[Tn-talk] For Nashville TN residents: Another AccessRide Problem

[Domonique Lawless]

Dear Friends,

I have recently had another unpleasant experience with AccessRide and
am hoping to get assistance so that people outside the disabled
community will finally understand what a disreputable and unorganized
service this is.

On Wednesday, January 10 I had a scheduled  AccessRide trip that took
me from my home near Belmont to a business in Brentwood. The
AccessRide van showed up at a decent time. This trip had no problems
and I was promptly brought to my destination. I remained at this
establishment for the designated period and was supposed to be picked
up between 3:30PM and 4:00PM. I had lost my cell phone which was my
only contact number. I called the dispatch office to give them an
alternate number. 3:30 came around and there was no sign of
AccessRide. 4:00 and 4:30 came around and there was still no sign of
AccessRide. I called the number and pressed the number four which is
designated for emergencies and late rides. I was left on hold for over
30 minutes with no assistance. Finally my mother had to come get me to
bring me back to school so I could make it to my evening classs. I
called again on the way home and was put through to the after hours
ansering service. I filed a complaint and was given the typical
placations which just meant that they wanted me to shut up so they
could get me off the phone.

I realize that probably nothing will be done about my complaint and
that AccessRide will continue to treat disabled people as if they are
not worthy of courtesy and respect. This is not the first time that I
have had issues with this business and I know that many of you have
had similar experiences. While I feel outraged because of my
experience with this so called business, I am horror stricken when I
think about the people who have more serious medical conditions who
are also subjected to such ill treatment.

I am planning to take my concerns and outrage over this pitiful excuse
for Paratransit to the media so that others can see howunorganized and
inhospitable AccessRide is. I am tired of being treated like a second
class citizen because I cannot drive and need assistance with
transportation. I want the people at AccessRide to be brought to
justice.

I am writing to you for your assistance in this matter. I know that
many of you have had similar experiences and would like to form a list
of statements and complaints so that when this matter is brought to
the media they can see that it happens to all the AccessRide clients
and not just one or two. If you could please e-mail or call me if you
are interested in joining this project I would really appreciate it. I
am looking for a collection of statements and specific instances of
the failures and mistreatment for which AccessRide is responsible. I
believe that we are stronger in numbers then as individuals and I
believe it is time that we make ourselves heard. Thank You for taking
the time to read this letter. I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Domonique Lawless
dlawless86 at gmail.com