xiomara guerra · about z! xiomara guerra xiolisagmail.com 1 xiomara (“z” for short) has always...

Xiomara Guerra IndustrIal desIgn PortfolIo 2017

About Z!

Xiomara Guerra | [email protected] 1

Xiomara (“Z” for short) has always loved helping people.

Early in nursing school, a professor taught Z that nurses work with the three H’s: Head, Heart, and Hands. That perspective proved true throughout her career as a Registered Nurse, starting in 2005 in a medical surgical unit, and continuing on to prestigious gastrointestinal endoscopy labs at USC University Hospital in Los Angeles and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

In 2012 she joined a pilot program funded by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) providing post-hospitalization care management to reduce hospital readmissions.

Z recently moved to New York City to pursue an MFA in Industrial Design at Parsons the New School for Design. She thrives on problem solving and learning through making, driven by a passion for improving quality of life and how humans care for one another.

THE RIDE

[John Doe], your Account ID Number for The Ride is: [123456] Your temporary service with The Ride will expire on: [Feb 1, 2015] Transportation will cost $3 each way To access services:

1. Schedule your interview

To extend services beyond the expiration date you must go to an in-person interview in Charlestown. The Ride will provide complimentary transport to the interview. Call The Ride Eligibility Center at 617-337-2727, option 4 Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 5 PM

2. Add money to your account

By phone: Call 888-844-0355, option 2 Monday – Friday: 7 AM – 8 PM Saturday – Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM You will need your Ride ID number and a debit card or major credit card Funds post in 1 hour

Online: http://commerce.mbta.com Funds post in 2 business days

In person: CharlieCard Store at Downtown Crossing Station Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 5:30 PM Accessible entrance is in the 101 Arch Street building in Downtown Crossing Funds post in 1 hour

3. Book your transport

Call [888-920-7433] 7 Days, Including Holidays: 8:30 AM – 5 PM Trips must be scheduled no later than 5 PM the day before travel, and up to 14 days in advance.

For questions about The Ride call 617-222-5123

Contents

03 An IV splint and guard

15 A new tool to facilitate crochet

20 A children’s creative activity

13 A desktop meditation inspiration

10 An improvement in patient communication

07A guidebook for staff independence

12. Final Calibration steps

Please read the following instructions to the end before starting the sequence.

Follow the prompts at the top right side of the screen.

First click on then click on

Within 20 seconds position the catheter at level of transducers

Do not occlude the sensors

Program will read “low level”

When prompted by computer, position catheter 50cm above transducers.

Program will read “high level”

Wait for “Calibration Succeeded”

Click to save calibration


The Cradle

03

A HANDCRAFTED BAMBOO SPLINT AND GUARD FOR IVS A powerful sentiment among hospital patients is a sense of uneasiness with all the tubes, machines, noises, smells, sensations, and more, that all adds up to an uncomfortable and sometimes scary experience. It is not uncommon to hear someone say that they felt like just a number or a science experiment.

The IV is an important and small detail of a hospital stay, but it is the small details that add up to impact the overall experience.

Inspired after exploring the strengths and limitations bamboo as a material. It is lightweight, strong, flexible, warm and inviting.

Xiomara Guerra | [email protected]

A HAND IV IS NECESSARY BUT DIFFICULTIn the hospital, IVs are necessary and it is best practice to place them in the hand. If something goes wrong with an IV it can be replaced further up the arm.

An IV in the hand can be painful, especially when the hand bends back at a sharp angle or when the tubing bumps up against something. Too much movement in the hand can dislodge the IV, requiring a new one be placed.

Sometimes an armboard is used for stabilization. Typically they are made of cardboard wrapped in a plastic film. Other versions are made of injection molded plastic, or may include polyurethane foam, metal, elastics or Velcro.

Patients will often limit their movement or guard the IV with the opposing hand as protection.

Bending the wrist or bumping the tubing causes pain or a dislodged IV

Ideal hand position


ENHANCE A SENSE OF CARING BY USING MORE NATURAL MATERIALS IN THE HOSPITALThe shield protects against bumping and the splint prevents the hand from bending too far.

