https://www.facebook.com/Austin.TX.ADAPT/photos/pcb.1380370475480996/1380369972147713/?type=3&__tn__=HH-R&eid=ARCRr48IXboNltCHzKxO75zQcxfuLnpJRoVHTvo6OB7TVyo-EBwyGRj6x4F-Jm6dxVNgEOS-HPZqNn9Z&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA7suRj2UL5jjnh4QMWdpg92o8l82Mwh8FrOuUuMgMGWLX2uwv9CWzB7SkcpulwpfMOXkjV1nKGH_hi952Dx6yVUl-RrJ2wonhV66IZWlGjp3oBfTsYeU3i6TRZSbVSRCNQ0TcnNQivjaZZ93yVd5EJLW0eHQIG0Q1F_9Cgj92ikroeaZLmLvDsH2ou5iOC3r3CtDKgpTRd3pYcWZCfeaaor_4PBx5DXQuIffuxZwIF5CVZHgZP6JPLXWz37AITMoPwfaXFa6PYFoiyEvkTBIpDCF1kSr0dkA1Kj6ACezgpoAGT6G8FJK2RYzIU2v1RJ7mkBrQNn8UWLKooYb90-mKXBg

The day Coronavirus shutdown SXSW, ADAPT of Texas shutdown Uber in Austin!

In the last several months, since ADAPT of Texas settled their lawsuit against Uber, the WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle) service has gone down the toilet.  People wait for hours while non-wheelchair using passengers are picked up within minutes.  Sometimes no one EVER comes to pick our folks up.  The App is giving folks issues too. Basically a pretty good service has been trashed. 

Austin ADAPT folks were sick and tired of this treatment.  So last Friday a delegation of our peeps went down to their offices to ask them what was up and let them know their lousy service was not OK with us.  

We rolled in to a very modern, lobby with video screen telling who was being picked up where (at least non-disabled folks) and exposed pipes in the ceiling and folks on laptops perched on barstool seats and helping callers.  But for all their support and monitoring they were clueless as to the problems our folks had been trying to report for weeks.  So we hung out while some mid-level manager took our demands and tried to get us an answer from above.  But Uber is apparently as unresponsive to their local management as they are to their customers who use wheelchairs. The powers that be remained hidden in their corporate cloud, apparently too afraid to face the situation.  No phone numbers, no names, no contact was given.  As 5 pm eastern time approached, we starting chanting and blowing our wheelchair horns — which sounded oddly appropriate in this loft type setting.  All the support staff left (no loss there, since they gave us no support) and the security guard began trying to control us.  No luck with that.  So eventually, while they couldn’t get through to the powers that be in Uber universe, they could get through to the police.  After a while two policemen showed up and we were escorted from the building.

But we are not done yet…  

 ADAPT of Texas and Personal Attendant Coalition of Texas (PACT) gathered at the Texas State Capitol on March 10^th in solidarity with other state ADAPT chapters that were doing similar actions in their states.  ADAPT of Texas/PACT were sending a message to Governor Abbott, Texas Legislators and HHSC Executive Commissioner Phillips that

“Block Grants Don’t Stack Up!”

In addition, there is a crisis in recruiting and retaining Community Attendants because of the low wages and no health insurance or other benefits.  Texas starts Medicaid and general revenue funded community attendants at $8.11 per hour.

Thousands of Texans with disabilities, (children, young adults, seniors) rely on Medicaid funded services and supports to be able to live/age in place in the community in the most integrated setting.

Texas has long waiting lists for HCBS, as well the largest number of state institutions in the country.

Once ADAPT of Texas/PACT finished chanting and flyering outside we then proceeded into the Capitol to the Governor’s office.  We all managed to get to the second floor.  As we were rounding the corner, the state trooper was closing the Governor’s office.  Nicky Boyte rolled fast to the door, but it was locked, she kept turning the knob.  Her persistence paid off.  It got the attention of the family that was still inside the office so they opened the door. Needless to say, the state trooper was not too happy. We were able to meet with his executive staff.  After a 15 minute meeting we then marched out and onto the next fortunate legislator.

