Jeff and Cassie, of the Washington, D.C. area, applied for and
received authorization to use their Segways as mobility devices, due
to disability, on the rail portion of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority -
WMATA Metro
- system.
http://www.fta.dot.gov/14531_17515_ENG_HTML.htm
... "when a device is being used as a mobility device by a person with a mobility-related disability, then the transportation provider must permit the person and his or her device onto the vehicle. This is
analogous
to the situation in which a transportation provider that has a general policy that does not permit pets to enter, but must permit a person with a disability to bring a service animal into a vehicle."
Jeff and Cassie, of the Washington, D.C. area, applied for and
received authorization to use their Segways as mobility devices, due
to disability, on the rail portion of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority -
WMATA Metro
- system.
Jeff shared his experience for the benefit of others who are interested in the process. It is important to remember that this is the information Jeff gleaned from going through the process and not the official Metro version of the procedure and rules.
The first step in getting Metro's OK to use a Segway on their trains is to qualify for one of the following Metro programs for persons with disability -
Jeff and Cassie chose to obtain reduced fare cards. They filled out the forms, and took the paperwork to their doctors. The doctors filled in the appropriate information and signed the forms. Jeff and Cassie returned to Metro, turned in the forms, had their photographs taken and received ID cards.
RADA Note: One sticking point in this part of the process is that the form requires the applicant to authorize Metro to obtain the applicant's medical records. Some fear this is an invasion of privacy. Some think that, taken to the limit, once released to Metro, medical records will be in the public domain. Others scoff at that likelihood. Some people, who are disabled, feel that after all they have gone through at the hands of the medical system, they don't have any privacy left anyway, so it doesn't matter. You need to evaluate this issue for yourself - ideally, before you sign the release.
Jeff ammended his authorization, limiting access to the records that were applicable to his mobility impairment. Metro accepted the form with the modification.
After obtaining either the MetroAccess card or the Metro Disabled ID, the
next step was to fill in the Automatic Balancing Wheeled Conveyance - WMATA Registration Form.
The
ABWC form must also be signed by
your physician. Jeff recommended picking up both blank forms at once. Jeff noted that the only
"new" bit of information required on the ABWC form is the program ID number assigned
by Metro for the MetroAccess card or the Metro Disabled ID.
RADA Note: The forms are now available online. Refer to the links on this webpage.
The ABWC form is used for a physician to verify that the applicant uses a Segway. Jeff suggested taking both forms, (1) the ABWC and (2) either the MetroAccess or the Disabled ID, to your doctor at the same time and to spare yourself the hassle and expense of two office visits.
In Jeff's case, Metro verified that the license of the doctor signing the forms was valid.
There was no reason to question disability.
RADA Note: The level of medical verification is probably case by case.
Jeff reported that the orientations are scheduled at Metro's convenience. It can take up to
a week to get an appointment. There is no allowance for visiting D.C. from out of the area.
One impression, important for people who are scheduling orientation, was that the ADA compliance staff did not create a hostile environment during the appointment. Further, Jeff and Cassie's orientation was used by ADA staff to acquaint Metro station managers and Metro police officers with the concept of persons with disabilities using Segways as assistive devices in the rail system.
Jeff's impression was that if you have already been using a Segway in the system, you will know much of what is covered during orientation. He breaks out the orientation process into a three general sections: the Segway user's training by Metro ADA staff, observation by Metro ADA staff of the applicant's ability to use their Segway safely, and receiving the decal.
Training
Observation
Decals
Metro's ADA office sends a notice by email to Metro Police when a new Segway decal is issued. Any Metro police officer can demand a picture ID from someone riding a Segway with an Metro decal on the center post. If someone uses a Segway with a decal on the Metro, with the power on, but without a "medical OK" - and, Metro finds out - the Segway will be confiscated.
First day followup
Jeff wrote up some notes on the decal for the Washington D.C. Segway Users
Group. The notes [with minor changes] are copied below.
First week followup
It rained in Washington and all the printing washed off Jeff's decal. (For a photo of
the pre-rain decal, see the image on the above, right-hand side, of this webpage.)
The large amount of gaudy paper Metro used as a "disability label"
generated comments that ranged from positive to neutral to negative.
The only positive comment Jeff heard came from someone who didn't realize the sticker was a "disability label". Due to the colors on the paper, it was mistaken for a rainbow-flag decal. The gaudiness and size of the ABWC decal generated comments about it being garish and ugly. (Segways were designed to be elegantly simple. A large sheet of adhesive paper, slapped around the center post, was seen by many as defacing the clean design.)
RADA Note: The truly negative comments arose within the community
of disabled Segway users. The biggest objection was
the requirement to place a permanent identifier on an assistive device.
One person with a lifelong experience of disability commented, "after all these years, it
looks like it's finally time to go get that tatoo on my forehead ". She and others made
reference to the Nazi system of labeling people with "yellow stars" and "pink triangles".
RADA Note: It's too bad Metro didn't let us have a say in the design of a non-permanent and optional logo. Some people who use Segways due to mobility impairment can be fairly outrageous, but, there is a time and place for everything. We don't necessarily want to have to attend a funeral looking like we're dressed to party.
Metro's webpage describing their Advocacy & Policy, "a public outreach campaign explaining existing and coming improvements making Metrorail and Metrobus accessible to people with disabilities."
Metro's webpage describing their Complaint Process, "including how to contact the Metro Ombudsman Program for Customers with Disabilities."
*
The locator map is useless if the elevator you need is out-of-service! Be sure check
on elevator status.
Metro's webpages detailing their
Elevator Out-of-Service List,
and describing
Electronic Elevator Notification (ELLEN),
"a free e-mail subscription service to notify you of elevator service disruptions at the
Metrorail stations of your choice."
©
Rada Project, 2005
August 16, 2005 (Version 1)