The shield bamboo strips are sewn onto woven fabric made of natural fibers such as jute or hemp. The splint is made of laminated bamboo veneer. Future iterations will explore different materials, such as molded fiber pulp coated with wax.

Like many healthcare products, it is disposable. Many hospitals send waste to incinerators and it is important to consider what toxins might be released when products are burned.


GOING BEYOND MEDICAL FUNCTION TO IMPROVING THE DISRUPTIVE EXPERIENCE OF HOSPITALIZATION


Esophageal Lab Handbook

07

Catheter sensors Sensor lumen connection site

Numbered sensor lumens

Esophageal Manometry Water-perfused catheter

IMPROVE AUTONOMY OF TEMPORARY STAFF A self-initiated project while working as a staff nurse at the Esophageal Lab at USC University Hospital in Los Angeles, which specializes in tests and procedures of the upper gastrointestinal tract. Work at the Lab requires highly detailed and site specific knowledge, which is easily forgotten when not practiced on a regular basis.

At full capacity, the Lab requires three Registered Nurses (RNs), but is regularly staffed with only two RNs due to unstable demand. The third position is filled as needed by a temporary nurse staffing agency. Agency RNs are familiar with the lab but have difficulty recalling processes and protocols due to infrequent work there. Consequently, the agency RNs are limited in the work they can do independently and require coaching by a regular staff nurse who is busy with her own patients.


THE HANDBOOK IS USED IN STAFF TRAINING AND AS AN ONGOING VISUAL REFERENCEOn busy days, the work load is more evenly distributed among all nurses. Several agency nurses expressed increased confidence in performing tasks independently. As a result the lab is able to schedule patients with more flexibility, thereby increasing patient access to lab services without compromising standards of quality.

Pre-procedure Prep

Post-procedure Monitoring

Simple Endoscopy

Room and Equipment Prep

Esophageal Manometry

Manoscan Manometry

Esophageal pH Monitoring

Bravo pH Monitoring

Lab Book

Pre-procedure Prep

Post-procedure Monitoring

Simple Endoscopy

Room and Equipment Prep

Esophageal Manometry

Manoscan Manometry

Esophageal pH Monitoring

Bravo pH Monitoring

Regular staff Temporary staff Independent in:


ManoScan Equipment and Calibration

ManoScanWorkstation

ManoScanmodule

PC

Keyboard & mouse

Calibrationchamber

Touchscreen

Connects to Manoscan module

ManoScan Catheter 36 radial sensors

Marked at every 1cm

2 Inactive sensors(Silver)

Marked with red dots

Scope Set up (room 1 and 2) and Testing (all rooms)

1. Insert 3 valves/caps into scope

2. Insert scope into Processor “CLICK”

3. Connect camera. Line up the yellow dot with bottom yellow line and turn up “CLICK”

4. Connect water bottle. Insert vertically then twist to complete the connection

When the high pressure (left) gauge reads 100 psi or less, replace N2 tank (size D) (refer to Arndorfer Manual for N2 Tank Replacement)

3. Double-click on “Polygram.Net” icon

4. Click “Continue” under “System Verification”

WAIT for the all the names to load onto the screen.

5. Connect each lumen of the motility catheter to each of the 8 tranducers on the infusion system

Match numbers of sensor lumens with numbers of water channels

Match!

Must be at 15 psi

Left gauge Right gauge

POLYGRAM NET(TM).lnk

12. Final Calibration steps

Please read the following instructions to the end before starting the sequence.

Follow the prompts at the top right side of the screen.

First click on then click on

Within 20 seconds position the catheter at level of transducers

Do not occlude the sensors

Program will read “low level”

When prompted by computer, position catheter 50cm above transducers.

Program will read “high level”

Wait for “Calibration Succeeded”

Click to save calibration

Main water valve

Transducers

N2 gas gauge

Water Channels

Esophageal Manometry Equipment

PC setup

Polygraph ID Hardware

Hydraulic capillary Infusion System

Transducers

Water channels

Water chamber

Nitrogen Tank Valve

Nitrogen lines

Nitrogen wrench

Nitrogen Tank Valve

Water capillaries (see below)

Water chamber holder

Nitrogen tank


THE RIDE Info Sheet

THE RIDE











STREAMLINES IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCEA self-initiated project while working as a care transitions nurse at the Post-Acute Care Transitions (PACT) program at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Patients who were discharged from the hospital received close follow-up care by hospital-based nurses coordinating with other healthcare providers to reduce preventable readmissions.

