RENEGADES FOUNDATION

ACCESS-A-RIDE DENIES SERVICES TO DISABLED VETERAN DESPITE DOCTORS ORDERS

2012-03-07T09:57:00.000-05:00

Written By: Anonymous

Access-A-Ride changed their Transportation System and will make all Disabled People whom they feel can walk use their service to go to a bus stop. It would be nice if they were taking customers to a bus stop nearest to their destination, but to require Disabled Customers who were receiving door to door services to now take two or three buses to get to their destination is rather ridiculous.

Written By: Howard

All he wanted was transportation to the hospital, but Access-A-Ride said NO.

Lawton Douse is a 64-year old Vietnam Veteran, who served in the US Marine Corps. He is also 100% Disabled and has 25% mobility. Yet, twice a week he has to make a very arduous journey to Kingsbridge VA Hospital with no help except from his walker. He applied to use Access-A-Ride to make this trip, but was turned down. Access-A-Ride has restricted his ridership, because they say he lives too close to the bus stop (four blocks away) and he should be able to get there on his own.

Lawton explained his frustration to Howard: "Access-A-Ride is killing me. I have a restriction on my card. I have to walk all the way up to the bus stop." Lawton lives about four blocks away from a city bus stop and he says Access-A-Ride told him that he was expected to make the trip to the hospital himself. He even got a letter from his doctor confirming his need for transportation, but that did not change their mind. Even an appeal did no good.

Keep in mind that Lawton has to make this trip to the hospital at least twice a week and he suffers from blood clots in both legs, and it's not just one bus ride. Lawton has to change buses to get to the hospital, so that is two different buses to get to his destination. then he has to do the same reverse trip to go back home. Howard decided it was time to give Access-A-Ride a call to see if they could take another look at Lawton's case. Access-A-Ride said that sometimes they have to exclude people with walkers due to over-crowding. But they then said that as long as Lawton's origin to destination remains the same, he will now receive door-to-door service.

NYC TAXI AND LIMOUSINE NEW VAN SERVICE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE

2012-03-07T03:28:00.004-05:00

Written By: Renegades Foundation

A pilot van program from the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, which commenced when the NYC MTA ended dozens of local and express bus routes, is not wheelchair accessible and thus violates Federal Law such as the American With Disabilities Act.

One such Disabled Person affected by this lack of wheelchair accessibility on these vans is Milagros Franco, who resides in Manhattan on East 21st Street and works at for a Social Service Center located in Brooklyn. As a result of this, she is forced to ride her Powerchair over the Manhattan Bridge, which expands about one and a half miles long. The Social Service Center is approximately five blocks from the Manhattan Bridge and during rain and snow she will not be able to traverse with the Powerchair over the Bridge. Milagros Franco, at one time, was able to ride what is now an eliminated route over the East River span (Manhattan Bridge) -- not anymore.

Lawsuits have been filed against the NYC MTA demanding that the more than 100 bus routes be restored. Lawsuits against the NYC TLC have also been filed demanding wheelchair accessible vehicles.

HOMELAND SECURITY CODE OF CONDUCT FOR SERVICE ANIMALS IN FEDERAL FACILITIES

2012-03-06T21:46:00.001-05:00

Written By: Homeland Security

Section 102-74.425

What Is The Policy Concerning Dogs And Other Animals On Federal Property?

No person may bring dogs or other animals on Federal Property for other than official purposes. However, a Disabled Person may bring a seeing-eye dog, a guide dog, or other animal assisting or being trained to assist that individual.

DISABLED MAN BUILDS TETHERED LIFT FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESS TO 5TH FLOOR

2012-03-06T07:47:00.001-05:00

Written By: Gene Ostrovsky

This is a fascinating story out of Russia of bureaucratic promises and a man without functional legs who brought an apartment on the fifth floor of a build that has no elevator. Amazingly, instead of finding a first floor apartment for the man, the local council promised to install an elevator in the building/

After six years of waiting and requiring someone to carry him up and down, Dmitry Bibikow installed his own lift. Being experienced in rock climbing (the cause of his injury) Dmitry can now get up to his apartment faster than his biped neighbors.

"It was like being in a prison -- so I decided to sort it out myself"

With a little help from his friends, the former sky diver and mountaineer built his own personal lift to haul him up and down the side of the building. When not being used, the winch stays on the fifth floor. It can be lowered by hand or electronically from ground level.

Now Mr Bibikow, married and a father of one, says he can get in and out within minutes and can even beat his neighbors to the fifth floor.

