• S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy

  • Apr 15 2025
  • Length: 43 mins
  • Podcast

S107 “Are We There Yet?”: The Road to Transportation Advocacy

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  • Summary

  • In this powerful and personal episode, Kim Wardlow sits down with longtime advocate Curtis Chong to discuss transportation equity and accessibility. Curtis shares his life story—growing up blind in Hawaii, learning programming in a pre-digital world, and his decades of advocacy work in technology and transportation. He breaks down the evolution of public transit and paratransit systems, and shines a light on how crucial accessible and affordable transportation is for employment, independence, and daily life.
    From calling out discrimination at a Minnesota amusement park to being on the advisory committee for RTD in Denver, Curtis offers insights and strategies for effective advocacy—whether it’s using education, documentation, or the occasional hammer when necessary. This episode dives deep into how technology, policy, and mindset shape access to mobility for the blind and low-vision community.
    ⚠️ Stay tuned for a special Thursday release where Curtis returns to explore rural transportation and more practical tips for getting around safely and effectively.

    ⏱️ Chapter Markers:
    00:00 – Welcome & Episode Intro
    00:57 – Meet Curtis Chong: From Hawaii to Advocacy
    03:00 – Growing Up Blind in a Sighted Family
    06:45 – Music, Perfect Pitch, and the Road to Tech
    08:55 – First Jobs & Learning to Program Without Sight
    11:45 – Entering Advocacy: Group Therapy, Bravery & Pushback
    14:50 – From Rebellion to System Reform in Hawaii
    17:30 – Work Ethic, Expectations & Education
    20:40 – When to Use the Hammer in Advocacy
    23:35 – The Amusement Park Protest & a 5-Year Win
    25:50 – The Evolution of Transportation for the Blind
    28:00 – Paratransit Limitations & Community Debates
    30:00 – Access-A-Ride vs. Access On Demand
    33:20 – Budget, Uber/Lyft & Smartphone Barriers
    37:40 – Tech Dependence & the Cost of Access
    40:00 – Silent Majority: Who Gets Left Behind
    42:00 – Preview of Part 2: Rural Access & Tips
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