Inadequate access to transportation is a common barrier to receiving care, so the nurses routinely help patients access transportation services. THE RIDE is a shuttle service operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) available for people who are unable to access regular public transportation. Healthcare providers can expedite applications and access temporary services until the enrollment is complete. Patients are often overwhelmed by the paperwork and application process, leading to incomplete applications.

10


Apply for THE RIDE and wait response

When accepted write down Rider ID number

Call Number A to set up interview

Call Number B to add money to account

Call Number C to set up transport

Read map to determine Number C

Arrange medical appointment with healthcare provider

Go to in-person interview for permanent service

THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS OVERWHELMING DUE TO THE INHERENT COMPLEXITY OF THE PROCESS AND DETAIL OF THE WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS


The “Guide to THE RIDE Service” is the written resource available to applicants by the MBTA. It is intended for all possible users, providing more information than any one user ever needs, and does not include important user-specific information such as their Rider ID number.

This is a supplement to the existing written resource. After receiving application approval, the nurse fills in the template, mails it to the patient, and reviews the information over the phone.

THE RIDE











NURSES REPORT LESS CONFUSION AND LESS TIME SPENT EXPLAINING DETAILS AND PROCESS TO THEIR PATIENTS

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THE RIDE Service Area Map

7/1/14 R6.0

Trip scheduling/dispatch: Call contractors at:• Greater Lynn Senior Services – GLSS North Area

888-319-7433 (voice, toll-free) or 800-621-0420 (TTY, toll-free)• Veterans Transportation Services – VTS West Area

877-765-7433 (voice, toll-free), or 888-553-8294 (TTY, toll-free)• National Express - NE South Area

888-920-7433 (voice, toll-free), or 888-607-7577 (TTY, toll-free)

Emergency: Call MBTA Police at 617-222-1212 (voice), 617-222-1200 (TTY).

For information on accessible services including the MBTA's Fixed Route T Access Guide, application and information on Reduced Fare passes, Elevator/Escalator updates, visit: www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/accessible_services/ or call 800-392-6100 (toll-free) or 617-222-3200 (voice, Relay)

For information on signing up for ‘System Orientation Training’ or to learn more about accessible fixed route buses and trains, call 617-222-5237(voice, Relay) or email [email protected] .

For transit and travel updates: Visit www.mbta.com or contact Customer Service at 800-392-6100 (toll-free), 617-222-3200 (voice) or 617-222-5146 (TTY).

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Compliments/complaints

The Office for Transportation Access welcomes your feedback. All complaints will be investigated and responded to within 10 calendar days. Complaint information is shared with the Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA, unless otherwise requested when you file your complaint. Contact us:

Email: [email protected] (in-state toll-free)617-222-5123 (voice)617-222-5415 (TTY)

Or write to: MBTA – OTA,THE RIDETen Park Plaza – 5750Boston, MA 02116

The MBTA will not tolerate any retaliation or intimidation to a customer for filing a complaint or concern of any nature. If you feel you have been subjected to these actions, we urge you to contact OTA or the Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA immediately.

Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA (AACT)

The Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA is a consumer body composed of persons with disabilities, RIDE customers, advocates and representatives of disability advocacy groups and agencies who advise and make recommendations to the MBTA regarding accessible transportation. AACT members and other interested persons meet publicly each month. For more information or meeting schedules, call 617-973-7507(voice), 617-973-7089(TTY), email [email protected], or visit their website at:http://www.mbta.com/riding_the_t/accessible_services/default.asp?id=26302 .

Contact us

General inquiries, or for fare or RIDE account questions: Contact the MBTA Office for Transportation Access at:Email: [email protected], 800-533-6282 (in-state toll-free), 617-222-5123 (voice)617-222-5415 (TTY)

Eligibility: Call THE RIDE Eligibility Center at 617-337-2727(voice, Relay).

