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DELA
The Advocacy Newsletter of ILRCSF |
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MUNI is considering implementation of free passes for youth in San Francisco. While we would like to applaud the advocacy of the youth sector that has highlighted the ways in which issues such as student truancy rates are impacted by transportation costs, we must simultaneously express deep concern that this proposal is being considered without a thorough analysis of the cost for including the disabled and senior communities in this new fare structure, especially considering the fact that Senior and Disabled MUNI Passes have always been equal in cost to that of Youth Passes.
Our communities are no less "at-risk" than the youth of San Francisco.
Due to recent Federal and State budget cuts, seniors and people with disabilities are already hanging on by a thread. Add to this the fact Social Security has had no cost of living increases for three years, and you can see why more and more people with disabilities are having to make the decision to skip medical appointments and purchase lower-nutrition foods from corner stores in lieu of spending money to ride MUNI to the grocery store. The long-term public health costs of such actions are exponential, and the short-term costs are individual affronts to the very idea of a social safety net upon which we, as San Franciscans, like to pride ourselves. While we understand that is by no means the fault of MUNI that these cuts have so jeopardized the lives of people with disabilities and seniors, the political climate in which we find ourselves begs us to call upon their consciences as public servants to consider the question, exactly what kind of a community do we want to be?
Currently, the Disabled and Senior Pass is slated for a $2 increase, all the while, a free pass is being considered for youth. This is unacceptable and would only further the segregation of the elderly and disabled populations in San Francisco from the rest of the community at large. This, of course, points to a much larger public policy issue which, in its' short-sightedness, pits the needs of one population against another, instead of seeing the connections between them.
We at ILRCSF demand a full analysis of the cost for including seniors and the disabled in the proposal for cost-free MUNI passes.
If you want to make your voice heard on this proposal, do so by attending the Board of Directors meeting on 4/3/12 or by sending them a letter, fax, or email.
The SFMTA Board of Directors holds regular meetings on the first and third Tuesday of every month at 1 p.m. unless otherwise noted. They meet in City Hall, Room 400.
Contact information for the Office of the SFMTA Board of Directors:
Phone: 415.701.4505
Fax: 415.701.4502
E-mail: MTABoard@SFMTA.com
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The Lowdown on Accessible Public Transportation in the Bay Area
The Bay Area is vast, and each county has its own bus/rail system. Lots of people travel from county to county, so information about accessibility options that covers the entire area is pretty important for people to have at their fingertips. If you need information about accessible public transport across Bay Area counties, this section of the 511 website is for you. It's a one-stop shop, where consumers can click on links to any of the Bay Area transit agencies and find out what's available, where connections are accessible, and even schedules and fares. In addition, this section is teeming with information about the ADA, commuter's rights to accessible transport, Paratransit, and even real-time updates on transit issues.
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Applying for ADA Paratransit - Downloadable Forms
If you're a person with a disability who rides public transportation in San Francisco, and are unable to use accessible trains or buses, there's a possibility you qualify for ADA Paratransit services. The forms for applying are available online and downloadable. The forms are available in alternative formats by calling (425) 351-7000.
Just download the forms (or call for them in other formats) fill them in, and send them by mail to:
San Francisco Paratransit
68 12th Street,
San Francisco, CA 94103
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MUNI Passes: Which One Works For You?
San Francisco MUNI has a variety of monthly pass options that are much more economical for frequent riders, than paying one fare at a time.
There's a monthly pass that includes BART services within San Francisco. There are options for seniors and people with disabilities. There's also the Lifeline pass, which is based on income. Which one of these passes is best for your needs, and which ones are you eligible for?
For a full breakdown on the different types of passes, what they each cost, and what it takes to qualify, check out the SFMTA website.
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Valuable Access Guide to SF
San Francisco is a great city, with lots to see and do. People with disabilities will find The San Francisco Access Guide to be a valuable resource. It outlines accessible transportation options - both public and private, attractions, public toilets, hotels, shopping centers, etc. A simple letter system makes it clear how accessible stores, theaters, museums, parks, etc are.
