Demand for improved quality of service for transportation provided to individuals with a disability.
During the month of March 2018, I submitted the following letter to channel 2, 4, and 7, local news stations in Detroit. City Council, Lansing, and DDOT. I Understand the MetroLift/NewFreedom Transportation Program services the residents of Detroit. I've been given no response to the concerns listed in the following letter.
To whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter as a person in need of a powerful voice to advocate for individuals that have attempted to fight for their rights, just as anyone else in this situation. I am a disabled person who is legally blind, I share a ride with a multitude of individuals who have various disabilities. I am writing this letter to share my concerns regarding the gross lack of customer service that is being provided to individuals participating in ADA eligible transportation programs contracted through DDOT Transportation Company.
I have observed participants being transported extremely late arriving for appointments relating to medical, educational, and employment. Transportation times are running as late as an hour past the persons scheduled appointment. I have observed dialysis patients waiting for transportation for approximately 2 hours prior to being transported and returned home. Participants are subjected to riding long periods of time leading to approximately 2 hours prior to being able to exit the vehicle to home. Disabled participants are subjected to waiting at unsafe locations and in increment elements for a ride that is extremely late on most occasions. Some of these individuals are blind, non-verbal, and or death mute.
My first experience riding with DDOT MetroLift Transportation was on June 9, 2016. I participated in riding with this service for a total of two days. I participated in a Smart Connector service that allowed me to be transported to work and waited on MetroLift for my return trip home. I was forced to wait at my drop off location for approximately 2 and a half hours which lead me to returning to my home after 8 pm each of the two days, the experience was terribly exhausting.
I began riding once again with MetroLift during the summer of 2017 receiving the same type of non-service awaiting at an agreed Connector location for approximately 2 or more hours and once picked up, I was subjected to ride throughout the city with others who are dealing with the similar issue of expecting a ride home in an inadequate amount of time that is conducive to each rider who is subjected to a service that degrades the quality of life as well as their ability to gain independence.
I am no-longer using the Connector service and is currently being serviced by MetroLift/New Freedom Transportation. I am continuing to struggle with returning home from 8 to 8:30 pm. I have also been greeted by drivers that are unsatisfied with their job duties as they continuously express being overwhelmed by senseless scheduling and their inability to provide consistent service relating pick-up and drop-off times.
I understand that this is a federally funded program offered to assist individual who meet the Americans with Disabilities Act. I understand that this program is consists of a shared ride designed to help individuals gain their independence by enabling them to schedule their own appointments to doctor’s and shopping. However, this transportation does everything to limit individual independence by destroying the courage and confidence that they won’t be left in the cold as a business closes or subjected to an unsafe situation such as assault or other bodily harm. I continuously deal with the emotional stress of constantly being reminded of my disability and wondering (Individuals who are wheel chair bound, visually impaired or cognitively impaired are left for long periods of time with dispatcher giving false pickup estimated time of arrivals).
I have attempted to resolve this matter by contacting Customer Care on numerous occasions. When reaching out to dispatchers I have been advised to contact Customer Care as my pickup window of 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm has been reached at a consistent basis in the past. I have also verbalized complaints with Mr. Martin Moore and Mr. Cathy, Management at DDOT. Shortly after speaking with the above mentioned management staff, I observed increased progress with my pickup time. However, progress quickly decreased within a short period of time which returned to me being subjected to poor service, leading to arriving at my home an estimated two to three and a half hours beyond my scheduled pickup from work.
In conclusion, I currently ride with MetroLift/New Freedom Program of DDOT. I am writing this letter to advocate for myself and others with a disability. Also individuals that are being abused by a system that has been given money to assist with providing services to individuals in the community who wish to maintain their independence. We operate each day with a disability, it is a terrible feeling when you are faced with a decision to either quit your job, neglect your health, or, even lose touch with the reality of gaining the ability to socialize independently. I asking that this letter serve as a step towards awareness and progress towards a workable solution in efforts to allowing individuals that wish to be productive, remain productive element in our society.
“I soar with confidence, as I reach excellence and completion”.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I may be reached at 313.578.1796.
