Help Maat Travel to DC for NPPMA Rally and Congressional Meetings May 20-24, 2013

 Third Year

It's Time Again for annual rally for 

National Paratransit People's Movement Assembly 

May 20-24, 2013

Join us in DC or Chicago 

or help Dr. Maat to go to DC 

January 20, 2013 Reposted - If You Believe in a Green Environment and Green Transportation Even For People Who Are Disabled or Boomers, Join Green Think Tank for the Disability Community and Support the Movement

Today, I am calling on Google Readers, G+ Members, gmail users, +GreenITers, and bloggers +Net2Chi, +Access DMV,  +ADAPT, +Jeanette Exom +eugene frazier   +Sy Bounds  +Pete Preston, et al to join the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community if you are willing to share your talents and donate time, funds or wisdom to greening the disability community: from affordable or low-income, accessible green housing coops to accessible solar-powered and hydrogen-powered cars, and green medicine and healthcare, organic growing and organic vegan dining (raw, biogenic or living).    We are also shouting out for support to: +Javier Robles +Hunter Adams +Sabeel El +Frank Yurasek +Demetrius  Frazier +Janice Harris +U. S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky , +janelle.o.barnes@lawrence.edu +Quintin Williams USSF +Ernie Martinez  +Mim Rose  +PIRG +Brittney Gault +Bridget Bodo  +Michelle Love +Andrea Graham  et al As Javier Robles says 'We are ThisAbled."  As IMPRUVE says, "WE WILL NOT BE SILENT. Like an oak we bend, but we do not break. "  As Diane Coleman says, "We're Not Dead Yet."  As Maat says, "Move forward like the kangaroo...bringing order to chaos." As Mary Baker Eddy says, "Let nothing crush you. Rise immediately.  We need students to do solar research and engineering students to help us solve the design problems of doors and wheelchair ramps for the solar car.  We need help from elected officials and green auto industry  to get the closed factory space re-opened for assembly of the solar cars.  We are still in the stages of getting the solar-powered car into the hands of all who need it who cannot drive or buy regular cars or pay high paratransit fees or wheelchair taxi fares or have no usable accessible transit or wheelchair taxis in their areas, or have respiratory issues that biofuels, gasoline, diesel fuel or motor oil exacerbate.   We are working secondarily with the Green Paratransit Think Tank.  And working to get green jobs or green self-employment for people who are disabled (PWDs), Baby Boomers, youth and seniors in nanotechnology, solar auto dealerships and maintenance & repair, and home-based insurance agencies.           If you want to help financially, Don't forget to Click the button to donate through PayPal; you can use your credit card if you do not have a PayPal account

Public Announcement

For Immediate Release – January 20, 2013



From: National Paratransit Peoples’ Movement Assembly Contacts:

c/o IMPRUVE Dr. Ayo Maat,

6951 N. Sheridan Rd 773-416-7366

Chicago IL 60626-3527 Cecelia Jackson, Secy 773-544-9488



“ Accessible transportation is a basic right and the disability community is not a one size fits all community. We and our supporters are concerned that Congress may not consider the best interests and needs of the people who are disabled who ride paratransit and are forced by FTA policy to pay as much as twice the fixed route public transit fare despite having the lowest disposable incomes in the nation.

          You have a stake in the ability of this nation to provide a higher quality of life for its most neglected populations. This includes  Persons who are disabled (PWD's).  The disability community needs jobs, independent green transportation for those times when the paratransit and wheelchair taxis just aren't available or cost too much, or PWD's need unexpeceted transportation to pick up children from school or handle emergencies or cannot ride public buses and trains, or to travel to conferences, rallies, the store, short trips, worship, to visit,  to paid work,  to volunteer, to get to suburbs, etc.

       

           Every May, NPPMA invites paratransit riders, the disability community and supporters to Washington DC to advoacte with Congress and for our memorial rally for paratransit riders who have passed into transition from earthly living (passed away).  

You are invited. 

Help us to remove the isolation that pushes people who are disabled and seniors or boomers with low income  into a lower quality of life that places them at risk for avoidable, though catastrophic illness or premature death as funds for paratransit diminish and we  are unable to access appropriate affordable transportation to meet our needs and pocketbooks, and get to regular or alternative healthcare, worship service, and the activities that allow us to be on equal footing with our non-disabled peers in terms of employment and quality of life ..." - Ayo Maat, Ph.D., founder, IMPRUVE and NPPMA (National Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly)

Members of the disability community who ride paratransit and have the lowest employment rates and lowest disposable incomes and our supporters request that our voices be heard by Congress, the President, and the public. Join us.