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Free Tax Help In Your Community
The good folks at Earn it! Keep it! Save it! have set up on online search engine to find where consumers can get help preparing their income tax returns for free. The search engine works by zip code, so finding a free tax preparation service close to your home base should be easy as pie.
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de Young's Annual Disability Arts Festival
The deYoung Museum's Access Advisors' Open House and Disability Arts Festival is now underway, with a wide range of events and performances planned. Some events are free of charge. For details on specific events and schedules, check out the Disability Arts Festival section of the de Young website, and use the interactive calender to plan your visit.
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Call For Applications: White House Internship Program
The competition for these internships is fierce, and the application process has several components so - start now! Best of luck to all of the young disability advocates who choose to apply!
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A New Twist on Alice in Wonderland - Bay Area Style
Imagine if Alice's fall through the looking glass led not to Wonderland, but to the SF Bay area during the days of social networking, racial tension, and the Occupy Oakland movement? What characters would she encounter, and where would the story take her? Catch this timely retelling of the classic tale is at Oakland's Laney College through the end of March.
ALICE IN OAKSTERLAND
ADAPTED BY JACKIE GRAVES
DIRECTED BY MICHAEL TORRES
LANEY COLLEGE THEATER
900 FALLON ST. OAKLAND
MARCH 8-31
THURS-SAT 8PM
TICKETS $10
For more information, contact Laney College's Theater Dep't
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Options Counseling at ILRCSF - How Can It Help You Achieve Independence?
Options Counseling helps consumers make educated, informed choices surrounding their current/future long term services and support needs. ILRCSF offers options counseling - at no cost to consumers - and can help people with disabilities take control of their own futures. This is what Independent Living is all about.
To find out more about options counselling, and how it can help you achieve and maintain independence, call:
Alicia Contreras
(415) 543-6222 Ext. 110
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ILRCSF Economic Empowerment Workshops:
Benefits and Work Incentives
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ILRCSF has two staff members who focus on Economic Empowerment. They provide information, support and advocacy regarding benefits and eligibility, work incentive programs, and emergency rental assistance programs.
Economic Empowerment staff work one-to-one with many consumers on specific topics and goals. They also lead two different types of group workshops every week:
1. Basic Benefits Overview
2. How Employment Affects your Benefits - for those on SSDI &/or SSI
For most consumers, attending a group workshop is the best way to begin working with ILRCSF's Economic Empowerment staff.
All workshops are on Thursdays at 9:30am. However, only one topic - basic benefits or employment -- is covered each Thursday. Please attend the workshop that best suits you.
If you need information about applying for SSDI, SSI, Medi-Cal or other benefits, come to the Basic Benefits Overview workshop. If, on the other hand, you already receive SSDI or SSI and are considering going to work, come to the workshop called How Employment Affects Your Benefits. At this Employment Workshop you will learn how to use work incentives to keep some of your benefits as you transition into a job, as well as how to use the PASS program, and Ticket to Work.
Please call our main number for a current schedule:
415-543-6222
NOTE: ILRCSF is wheelchair accessible and provides reasonable accommodations upon advanced request. In order to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities, ours is a scent-free office. When visiting ILRCSF, please do not wear any scented products, including perfumes, aftershave, hairspray, etc.
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ILRCSF Holiday Schedule
ILRCSF's offices will be closed on Monday, April 2 , in observance of Cesar Chavez Day. |
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DONATE NOW
The Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit organization. Donations from the public support our workshops, one-to-one services, multi-cultural outreach, advocacy and systems change work, the Herb Levine Legacy Fund, and this newsletter. Please consider making a donation to help us keep offering information, support and advocacy to people with disabilities.
Tax deductible donations may be sent to:
ILRCSF
649 Mission Street, 3rd Floor,
San Francisco, CA 94105
or online:
You can find out more about ILRCSF by following us on the Internet:
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