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Appropriate behavior on THE RIDE

• For everyone’s safety and comfort, show respect to your fellow passengers, drivers and the vehicles you use. Inappropriate or illegal behavior will not be tolerated and will be subject to consequences such as service suspension and/or police investigation.

• All passengers, including ambulatory or wheelchair/scooter users, must wear a seatbelt.

• Do not stand while the vehicle is in motion. • Smoking is not allowed, including electronic cigarettes.• Animals (i.e. comfort animals or pets which may cause allergic reactions to others)

are not allowed, with the exception of Service Animals. Service Animals will only be transported at the feet of their owners and are not allowed on a seat.

• Consumption of food and/or beverages is prohibited, unless required for dietary and/or medical purposes and client has advised the driver.

• No tipping or other gratuities are allowed.• Personal audio devices may only be used with headphones.• Customers may ask that the AM/FM radios installed on RIDE vehicles be turned off,

on, or volume adjusted, as they prefer.• Please note that personal hygiene and the use of perfumes can be objectionable to

others or cause allergic reactions.• For the safety of all our customers, drivers are prohibited from using personal cell

phones or any other personal electronic devices while providing RIDE service. When you are using your personal mobile device respect others around you and avoid shouting, etc.

Other tips

• Tell your driver as soon as possible if you would like to use the lift if you have difficulty stepping up into the vehicle.

• For your safety carry a cell phone that has been programmed with phone number for your RIDE contractors and family or friends.

• Remember THE RIDE is public transportation, not a private service, and the MBTA may change policies and still be ADA-compliant. Familiarize yourself with what the ADA requires and what it doesn’t. If you are not sure, contact www.fta.dot.gov/adaor 1-800-446-4511(voice), 1-800-877-8339(TTY).

• If at any time, you are approached by someone who you are unsure is a RIDE driver, you may ask them to confirm your RIDE ID # or destination.

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check out contact information for your RCC at:http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/transit/StatewideMobilityManagement/RegionalCoordinatingCouncilsRCCs/RCCRegionsandContacts.aspx.

Keep your profile current

Please contact us with changes to your information, such as:• Change in mobility status, such as using a walker to using a wheelchair, or

acquisition of a service animal• Change of phone number, address, email, emergency contact, legal name change. • Family members are urged to call us if a customer is deceased so we may

inactivate the customer profile and arrange for any refunds from their RIDE fare account. Legal documentation may be requested in some cases.

Email: [email protected] or write: MBTA-RIDE Ten Park Plaza- 5750 Boston, MA02116, or call: 800-533-6282 (in-state toll-free): 617-222-5123, 617-222-5415 TTY

Driver assistance

• All drivers have received sensitivity and safety training. • Drivers will ask you to state your name at pick-up to ensure they are picking up the

correct customer.• For wheelchair or scooter users, the driver will offer the optional use of an MBTA-

supplied body belt immediately upon greeting you. • Driver will assist customers door-to-door to and from the vehicle, but is not allowed

beyond the main door or lobby area of buildings. • Driver will assist individuals in manual wheelchairs over one curb and/or step, but

may not carry an individual or their mobility devices. • A driver will collapse and securely store an ambulatory customer’s manual

wheelchair, walker or cane in the trunk or cargo area. • The driver will assist customers with boarding and exiting the vehicle, even when

accompanied by a PCA. • The driver will fasten and unfasten seatbelts as part of the vehicle’s

wheelchair/scooter securement system. • If you or your guest has packages, the driver will assist with a manageable number

of shopping bags to the door of your destination. Assistance with up to three pieces of luggage per person, not to exceed 40 lbs. each, will be provided for you and your PCA. Keep in mind that this is a shared-ride service and space is limited. Limit heavy or bulky items.

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• If you are delayed at an appointment, call your contractor and ask to be put on “will-call” status. When you are ready, call to arrange a new pick-up time for you. This will trigger the premium non-ADA fare.

There are many changes to schedules due to traffic problems, customer delays, and weather. Dispatchers monitor and adjust vehicles to try to keep schedules running on time. Dispatchers interact with customers, drivers, and MBTA RIDE staff to troubleshoot problems. If you require assistance, please call your contractor as soon as possible. You will not be left stranded.

