[blindlaw] Blindness and Mobility Transit Services

[E.J. Zufelt]

Good morning,

It recently came to my attention that the city I live in, Fredericton, NB, Canada, offers a "Dial-a-Bus" service for "mobility impaired" passengers.  The service is supposed to be available to "...any person with a disability that prevents them from using, with a high degree of comfort and dignity, fixed route transit services in the City of Fredericton". (Dial-a-Bus Policy Statement).

I recently spoke with the Executive Director of the not-for-profit organization that administers the application process of the program for the city.  I was told that "blindness, on its own, is not a mobility impairment".
I then spoke with the City Transit Manager and City Administrator who both told me that the service is not offered to the blind, because the blind can learn how to get from one location to another with a cane or dog.

I am curious if anyone on list lives in a city with a similar service, offered as an alternative to the municipal transit service, and if you are aware if blindness is considered an eligible disability.

To prevent any negative feedback before it is given, I do not believe that I would need to use the "dial-a-bus" service for all of my transit needs.  There are locations that I can get to easily either walking or using the standard transit system, in combination with my dog guide.  It is the locations that I visit infrequently, that are dangerous to walk to, or that are incredibly difficult to get to using a dog guide for which I believe this service should be assisting me.

Thank you for any feedback you can provide,
Everett