{"id":356050,"date":"2025-05-08T11:33:40","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T16:33:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/?page_id=356050"},"modified":"2025-11-05T17:04:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T23:04:23","slug":"members","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/accessibility\/advisory-committee\/members\/","title":{"rendered":"Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-hero alignfull stk-block-hero stk-block stk-09e70c9 stk-block-background is-style-side-overlay auto-height stk--has-background-overlay\" data-v=\"2\" id=\"hero_block\" data-block-id=\"09e70c9\"><style>.stk-09e70c9 {background-color:linear-gradient(330deg,rgb(7,18,40) 0%,rgb(0,30,104) 100%) !important;background-repeat:no-repeat !important;background-size:cover !important;align-items:center !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:auto !important;display:flex !important;}.stk-09e70c9:before{background-image:linear-gradient(330deg,rgb(7,18,40) 0%,rgb(0,30,104) 100%) !important;}.stk-09e70c9 .stk-block-hero__content{min-height:500px !important;max-width:1260px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important;}<\/style><style class=\"stk-custom-css\">.stk-09e70c9.stk-block-hero{background-position:56.25% 50% !important}<\/style><div class=\"stk-block-hero__content stk-content-align stk-09e70c9-column alignfull stk-container stk-09e70c9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-09e70c9-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-481c9d4\" data-block-id=\"481c9d4\"><style>.stk-481c9d4 {padding-top:60px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:60px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}.stk-481c9d4-column{max-width:1080px !important;min-width:auto !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-481c9d4-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-05c9467\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"05c9467\"><style>.stk-05c9467-container{margin-top:0px !important;margin-right:0px !important;margin-bottom:0px !important;margin-left:0px !important;}.stk-05c9467 {max-width:960px !important;min-width:auto !important;padding-top:0px !important;padding-right:0px !important;padding-bottom:0px !important;padding-left:0px !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-05c9467-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-05c9467-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-0ba63d2\" id=\"transit-accessibility-community-engagement\" data-block-id=\"0ba63d2\"><style>.stk-0ba63d2 .stk-block-heading__text{color:#FFFFFF !important;}<\/style><h1 class=\"stk-block-heading__text has-text-color has-white-color\"><span class=\"pre-heading\">Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory&nbsp;Committee<\/span> Our&nbsp;Members<\/h1><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-a2caae7\" data-block-id=\"a2caae7\"><style>.stk-a2caae7 .stk-block-text__text{color:#ffffff !important;}<\/style><p class=\"stk-block-text__text has-text-color\">The Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee addresses issues of accessibility and usability for all of Metro Transit\u2019s service modes (MetroBus, MetroLink, Metro Call&#8209;A&#8209;Ride, VIA&nbsp;Metro St. Louis). We are grateful for the commitment and participation of our Committee members. Learn&nbsp;more about each member&nbsp;below!<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns alignfull stk-block-columns stk-block stk-129e659 mb-flex-xl\" data-block-id=\"129e659\"><style>.stk-129e659 {margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important;}.stk-129e659-column{max-width:1080px !important;min-width:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-left:auto !important;flex-wrap:wrap !important;--stk-flex-grow:0 !important;justify-content:flex-start !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-129e659-column stk--flex alignfull\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-d0c67b5\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"d0c67b5\"><style>.stk-d0c67b5 {max-width:1080px !important;min-width:auto !important;}.stk-d0c67b5-container{max-width:960px !important;min-width:auto !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-d0c67b5-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-d0c67b5-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-b148d9c h4\" id=\"ryan-j-austin\" data-block-id=\"b148d9c\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Ryan J. Austin<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-48ced54\" data-block-id=\"48ced54\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I am a young man with Down syndrome. I&nbsp;need to have safe and reliable public transportation to reach my job as an usher at Busch Stadium for the St.&nbsp;Louis Cardinals. I&nbsp;am a passionate advocate for improving transportation dependability and safety for individuals with disabilities and other transit&nbsp;riders.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-51e867d h4\" id=\"raymond-bishop\" data-block-id=\"51e867d\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Raymond Bishop<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-0603341\" data-block-id=\"0603341\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I have been blind all my life and have used paratransit services in St.