DATS refuses escort for significantly disabled man

An Edmonton mother is worried about the safety of her son, who has significant disabilities, after being told that he cannot have an escort while riding the citys DATS service.

"He's at the cognitive level of a about a five-year-old so would not be safe," said Brenda Long of her 20-year-old son, Willie.

Willie, who suffers from Down syndrome and cerebral palsy, is able to take the regular transit system during the summer. He regularly takes buses to a nearby swimming pool to exercise, as well as to a library one day a week, where he works sorting books.

During the winter, however, Willie cant get his wheelchair to the bus stop. So Long signed him up for DATS, the Disabled Adult Transit Service, which offers door-to-door service for people with physical or cognitive disabilities. He was approved about a year ago.

But when they tried to use the service, Long was told that she couldnt book a ride for someone to accompany Willie, as he was considered medically stable.

Long said Willie doesnt need assistance while riding the bus, but does need to be supervised while waiting for a ride or after getting off.

It would be a nightmare, she said.

He has enough cognitive abilities to get into a lot of trouble. He could decide it might be fun to take his wheelchair down the ramp onto the road.

Decisions can be appealed, but Long was told it was unlikely to do any good. She said other families have been frustrated by the policy, and she was told the only way around itwas to have her son's doctor prescribemedication he may need while on the bus.

I could say he gets very anxious on the bus, and he needs this sedative, Long said. It didnt seem right, because he doesnt get anxious.

Peter Stoye, regional director of the Alberta Council of Disability Services, said some passengers DATS deems medically stable could end up needing help if they have a seizure or an outburst while on the bus.

You never know when those are going to happen," he said."We need to know that the clients we support are safe.

It took a call Monday to Mayor Don Iveson during a live phone-in on CBCs Edmonton AM for Long to get the matter resolved. Less than two hours after phoning in about Willies predicament, she said DATScontacted her to say the case was being reviewed.

DATS director Ralph Brokop said thesituation was the result of a misunderstanding between DATS and the family.

"They were using a program that had escorts and now theyre likely to be using programs that dont necessarilytrigger that of an escort,so when we discovered today (Monday) thather son is going to a different facility that we had to review their escort situation."

Long said she is worriedwhat other families in the same situation will do.

"I can't be the first person who has made this request."

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