[Cabs] NFB of Denver chapter bulletin

[Jeremiah B. Beasley]

NFB of Denver chapter bulletin 

February 16, 2008

NFB PLEDGE
I pledge to participate actively in the effort of the National Federation of
the Blind to achieve equality, opportunity, and security for the blind; to
support the policies and programs of the Federation; and to abide by its
constitution.

2008 promises to be a very exciting year for the NFB here in Denver.  We
have a new board which is filled with enthusiasm, passion, commitment and
determination in building a better today and improving the future of the
blind in the Denver metro area.  We, the board, gathered for a day long
board retreat, which proved to be very productive in the planning process
for the upcoming year.  We discussed the priorities for each committee as
well as chapter wide projects.  The details will follow and we will be
discussing these will the entire chapter as time permits during future
chapter meetings.     

Save the 60 route  by Steve DeKruger

On February 7th, 2008, students and staff from the Colorado Center for the
Blind rode the same bus they are trying to save.   The meeting was held in
regards to the future of route 60.  This bus was endangered of being
terminated due to low ridership.

Students expressed their concerns of safety, easy access, double crossings
involving recently blinded students, lack of sidewalks and adverse weather
conditions involving cane travel and the number of people who do ride the
bus route as their only means of transportation. 

Other members of the community who ride the 60 also chimed in with comments.
Students from Columbine High School, concerned parents and professionals who
work in the downtown area also benefit a great deal from the route 60.

RTD was considering termination of the service due to low rider issues
coupled with higher rider issues in other areas. RTD spokespeople said they
do not have the funds to purchase other buses for the other areas,
therefore, they would take the resources from the route 60 and place them in
a higher trafficked area.  RTD told the audience of concerned citizens that
the number of riders south of Hampton and west of Broadway, historically,
has always been low.  In part, this is due to the fact that this area has
really only begun to learn how to use public transportation.  Before the
light-rail was put in place, this area had almost no busses, and as a result
this community is still learning to use public transportation. 
 
The students and staff of the CCB had planned on attending the RTD board
meeting on Tuesday, February 19th.  However, RTD responded early on Monday
February 11th, saying that as a result of our public expression of opinion,
the route 60 would remain in service with only the 2 less needed times being
removed.  The times which benefit the CCB students and the Columbine
students will be left unchanged.  This is a great victory for us and shows
what is possible with collective action. 

RTD
We are starting to make substantial progress with RTD.  We have discussed
several issues, mainly automated stop announcements and accessibility issues
with the website.  They are increasingly aware and supportive of these
important matters.  We have been asked to work on beta testing the new
website before it goes live, and we will be working with RTD throughout the
process of updating the RTD website.  

We have met with several employees and 3 board members to discuss the
importance of next stop technology, all of whom have been supportive and
want our involvement in order to make automated stops a reality.  There is a
projected rollout of this project starting in 2011.  We have built a network
of interested organizations to partner with us.  They include CCDC, ATU
1001, FRESC, DCPD, and 50+ coalition.  There will be others that will be
signing on to partner with us and RTD. 

They also would like us to have input on the Union Station Development
Project.  Director McMullen is circulating a GMR, internal communication to
update the board on the progress and level of commitment throughout all of
RTD.  I will keep you informed as I get information.

We have also had discussions with Bill Bell, who is in charge of light rail
operations.  He is committed to improving the light rail announcement
system.  He has circulated several memos and had each operator sign that
they have read and understood the proper procedure on announcing which line
the train is.  This is getting better but they still have a lot to improve
upon.  We will be going to speak with the light rail operators over the next
few weeks in an effort to educate them on why announcing the line is so
important.  

State Matters: 

Boulder
We have a new Boulder chapter.  Nine interested participants attended the
initial meeting on February 12th and they will meet again on February 28th
to officially become a chapter in the NFB of Colorado.  They will adopt a
constitution as well as hold elections.  This is great news and hopefully
will make it easier for some folks in the north metro area to be involved in
our exciting movement.  Congratulations Boulder.  We will help you develop
in any way that we can.  

Our state board meeting is scheduled for March 8th starting at 10:30 am and
will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Colorado Springs 2886 S. Circle
Dr.  This is an open board meeting and members are welcome to join us.
Lunch will be provided and contributions will be greatly appreciated to
defray the cost of the lunch. 
 
For those in the Denver metro area transportation will leave the Colorado
Center for the Blind at 9:00 a.m. 
 
Please let Scott know by Friday, February 29 if you will be joining us at
the board meeting in Colorado Springs.  I will also need to know by the 29th
if you will need transportation from the Colorado Center for the Blind.
 
Calendar 

February 19 - RTD Board Meeting
February 26 - Meeting with 2 RTD Board Members
March 8 - State Board Meeting
March 10 - Denver Chapter Board Meeting
March 15 - Denver Chapter Meeting
April 14 - Denver Chapter Board Meeting
April 19 - Denver Chapter Meeting 
May 17 - Denver Chapter Meeting
June 21 - Denver Chapter Meeting
June 29 - July 5 National Convention 

** Our committees RTD, Pulbic Outreach, Membership will meet at various
times so please call me for more information.  Being involved with our
committees is a nice way to be involved in changing what it means to blind
in Denver.  We need your help to improve the lives of blind people in the
Denver metro area.