&nbsp;Louis and abroad since&nbsp;1992. My&nbsp;work experience includes retail management and positions with the federal government and state mental health programs. I&nbsp;am currently a licensed massage therapist with an emphasis in&nbsp;oncology.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-87b6a14 h4\" id=\"edward-coleman-beals\" data-block-id=\"87b6a14\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Edward Coleman Beals<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-02119d4\" data-block-id=\"02119d4\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I have been a resident of both Missouri and Illinois and have worked with Metro East hospitals for more than 30&nbsp;years. I&nbsp;love the Metro Transit system and its role in the community and want to improve the riding experience for everyone by making it feel more welcoming, friendly and safer, no matter when you ride. I&nbsp;have been riding the system for over 60&nbsp;years! I&nbsp;am married to Bishop D.&nbsp;W.&nbsp;Beals.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-a0a4376 h4\" id=\"martha-j-darris\" data-block-id=\"a0a4376\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Martha J. Darris<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-44df76d\" data-block-id=\"44df76d\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Now retired, I spent 53&nbsp;years with BJC Healthcare. I&nbsp;left BJC as Lead Technician Educator, but I\u2019ve held a variety of roles over the years, including working in the ICU\u2011CCU, operating room technician, EKG technician, nurse\u2019s aide, and unit secretary. My&nbsp;educational background includes a degree in applied science\/human services, and several certifications for operating room technician, EMT, cardiac care technician, and advanced healthcare management.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-d0df098 h4\" id=\"steven-james-foelsch\" data-block-id=\"d0df098\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Steven James Foelsch<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-b71f11f\" data-block-id=\"b71f11f\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I am the Public Policy Advisor for the Starkloff Disability Institute in St.&nbsp;Louis. I&nbsp;was previously the institute\u2019s Director of Disability Studies, and I\u2019ve also taught at the university level for 14&nbsp;years. My&nbsp;focus is on affordable and accessible housing and transportation, and I am eager to work with others to create a more accessible community.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-ccf0309 h4\" id=\"robert-hinkle\" data-block-id=\"ccf0309\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Robert Hinkle<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-e3d6097\" data-block-id=\"e3d6097\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I am excited and motivated to be part of the Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee. I&nbsp;want to work with the other members and share ideas that come from my experiences with paratransit service over the years, to&nbsp;make service more efficient and more comfortable for&nbsp;everyone.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-28ad5cb h4\" id=\"dr-ishak-hossain\" data-block-id=\"28ad5cb\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Dr. Ishak Hossain<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-93af4f5\" data-block-id=\"93af4f5\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I came to St.&nbsp;Louis as an undergraduate, and after leaving for medical school, returned to St.&nbsp;Louis for residency. As&nbsp;a family medicine doctor, I&nbsp;am highly interested in public and community health, and more specifically, health equity tied with racial justice is an important priority to me. I&nbsp;am currently serving on the board of Forward through Ferguson.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-a891319 h4\" id=\"michael-lauf\" data-block-id=\"a891319\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Michael Lauf<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-419eded\" data-block-id=\"419eded\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I build accessible websites, host webinars, provide audio services, and am now using artificial intelligence to build new accessible applications. My&nbsp;background spans more than 40&nbsp;years in communications and broadcasting, including: independent living, advocacy, WRTB\u2011FM, Tri\u2011State Better business Bureau, SeroTalk podcast, and website publishing.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-c2d2969 h4\" id=\"april-mason-donovan\" data-block-id=\"c2d2969\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">April Mason-Donovan<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-d41f66c\" data-block-id=\"d41f66c\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I am an independent living specialist who has been with the Delta Center since December 2022. I&nbsp;have Master\u2019s and bachelor&#8217;s degrees in social work, and more than 25&nbsp;years of related services with deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind and other disability communities. I&nbsp;am deaf and fluent in American Sign Language.