Much has changed in Congress since 2004, 2008 and 2012, but little has changed in the needs of the persons who are disabled.

As an option, we further invite the members of Congress and the public who are disabled  though better off financially than the average person to walk in our shoes using only the equivalent of our average available disposable income for transportation for just one month, particularly in the cities or states that do not have wheelchair taxis, or charge unaffordable prices for paratransit or have reduced services due to the high costs of operating.

Ride public transit, paratransit, taxi service or Medicar service for one month incognito and see what we face-speak candidly with riders and drivers in your home city or state, but esp. Detroit, Chicago, Springfield IL, DC-VA-MD, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Nassau County NY, Miami, St. Petersburg FL, St. Louis, Portland OR and New York NY. If you can find a wheelchair taxi in Detroit at any time or more than one wheelchair taxi after 11 pm in DC or MD, please let us know. Thank you, thank you, thank you in advance for doing the right thing.



Sincerely,



Ms. Ayo Maat, Ph.D, president/CEO, IMPRUVE, founder of NPPMA, paratransit and disability advocate, senior advocate, Pace paratransit rider, Mobility Direct rider (former Medicar rider—stopped because they would no longer pick up wheelchair clients due to long term nonpayment by IL Medicaid), legislative advocate

       Don't forget to Click the button to donate through PayPal; you can use your credit card if you do not have a PayPal account.   

NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:


IMPRUVE (Independent Movement of Paratransit Rider for Unity, Vehicles, Equality

National Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly (NPPMA)

BNICEH (Black Network In Children’s Emotional Health)

Green Think Tank Supports FREE classes: Fighting Poverty with Technology Project

We are engaged in exciting activities nationally trying to get the right Surface Transit Bill passed (see other posts); helping to get a solar car into the hands of all who desire cheaper greener transit with help from private and public partnerships and young engineers to make the car accessible without defeating the purpose of using solar energy or the status of being a NEV (see other posts); and  trying to raise funds to continue our volunteer operations.    

       Don't forget to Click the button to donate through PayPal or use your credit card if you want to help out. 

   

So we can continue the Solar Car Project

  

And periodic IT Classes and advocacy programs

            In Chicago and Evanston, the FREE IT classes are

          still available through August 28--Register Today.  

  Call or go online to www.epl.org and click on calendar events under IMPRUVE IT Training on Tuesdays at 6 pm or  Sat at 10 am.  Fighting Poverty with Technology.  Sponsored by Google with the support of HandsOn Tech Chicago, Americorps Vista, IMPRUVE and Evanston Public Library...Not Just Google Training

HandsOn Tech Chicago, IMPRUVE, BNICEH, Evanston Public Library, Chicago Digital Access Alliance and Google: "Fighting Poverty With Technology" March 27-August 28, 2012

Contact Dr. Maat 773-916-MAAT ayomaat@gmail.com or Peter Anderson  at peter00a@gmail.com  

HOTC is no longer involved with training at EPL as of July 12, 2012.  847-228-1320 handsontechchicago@gmail.com  http://www.volunteerinfo.net/hotc/

          Request a detailed schedule of class sessions by email.  
                         Online tutorials also available.

Register weekly for Tuesday or Saturday by the day before the class or walk-in.  Nt: Lit: 12 student per day unless you have a laptop.  When we are full, you must share a PC or bring your own laptop (we can seat up to 20 only - PCs and laptops).

Classes Tuesday 6:00-8:45 pm and Saturday 10 am - 1pm (sometimes until 12:30 or 12:45 pm) on 3rd floor Room 303

Evanston Public Library (EPL) 1703 Orrington Evanston IL 60302 - Register at www.epl.org - click onto computer training for Tuesday or Saturday by IMPRUVE 

Looking for more volunteer IT trainers and IT assistants to do 1-on-1s with seniors, persons who are disabled and novices for this community training. Community members, Nonprofits welcome, too, from greater Chicago area.  You do not have to live in Evanston.

Did you forget?  Can't volunteer.  

Want to help anyway? 

