Frustrated with STS

[Talking Hands]

My best friend is deaf-blind. She uses Special Transportation Service to get to appointments and events. Today she had a doctor's appointment that was set up 6 months ago. Time comes for STS to pick her up and they don't show. She calls and they refuse to pick her up. They cancelled on her. So her Mom is now taking her to the doctor and will drop her.
This evening she was planning to go to a talk at church for parents and I was meeting her there to interpret for her. STS was supposed to drop her after her doctor's appointment. Now we don't know if they will show up or not. So I will go to church and wait, just in case, she is able to get there. I doubt she will but I won't leave her up in the air if she does show up. Plus I was going to bring her home after the meeting so she would not have to wait for STS again.
Oh, if she doesn't show up for the doctor's appointment the doctor will be ticked off since his office had to set up an interpreter for the appointment and will have to pay even if she doesn't show up.

 

[SPAM]

that sucks. by the way, i know some ASL. i took 2 years of it in hs.

 

[Talking Hands]

Always nice to have signers around. Where in boring O-H-I-O are you. My daughter is in Kent.

 

[laurajetter]

So wth is STS's problem? They only pick her up if they feel like it? Can't this problem be reported? That sounds horrible!

 

[Talking Hands]

You can complain but it does little good. Users are at their mercy. If you complain too much they just refuse to serve you. And being deaf-blind it is not really safe for her to take a bus alone because while she can speak she can't hear the answer or really read one written down. As much as we can my husband and I pick her up and take her with us but todaay it wasn't possible.

 

[Kermit]

That's horrible. It's almost better to not have it available at all than to think you have it set up and then have it fall through at the last minute.

Is this a service from the city or county or something? If so, maybe some people who use the service could contact elected officials about it. Maybe the company that runs it will straighten up if they think they might lose their government contract.

 

[alabamaalan]

So what was their reason for cancelling her appointment?

My wife used a transportation service for the disabled to get to work but it was easier since she was a daily rider and not using them for various appointments etc.

They were pretty efficient in most matters.

 

[Talking Hands]

I don't know why they cancelled. She has had some problems with drivers who refuse to allow her guide dog to ride. She goes nowhere without the guide dog as it is her eyes and ears. I have to get with her and find out exactly what happened so I can contact STS and get things straightened out. Since I work I am not always available to provide transportation and others from our deaf group that could drive also work.

 

[kathyk2]

I would definately file with the transportation company. It is against federal regulations not to allow a guide dog to ride with their owner. One of my close friends is blind and the van drivers used to love her dog.

 

[CynJ]

She really needs to complain - and loudly! Best bet would be to find an organization for the blind in that area and contact them. They will have a field day about the guide dog not being allowed. STS won't know what hit them.

(I work for a non-profit working with people with disabilities and its amazing the b.s. that some "public" entities like this STS think they can get away with)

 

[kathyk2]

Does STS have a public forum where consumers can air their difficulties with the service? I have a huge problem with refusing to provide rides to consumers. I doubt that would be legal under the ADA. I would also notify the local media if these problems continue.

 

[Lachesis00]

Alaska was like this... I had a choice, go to work an hour early or 2 hours late... period. No matter how far in advanced requested.

 

[Talking Hands]

Well her Mom brought her to church after her doctor's appointment and she was able to go to the parenting meeting. I interpreted and then my husband and I took her and her son home.
STS showed up with a vehicle and already had 4 passengers so refused to take her. Claimed she had not informed them that her 3 yo son was going with her as well as a guide dog. Checked computer and STS had been informed. Complaint has been filed. Found out tonight that another deaf-blind woman who works at our church school has been having the same issues with STS.
Nice thing tonight was the two of them met and their dogs met and there were no problems. Two guide dogs just laid there together while I interpreted for the two of them at dinner.

 

[SPAM]

Always nice to have signers around. Where in boring O-H-I-O are you. My daughter is in Kent.

columbus.

 

[Rowena]

I've always wanted to be fluent in ASL. Picking it up now for my non-verbal daughter in the autism spectrum. I wanted to first of thank you and your husband for being so involved.

Some "public service" departments can get so tied up in the worthless drag of life that the people working there forget WHY they wanted to do it in the first place. I do agree a formal complaint should be lodged as obviously something slipped "through the cracks" here. I am not pointing fingers, but this sounds like a case that maybe someone ought to start pointing a digit about .I Am Not A Lawyer, My Opinion Should Mean Nothing More That The Average Person's, and Your Milage May Vary.