Subscription service

Subscription service is for RIDE customers who make a reservation to and from the same locations for three or more days per week. Call your contractor to request thatthese trips be automatically scheduled, which eliminates the need to call individually for each trip. Subscription service is subject to availability. This service is not provided on holidays; therefore you are responsible for reserving your trips on those days.

More travel options for RIDE customers

Registered RIDE users are eligible to use paratransit services in other areas in and out of Massachusetts. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) federal regulations allow for travel as a visitor in other areas for 21 days in a 12-month period. The Office for Transportation Access, OTA, can provide proof of your MBTA ADA Paratransit Eligibility upon request. Provide this to the visiting agency in order to use their program. If travel will exceed 21 days to a particular area, you may need to apply for certification through that agency.

For services in other Regional Transit Authorities within Massachusetts please call 617-973-7000(voice), 617-973-7306(TTY) or visit MassDOT Regional Transit at: http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/transit/RegionalTransitAuthorities.aspx. Availability, hours of service, fares and policies vary within each Regional Transit Authority (RTA). For information on possible MBTA/RTA transfers, contact OTA.

In response to Governor Patrick’s Executive Order 530, Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) are forming in Massachusetts. The Councils provide a forum for open discussion, unmet needs assessment, decision making about regional transportation priorities and new services designed to provide more transportation options for people with disabilities, the elderly, and low income individuals. If you would like more information about an RCC in your region and to join the stakeholder discussion, please

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No shows or late cancellations for reasons beyond a customer’s control such as reported to your contractor, or trips which are missed due to operator error, shall not be a basis for determining that a pattern or practice exists resulting in a violation.

The following actions shall apply to violations that occur within the same 12 month rolling period:

1st Violation Written Warning2nd Violation 1 Week Period3rd Violation 2 Week Period4th or Subsequent Violations 6 Week Period

Information on how to appeal the suspension, either written or in-person, will be included in notification to customers. Appeals must be postmarked within 14 calendar days of the date on which the notice of suspension was issued.

No suspension will take place if a customer has filed an appeal in accordance with the instructions and deadlines noted in the policy and the Appeals Board has not determined the outcome of the appeal. The decision of the Appeals Board is final.

Prior to sending suspension letters, the MBTA will review all NSLCs to ensure that the process was followed properly and an accurate count is represented. Any NSLC that is found to be in error will be removed.

On the day of your trip

Be ready to travel 5 minutes before your scheduled pick-up and be prepared to wait up to 15 minutes after that time. Carry needed medications, oxygen, etc. in case you travel longer than expected. The driver will go to the door for you and then must wait for you for 5 minutes from the time of the scheduled pick-up. If you are not at the pick-up location, the driver will obtain clearance from the dispatcher to leave after waiting 5 minutes. Please do not leave your pick-up location to call before the end of the 15minute waiting period. All vehicles have a color-coded stripe to assist in locating a particular contractor; blue stripe-GLSS, green stripe-NE and red stripe-VTS.

• If THE RIDE does not arrive by the end of the 15-minute period, please call your contractor to assist you in locating the vehicle or estimate its time of arrival (ETA).Your RIDE is not considered late until 31 minutes past your scheduled pick-up time.

• To cancel or to change a trip location or time, call your contractor. Changes, other than trip time negotiation, will trigger the premium non-ADA fare.

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Trip Negotiations

If, during callbacks the night before a trip, you receive a promised pick-up/drop-off time that does not work for you, you may negotiate trip times with your RIDE contractor.Please call your contractor as soon as possible. Some changes are not considered negotiations and will incur a premium non-ADA fare rate. These include, but aren’t limited to, changes requested less than one hour before a trip, rescheduling a missed trip, rescheduling at least 30 minutes earlier or later than the originally requested time,changes to pick-up or drop-off locations, or same day requests. Some requests may not be accommodated.

Transfers

Trips spanning multiple service areas may require a transfer trip, except for certain trips to border communities. The contractor serving your city or town can arrange transfers for trips to other MBTA service areas. You will remain on your vehicle until the actual transfer to the other vehicle takes place and then continue on your trip.

