Current CAT Members

I am a person with a disability and when I was denied a teaching job because of my disability, and before the ADA was passed, I focused my career in civil and human rights. I am employed with Multnomah County Aging, Disability and Veterans Services, and currently Interim Director of Disability Awareness Resource Team (DART). DART supports and advocates for persons with disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I have been a member and chaired numerous State and local Councils, Boards and Committees.

People with disabilities often are not included on committees, boards and commissions that discuss, and make decisions and policies that affect persons with disabilities. The ways I serve my community is to be actively involved with groups that can make positive change, and to get disability on their agenda. Others, mainly CAT members, and I bring the attention of the barriers to TriMet and work together to eliminate them so that our public transit can truly be accessible to everyone. I and two other individuals with disabilities, along with TriMet staff, started the CAT Committee. I love working with the Committee because we are passionate in what we do. Many of the committee members are peers, meaning people with disabilities and older adults who ride the system. We try to work as a team, meaning Committee members and TriMet, to come up with solutions so that we can eliminate barriers that exist.

My favorite place to go is on trails with my friends, and favorite place to eat is anywhere that has good Italian food.

I retired in 2018 after many years in public transportation. Initially I served as a volunteer at Elders in Action, later (and currently) as a member of the Aging Services Advisory Council for Multnomah County Human Services. I applied for membership with the CAT because my work at Multnomah County oriented me to the fact that transportation is a huge issue in providing effective services to seniors and persons with disabilities. I served on the Ad-Hoc committee that Multnomah County organized to address major service quality issues with the non-emergency medical transportation system. I also serve as the County representative to the Rules Advisory Committee for non-emergency medical transportation in the State of Oregon.

The community I am most concerned about is the large number of seniors who should no longer drive but do not qualify for LIFT paratransit. In dealing with barriers related to accessibility, I believe we need to do more outreach with this community and more training with TriMet operators about how to provide effective services to them when they use the fixed route system.

My favorite place to eat is Nuestra Cocina on SE Division in Portland.

AJ Earl is a community member of CAT, seated in 2021.

AJ is a native of San Antonio, Texas, but moved to the Pacific Northwest to escape the heat — heat that is evidently following them to Oregon. Sorry for that. They are a citizen of the Comanche Nation of Oklahoma and have been an advocate for Indigenous issues including successfully pushing the King County Commissioners in Washington State to preserve bus service to a community center primarily used by Indigenous youth and elders. They have also worked behind the scenes at the United States Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) as an intern focused on intergovernmental relations and legislation research.

Their current focus as a member of CAT is studying how to make the transit system as comfortable to users, including research and advocacy related to sidewalks and curb cuts. They are also intensely interested in specific aspects of bus design and stop interface, specifically bus and rail ramp width and placement and new adaptive transit tech focused on wayfinding for neurodivergent travelers.

Their personal interests include touring transit systems (Portland Streetcar NS-Line, Sound Transit Sounder and the F Train in NYC are my faves), train and rail photography, astronomy and Portland history.

They have a BA from the University of Washington in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and a BA and MA in History from Portland State University.

During a 44-year career as a union electrician, Keith Edwards broke many barriers and achieved leadership positions in the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). He became the first African-American business manager of a construction local in IBEW history, was the first African-American to serve as a member of the National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee and co-founded the Electrical Workers Minority Caucus in 1974. He was the first African-American appointed to IBEW Local 48’s Executive Board and he served an international representative for IBEW’s Ninth District.

Edwards is a community activist and has been involved with the Coalition of Black Men, the Portland Workforce Alliance and the NAACP, where he has served as president of the Portland chapter. He also served eight years on the Oregon Electrical Board under Gov. Barbara Roberts.

My name is Richard E. Hunter Sr., and I am a new member to the CAT team as of July 1, 2024. I am a native of Portland Oregon and I have been using public transportation in Portland since my mother would take me to medical and dental appointments in the 50’s and 60’s when it was Rose City Transit. In the late 60’s, I started riding Rose City Transit on my own, even when it became TriMet and up to this present day.

I have always been an active Public Transportation Commuter and I have always been an advocate for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Civic Life. I have served on boards and committees for a number of organizations over the last 45 years (e.g., Sabin Community Development Corporation, Housing Our Families, Oregon Health Commision, Oregon Human Rights Coalition, Humboldt Neighborhood Association, Jefferson High School Alumni Association, JHS Conceptual Master Planning Committee, JHS Comprehensive Planning Committee, JHS Design Advisory Group, Urban League of Portland, NAACP Portland Branch 1120-B Environmental & Climate Justice Committee, AARP Oregon, AARP N/NE Portland Chapter 5264, PBOT Pedestrian Advisory Committee). I have also served on dozens of Focus Groups around Transportation, Environment and Emergency Preparedness.

