CONCERNED CITIZENS OF PARATRANSIT [email protected] STANDING UP FOR ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION

I rely on the RAD program because I am unable to drive. These changes will greatly impact my daily life. Whether it's for school, to get food, for doctors, and soon for a job, the current RAD level is necessary to sustance a "semblance" of a normal life. An 87.5% reduction in service availability (down to 30 rides per month) will impact me. I truly hope that options other than dramatic reductions of key services for people with disbilities can be found to fill these shortfalls.

30 rides a month prevents working people from taking the basic 2 rides a day and prevents shopping and social contact because of government mismanagement. This is not acceptable.

I use the wrap program for essentials, work, grocery shopping, medical appointments. I would be willing to pay a little more to be able to continue using the wrap service. It is very important.

This looks like a clear violation of ADA public participation requirements to me. Hearings are supposed to come first, then the ordinance, not the other way around.

RAP and TAP are a vital form of transportation for People With Disabilities. I ask that you reconsider the program cuts you are opposing.

I stand with you !

This is real essential to me as it helps me get around and don't have to wait for long time for Pace if I was to take pace. It's very easy to get on the app and schedule a ride versus having to wait to schedule a ride a day before. It helps me get to my medical appointments and also to visit loved ones. It helps me go shopping when I need to go shopping.

I understand the need to find money to fund transportation. I believe most people with disabilities would much rather pay more money per ride than to have the service reduced so much that they cannot work, get to all of their medical appointments including lifesaving therapy such as dialysis, or be able to get out and buy food. It also seems a violation of the ADA rules for the RTA to restricts the number of rides for TAP and RAP users, but it does not restrict the number of rides that everyone else can take on the mainstream bus routes.

I'm not ready to stop living because you impose barriers to my transportation. Do you want my vote? Stop the cuts!

The parrot program and the rent program should stay as it is I can understand two trips, but not one continue the program as it is both of them

Paratransit riders must have mobility!

People with disabilities should ALWAYS be included in the decision-making process when it comes to services and policies that directly impact us.

RTA wouldn't dream of limiting the amount of rides for able-bodied people, but yet people with disabilities are the first thing that is adopted and without imput from the disability community. TAP is one of the most helpful things for me as some things cannot be scheduled 24 hours in advance, like an emergency that requires transportation to a hospital of choice not just the closest available hospital. That's just one example. Trips to do shopping and other appointments cannot really be scheduled with a set end time, which

I don’t have a problem with Fair’s being raised, but for those who are employed and have appointments after work, we need more than 30 rides a month.

I understand raising fees and limiting trips, but it seems unreasonable not to allow return trips where needed.

We are with you and support all your work in this matter!

I believe that the increase in fare price is valid. However, the sharp decrease in the amount of rides allotted per day does not allow a disabled person to remain independent and active on a daily basis. Giving these riders only one ride per day is not enough! Please reconsider these parameters for a fair amount of rides per day so that patrons can at least return home, and even be able to run an errand out two after work. As someone with a dual disability, I use many rides just to get to my many doctor appointments! Thank you for reconsidering how this impacts our community

Fight Fight we will win.

Reducing this necessary service makes it much more difficult for people with disabilities to fully have access to their active lives or their means to provide stability for themselves.

People with disabilities have limited to no income. This is not acceptable to target the disability community with raising rates. Seniors have worked and have fixed incomes, so it is more imperative that we protect people with disabilities with any programs and make things more affordable. There are very little resources for the disability community that must be recognized in the state of Illinois, we fall to the bottom of all 50 states with regard to help with resources. The state needs to do a better job to recognize the disparity. There are much more opportunities for veterans and seniors, and people with disabilities are forgotten or an afterthought. There is a huge group of individuals living with a disability that is caused by our environment, so do not punish the disabled.