More news, views and all kinds of stuff from Edmonton Sun columnist Cam Tait
Thursday, 1 August 2013
The Thursday Camburger: "Survey said ..."
On Sunday we petition against the Disabled Adult Transportation System and the new two-hour
cancellation policy be introduced Sept. 1. As of 11:30 a.m Thursday we have 130
supporters. Folks have also shared their thoughts on why the signed the petition.
Here are some examples …
Sandra from
Calmar:
“My mother in law has short term memory loss and changing this policy
is going to confuse her again.”
Shauna-Lee from Edmonton:
“I work in a day program for people with severe developmental
disabilities. This will almost eliminate our ability to access the community. I
am thoroughly disgusted with the lack of consideration and the lack of
dialogue. Have any of the powers that be even considered what this really does
to the individual who use the service? I'm sure it looks great on paper but how
about talking with the users to figure out the reality of the situation.”
Vickie from Spring Lake, Alberta
“I have many friends who use DATS, I stand in solidarity with them.”
Moyra, from Edmonton:
“Services for persons with disabilities must
undertake consultation with the people they service - if transportation
services for persons without disabilities underwent changes without
consultation the public would be outraged, and rightly so. Public policies and
public services MUST be developed through consultations and cater to those with
the most needs. I have witnessed mistreat of people with disabilities for far
too long. Politicians must support services for those with disabilities and
speak out against discriminating practices. DATS has a responsibility to
educate themselves and realign their services for those they intend to serve!
Edmonton politicians we are depending on YOU!”
Cindy from Edmonton:
“For 30 years I have watch the disabled
community make leaps and bounds in their efforts to live their lives in the
community as we all do. In the past 5 years I have been watching all this hard
work be abolished by government agencies and other who make changes without
consulting the people it directly affects. DATS needs to understand that their
clients have serious health issues and cannot plan their lives 24 hour ahead of
time. Unfortunately medical issues arise unexpectedly and cannot be planned 2
hours ahead of time; this is a fact that cannot be changed no matter how much
DATS tried to punish people for canceling 30 minutes prior to their pick up.
DATS needs to speak to their clients and deal with issues on a one to one
basis.”
Teresa from Edmonton:
“The new policy infantilizes people with
disabilities. They need to be able to accomodate their work and personal
transportation needs just like any other citizen - with access to reliable public
transit that is as similar as possible to that provided to the general
public.”
Ken from Edmonton:
“It is very disheartening to watch all the
hard work done for persons with disabilities over the past 40 years be
discarded and ignored by those who are not directly impacted. DATS is a
wonderful service and needs to remain caring, compassionate and understanding
that their clients deal with daily struggles relating to their health and
cannot plan like most individuals can. It is unfortunate but they need more
time to cancel as last minute health issue arise on a daily basis and are
unavoidable. DATS, as with all government agencies and providers need to
educate themselves before trying to change policies and procedures.”
Nicola from Edmonton:
“People need to be able to get around. Sometimes plans change within
less than 2h, and scolding disabled adults like they are naughty children over
it doesn't solve the issue and is just disrespectful and compromises the
dignity of these people.”
o
o
Rosalina from Edmonton:
“As a caregiver, I am responsible for making and cancelling trips for
my clients. I cannot determine when they are going to be sick or have a need to
be toileted and cleaned up 2 hours in advance. Would DATS prefer that we send
the clients on the bus sick &/or smelly?”
Jamie from Edmonton:
“The worst form of imprisonment doesn't come from committing a crime.
It happens when our government(s) and our society fail those who are living
with disabilities.”
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