[nfbmi-talk] Fw: this would be good for list re capitol

[David Robinson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: joe harcz Comcast 
To: David Robinson NFB MI 
Cc: Mark Eagle ; terry Eagle 
Sent: Friday, February 27, 2015 9:40 AM
Subject: this would be good for list re capitol


This wheelchair user still can’t access the front steps of our State Capitol or other elements of the building including several restrooms and venues. And people who are blind cannot access the same room signs as everyone else. And the ADA is 25 years old and was supposed to give we people with disabilities access to the same public entities, including “The People’s House” thathat non-disabled people have decades ago! The chrchirlish claims by Paterson and Snyder here to the side it is a documented fact that The State of Michigan has violated the civil rights of people with sensory and physical disabilities for decades and the discrimination continues.

 

We not only can’t sit in the front seats of the proverbial bus, but in many cases we can’t even get on the bus to begin with!

 

Access is a civil right!

Nothing about us without us!

 

 

Joe

 

 

Activist: Much to do for Michigan's disabled As Gov. Rick Snyder's health improves following hospitalization for a blood clot resulting from a torn Achilles

tendon, the saga has left an indelible imprint on him. "It has given me an ever greater appreciation and sensitivity to ? and respect for ? what people

with disabilities must struggle with every day," said the 56-year-old who will need crutches and wear a boot for a few more weeks. Oakland County Executive

L. Brooks Patterson, 76, who suffered major injuries in an auto accident a few years ago, remains in a wheelchair. He too has experienced life changes

as a result. "I am very impressed about our region's effort, both public and private, to accommodate the physically challenged. It's something I probably

would not have paid that much attention to before my accident," said Patterson. "I'd give our region an A-plus. Jerry Wolffe, who was born with cerebral

palsy and has used a wheelchair the past 20 years, sees it a bit differently. He has been fighting for rights of those living with disabilities for decades.

Wolffe, 68, has fought for greater accessibility such as passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act. "New construction has to comply with ADA Architectural

Guidelines so we are doing well in this area as far as access such as getting into buildings, and bathrooms," Wolffe said. "However, older and smaller

buildings are doing poorly, pretty much ignoring the laws. Wolffe teamed up with Richard Bernstein, a Michigan Supreme Court justice who is blind, to work

on lawsuits to make the University of Michigan football stadium comply with federal law, as well as Detroit Metropolitan Airport. "My manual wheelchair

is about $3,500," Wolffe said, explaining the costs. "A power wheelchair costs about $15,000 to $20,000. It weighs at least 100 pounds," which also means

the need for someone to help get around. Wolffe, who has been married to wife, JoAnn, since 1976, was a journalist for 45 years at United Press International,

the Oakland Press and other publications. He now works as an advocate at Macomb-Oakland Regional Center, a nonprofit that provides services for people

with disabilities. "More than 60% of people with disabilities are unemployed. We need accessible, affordable transportation. We need universal and affordable

health care," said Wolffe, calling the Affordable Care Act not affordable. "We need affordable and accessible housing. Wolffe spoke to a gathering of 3,000

people in front of the Capitol building steps last spring about prospects for the disabled amid declining funding. "It was then I noticed there was no

way a guy who uses a wheelchair could get into the front door of the Capitol building (no ramp)," he said. "This story isn't yet done. Carol Cain can be

reached at 313-222-6732 or clcain at cbs.com . She is senior producer/host of "Michigan Matters" airing 11:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS 62. See Sen. Gary Peters,

L. Brooks Patterson and Mark Hackel on today's show.