PANERA BREAD EMPLOYEES DISRESPECTS SERVICE DOGS -- MORE ADA TRAINING

2012-02-29T03:23:00.003-05:00

Written By: Renegades Foundation

Every once in a while, one comes across a story that needs further attention as it serves an educational purpose. Such is the story of Finnegan McNeil, a Hearing Service Dog. This Toy Schnauzer travels quite a bit, in search of business enterprises that fail to meet the Laws of the Federal, State, and Local Government concerning Service and Assistance Animals. He brings awareness to those who persist on ignoring the rights of the Disabled and their Service Animal. As for those who are not completely familiar with such laws, Finnegan enlightens them. His owner suffers from from a illness called Bilateral Menere's Disease. It is our understanding that this type of hearing loss does not respond well with hearing aids as it fluctuates. In other words, it is a fluctuating hearing loss in both ears and difficult to control as it can vary to as low as 15 percent. Take the time to read this story.

Written By: Finnegan McNeil (Service Dog).

Tonight, my Daddy and I entered this restaurant with Finnegan, a Service Dog, and a harness on that has lettering on it one inch tall that says "SERVICE DOG". An employee behind the counter said "Dogs are not allowed in here". Thinking that possibly the harness was at a bad angle, he turned Finnegan to one of my sides so that he could read the lettering and said to the employee, "This is a Service Dog". The employee again replied, "Dogs are not allowed in here". My Dad walked up close to the counter and then told him, "Let me make myself very clear. You need to go get your manager pronto (quick) and save this restaurant a $10,000 fine from the US Department of Justice complaint before you do anything else whatsoever".

A manager named Eric came out immediately and apologized. My Dad showed him my Service Dog identification so that there would be no doubt whatsoever. My Dad then told him that some ADA (American Disability Act) training was obviously needed for this employee -- and possibly all the store employees. Eric said that it would be taken care of and apologized, Then a customer that was at the counter came over to my Dad and asked just what this Service Dog was needed for, to which my Dad said, "That is an entirely inappropriate etiquette, and it is none of your (?????) business". The customer then said that maybe Daddy would like to go outside and settle it. My Dad said, "Maybe you would like to settle it with the Panama City Police since you are assaulting me with a threat". The customer then backed down when he saw my Dad getting his cellphone. All of this was caused because of very poor employee training at this restaurant.

Tonight, my Daddy ate the chicken sandwich, which was mostly salad, and the chicken noodle soup with ice tea. There were no almonds, whatsoever, to be found in the chicken salad (he looked); and the chicken noodle soup was fairly watered down. Frankly, you could do better buying a can of Campbell's soup at the grocery store. The employees at the pickup counter demanded that we put the buzzer in a basket in a very snotty tone of voice. The ice tea was also very watered down compared to most in other restaurants. I would say that we are done with Panera Bread, but we're not. I know my Daddy. He will be visiting everyone of their stores in the area to test them about their entry and treatment of Service Dogs. If they don't handle it in accordance with law, you can bet a US Department of Justice complaint will be filed shortly thereafter.

Come on Panera Bread, you are a national company, do the correct employee training in this regard along with the rest of the world and get in compliance. They are not Service dog friendly, though hopefully they will be working on the matter.

YOU MIGHT WANT TO ALSO VISIT:

FINNEGAN MCNEIL'S WEBSITE

THE HOMELESS DISABLED WITH MOBILITY DEVICES AND SERVICE DOGS ARE DENIED SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE

2012-01-10T12:28:00.003-05:00

Written By: Renegades Foundation

Homelessness is a growing dilemma in the United States. When we think of people becoming homeless we envisioned individuals who are addicted to drugs, addicted to alcohol, sex offenders unable to find work or place of residence, and other criminals in the same situation. Rarely do we even contemplate the growing number of individuals and families who have lost everything from layoffs, jobs ending, lack of employment, an economy failing, a country more interested in GREED, than its people. Rarely do we even imagine the huge population of homeless Disabled Individuals and Veterans with specialized equipment such as Wheelchairs, Powerchairs, Mobility Scooters and their Service Dogs. Rarely do we image the increasing homelessness being created by Landlords, Property Managers, Management Companies simply because they dislike a tenant fighting for their accessible rights, fighting for repairs, and fighting for other Landlord / Tenant issues. No, these images do not come to mind to the general population and is ignored by those in position to assist in either stopping the madness or in resolving it with positive solutions.

Below are two stories about such a situation. The first story is about a Homeless Veteran with a Service Dog and how the System is further abusing him be disallowing entrance to a homeless shelter and all because he has a Service Dog. The second story is about two Multi-Disabled Individuals, one a Veteran with a Mobility Scooter and Service Dog, the other Physically and Mentally Challenged in a Powerchair and a Service Dog about to become Homeless because a Property Manager and its controlling Management Company is refusing to renew their lease out of spite as they have fought long and hard for the accessible modifications and accommodations they now have and were about to continue to receive from Habitat for Humanity.

