IMPRUVE (Independent Movement of Paratransit Riders for Unity, Vehicles, Equality)

Paratransit riders IN CHICAGO AND MANY INNER CITIES have never healed of the heart and mind damage of disability discrimination, segregation, class bias, racial bias, experimentation (sterilization, injection with toxins and chemicals), forced unemployment, poor legal representation, disproportionate representation in nursing homes, and poor housing standards. We have unfair or no representation in political systems and are mistreated by public servants who feel we are a burden to transit and human services systems. We will discuss problems in NE IL where 71-80% of paratransit riders live in Chicago and are Black. About 58% live in poverty. Paratransit advocates will briefly share their stories of transit eugenics (oppressive paratransit policy and disability discrimination) before we break into small groups. IMPRUVE will circulate its Declaration of Transit Freedom and Justice for Freedom and Justice for workshop participants to sign. IMPRUVE president (Ms. Ayo Maat) will facilitate. The groups will determine how they will meet in their respective cities and states to put recommended alternatives or actions into practice, and stay in touch with IMPRUVE.

People who are disabled use a lot of energy in their daily life activities. IMPRUVE is taking steps through the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet and work toward green economy and green collar jobs and businesses. The Soular Car Project will create green jobs and provide Green transit. The Soular Car Project is the brainchild of Douglas Larson, mechanical engineer formerly with Chrysler, who is working with the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community. IMPRUVE, a member of the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community, will present on this project as the first step to a Green Paratransit. The project began in 2009. Cruise Car is the manufacturer who will convert the car to use hand controls and for acceptance in Chicago under its local NEV(Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) ordinance. We will show how this project can be a first step to green collar jobs for people who are disabled and seniors who have been unemployed long term. Also, how seniors and those who have not driven in a while due to fear or driving regular cars at high speed might feel more confident with the solar-powered low speed cars. We will discuss the need to invest in Green paratransit and paratransit van pools for people who cannot ride mass transit due to disability and environmental illness.

Paratransit riders IN CHICAGO AND MANY INNER CITIES have never healed of the heart and mind damage of disability discrimination, segregation, class bias, racial bias, experimentation (sterilization, injection with toxins and chemicals), forced unemployment, poor legal representation, disproportionate representation in nursing homes, and poor housing standards. We have unfair or no representation in political systems and are mistreated by public servants who feel we are a burden to transit and human services systems. We will discuss problems in NE IL where 71-80% of paratransit riders live in Chicago and are Black. About 58% live in poverty. Paratransit advocates will briefly share their stories of transit eugenics (oppressive paratransit policy and disability discrimination) before we break into small groups. IMPRUVE will circulate its Declaration of Transit Freedom and Justice for Freedom and Justice for workshop participants to sign. IMPRUVE president (Ms. Ayo Maat) will facilitate. The groups will determine how they will meet in their respective cities and states to put recommended alternatives or actions into practice, and stay in touch with IMPRUVE.

People who are disabled use a lot of energy in their daily life activities. IMPRUVE is taking steps through the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community to reduce our carbon footprint on the planet and work toward green economy and green collar jobs and businesses. The Soular Car Project will create green jobs and provide Green transit. The Soular Car Project is the brainchild of Douglas Larson, mechanical engineer formerly with Chrysler, who is working with the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community. IMPRUVE, a member of the Green Think Tank for the Disability Community, will present on this project as the first step to a Green Paratransit. The project began in 2009. Cruise Car is the manufacturer who will convert the car to use hand controls and for acceptance in Chicago under its local NEV(Neighborhood Electric Vehicle) ordinance. We will show how this project can be a first step to green collar jobs for people who are disabled and seniors who have been unemployed long term. Also, how seniors and those who have not driven in a while due to fear or driving regular cars at high speed might feel more confident with the solar-powered low speed cars. We will discuss the need to invest in Green paratransit and paratransit van pools for people who cannot ride mass transit due to disability and environmental illness.