The Seattle Times: Consumer Guide

Parking permits, license plates
For permanent license plates or a temporary tag entitling you to use special parking for the disabled, contact the state Department of Licensing, Specialized Licensing. Doctor's authorization is required. Applications may be picked up at any auto-licensing agency, or check with your doctor.
P.O. Box 9909, Olympia, WA 98507-8500
360-902-3770, pick Option 5.
www.dol.wa.gov/vs/dpfaq.htm#Where

Transit services
If someone you know has disabilities that prevent them from riding the regular bus, they may be eligible for the ADA Paratransit Program. Metro Transit, Pierce Transit, Community Transit, Everett Transit and Kitsap Transit have joint agreements to provide bus service to people with disabilities. In King County, contact Metro's Accessible Bus and Van Services through the Accessible Services Eligibility office:
206-263-3113; or 206-263-3116 for TTY users
Accessible.Services@metrokc.gov
www.metrokc.gov/services.htm#disabled

To book rides
206-205-5000; TTY, 206-749-4286.

In Snohomish County
DART (Dial A Ride Transportation) contracts with Community Transit to provide rides for people with disabilities. To apply or book rides:
425-347-5912; 800-562-1381
www.commtrans.org/ridingthebus.cfm?subcat=5

Washington Coalition of Citizens with disAbilities
Information, referrals and services for people with disabilities. The organization deals with topics such as advocacy, independent-living-skills training, accessibility consultations for businesses and employment services.
4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Suite 100, Seattle, WA 98103-6900
206-545-7055; TTY, 206-632-3456; fax 206-545-7059.
www.wccd.org

Multiple Sclerosis Association of King County
Serves people with MS and their families throughout King County. A licensed home-health agency, it provides physical and occupational therapy, including hydrotherapy and yoga, and refers people to community resources. A volunteer support program includes peer counseling, chore services and education.
753 N. 35th St., Suite 208, Seattle, WA 98103
206-633-2606. Fax: (206) 633-2920.
www.msa-sea.org

Easter Seals
Provides inclusive child care in the Puget Sound area: downtown and south Seattle, Auburn and Renton.
157 Roy Street, Seattle, WA 98109
206-281-5700; voice- and hearing-impaired, TTY 206-281-5700; elsewhere in Washington, 800-678-5708
www.easterseals.org.

Americans with Disabilities Act
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Justice, the information line has specialists to answer questions regarding Title II and Title III of the act, and information on the latest proposed rules.
800-514-0301; hearing-impaired, 800-514-0383.
www.ada.gov

The Seattle Public Library
Administers the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library. Washington residents who are visually, physically or learning impaired may apply to order free talking books and magazines, as well as the equipment on which to play them.
206-615-0400 or 800-542-0866. Hearing-impaired, 206-615-0419
www.wtbbl.org

Puget Sound Labor Agency
Assists the unemployed, underemployed, and disabled with an emphasis on families. Accepts donations of furniture in good condition, and makes free deliveries to clients in need. The Handicap Accommodation Program installs wheelchair ramps to homes and grab bars in showers, as well as making minor carpentry repairs in homes.
AFL-CIO, 2800 First Ave., Room 126, Seattle, WA 98121
206-448-9277

Disputes

Index

Want to avoid the courtroom but feel your dispute has merit?

King County Dispute Resolution Center
This nonprofit community mediation and training center, founded in 1986 by a special task force of the King County Bar Association, provides an alternative to the courtroom. The center handles minor civil disputes including landlord-tenant, neighbor, workplace, family, divorce, school, business, small claims court, anti-harassment and multiparty conflicts. Most mediations are free. The center offers mediation and conflict-resolution training for volunteers, the general public and organizations.
P.O. Box 21148, Seattle, WA 98111
206-443-9603 or 888-803-4696; fax: 206-443-9737
www.kcdrc.org

Small Claims Court
For disputes involving $4,000 or less, without hiring an attorney. Call the Attorney General's Office and ask for a free copy of "Resolving Consumer Disputes," or find it online.
800-551-4636
www.atg.wa.gov/consumer/resolve.shtml

University of Washington Mediation Clinics: Law students, under the supervision of the University of Washington School of Law faculty, perform free mediation services. The clinic handles civil cases such as neighborhood disputes, employment, contract disputes, interpersonal, and landlord-tenant issues. Call or e-mail for a brochure.
206-685-4140
mediates@u.washington.edu
www.law.washington.edu/clinics/MediationClients.html

Do Not Call Registry

Index

For nuisance calls from telemarketers, contact the Federal Trade Commission to be added to the National Do Not Call Registry. You may register up to three phone numbers at a time, including your cell phone. Registering your number is meant to prevent telemarketers from calling you for five years, but will not prevent political or charitable solicitations.
888-382-1222
www.donotcall.gov

Environmental issues, recycling

Index

Air Quality Information line
Before you light a fire in the fireplace, check on the possibility of a burn ban or smog watch.
800-595-4341
www.pscleanair.org

The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency
Answers questions about what you can do to promote clean air in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Enforces air-quality regulations, sponsors voluntary initiatives to improve air quality and answers questions about asbestos in the home.
206-343-8800 or 800-552-3565
www.pscleanair.org

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10
Administers environmental laws and regulations to ensure healthy land, water and air, as well as protecting people from health hazards. To find the appropriate contact, report a violation or request information, go to "Hotlines and Clearinghouses" at www.epa.gov/epahome/hotline.htm. The local EPA office has publications on topics ranging from asbestos to watersheds.
1200 Sixth Ave., Seattle, WA 98101
In Seattle, 206-553-1200; outside Seattle, 800-424-4EPA.
www.epa.gov/r10earth

Washington Department of Ecology
Maintains a database detailing what materials can be recycled and where. List is updated at least twice a year.
800-732-9253 (800-RECYCLE)
1800recycle.wa.gov/main.asp

The Environmental Health Services
Division for Seattle and King County has information on a variety of issues.
206-205-4394: rodent infestation, solid waste and illegal dumping
206-296-4692: toxic hazards and/or hazardous-waste disposal
206-296-4932: drinking water, septic systems, sewage or plumbing
To complain or comment:
www.metrokc.gov/comments/comment.cfm or visit the main health Web site at www.metrokc.gov/health/portal/ehs.htm

Have an old sofa you would like to get rid of?
How about tools or toys you no longer use? Give them away at www.freecycle.org, where you can post requests for items you need as well. Membership is free. Read about it in a Seattle Times story. Join the local Internet message board, FreecycleSeattle, at:
groups.yahoo.com/group/FreecycleSeattle/

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