Travel times

Normally, trip duration will be an hour or less and is based on distance and other customers. THE RIDE travel time should be comparable to fixed route travel times,including the time necessary to travel to the bus stop, wait for the bus, ride time, transfers, and travel from the final stop to the ultimate destination. Travel times may increase due to inclement weather, traffic, or diverting to pick up another customer who missed a return pick-up.

Cancelling trips and No-Show/Late Cancellation policy

Please cancel trips as early as possible so that THE RIDE can schedule efficiently and improve service for all RIDE customers. Use contractor web sites or call your contractor directly.

Customers will be considered as “no-show/late cancel” (NSLC) if they do not appearwithin 5 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time or do not cancel with at least one hour’s notice to contractor. No-show/late cancellations are considered a pattern or practice when a customer reserves 7 or more trips within any month and no-shows or late cancels 20 percent or more of those scheduled trips, or if there are more than 7 no-shows or late cancellations in a month. A pattern or practice of no-show or late cancellation trips is a policy violation and will result in written notification and possiblesuspension.

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South Area: National Express – NE888-920-7433 (voice, toll-free) or 888-607-7577 (TTY, toll-free)http://trips.jv-theride.com/RiderAccess/SignIn/Start.aspxServing: Core area municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville,and the non-core municipalities of Braintree, Canton, Cohasset, Dedham, Dover, Hingham, Holbrook, Hull, Medfield, Milton, Needham, Norwood, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Walpole, Wellesley, Westwood and Weymouth. The South Area also includes small portions of Abington, Avon, Brockton and Stoughton that are within ¾ miles of MBTA bus service during operating hours.NE also serves trips to/from the “border communities” of Newton and Weston as long as one end of the trip is located within one of the non-core area communities listedabove.

Trips to appointments should be scheduled by arrival time. This is to ensure that you are scheduled to arrive before your appointment. Return trips are scheduled by departure time to ensure that we allow for you to conclude your appointment. Requested arrival and return times must be at least one hour apart.

Please notify the contractor if you will be traveling with a PCA, guest(s), child or service animal. Infants and small children must ride in a federally approved child passenger restraint until they are at least 5 years old and weigh more than 40 pounds. Children weighing more than 40 pounds but less than 8 years old or less than 4’9” tall must ride in a booster seat. School transportation of minors (Grades K-12) is not provided.

You may review or change trips one to fourteen days in advance of your trip, up until 5PM of the day before service. After 5PM, trips for the following day are scheduled and customers are called to confirm their pickup times. If you do not receive a call by 9PM, call your contractor to be sure the trip has been scheduled.

A same day request, or requests for next-day trips after 5PM, can be placed through the contractor’s dispatcher. These requests cannot be guaranteed, but it may be possible to provide the service at a premium non-ADA fare rate.

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Scheduling RIDE trips

RIDE service is operated by three contractors under contract to the MBTA. The Core Area is served by all three contractors and includes Boston, Brookline, Cambridge and Somerville. A customer can book a round trip from any area into the core area without a transfer. A customer booking a trip from the core area to a location outside of core area must call that area’s provider. However, if a customer books a trip within the core area, the customer may call any of the service providers. To schedule trips, please call the appropriate contractor directly. Customers with unconditional eligibility may be able to make reservations online; ask your contractor for details.Reservations Hours: 8:30AM – 5PM, 7 days per week, including holidays. Trips may be booked from one to fourteen days in advance.

North Area: Greater Lynn Senior Services – GLSS888-319-7433 (voice, toll-free) or 800-621-0420 (TTY, toll-free)https://handyline.glss.net/rideraccessServing: Core area municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville,and the non-core municipalities of Beverly, Chelsea, Danvers, Everett, Lynn, Lynnfield, Malden, Marblehead, Melrose, Middleton, Nahant, Peabody, Reading, Revere, Salem, Saugus, Stoneham, Swampscott, Topsfield, Wakefield, Wenham, Wilmington (new) and Winthrop.

