Published in Queens Chronicle, Letters to the Editor, 3/15/07

Access-A-Ride
   
Dear Editor:
   Regarding “Fears Over Changes To Access-A-Ride,” by Joseph Wendelken in the March 8 Queens Chronicle,Access-A-Ride is a lifeline for people with disabilities who are unable to travel independently. The changes that have been made in the application and reassessment process will keep people from utilizing its services. What is of most concern is that there was no public hearing for what is a drastic change in regulations as opposed to other modifications in city policy that would affect people with disabilities.

   Even when all city buses, trainsand taxis are fully accessible, which is years off, there still will be people, due to the nature of their disabilities, who are unable to utilize mainstream transportation. Many of these people are homebound and elderly, and without people to transport them to complete the initial application, they may never receive a vital service for which they would otherwise be eligible.
   

Carl Herr,
   Alexandre Foundation,
   Kew Gardens