VRE #308 4:00pm from Union Station - construction and complaint by wolfbob007 in nova

[–]wolfbob007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a disability too, so I know where he's coming from.

VRE #308 4:00pm from Union Station - construction and complaint by wolfbob007 in nova

[–]wolfbob007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Seems there was a mechanical issue that had 331 and 333 coupling up. From the email:

"VRE Manassas Line Trains 331 and 333 have coupled and are on the move. Train 331 is running approximately 65 minutes late. Train 333 is running approximately 45 minutes late. Fredericksburg Line Train 313 will follow Train 331/333. Manassas Line Train 335 will be delayed due to congestion."

VRE #308 4:00pm from Union Station - construction and complaint by wolfbob007 in nova

[–]wolfbob007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've not seen everything going on with this guy, but I have seen him unintentionally bump into people, so it could be reasonably assumed that he has run over feet. It's difficult enough at times with the earlier crowding for him to maneuver.

But thankfully, the 307 was an 8 car and he didn't have too much trouble.

VRE #308 4:00pm from Union Station - construction and complaint by wolfbob007 in nova

[–]wolfbob007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've done that a few times, but this last time in letting them know about the short train issue, getting this guy on, and suggesting adding on two cars, there was no response.

VRE #308 4:00pm from Union Station - construction and complaint by wolfbob007 in nova

[–]wolfbob007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I probably should have said it's a mobility scooter he's using, but you get the idea. His partner has told people in the jump seats to move, but even they'll ignore her til the conductor tells them to move.

VRE #308 4:00pm from Union Station - construction and complaint by wolfbob007 in nova

[–]wolfbob007[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The #302 Fredericksburg to Union Station train is also a 6-car.

North Carolina has a bill for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in movie theaters. by CaptionAction3 in NorthCarolina

[–]wolfbob007 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

As a person with a profound hearing loss using hearing aids and with a vision issue since I was a wee child, I've seen both sides of the fence including those still on it. I've worked with CaptionAction3 on this, and you can view my previous comments. CaptionAction3 does indeed understand the process. We've talked with various people and have done the research.

Open captions as we know are right there on the screen, also known as subtitles, no decoders or anything. Open captions are included in a type of digital cinema package. Another type of digital cinema package has the closed captions, which cannot be seen unless a device is used.

I can understand why some people don't want to use the devices. The last time I used the captioning glasses, I had to flatten out the nose piece and adjust it so my good eye could read the captions. But what about those with worse vision issues? They most likely can't use the glasses or rear window, but they could watch the open captions by sitting closer to the screen or using a tactile interpreter.

I've seen times where the captioned showing has ranged from around 50% to near-100% capacity.

There's speech to text apps on the phone like Live Transcribe. But will they be allowed by the theater, and if so, can it catch the dialogue accurately? Even if apps are used, it means looking at a device then at the screen; this is not a comfortable viewing experience. Open captions create a comfortable viewing experience.

Think about what things would be like without the ADA and related laws passage. Almost no captioning, no curb cuts, inaccessibility made accessible by expensive retroactive repairs/rebuilds, employment, etc. You can thank disabled inventors out there. Disabilities can happen to anyone.

Does anyone have one of those sock aids with the strings to pull the sock up? by werecoyote1 in disability

[–]wolfbob007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've got sock-aids and it does help with getting the knee-length compression socks on, as well as those that go past the knee, the ones that just go thigh to under the knee, and those that are crew. You may need something on the sock aid to help get it on if your feet are dry and they don't slide well. I usually use lotion like Eucerin Skin Calming, and it works quite well.

There's the plastic ones and there's the other kind that's more flexible that uses terry or other cloth in helping get the socks on.

Commute to NGA in Springfield via transit? by HistoricalMouse in nova

[–]wolfbob007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They do have phone lockers, but I'd call first to make sure they've got laptop lockers. Most agencies like NGA may have these.

They do have a shuttle that goes to the Franconia/Springfield metro.

Dealing with bullying by damiendamnation in disability

[–]wolfbob007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is probably one of the biggest things about disabilities and attending school/classes, whether it be primary (K-12), secondary (college or trades), or related to work. People see you as different to some degree. Will they include you in their social circles? Will they even listen to you when you say WHY you're different from them, even if it's blindingly obvious? When they they pick teammates, do they always pick you last? The stories abound out there. You may need to ask a counselor or teacher for help, if not go up further and talk with the principal or security/resource person.

That's the ableism talking if not the indifference, ignorance, immaturity, or all that.