In 2013, I purposely transitioned from owning a car to riding my Bicycle and using public transportation on a regular basis. I retired as a Transportation Services Representative from ODOT’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in August of 2015. Whenever my supervisor completed my annual employee evaluation, he would write at the end... “and he contributes to the environment by riding his bicycle to work”. Since then, I have used most every form of Public Transportation that exists except LIFT (Bus, Street Car, Tram, Max Trains, Zip Car, Taxi, Uber and E-Bike).

My father was a Pastor. I was ordained in 1978 and served as my father’s assistant pastor till he passed away in 1979. After his death, I became the Pastor and served for 8 years (1979–1986). Today, I serve as an associate Pastor with my older brother who is my senior Pastor. I have enjoyed my honored citizen status since I turned 65. July 18, 2024 marks my 71st Birthday.

I am excited to work with my fellow committee members on the CAT and it is my goal to be a productive member and a DEI voice for elderly and persons with disabilities.

I am originally from New York City, grew up in San Diego, California, and moved to Portland, OR in 2015 to be near family. I have worked at various places over the last 25 years in Finance & HR Management positions, and prior to that I was a professional playwright and worked in talent management in the Entertainment industry. I also have previous experience serving on a Board, having been the Treasurer for a non-profit in San Diego that helped injured members of the military.

I am recently disabled and have been a full time TriMet user since January of 2023. I became interested in CAT for a couple of reasons: First, I am becoming newly aware of the challenges faced using TriMet by disabled people and feel that my experiences and perspective could be a benefit toward making things better. The other is that I firmly believe that we all need to make more of an effort to help others and make things better for more than just ourselves. I made a promise to someone many years ago that I would take care of those around me, and doing everything I could to make the world around me better, and I live every day intending to fulfill that promise.

I live in Forest Grove and have been a member of CAT since 2018. In 2020, I was voted in as a Member At Large for the CAT. I also serve as a member of the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee (STFAC) and the Transportation Equity Advisory Committee (TEAC at TriMet).

I have been disabled since 2004 and use a mobility scooter when I have to travel any distances. Fixed route bus and MAX has been my primary mode of transportation since 2003 to get where I need to be.

I have a background as a Computer System Engineer and have always enjoyed volunteering to help make others’ lives better. I feel that my involvement on committees can bring valuable insight of process analysis and improvement. I’ve been a volunteer with Elders in Action in the past and believe that sharing information with Elders in Action, CAT or any other committee is the key to better understand how things are now and how they might change to make them better for all. Working with the CAT has been great as it creates a space to get to know people and work together to make life better for everyone who uses the transit system.

My favorite place to go is Farmers’ Markets in Forest Grove, Beaverton and Portland. My favorite places to eat are Buffet Dynasty, Oregon Culinary Institute and Gandhi’s Indian restaurant.

Patricia works as an Accessibility Specialist for Portland Community College and has served as a Governor appointed commissioner of the Oregon Disabilities Commission and the Oregon Commission for the Blind. In addition to serving on CAT, Patricia currently serves on the Metro Committee on Racial Equity and serves as a consultant in the development of Metro departmental ADA transition plans. Patricia uses She/Her pronouns.

I travel with the assistance of a guide dog. My dog can help me navigate around most barriers I encounter. When I need to travel into areas where pedestrian access has not been a priority of the city planners, I rely upon LIFT for travel to and from appointments.

I was introduced to Jan Campbell, CAT President, and many years ago at an advocacy event. Jan’s passion for safe, accessible transportation is infectious, motivating me to apply to be a member of CAT. I love working with the team of advocates. Each member of CAT brings great knowledge and experience to the table and are dedicated to improving transportation access for everyone that visits the Portland metro area.

I love spending time at Waterfront Park. Traditionally there is always something interesting to be found there. I love all of the festivals! My favorite place to eat however, is in Beaverton at the La Hacienda Real.

Howdy!

My name is Tre Madden (they/them) and I am a power chair using quadriplegic, chronically ill millennial, and online graduate student at CUNY pursuing a MA in Disability Studies. Having participated within the environmental, reproductive, LGBTQIA+, anti-war, and labor movements before disablement in 2020, I have since found my niche in the study and application of public health, social determinants of health, and disability justice. With a BA in Drama and Sociology from Vassar College and a certificate in Public Health from PCC, I am blessed with a well-rounded education thanks to my family and community—most of which is also disabled and working class.