We will update you once we have follow-up meetings with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and their staff.   

PACT Logo

Lyft has a policy to provide free rides to the polls for voters.  One problem: they had no wheelchair accessible rides.  So as soon as ADAPT of Texas found out about it, they sprang into action and won y’all in Austin a victory!

From: Lyft Austin <lyftaustin@lyft.com 

Sent: Monday, March 2, 2020, 5:48:02 PM CST

Subject: Super Tuesday (3/3/20) WAV Rides in Austin

Thank you [ADAPT] for connecting with our team. 

In partnership with Lone Star Transportation, Lyft is providing free Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) rides to the polls in Austin, Texas on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020, from 7am to 7pm CST.

Please call Lone Star Transportation (512-323-0160) to schedule or request a free WAV ride to a polling location in Austin, Texas on March 3, 2020 between 7am and 7pm CST. Passengers with wheelchairs must identify to the dispatcher that they are requesting a WAV ride with Lyft. The dispatcher will provide all necessary information to the passenger and dispatch a Dodge Caravan with Lone Star branding.

Passengers requesting a WAV ride may schedule a ride (for pick up between 7am – 7pm CST) in advance for shorter wait periods (recommended), or call for on-demand service via a Lone Star dispatcher. Dispatchers are available 24/7 to schedule rides. Service wait periods will depend on demand and traffic patterns, so we recommend scheduling a pick up time in advance.

Valid only for WAV rides to polling locations within a 20-mile radius of downtown Austin on Super Tuesday, March 3, 2020, 7am – 7pm CST. Rides must end within 20 miles of the original pick up location. Offered rides are in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Offer is not intended to induce, nor is it conditioned on, the act of voting, or voting for or against any particular person or measure.

Thank you, Lyft

AND we say thank you to Lyft for correcting this wrong. Free rides to the polls is a right on thing to do!  Now, it’s time to make these wheelchair accessible rides a permanent option!.

“Vote as if your life depends on it—because it does!” Justin Dart, Jr., Texan, patriot, father of the ADA

Early voting ran through Feb. 28th and Election Day is March 3rd.  Your vote is needed! Aside from the Presidential primaries, all the members of the US House of Representatives, Senator Cornyn, State Representatives, State Senators, Judges, Sheriffs and more are all up for re-election.  REV UP Texas has information on voting and getting involved. Local elections can have more impact on your life, so don’t forget to go down the whole ballot.  

Want to know the presidential candidates’ positions on disability issues?  You can download that information from this REV UP site.  For more general information and other races, the League of Women voters puts out a voters guide, as do many local papers and community groups.  Vote 411 has info on your personal ballot, so you can plan your voting and get a head start, just click here.  The Texas Secretary of State’s office can help you find your polling place, or your County Clerk’s office can help.

The National ADAPT collective came to a decision last night to put out this statement. (ADAPT of Texas, Desert ADAPT and Gulf Coast ADAPT support this statement.) The attachment reads:

         National ADAPT

a national grass-roots community that organizes disability rights activists… to assure the civil and human rights of people with disabilities to live in freedom

February 17, 2020

It is clear that, for some time now, Bruce Darling has not been acting in the best interests of ADAPT. 

Bruce Darling no longer represents, or speaks for, National ADAPT.

 Bruce Darling no longer is an organizer or leader for National ADAPT

 The ADAPT Collective

We are Surveying the Grassroots regarding Attendant Services

PACT and ADAPT are surveying folks regarding their attendant services.  We want to get a better picture from around Texas of what people’s experiences are.  You can be anonymous if you prefer but we want your input!  It’s not long so you will be done quickly.

And we’d appreciate it if you’d share this survey with folks you know as well.

The Social Media link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8VW6MQ8

The email link is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5Z7QHWN

CLICK HERE to take our survey and share your experiences!