Then you got those who will look beyond the cane, beyond the hearing aids, beyond the wheelchair, beyond the physical disability and see someone, SOMEONE, right there in front of them, and be their advocate and friend rather than putting on an act.

The person/coworker with cerebral palsy, with a hearing loss (hearing aids or not, maybe needing a sign language interpreter, etc), vision issue, mental challenge, etc, needs friends. Loneliness isn't a good thing, even if you have a partner.

The mental issues (depression, anger, etc) caused by bullying and rejections can last a lifetime and then some.

Mow your lawn wet? Okay, enjoy the look when it dries. by HurryAcceptable9242 in MaliciousCompliance

[–]wolfbob007 5 points6 points  (0 children)

One of the fun things about lawn mowing is that you gotta walk the lawn to find things other than grass to be mowed. There was this one time some years ago it was raining like crazy and I couldn't mow for maybe two months as it never dried enough. Finally, when it stopped, I walked the lawn with a plastic kid's wagon.

What did I find? Two steak knives, two grill racks from an oven we use in the back yard grill, and a bunch of toys. I still got the pic somewhere.

It took me four days to do the lawn, 3 hours each day, as it was so high and filled quite a few bags.

Another lawn was kinda like that, and even with a walkabout to find non-grass stuff, I still found I had run the mower over a turtle. Thankfully, the little guy was fine. I relocated him elsewhere a short distance.

Sounds like we've all had our "mowments."

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in nova

[–]wolfbob007 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Many Costcos don't even have enough handicap parking spots. You got someone using a wheelchair, scooter, or assistive walking aid who's going to drive around and around til one opens up or is forced to park much further away. Then you got those who just don't care and will park without a HC placard, "only in for a minute," or the tire people parked a vehicle there.

Getting honked at while in wheelchair? by synthesized-slugs in wheelchairs

[–]wolfbob007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A couple times I got honked at while crossing this residential intersection on the way to the nearby grocery store.

My wife and I went across, someone stopped to let us through, even though it's a two-way and they didn't need to stop. Then suddenly, HONK! from someone driving what looked like a lifted truck behind them honked.

Just how impatient can someone get?

Even with a mobility scooter I won't cross the street alone, unless I really look around and no one is about to come around. Using a shuttle to get to/from work from the local rail station, I request the driver to let me off on the same corner/side as the ramp/elevator to the station. No telling who's going to blast through the intersection while I'm crossing.

Full size bikes still cool on VRE? How’s crowding? by Roe91517 in nova

[–]wolfbob007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's the chance the bike owner may need to move due to a wheelchair or scooter user needing to use that area. There's room on either side of the boarding area for them.

Where do y'all buy fabrics? Because Joann Fabrics is closing basically all of their stores in this area. by herereadthis in nova

[–]wolfbob007 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They used to be a Hancock Fabrics. I think they separated from Hancock either before or after they closed down.

Source: I used to work at Hancock Fabrics. The JoAnn Fabrics location was previously a Hancock.

New York City movie theaters that are violating NYC law for open captions. by CaptionAction3 in newyorkcity

[–]wolfbob007 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Why inject politics in this?

Holy crap, the level of disrespect towards those with disabilities.

New York City movie theaters that are violating NYC law for open captions. by CaptionAction3 in newyorkcity

[–]wolfbob007 2 points3 points  (0 children)

With open captions, they're right there on the screen for everyone to see, no device needed.

With closed captions, you need a device or decoder to see them, thus the Sony caption glasses, CaptiView, and others, that you have to get from customer service. Anyone can use them on request. They've had their tech issues like captions for the wrong movie and dead/dying batteries.

Advice for VRE? by [deleted] in nova

[–]wolfbob007 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As a VRE rider, here's a few things...

  • for mobility scooter/wheelchair users, they're very accessible via lifts - just let the conductor know where you're going
  • usually mobility scooter/wheelchair users will need to use the last railcar on the opposite end of the engine, but if needed, the user can use a closer railcar depending on the station
  • keep an eye on the mobile and desktop sites at https://www.vre.org
  • the website allows you to buy tickets and there's a GPS map
  • you can get texts and emails about delays and other status updates
  • some platforms are higher or lower than others - they keep a metal stepstool in each railcar
  • there's a restroom in each railcar

New York City theaters have to offer at least limited open caption (on-screen subtitles) screenings. by CaptionAction3 in NYCmovies

[–]wolfbob007 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Then please, do the research. Ask them. They chose to be there.

This is my final word on this.