Sincerely,
Vernice A. Gaither
Client #N6249 (New Freedom)
#56165 (MetroLift)
Sign PetitionSign PetitionTo whom it may concern:
I am writing this letter as a person in need of a powerful voice to advocate for individuals that have attempted to fight for their rights, just as anyone else in this situation. I am a disabled person who is legally blind, I share a ride with a multitude of individuals who have various disabilities. I am writing this letter to share my concerns regarding the gross lack of customer service that is being provided to individuals participating in ADA eligible transportation programs contracted through DDOT Transportation Company.
I have observed participants being transported extremely late arriving for appointments relating to medical, educational, and employment. Transportation times are running as late as an hour past the persons scheduled appointment. I have observed dialysis patients waiting for transportation for approximately 2 hours prior to being transported and returned home. Participants are subjected to riding long periods of time leading to approximately 2 hours prior to being able to exit the vehicle to home. Disabled participants are subjected to waiting at unsafe locations and in increment elements for a ride that is extremely late on most occasions. Some of these individuals are blind, non-verbal, and or death mute.
My first experience riding with DDOT MetroLift Transportation was on June 9, 2016. I participated in riding with this service for a total of two days. I participated in a Smart Connector service that allowed me to be transported to work and waited on MetroLift for my return trip home. I was forced to wait at my drop off location for approximately 2 and a half hours which lead me to returning to my home after 8 pm each of the two days, the experience was terribly exhausting.
I began riding once again with MetroLift during the summer of 2017 receiving the same type of non-service awaiting at an agreed Connector location for approximately 2 or more hours and once picked up, I was subjected to ride throughout the city with others who are dealing with the similar issue of expecting a ride home in an inadequate amount of time that is conducive to each rider who is subjected to a service that degrades the quality of life as well as their ability to gain independence.
I am no-longer using the Connector service and is currently being serviced by MetroLift/New Freedom Transportation. I am continuing to struggle with returning home from 8 to 8:30 pm. I have also been greeted by drivers that are unsatisfied with their job duties as they continuously express being overwhelmed by senseless scheduling and their inability to provide consistent service relating pick-up and drop-off times.
I understand that this is a federally funded program offered to assist individual who meet the Americans with Disabilities Act. I understand that this program is consists of a shared ride designed to help individuals gain their independence by enabling them to schedule their own appointments to doctor’s and shopping. However, this transportation does everything to limit individual independence by destroying the courage and confidence that they won’t be left in the cold as a business closes or subjected to an unsafe situation such as assault or other bodily harm. I continuously deal with the emotional stress of constantly being reminded of my disability and wondering (Individuals who are wheel chair bound, visually impaired or cognitively impaired are left for long periods of time with dispatcher giving false pickup estimated time of arrivals).
I have attempted to resolve this matter by contacting Customer Care on numerous occasions. When reaching out to dispatchers I have been advised to contact Customer Care as my pickup window of 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm has been reached at a consistent basis in the past. I have also verbalized complaints with Mr. Martin Moore and Mr. Cathy, Management at DDOT. Shortly after speaking with the above mentioned management staff, I observed increased progress with my pickup time. However, progress quickly decreased within a short period of time which returned to me being subjected to poor service, leading to arriving at my home an estimated two to three and a half hours beyond my scheduled pickup from work.
In conclusion, I currently ride with MetroLift/New Freedom Program of DDOT. I am writing this letter to advocate for myself and others with a disability. Also individuals that are being abused by a system that has been given money to assist with providing services to individuals in the community who wish to maintain their independence. We operate each day with a disability, it is a terrible feeling when you are faced with a decision to either quit your job, neglect your health, or, even lose touch with the reality of gaining the ability to socialize independently. I asking that this letter serve as a step towards awareness and progress towards a workable solution in efforts to allowing individuals that wish to be productive, remain productive element in our society.
“I soar with confidence, as I reach excellence and completion”.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. I may be reached at 313.578.1796.
Sincerely,
Vernice A. Gaither
Client #N6249 (New Freedom)
#56165 (MetroLift)
See more petitions:
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.