develop share-a-fare, as they did in Kansas City, MO, where 900 wheelchair users a month use that system. Give testimony to state legislatures on transportation funding. Have lift buses operate at fixed rates and schedules as they do in Denver, a city with almost 100% accessible buses. 21 Slow transit schedules to accommodate disabled riders. Drivers should call out stops ahead of time. Include disabled drivers in existing driver training programs. Develop car pools. Conduct public education on varied modes of transportation needed by disabled citizens. Submit formal complaints to transportation authorities concerning sainline wheelchair-accessible buses. Develop creative rural and small city alternatives. Examples UTILITY BILLS One survey question related to the affordability of utility bills was identified as a major problem in 4 surveys. A total of 1.611 consumers answered this survey item, with an average importance rating of 89% and an average satisfaction rating of 34%. Consumer-Identified Dimensions Disabled consumers on a fixed income cannot afford inconsistent and high utility bills. Because of their medical needs, many disabled consumers cannot survive without water, gas for heat, and electricity to operate their equipment. Educate landlords and disabled homeowners about tax credits for weatherizing and solar installation. Encourage consumers to join annualized level payment plans. Consumer groups can keep list for referral of agencies that help pay utility bills. 22 Call local consumer affairs office for help, if utilities are shut off. Consult local phone company ̋about discounts for disabled consumers. Write elected officials describing problems with utility bills, and ask for legislative solutions and assistance prograns. 23 Summary Comments This report represents the comments and suggestions of thousands of Americans with disabilities. They have identified specific community features that inhibit independent living. Some of these features include: inadequate job opportunities, job discrimination, insufficient accessible and affordable housing. inaccessible public places, and unavailable and unaffordable service options. These community problems are counterproductive to achieving society's goal of independence. The common concerns outlined here frame an agenda for public. private, and self-help initiatives. These consumer-generated alternatives feature aany practical steps that can be taken at local, state, and national levels. Taken together, these issues and options pose a challenge to all who believe that justice requires equal opportunities to achieve independence. 24 |