I join the Committee on Accessible Transportation in 2023 as someone who uses trimet LIFT and public transportation 100% of the time, the majority of which was and is during the COVID-19 pandemic. I care deeply about cross disability organizing, access intimacy, and ensuring that TriMet is meeting the needs of all disabled passengers. Open to any concerns or problems raised by the community, especially multiply marginalized disabled community members and those like myself who are “institutionalized” in segregated facilities for disabled people. No Body Is Expendable.

My name is Sky and I use they, she, and he pronouns. I’m a Blind, Neurodivergent, Genderfluid, Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jewish millennial who has experiences with mental illness, asthma, and learning disabilities. I’ve lived in Portland since 2015 and love this city for its inspired vegan food, rainy weather, local art scene, and its amazing transit system. That’s why I’m excited to be on the CAT and help guide TriMet to improve and continue making transit accessible to Disabled Portlanders.

I graduated from Portland State University in 2024 with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and a minor in Conflict Resolution. I wrote my honors thesis on the use of Nonviolent Resistance in the American Disability community. The struggle to get accessible public transit was a big part of that story and protests for transit is one of the main reasons we have the ADA. I try to infuse Disability Justice and advocacy into all of my scholarly endeavors and work.

I have an eclectic background of work experience. I spent years answering calls on the National Suicide Prevention Life Line with Lines for Life. I worked for Call to Safety a local agency that advocates for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. I also worked teaching kids how to make movies and stop-motion animation at the NW Film Center (now PAM CUT). I hosted a podcast with another Blind friend called Citizen White Cane where we watched movies with Blind characters and talked about them. I’m also an improviser at Kickstand Comedy where I perform regularly as part of their ensemble. Finally I’m a board member and core trainer for the Portland Peace Team a group that goes to nonviolent protests and events and helps de-escalate situations to ensure actions stay nonviolent. We also train a wide variety of nonprofit, government, and private agencies and businesses in de-escalation techniques.

I am excited to work on making Portland a more accessible city. As a Blind person the transit system is a vital tool for my independence and ability to participate in so many community activities. Increasing the accessibility of the transit system and making it easier for Disabled people to get around is an important mission that I feel lucky to be involved in!

My name is Stella (they/she) and I am a firm believer that public transportation is a human right. I was born & raised in Portland, and am a lifelong TriMet rider, from trips to the park with my parents, then to school, and today, to my job. My life on TriMet has grown into an appreciation and knowledge of the transit system of Portland and an interest in public transit in general. I grew up in NE Portland and currently reside in the downtown area. I work at a children’s toy store & boutique and have a real passion for toys and the community I work within. In my offtime I enjoy playing Pokemon GO, hanging out with my cat, & cooking meals for my friends.

I joined the CAT team in July of 2024 and I am passionate about easing access to all parts of the human experience, transit being one of them. I grew up in a family with multiple rare genetic disorders and have always seen the world with a perspective of accessibility for all. I myself have faced accessibility issues throughout my life due to being neurodivergent and becoming physically disabled in 2021 due to complications from long covid. To this day, I don’t drive and rely on public transit to get around the city. This cumulative experience opened my eyes to disability justice & activism. Although I have no formal experience with a committee or organization I have spent a good chunk of the last three years engaging in activism related to covid justice & precaution. I have also worked with many of my peers to help them break down individual barriers to gain access to medical care and the support services they need.

My name is Claudia Robertson, and I have been a member of CAT since 2001, except for a short mandatory hiatus after the first six years. I grew up in Southeast Portland and Parkrose. For ten years, my family lived outside D.C. in Vienna, Virginia, returning to Portland in 1981.

I served on the Portland/Multnomah Commission on Aging, my first term from about 1994-2000. I was asked to interview for CAT, and I did, knowing very little at the time about transit or transportation. I later went on to serve another six year term on what was then called the Elders in Action Commission.

Since then it has become all transportation, all the time. I serve on the Special Transportation Fund Advisory Committee in addition to CAT, volunteer at Ride Connection, and serve on the Ride Connection Board of Directors.

Over the years I have had the privilege to serve with some wonderful, dedicated people, volunteers and TriMet employees alike. I have been able to advocate for seniors and people with disabilities through CAT activities, and the Citizen Advisory for the Division Transit Project.