GLSS also serves trips to/from the “border communities” of Burlington, Medford, Winchester and Woburn as long as one end of the trip is located within one of the non-core area communities listed above.

West Area: Veterans Transporation Services – VTS877-765-7433 (voice, toll-free) or 888-553-8294 (TTY, toll-free)https://rideaccess.veteranstheride.com/RiderAccess/SignIn/Start.aspxServing: Core area municipalities of Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, and Somerville,and the non-core municipalities of Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Burlington, Concord, Lexington, Lincoln, Medford, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Weston, Winchester and Woburn. The West Area also includes small portions of Billerica that are within ¾ miles of MBTA bus service.VTS also serves trips to/from the “border communities” of Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Melrose, Needham, Reading, Stoneham, Wilmington, and Wellesley as long as one end of the trip is located within one of the non-core area communities listed above.

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Adding funds to your RIDE account

You must have funds in your RIDE account to schedule a trip. Several options are available:

1. Online: at http://commerce.mbta.com: Allow two (2) business days for posting.

2. Phone: Call us at 888-844-0355 (voice, Relay), select option 2 and have your card info and RIDE ID# ready, from 7AM – 8PM Monday through Friday and 9AM – 5 PM. Saturday and Sunday, including holidays. We accept Master Card, Visa, Discover or American Express credit cards and debit cards supported by Master Card or Visa. Funds post to your account within 1 hour.

3. Mail: Send a check or money order. Make checks or money orders payable to "MBTA - THE RIDE Fares" and note your RIDE ID# in the memo portion of your check or money order. Allow five (5) business days for posting. Our address is:

MBTA - THE RIDE Fares10 Park Plaza - Rm. 5000

Boston, MA 02116

4. In-Person: Visit the CharlieCard Store at Downtown Crossing Station anytimeMonday through Friday, 8AM to 5:30PM. The accessible entrance is at 32 Summer Street via the 101 Arch Street building in Boston. Cash, checks, money orders and major credit/debit cards are accepted. Funds post to your account within 1 hour.

Please retain your cashed check as your receipt or confirmation number from your phone/internet transaction for your records. You can determine your account balance via your RIDE contractor’s website, your RIDE reservationist, or by calling the MBTA’s Office for Transportation Access. THE RIDE fare is debited from your account as you board the vehicle. You are not charged for a trip you don’t take.

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What is THE RIDE?

THE RIDE paratransit service provides door-to door, shared-ride transportation to eligible people who cannot use fixed-route transit (bus, subway, trolley) all or some of the time because of a physical, cognitive or mental disability.

THE RIDE is operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in compliance with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the ADA, paratransit functions as a ‘safety net’ for people whose disabilities prevent them from using public transit. It is not intended to be a comprehensive system of transportation that meets all the needs of persons with disabilities, and it is distinct from medical or human services transportation. You will travel with other customers going in the same general direction.

Accessible vehicles are used to serve persons with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs and scooters. Preferred type vehicles will not be honored. THE RIDE operates 365 days a year generally from 5AM – 1AM in sixty (60) cities and towns. For RIDE trips with origin and destination within 3/4 mile of fixed-route service that operates outside of these hours, or in other municipalities within 3/4 miles of MBTA bus service, extended RIDE service is available.

Fares

The local one-way ADA fare for each registered passenger or guest is $3, when booking 1-14 days in advance.

One-way fares for premium non-ADA trips are $5 per registered passenger or guest.This applies when the trip origin and/or destination is greater than 3/4 miles from MBTA bus or subway service and outside of the core areas, or for same-day trip requests or changes, except for trip time negotiation. Reservationists will confirm the fare when you schedule a trip.

