May
18, 2012
Nancy
Olewiler
Chair, TransLink Board of Directorsboard@translink.ca
Dear Ms. Olewiler:
The
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists – British Columbia (CAOT-BC) is
the provincial professional association for occupational therapists. I am
writing you on behalf of CAOT-BC with concerns about the recent decision to
discontinue the Taxi Saver program.
As
health professionals who frequently make recommendations for accessible
transportation for our clients with disabilities, we urge you to reconsider the
decision to eliminate the Taxi Saver program. Community access and
transportation is one of the many areas assessed by occupational therapists.
Both HandyDART and the Taxi Saver program offer good solutions for our clients
to enable them to access their communities be it for access to medical and
rehabilitation appointments, access to shopping and even leisure needs to promote
social inclusion.
The
Taxi Saver program is a valuable component of accessible transportation for
clients with disabilities, in particular, those who are low income. In
addition, this service is invaluable for those who are unable to book an
appointment in advance (e.g. emergency or same day need), as must be done using
the HandyDART program. The discontinuation of this program will have a negative
impact on the independence of people with disabilities.
CAOT-BC
would like to offer our support to review this decision and invite you to meet
to discuss this in more detail.
Sincerely,
Giovanna
Boniface, OT
Managing
Director of CAOT-BC / Directrice
générale de l'ACE-CB Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists / Association
canadienne des ergothérapeutes
613-523-2268 or 800-434-2268 ext. 265
Fax: 613-523-2552
Martin Crilly, TransLink Regional Transportation Commissioner (via email: martin.crilly@translinkcommission.org)
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