Then Click the button and donate through PayPal

 

   

To Go Drectly to the Letter for Surface Transit Bill

This is correct link to see the blog to sign the letter although you can also click on View Blog and look for the letter, too:

http://greenthinktankfordisabilitycommunity.blogspot.com/2012/06/sign-onto-letter-for-surface-transit.html

Support Designated Funding in Surface Transit Bill of Congress by June 30 2012

The trip to DC May 14-19, 2012 by IMPRUVE for NPPMA Memorial rally was a success due to the advocacy of a chosen few and receptivity of Congressional Reps, the Hon. Jan Schakowsky and Hon. Bobby Rush,  the staff of various Senators and Representatives,  the subcommittees on transit and hwys, and the Conference Committee for the Surface Transit Bill.

The Conference Committee was created to pass a good bill that is rider-friendly and sustains paratransit, wheechair taxis and Medicars.  Hopefully, they will support legalization of rider-owned Green Paratransit and solar-powered NEV's (neighborhood low-speed  electric vehicles) now or by or before 2016!!

We need all who agree to add their name to the letter of support for a strong Surface Transit Bill with designated funding for paratransit, Medicaid payment for paratransit to provide medical trips that Medicars do not, wheelchair taxis, Medicars (ambulettes) and senior Freedom Ride transit.

Please add your name or org. to the letter or ask us to add your name.  And ask friends, colleagues, family, elected officials, employees, to add their names, too. Thanks.  

Here is the link to the letter just ask us to send with your name added:

Read letter at link below (just Click (or hit ctrl key while clicking the mouse) below, 

 http://greenthinktankfordisabilitycommunity.blogspot.com/2012/06/sign-onto-letter-for-surface-transit.html

then see video and read more details at http://bniceh.blogspot.com/2012/05/sign-letter-for-federal-surface-transit.html  (this letter version is not as readable as the one above, but the video explains more about why we need the bill passed)

Sierra Transportation in Pittsburgh, Battles' Tranportation in DC, Mobility Direct and Pace Freedom Ride van pools  in Chicago, parent accessible van pool in Green Bay and pilot system that wheelchair taxi drivers are partnering to do with paratransit-eligible rider groups such as IMPRUVE are but a few examples of transportation systems or providers  besides regular paratransit  that can handle or be models for wheelchair taxi service, Medicar service, rider-owned paratransit groups and private paratransit in other cities or states.

We pray that Senator Mark Kirk becomes more active in these effort as he continues rehabilitation  from stroke and other legislators, local elecetd officials, and transit agency heads  who are elected or appointed pick up the baton and run with it for the good of all concerned.

Much thanks to these persons for making our trip possible, making our stay more pleasant or providing support for distribution of the Surface Transit bill support letter:

• Chuck Idol Sr. of Long Island Builders and American Idol Pro for his media, legislative advocacy, video documentation, and financial support to IMPRUVE and NPPMA for ths issue;

• Pierre Clark of Chcago Digital Access Alliance for financial support;
• Dr. Frank Yurasek of National College of Health Sciences and Acuwerks for financial support;
• Marian Jarocki and U.S Equities, manager of Chgo French Market, for financial support;

• Sy Bounds, the blog Professor, for video support and tips on monetization;
• Margo McClain, of Golden Girl Events, for arranging the trip and events planning expertise;
• The board of directors and members of IMPRUVE and BNICEH for fundraising activities;
• Nate  Mines, certified health consultant and naturopath of Dynamc Health and Wellness Center in DC for moral and health support;
• Carol Jones and  Polly Gaza of RAW at Chcago French Market, for moral and health support;
• Hatice and Aysin Yavuz of pH for Balance, for moral, financial and health support;
• David Hosea, for financial support;
• Ra Hetep (Mark Stewart), for financial support;
• Mim Rose Gilles dePelichy, for financial support;
• Drs. Bob and Judith Wright of Wright (an institute and graduate school respectively), for personal transformation in Chgo and Wisconsin) for training off IMPRUVE members, financial and moral support;

• Pete Preston of Massage Systems for financial support;

Support Green Fun Raiser Sat. March 17 - Help BNICEH

Green “Fun” Raiser  - Benefit  for BNICEH  
at Chicago French Market

Actress/Model Ramissa
promotes Green Fun Raiser and
organic skincare and haircare

