Disabled mother says Wheels discriminates Disabled mother says Wheels discriminates (November 19, 2004)

Managers visit home to urge Dial-A-Ride as interim solution
by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

A disabled Pleasanton mother met with two representatives from Wheels in her home Tuesday to discuss her transportation problems but found their solution unacceptable. They suggested Dial-A-Ride as a temporary measure, but she objects to this, in part due to its higher cost.

"I am going to get an attorney for discrimination," said Rosemary West, 31. "Why do I have to pay extra because of their policy?"

West, who had polio as a baby, uses crutches and a brace so is dependent on public transportation for herself and her two sons, ages 3 years and 8 months, during the week while her husband is at work. She was finding it convenient for the three of them to board the bus that stops just a few feet from her doorway on Owens Drive until a new Wheels rule went into effect that strollers must be collapsed on the bus and babies held in laps.

West said her 8-month-old is much safer strapped in his stroller than in her arms on a moving bus. Babies may be kept in strollers if they go to the back of the bus but, due to her disabilities, this would be difficult for West.

On Tuesday, Corey LaVigne, manager of Planning and Operations for Livermore Amador Valley Transit Authority, and Pauline Council, ADA Coordinator and Travel Trainer, told West they were visiting her at home to see her "in her element" and try to find a solution.

"How many people going on the bus are both disabled and have children?" West asked them. "It's a rarity. When the stroller policy took place they never thought of someone who is disabled. Why? You're excluding one who needs it most."

LaVigne agreed that her case was an exception and said that was why they were there. "We want to be able to move you as safely and as easily as possible," he said, adding that they had put through the paperwork for West to use Dial-A-Ride. They urged West to call that day so she could have a ride the next day.

"The more I'm having to deal with this, the more stressed I get, the less sleep I get, the less I eat," West told them, adding that when stressed she was prone to grand mal seizures.

"There is a sense of urgency. I want you out of the house," LaVigne said. "That's why we're here and getting you some transportation. Once we have an interim solution we can continue to work on fixed route."

As West talked she sat on the floor and fed the baby, while her 3-year-old played with toys or fetched her something at her request. "I used to take the bus everyday until the stroller policy," she said. "Now everyday I wake up, day in, day out, I'm in this home. I would like to be part of society again."

"Those are our concerns as well," said LaVigne. "We've given you an option. If you don't want to use it, that's your option."

He also said, in response to West's concerns that it was not safe to hold the baby, that there would be child seats on the Dial-A-Ride bus for her two children. He said that the driver would take the time to make sure they were all seated safely.

"I realize it's not as much freedom as you've been used to, but that's all we can do today," Council said.

"That doesn't mean it's done," added LaVigne. "It's a promise to keep talking."

West suggested that she be given a tag that would allow her to secure the stroller with the straps used to secure wheelchairs in the disabled section in the front of the bus. She said she had used the straps before and the stroller had not moved an inch.

"We have to respect policy direction - it's based on safety," LaVigne answered. "We can say 'yes' to that conversation. But we can't weigh in on that today."

West attended the LAVTA board of directors meeting in October, soon after it changed its stroller policies. There it was reaffirmed that the new rules were the industry standard. Council called West for an appointment in her home as a result of this meeting.

"I'm trying to be optimistic," West said after the Wheels officials left Tuesday. "Life is too short to be pessimistic. I have to be example for my kids. But I also have to let my kids know if someone is seriously affected in their day-to-day living, they have to do something about it."

Dial-A-Ride costs $1.25 per trip and West pays 40 cents per ride on fixed routes.

"I'm not going to let them walk all over me like this," West said Wednesday. "I don't see them telling anybody else they have to do that."

When informed of her intentions to engage an attorney, LaVigne said, "No comment."

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