First Story Written By: Susan Hutchison

According to an Asheville Citizen-Times article, Corey Bracken, 32, a Navy vet was involved with a dispute with the Veterans Restoration Quarters, an overnight shelter for homeless veterans. The shelter refused to admit Bracken in with his dog, offering to find a kennel instead. Bracken refused to be separated from his dog.

"The VRQ can accommodate service animals that are properly registered, but having dogs at the shelter, located in a former motel off Tunnel Road, can be problematic because men initially are sharing a room with three or four other veterans," said Scott Rogers, executive director of the Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, which operates the VRQ.

According to the ACT article, Americans with Disabilities Act says service dogs are not required to carry registration papers. From the ADA FAQs “...such documentation generally may not be required as a condition for providing service to an individual accompanied by a service animal. Although a number of states have programs to certify service animals, you may not insist on proof of state certification before permitting the service animal to accompany the person with a disability." Facilities can exclude an animal when its behavior poses a “direct threat to the health and safety of others.”

Bracken, hurt his knee and back in a work accident while working in maintenance at a truck stop 17 months ago and has a card showing his dog is registered as a service dog with United Service Animal Registry. He says he showed this card to shelter staff, the VRQ disputes that version of events.

Second Story Written By: Renegades Foundation

This story is equally despicable as these two Multi-Disabled Individuals (one a veteran), with Power Driven Devices for ambulation and Service Dogs, still, at present, have a home, a meticulously clean and organized apartment. However, by the end of this very month they will be among the homeless. They will loose everything they owned...everything. The streets will become their new abode, where they will die. Why? Because their property manager has threatened them over and over again that if they complained about needing accessible accommodations and/or accessible modifications to anyone then property management would not renew their lease. These Disabled Persons needed an Accessible Sidewalk Crub Cut for their Powered Mobility Devices, they needed a mail box by their apartment door as the building mailboxes were not accessible to them, they needed a more accessible path from their patio to the sidewalk (70 to 90 feet worth of a path) so that during the snow, management would shovel back there and not keep them trap in the apartment during the winter months as in the past and during the rain the power driven devices would not sink into the grass, while trying to get to their medical transportation or to the Shopping Plaza across the street from the apartment complex.

Well, the promise was kept by the property manager and upon learning that Habitat for Humanity had received funding and the now the actual paperwork process was to begin, requiring a lease renewal, she handed a letter to the Multi-Disabled Individuals which stated that the lease would not be renewed with no further explanation. When questioned, she became quiet hostile in her attitude and hung the phone up on them.

At the end of January, two Individuals with multiple disabilities and power driven mobility devices and Service Dogs will join the ranks of the the Homeless with absolutely no place to turn and thus surely die in the streets nearby. They have informed Social Services who also turned them down for any assistance as they have power driven devices and Service Dogs and did not qualify for any help, not even a hotel/motel or shelter. They were told they were on their own. Yes, you heard me right...they were told they were on their own, NO HELP AVAILABLE for them.

WHO IS SERVICE DOG AMERICA (SCAM YES OR NO)

2012-01-07T15:20:00.000-05:00

WRITTEN BY: RENEGADES FOUNDATION

APPARENTLY THERE IS MUCH CONTROVERSY CONCERNING THE SERVICES AND PRODUCTS OFFERED BY THIS BUSINESS ENTITY, SERVICE DOG AMERICA. IT APPEARS THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE INTERESTING AND VALID POINTS. TRUE, THAT THE ADA CLEARLY STATES THAT A SERVICE DOG MAY OR MAY NOT WEAR SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT AND TRUE THAT THE ADA CLEARLY STATES THAT NOONE CAN REQUEST PROOF OF SERVICE DOG CERTIFICATION OR SERVICE DOG ID, BUT THE FACT REMAINS THAT, IN REAL LIFE, THE ADA LAW IS NOT PRACTICED EQUALLY EVEN BY THOSE THAT SHOULD KNOW BETTER SUCH AS DOCTORS, NURSES, HOSPITALS, MEDICAL OFFICES, AMBULATE SERVICES, MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION SERVICES, THE POLICE, THE VERY SAME POLITICIANS THAT ENACT THE LAWS, THE COURTS WHO ENFORCE THEM, THE BOARD OF EDUCATION IN THE VARIOUS STATES, AND SO FORTH.