Sat. March 17, 2012 11am-3 pm



Dr. Frank Yurasek
http://www.acuwerks.com/
"Make Your Own  Medicine"



Chicago French Market

131 N. Clinton Chicago – Ogilvie Train Station-

Alternate entrance for paratransit: 118 N. Canal

FREE admission/ Donation: $ 15-20

(paid members of IMPRUVE may request discount)

BNICEH Fundraiser for Women’s Conference and Trip to Washington DC with NPPMA (National Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly)

Dr. Maat, CEO-president, BNICEH Welcomes you to the Chicago French Market - Music, lectures, technology demo, raw food samples, PowerPoints, live demos, treatment for balding, Food as Medicine, De-stressing with food or massage

                                          

Flowers by Les Fleurs (Chicago French Market)

Massage Systems Inc – table and chair massages at extra cost, proceeds benefit BNICEH (“be nicer”)

• Lectures on raw food prep, nutrition, de-stressing, food and moods

• Technology lecture/demo/CDAA

• Lecture, organic hair care and skincare by Chatto to prevent or stop balding, heal razor bumps, skin    problems -  - Canceled by Chatto - Won't be Available this week

• Acuhand therapy, Tui Nai, Medical Qigong

• Handcrafted pillows, quilting demo

List of Speakers/demos:

Dr. Ayo Maat- green educator,

  

Carol Jones or Poly Gaza, co-owners of RAW (Raising Awareness Worldwide)

Dr. Frank Yurasek, L.Ac, NMD, Nat’l College Acupuncture Clinic, Medical Qigong, Acuhand therapy, TCM, Pain Clinic Stroger Hospital   Video of interview of Dr. Yuurasek and Dr. Maat at "From the Heartland" - discsion of green medicine vs. white medicine (drugs), and red medicine (surgery)
http://youtu.be/XPOpF8lyCZo

 Dr. Maisha Hamilton, former forensic psychologist;  - Canceled. Dr. Hamilton no longer available March 17

Chatto Wright of Chatto, award-winning esthetician, organic skincare and haircare products – demo of healing of balding in clients-how to prevent or reverse  Contact her at 312-640-0003 to schedule  an appointment or inquire about her next lecture.  She is no longer available March 17.

http://www.chatto.com/



               

Massage Systems Inc.

"I Feel Good!"

"Let's Cut Some Stress"

        (No Disrobing)



http://www.massagesystemsinc.com/massage_systems_inc_007.htm

Pete Preston, founder Massage Systems Inc.





Table massage available if you schedule in advance

Sponsor Info: Call Dr. Maat 773-416-7366

email: greenthinktank@comcast.net   bniceh@yahoo.com

 Pierre Clark and Sy Bounds, Chicago Digital Access Alliance

Pierre Clark, CEO-cofounder

 

   



Pot of Gold Sponsors:  RAW, Massage Systems Inc,  Chicago Digital Access Alliance, Chicago French Market, Ibeji Resource Center, pH for Balance, Les Fleurs, HandsOn Tech Chicago, Wright Learning Institute

Produced by BNICEH

http://www.frenchmarketchicago.com/events/ 



Sy Bounds, the Blog Professor
from Chicago Digital Access Alliance
with actor Max Gail (who played character
Det. Stan "Wojo" Wojciehowicz from
Barney Miller TV Series 1975-1982)


 http://www.phforbalance.com/

Help BNICEH/IMPRUVE  Meet or Get Closer to Our Goal
Restricted Trip Fund to Date -  $    1,800 
Goal  -                                           $  10,000

Thanks.

RSVP to:  773-916-MAAT or 773-416-7366
bniceh@yahoo.com
greenthinktank@comcast.net

 



http://www.massagesystemsinc.com/massage_systems_inc_007.htm 



50% of All Chair and Table Massage

Costs Benefit BNICEH

Massage Systems Inc.

"I Feel Good!"
"Let's Cut Some Stress"

(No Disrobing)

Sign Up for A Massage Time Slot for 3/17/12

Indicate Table massage or chair massage

Call 630-215-6000

Thanks for your support

IMPRUVE Paratransit PMA - 12 Action Ideas

Paratransit Peoples Movement Assembly – We went national in 2010!
OCCUPY Public Servants With Our Issues

Action Ideas –Jan. 26-May 15, 2012

"Never underestimate the power of one person." Eleanor Roosevelt

These action ideas are for paratransit riders, drivers and transit advocates for mass transit and paratransit. We have a plan to improve the current paratransit system and a solution to end or prevent Transit Eugenics; we plan to launch the plan step-by-step between now and 2016—it is a national plan that can be replicated city by city, state by state. Those who choose to ride the carriers of their current service boards may continue. We will set an alternative that is rider-owned, Green, and controlled by us—PWDs (persons who are disabled)!

