subject: You Likely Have Someone With A Hair Straightener Disability In Your Family [print this page] Put Yourself In Their Shoes With Disabilities Act (ADA). If we do not live up to the requirements of the ADA, individuals have the right to sue you and the Company. There are more and more lawsuits under the ADA both here in Hawaii and across the country. The ADA rules are very specific. If the automatic annunciator is not working or is not turned on, operators are required to call out major stops and all transfer locations. (http://www.ghd-hairs-online.com/ghd-rare-styler-p-2.html)
If a person who is blind or visually impaired asks to be told when their stop comes up, we must honor their request. Likewise, operators have the obligation to try and get a non-disabled person seated in the priority area, to move to another location, especially if asked by a customer with a disability. If the able-bodied person does not comply with your polite request, you must call Central Control.
According to government statistics about 150,000 people in Hawaii have some kind of disability. Thats about one out of every eight people. You likely have someone with a disability in your family. Im proud that most of our employees treat those who have disabilities with respect and provide them service with Aloha. Sometimes this is hard, especially if the individual seems to have a chip on his/her shoulder or is insistent that you provide your service in a special way. But I ask you to put yourself in their shoes. I am sure you would see transit differently if you did. Often, the disabled have no other alternative than public transit. They can be our best boosters or they can complain that our system is broken and doesnt work for them. Its important to understand that our customers with disabilities have special rights embedded in the Americans.The Operator of the Quarter Douglas Perry used to run to work once a week from Enchanted Lakes!
Message from Mayor Mufi Hannemann
While the upcoming fiscal year will be tough financially, my administration is keeping its focus on the Citys core priorities of public safety, roads, sewers and solid waste, public parks and facilities, and transportation. The budget proposal we submitted March 2 to the City Council continues these strong emphases, with transportation-related programs being accorded priority for funding. The budget includes: www.fad77.com
$17 million to purchase news buses and paratransit vehicles.
$3.1 million to refurbish older buses and keep them in service
$500,000 to construct concrete bus pads on heavily traveled streets in downtown Honolulu, $437,000 to construct ADA access improvements in the downtown and Leeward areas; and $500,000 for bus stop improvements around the island.
$773,000 to expand the Pearl City bus facility parking lot.
$453,000 for on-board security cameras for buses.
$2.8 million to buy land and construct the Wahiawa Transit Center.
$4.9 million for the development of the Middle Street Intermodal Center.
The lions share of our budget--$1.077 billion-- will be for the Honolulu High-Capacity Transit Project, our rail system. Ive described to you our progress over the past few years, and were finally poised to break ground later this year. This is a very exciting achievement that has been
the product of the entire community, including so many of you, and Im very gratified that that train is finally leaving the station after 40 years of stalls and stops. Mahalo to you and please continue your support for public transportation for the residents of this island. Mufi Hannemann Mayor
