Consumer Advisory Committee
The nine-member committee
is responsible for providing the center’s Board of Trustees
with recommendations on matters important to consumers.
The committee generally meets on the 1st Tuesday of each
month at 2 p.m. at the regional center’s main office
in Van Nuys. The committee chairperson serves as a member
of the Board of Trustees.
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2009- CAC members: (Top row left to right) Gus Adams,
Keith Bonchek, Curtis Wang, and Robert Taylor.
Bottom Row Liz Lyons, Randy Horton,
Cathy Horton, Pam Aiona, and Beth Brodie.
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Consumer Advisory Committee
2009-2010 Training/Presentation Calendar
January 2010 - Disability Rights California (Scott Barron)
February 2010 - The Metropolitan Transit Authority, The TAP Card (MTA) (Randy Horton)
March 2010 - "Leadership Through Personal Change" DVD (Robert Taylor)
April 2010 - Ten Things to Know About Your Regional Center(Liz Lyons)
May 2010 - Housing (Susan Pittman)
Remarks by Randy Horton, the new CAC Chairperson for FY 2009-10
I want to use this opportunity to thank Pam Aiona for her hard work for serving as chair for Fiscal Year 2008-09.
Now I want to introduce myself as the new chairman for this committee.
My name is Randy Horton or some people know me as “the wheelchair cowboy.” Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I am an unflagging advocate, for myself and for others. I could not function as an advocate without my voice true technology.
I am a disabilities rights activist who fought for the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ). Going to Washington D.C. , I fought to make Greyhound buses accessible. I will use this opportunity as chairman to encourage my other colleagues to fight for their rights.
I’m happily married and living as a couple with my lovely wife. I will be here for you. The meeting is open for everybody. Your suggestions are welcome.
Thank you,
Randy
Consumer Advisory Committee
March Meeting Updates
by Eugene Baily
No! It’not “March Madness,” it’s not a big basketball game. It is the Consumer Advisory Committee starting of their March meeting. Randy Horton started the meeting a little after 2:00 p.m.
The committee had two presentations. 1. The Metropolitan Transit Authority. Mr. Hazen and Ms. Cook told the committee about the increased efforts of the MTA to accommodate people with disabilities. Also the drives will increase sensitivity training for the drivers, developed by the Easter Seals program. This is a 2-hour part of a mandatory 8-hour training course that drivers must take each year. Some of the other things they talk about were “flip card book” has been created that can flip the numbers to show bus you are waiting for. It also includes signs for “Access” and “Taxi” to help communicate what the rider is waiting for. These were some of the new programs coming the MTA.
The 2nd presentation was by Robert Taylor on The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Robert showed a part of DVD as an overview of the issues. The committee also approves the draft letter to Ms Guermsey, Randy will take it to the Board of Trustees for their approval.
The committee talked about Lanterman Developmental Center proposed to be closed. The committee had some issues and will forward to DDS before March 17th.
The Consumer Advisory Committee had nomination for new office for FY 2010-11. The election will be held at the April meeting.
Randy went over the additional handouts not in the packet. He also reminded the committee of the next meeting time on Tuesday April 6, 2010 at 2:00, 1st. Floor Conference Room. The meeting adjourned at about 3:15PM.
Board the Train, with Tickets or TAP Card
by Robert Taylor
Metro, aboard the buses has just created a new brochure, on how you must pay your fare or tap your TAP Card, when you go aboard a Metro Rail Train, and this is how it works:
For Paper One-Way Tickets, you buy separate tickets for every train you're going to board, and every ticket can be used only once. Here's an example: If you ride from the Red Line to the Blue Line, you buy two tickets, from the Gold Line to the Red Line, and to the Blue Line, you buy three tickets, and from the Red Line in one direction and back again, you buy two tickets.
For A TAP Card with a Monthly, Weekly or Day Pass , you tap the turnstile or validator every time you board a train. Here's an example: From the Red Line to the Gold Line, you Tap as you enter the Red Line, and again at the Gold Line before you board (a total of two taps), from the Green Line to the Blue Line to the Red Line to the Gold Line, you tap as you enter the Green Line, and again at each additional line before boarding (a total of four taps).
Coming Soon they will be TAP One-Way tickets for sale, here's how it is going to work: You buy separate tickets for every train you're going to board. You tap one ticket on the turnstile or validator before boarding each train, and each ticket can be used only once. Here's an example: From the Red Line to the Blue Line, you buy two tickets; you tap one ticket as you enter the Red Line, and you tap the other at the Gold Line before you board, and from the Gold Line to the Red Line to the Blue Line, you buy three tickets, you tap one as you enter the Red Line, and you tap another at each additional line before boarding.
And finally, here's a money-saving tip for Consumers, buy a Day Pass on your TAP card if you plan to board four or more trains, or transfer to buses, in a day.
If you have any questions, you can go to Metro's website at: www.metro.net, or call: (800) 464-2111, and speak to someone in: Customer Service for help, or call TAP, at: (866) 827-8646, or go to their website at: www.taptogo.net , and they can help you.
Change to Public Library Hours
by Robert Taylor
As of December 11, 2009, the Libraries in the City of Los Angeles, have changed times, due to the budget situation the City of Los Angeles, is going through. Please, go to: www.lapl.org , for the new times your public library, will be open, Thanks!
How to become a committee member
In order to become a member of the Consumer Advisory Committee,
an individual must be a primary consumer (client) of the
regional center. No prior committee experience is required.
For more information or for an application, please contact
Jennifer Kaiser at (818) 756-6118 or by e-mail at jennifrk@nlacrc.org.
Thank you!
FAQ