Twelve Action Ideas for Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly

1. Attend benefits for IMPRUVE Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly (NPPMA). Donate cash. Donate items to the Silent Auction. Next benefit is: March 17, 2012


2. Write to your U.S. Senators, U.S. Representative, and Senator Rockefeller, chairman of Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee for a hearing on paratransit for Transit Equity nationally under ADA guidelines, Green Paratransit run by PWDs to provide Green jobs for PWDs to lift us out of poverty and have sustainable income. Contact impruve2@yahoo.com for letter samples.


3. Promote the National Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly (NPPMA)on your website and newsgroup


4. Organize 20-100 paratransit riders and their advocates in your region


5. Submit names of paratransit riders who passed away 2009-2012; Make your own Memorial posters to carry to events


6. Set up your own fundraising or ask 30 people to donate $10-30 on your trip


7. Attend next meeting: TBA at AIMMC 836 W. Wellington Olson Auditorium Chicago 60657 Normally evenings 2-5:30 pm. RSVP to 773-544-9488


8. Ask to be invited to the bi-monthly Green Think Tank and NPPMA Rondee teleconferences email: ayomaat@hotmail.com or the occasional National Paratransit People’s Movement Assembly 800 planning teleconferences. Email Ernie Martinez: ernie@soflacil.org


9. Organize phone blitzes now through May until a meeting or hearing is granted in DC or various regions on paratransit or they bail us out or stop the FTA provision where a service board can charge up to twice the fixed route fare.


10. Choose a partner to share rides, hotel room, food when you attend the 2012 NPPMA


11. Pray for an end to any disparate impact and oppressive treatment on people with disabilities who ride paratransit, and a block on cuts to Medicaid, SSA & home services.


12. Request “The Paratransit Is My Transit” song by email: impruve2@yahoo.com Sing, learn the melody. Bring with you to events. Add new stanzas pertaining to your city


Ayo Maat, Ph.D. 773-416-7366 Visit www.greenthinktankfordisabilitycommunity.blogspot.com










Think you have no power? No money? No way to win against Big Money lobbyists and billionaires and millionaires in government?






We have 42,000 paratransit riders in Illinois, give or take a few who have passed or been terminated by the paratransit and new persons added (including returned veterans). We need to set the example and work with other states. We must convince the Congress, the U.S. Access Board, the FTA, the President and the Justice Dept to do the right thing. We must melt the cold hearts and resistance of those who set policy that affects us. We must fight with all we've got when they resist reason. Never give up. We can shatter resistance best by standing for the good and ourselves resisting the temptation to wish harm on others or to misdirect our anger.

We blocked (jammed) the switchboard years ago (1990s) during the “Amanda Wallace case” to prevent legislators from making the wrong decision about children and parents who are disabled when we protested unfair child welfare policy in the state. It worked. Legislators acted responsibly and did not pass the legislation that we felt was unfair to families. State Rep. Mary Flowers studied the issue, paid attention to or arguments, and changed her vote. She asked how did we mobilize so fast to jam the legislative switchboard in the state capital (BNICEH mobilized overnight and into the wee hours of the morning). Note, this was without major funding, without a court injunction, without paying stipends and salaries, before the public Internet, and before most people had cell phones, computers, IPods, access to cable and digital bulletin boards, and smart phones; and without advertising or doing public service messages on radio, in print media or major networks. It was perfect framing of the issue, word-of-mouth and the telephone that won the victory for us. It was the Power of the People determined and with a righteous cause.
 

Junto ganaremos! Together, we will win!

Email to join IMPRUVE and NPPMA: impruve-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

We need not let our federal legislators off the hook. Tell them: Stop the cuts! Not on Our Backs! No Fare hikes (Metro Access in DC is set to go up anyday)! No extra tax on recipients of low-income and blue collar workers! Join us, vets and disability and transit advocates!

OCCUPY Public Servants With Our Issues!