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-9495b16 h4\" id=\"danielle-minor\" data-block-id=\"9495b16\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Danielle Minor<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-746c330\" data-block-id=\"746c330\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I have been riding Metro Call&#8209;A&#8209;Ride since its inception in&nbsp;1980. I&nbsp;am a passionate advocate for accessible transportation, with a background in communications and public relations, and was previously a member of Metro\u2019s first advisory committee. My&nbsp;goal is to help expand services and provide more accessibility for&nbsp;everyone.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-7c93cac h4\" id=\"lamar-neal\" data-block-id=\"7c93cac\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Lamar Neal<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-4d688d0\" data-block-id=\"4d688d0\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I am a strong advocate for inclusivity and accessibility. I&nbsp;have relied on Metro Transit my entire life, and I believe everyone\u2014regardless of their physical abilities\u2014should have the same access to services and opportunities. I\u2019m&nbsp;excited to bring my unique perspectives to this committee and help make a meaningful impact on the future of Metro&nbsp;Transit.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-bf30a90 h4\" id=\"kristi-vetri\" data-block-id=\"bf30a90\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Kristi Vetri<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-64273f9\" data-block-id=\"64273f9\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I have held public office as alderman, mayor and township supervisor in O\u2019Fallon, Illinois for 20&nbsp;years. As&nbsp;an attorney, my practice focuses on aging issues and disability law, and I have served on the national board of NAELA and moderated programs for ISBA and IICLE on topics of aging, special needs, ADA and&nbsp;advocacy.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-5abd5a0 h4\" id=\"dawn-walter\" data-block-id=\"5abd5a0\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Dawn Walter<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-c4c5751\" data-block-id=\"c4c5751\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I am a transportation planner with WSP, where I focus on public transit, pedestrian infrastructure and bike infrastructure projects. I&nbsp;have a master&#8217;s degree in urban and Regional Planning and was a member of the Community Mobility Committee with the City of St.&nbsp;Louis, which looked at improving mobility and accessibility for non-automobile transportation.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-heading stk-block-heading stk-block-heading--v2 stk-block stk-076ee0e h4\" id=\"tarika-starry-walton\" data-block-id=\"076ee0e\"><h2 class=\"stk-block-heading__text\">Tarika \u201cStarry\u201d Walton<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f6ccc00\" data-block-id=\"f6ccc00\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">I have been an executive member of multiple student organizations for disability, world languages and culture, LGBTQIA+ rights, and a member of the National Society for Leadership and Success. I&nbsp;was a volunteer at Paraquad in the Consumer Directed Services section and was one of the first members of&nbsp;SMART.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button-group stk-block-button-group stk-block stk-c70a2d5 mt-flex-sm\" data-block-id=\"c70a2d5\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-button-group\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button stk-block stk-c13e06c\" data-block-id=\"c13e06c\"><a class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/accessibility\/advisory-committee\/\" title=\"MTAAC Main Page\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span class=\"stk--svg-wrapper\"><div class=\"stk--inner-svg\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" aria-hidden=\"true\" width=\"32\" height=\"32\"><path d=\"M34.52 239.03L228.87 44.69c9.37-9.37 24.57-9.37 33.94 0l22.67 22.67c9.36 9.36 9.37 24.52.04 33.9L131.49 256l154.02 154.75c9.34 9.38 9.32 24.54-.04 33.9l-22.67 22.67c-9.37 9.37-24.57 9.37-33.94 0L34.52 272.97c-9.37-9.37-9.37-24.57 0-33.94z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/div><\/span><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Back to MTAAC Main&nbsp;Page<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory&nbsp;Committee Our&nbsp;Members The Metro Transit Accessibility Advisory Committee addresses issues of accessibility and usability for all of Metro Transit\u2019s service modes (MetroBus, MetroLink, Metro Call&#8209;A&#8209;Ride, VIA&nbsp;Metro St. Louis). We are grateful for the commitment and participation of our Committee members. Learn&nbsp;more about each member&nbsp;below! Ryan J. Austin I am a young man [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"parent":339170,"menu_order":25,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"tmp_page-no-header.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-356050","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"featured_media_urls":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/356050","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=356050"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/356050\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/339170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.metrostlouis.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=356050"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}