WE KNOW THIS FIRST HAND, BECAUSE EVERY MEMBER ON OUR BOARD IS DISABLED IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER AND MOST OF THEM HAVE SERVICE ANIMALS. IN ADDITION, EVERY MEMBER ON OUR BOARD CAN TELL YOU STORIES ABOUT BEING DISCRIMINATED AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER BECAUSE OF THEIR USE OF A SERVICE AND ASSISTANCE DOG AND, NOT ALWAYS, BUT RE-DISCRIMINATED AGAIN BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. NOW, THIS DISCRIMINATION HAS OCCURRED WITH AND WITHOUT ID AND MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION, WITH AND WITHOUT VEST, JACKET, PATCHES. THE SAME WAY IT HAPPENS TO US THAT ARE WELL VERSED IN THE SERVICE ANIMAL LAWS, IT HAPPENS TO COUNTLESS OTHERS BOTH INFORMED AND NOT INFORMED OF THEIR RIGHTS.

IN THE END, IT IS THE CHOICE OF THE DISABLED INDIVIDUAL AS TO WHETHER THEY DESIRE THEIR SERVICE DOGS OR THEIR ALTERNATIVE SERVICE ANIMALS AS STILL RECOGNIZED BY HUD, TO WEAR VESTS, JACKETS, COATS, PATCHES, AND ID'S. MANY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE RENEGADES FOUNDATION AND BALTIMORE ASSISTANCE DOG PROVIDE THIS, UPON WRITTEN REQUEST, 100% FREE. OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, ASSOCIATIONS, BUSINESSES, OFFERED THE SAME SERVICES AND PRODUCTS FOR A PRICE.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES:

**RENEGADES FOUNDATION ( Service Dog Equipment and Supplies are 100% free upon written request) -- Those disabled Individuals who are in need of specialized equipment and / or supplies please contact RENEGADES FOUNDATION and / or BALTIMORE ASSISTANCE DOG and we will be more than happy to provide said equipment and supplies absolutely FREE, including shipping and handling -- Our phone number is 410-800-5927 and / or 443-636-6256 / Our Email is renegades.foundation@yahoo.com

**BALTIMORE ASSISTANCE DOG (Service Dog Equipment and Supplies are 100% free upon written request) -- Those disabled Individuals who are in need of specialized equipment and / or supplies please contact RENEGADES FOUNDATION and / or BALTIMORE ASSISTANCE DOG and we will be more than happy to provide said equipment and supplies absolutely FREE, including shipping and handling -- Our phone number is 410-800-5927 and / or 443-636-6256 / Our Email is renegades.foundation@yahoo.com

SERVICE DOG EQUIPMENT (Charges for Service Dog Equipment and Supplies) -- I have been informed by the founder of Save Our Service Animals that the owners of Service Dog Equipment have many times donated Service Dog Equipment and Supplies to those that have not been able to afford them -- Note From Rainette Murphy (SOSA): If anyone needs any ID's, capes, or jackets call Mary or Robert at www.servicedogequipment.com and tell them Rainette at Save Our Service Animals is covering your supplies. Call us and after a brief conversation your items will be shipped to you FREE OF CHARGE. SOSA Tele is 877-730-9959 / Email is sosalorm@gmail.com

SERVICE DOG AMERICA (Charges for Service Dog Equipment and Supplies) -- NOTE: This is the Service Animal Equipment and Supply Website that is presently under question by various consumers and advocates throughout

ACTIVE DOGS (Charges for Service Dog Equipment and Supplies)

WORKING SERVICE DOG (Charges for Service Dog Equipment and Supplies)

SERVICE DOG HOUSE (Charges for Service Dog Equipment and Supplies)

OF COURSE, THERE ARE COUNTLESS OTHERS AND IT IS EXPANDING. AGAIN, THE ADA LAW DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY OF THE ABOVE: NO SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT; NO ID"S; NO MEDICAL PAPERS; NO REGISTRATION.

HOWEVER, IT DOES ALLOW FOR AN INDIVIDUAL WITH VISUAL, PHYSICAL, NEUROLOGICAL, AND PSYCHIATRIC CHALLENGES TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO HAVE AN IDENTIFYING VEST, JACKET, CLOTHES, CERTIFICATES, AND ID'S FOR THEIR SERVICE DOG. IT IS NOT NECESSARY OR REQUIRED BY LAW, BUT FOR SOME, NOT ALL, IT ALLEVIATES THE DAILY HASSLES OF BEING HARASS FOR UTILIZING A SERVICE DOG.

PER THE LIST ABOVE PRICES VARY FROM FREE TO SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS. IF YOUR A DISABLED PERSON ON LIMITED INCOME, I WOULD GO FOR FREE IF YOU SO DESIRE TO EQUIP YOUR ASSISTANCE ANIMALS