A Personal Care Assistant (PCA) accompanying a registered user is not charged a fare. One other person may travel as a guest. Additional guests are allowed if space is available. PCAs and guests must travel to and from the same destination at the same time as the registered user.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

What is THE RIDE? ......................................................................................................3

Fares ............................................................................................................................3

Adding funds to your RIDE account ..............................................................................4

Scheduling RIDE trips...................................................................................................5

Trip Negotiations...........................................................................................................7

Transfers ......................................................................................................................7

Travel times ..................................................................................................................7

Cancelling trips and No-Show/Late Cancellation policy.................................................7

On the day of your trip ..................................................................................................8

Subscription service......................................................................................................9

More travel options for RIDE customers........................................................................9

Keep your profile current.............................................................................................10

Driver assistance ........................................................................................................10

Appropriate behavior on THE RIDE ............................................................................11

Other tips ....................................................................................................................11

Compliments/complaints .............................................................................................12

Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA (AACT) ......................................................12

Contact us...................................................................................................................12

THE RIDE Service Area Map......................................................................................14

Call 800-533-6282 or email [email protected] to request this document in alternate formats (Braille, audio, electronic) or other languages. Information in this guide is subject to change.

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Guide to THE RIDE Service


SlabyrinthA DESKTOP MEDITATIVE STIMULATOR THAT HARKENS TO THE STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE OF NATURE Created as a personalized gift, this mini labyrinth was inspired by the ancient practice of labyrinth walking for prayer and meditation. The use of reclaimed granite with raw edges evokes the use of stone in labyrinths that have lasted over centuries. The decisively cold feel awakens the senses, and the act of creating new patterns with the rubber bands is a meditative process in itself.

The recipient of the gift is a labyrinth enthusiast (unbeknown to the designer) and was thrilled to have a labyrinth to call her own.

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Comfort CrochetA NEW KIND OF TOOL THAT IMPROVES ACCESSIBILITY TO CROCHETSome people experience hand pain when crocheting and others are not able crochet at all due to hand stiffness, weakness, or discomfort. This may be caused by arthritis, stroke, or simply holding the yarn too tight. Many people are less able to engage in a therapeutic craft they once loved.

Crochet requires a sustained “pinch grip” of the left hand, the most common hand used for holding the yarn. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies the prolonged use of pinch grip as a potential hazard.

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EXISTING SOLUTIONS DO NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSEExisting products do not eliminate the pinch grip. Solutions focus on guiding yarn, apply compression for arthritis pain, or provide ergonomic crochet hooks— used by the opposite hand.


Typically the left hand will hold yarn with a pinch grip for the duration of crocheting.

Comfort Crochet relaxes the position of the hand.

COMFORT CROCHET EASES STRAIN ON THE YARN-HOLDING HAND


Tested by people of varying ages, levels of crochet experience, and hand dexterity over several iteration cycles.


Latches onto hand to ease grip and easily slides off

Holds the yarn at a constant tension and angle

Ample space to move crochet hook

Rigid platform provides counter pressure to hook

Groove for moving fabric along with thumb

Injection molded rigid polymer and polyurethane foam

Foam handle is has a smooth finish to reduce friction


Animate MasksIMAGINE, CREATE, AND PLAY Animate is a children’s product made locally, from a natural material—one as short-lived and awesome as childhood. Despite their fast turnover, many popular toys seem to overlook the product’s full life cycle. Paper is warm, inviting, and easy to work with, and both recyclable and biodegradable. Mass production via locally run die cut services.

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INSPIRES CREATIVE EXPRESSION AND INTERACTIVE PLAY DIY PROJECTS WITH THE EASE AND CONVENIENCE OF OFF-THE-SHELF MASKS

DIY METHOD

• Encourages creativity• Uses recycled materials• Investment of time and energy

including set up and clean up

READY MADE MASKS

• Fast and convenient• Little to no customization• Typically nonrecyclable &

nonbiodegradable foam


COLOR IT IN, POP IT OUT, & ASSEMBLE! NO NEED FOR GLUE OR SCISSORS Choose your ears and the shape of your nose, maybe add whiskers, fold, curl, tear, or crease to add details—the possibilities are as endless as your imagination!

Create even more possibilities by adding scissors, glue, and maybe some help.

Ages 5 and up. 5 mask kits per package. Made in NYC. Recyclable and biodegradable.


ANIMATE IS A COMPACT ACTIVITY THAT IS EASY TO SET UP AND CLEAN UP—PERFECT FOR THE URBAN FAMILY


xiomara guerra · about z! xiomara guerra xiolisagmail.com 1 xiomara (“z” for short) has always...

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