Pacific DAWN
(DisAbled Women’s Network)
covering British Columbia and the Yukon

 Invites you to join their
Annual General Meeting
Sunday June 24, 2012
11am to 3pm

 Blusson Spinal Cord Centre
818 W. 10^th Avenue, (at Willow St.)
Vancouver, B.C.

and
Let’s discuss:

What are our Issues?
What are the Solutions?

We are the experts on our own experiences and using Open Spaces
We will share our knowledge.

Following the formal Annual General Meeting there will be an opportunity to discuss the issues we face as women with disAbilties and a brainstorming session about what are some of the solutions.

For further information or to lets us know you are coming please contact Pat Kelln Spokesperson Pacific DAWN at   pkelln@telus.net or 604-524-2329

Note: Light snacks will be served so we need to know how many are coming.

If you are a member and would like to attend, but lack of funds does not allow you to please contact us pkelln@telus.net as there are some funds available for travel and accommodation.

Pacific DAWN invites and urges you to also attend the
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities Annual General Meeting
June 23 10:30 am to 1:05pm; same location The Blusson Spinal Cord Centre.

‘swan song productions’ presents Tea and Oranges, a benefit concert with San Francisco’s Conspiracy of Beards

– 30 men singing the songs of Leonard Cohen

Tickets $25: available at www.teaandoranges.eventbrite.ca or at the door

8 pm (doors open at 7 pm)
Friday, June 1st, 2012
Heritage Hall, 3102 Main Street (at 15th Avenue)

A fundraiser for Kickstart Disability Arts and Culture with Special Guest MC Jan Derbyshire!

Information: www.kickstart-arts.ca or www.conspiracyofbeards.com

Contact: info@kickstart-arts.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2012

Groups oppose TransLink’s Plan To Eliminate TaxiSaver Program for HandyDART Users

Vancouver: TransLink’s Board has voted to eliminate the Taxi Saver Program which provides people who are registered HandyDART users a 50% subsidy for taxi rides. While timelines have yet to be finalized it appears that TaxiSaver coupons will not be accepted after June 2013 and that registrants after July 2012 will not be able to purchase them.

The Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (COSCO) and the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) are extremely disappointed that the program is slated to end. “This will definitely have a negative impact on seniors living on low income and frail seniors who use taxi savers,” said Lorraine Logan Vice President of COSCO.

BC Transit’s website explains that TaxiSavers “provide registered handyDART clients with greater convenience for spontaneous travel when HandyDART cannot accommodate their travel needs.” But at a meeting this week, TransLink representatives told COSCO, BCCPD and other stakeholders that it wants to eliminate the program and apply the savings to HandyDART so that it can provide more rides. TransLink said savings can be made because its records show that only 13% of TaxiSaver users ride on HandyDART.

Stakeholders pointed out that the decision does not make financial sense: people who use TaxiSavers pay half their taxi fare. By taking away the subsidy many will only use HandyDART which per ride is a more expensive option than taxis.

Lilo Ljubisic, a totally blind Paralympian said, “TaxiSavers are an essential lifeline that bridge the gap when regular transit and HandyDART can’t provide the support I need. I use TaxiSavers as a last resort as part of a blended approach for my transit needs. Eliminating this program will limit my independence and impact my confidence about getting around because knowing I can call a taxi when I need one makes me feel safe.”

“Many people with disabilities and seniors live in poverty,” said the BCCPD’s Jane Dyson. “We’re concerned that they will have less access to the community and that their quality of life will suffer. We are urging TransLink to re-think this cut.”

________________________

For more information please contact:

Jane Dyson – 604-875-0188