ADA Diaries of Arkansas
A Vote for Justice
Community Prompt:
I urge Congress to enact, and the President to support and to sign, legislation such as the Americans with Disability Act of 1988, which will effectively protect all persons with disabilities against discrimination on basis of handicap.
I, furthermore, urge the establishment of those basic human support systems necessary to make rights real in every day life, and which will enable all people with disabilities to achieve their full potential for independence, productivity and quality of life in the mainstream of society.
I have personnally experienced and/or observed the following discrimination against people with disabilities:
Accessible to All Pages: 18 of 88
Respondents
Walter “Buddy” Cannad / E. Louise Kemp /Dale Troventine
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Walter “Buddy” Cannad
Lodging, transportation, social and hiring practices, health and disability insurance
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E. Louise Kemp
In housing (public) many or all apartment complexes have little or no lifts for handicap individuals. Even when the apts are fairly accommodating, the office area where all tenants make rental payments are not accessible, and this is the case to often.
Public restaurants often have decals of accessibility on the outside of the building and are either:
(1). The building is not accommodating or
(2). The building is poorly or even dangerously accessible.I also think we should start at home with our Rehabilitation Service which is geared toward assisting people with disabilities are to many times inaccessible.
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Dale Troventine
In my work experience I have assisted a person in filing a 504 discrimination against a government housing facility, which the person using a wheelchair did not have access to an apartment.
These were a physical barrier.
Transportation is a big barrier in Arkansas. I have a client who uses bus transportation daily when the lift works to go to work.
Authors
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Delbert O’Neal Lewis
A PERSONAL POSITION PAPER ON HANDICAPPED ISSUES
“…see what happens to a raisin in the sun and a dream deferred too long.” –Langston Hughes
My name is Delbert O’Neal Lewis. I was disabled by polio as a child and have been confined to a wheelchair ever since. I have worked in the field of vocational rehabilitation since 1972 and am presently employed as a Program Planning Specialist for; the State Rehabilitation Services.
I was born and educated in different parts of Arkansas and feel that I have a general feeling for some of the important issues facing the disabled community but I will stress that the views expressed herin do not necessarily reflect those of any other individual, organization or agency.
A major issue facing all Americans and one that is having a devastating affect: on disabled persons is the alleged energy crisis.
I had the unpleasant opportunity to visit Washington, D. C. and the Northeast on business during the most recent “gasoline “shortage”; I felt the credibility of our leaders crumble as I sat stranded in a hotel on Staten Island, N. Y., on a Sunday afternoon with an empty gas tank watching fully loaded oil tankers steam into New York harbor and reading Washington Post stories about gas shipments being re-routed because storage facilities around Washington were full.
I now read where Mr. Carter is removing “controls” from heavy crude oil that up until now has been sitting at the bottom of “pumped out” oil fields and not counted in our energy reserves this bureaucratic bungling and industry manipulations and mis-management are leading causes of the “energy crisis”.
Dr. Frank Bowe, Executive Director of the American Coalition of Citizens With Disabilities, Washington, D. C., estimates that over 2 million persons will be forced into institutions by the energy crisis if no accommodations is made to the needs of severely disabled high technology users such as myself.
These newly institutionalized persons will be otherwise rehabilitated, educated and employed people forced out of their homes and jobs by the lack of access to mass transportation, extremely limited accessible options in housing.
Few disabled “persons can afford to make the modifications to an “average” house to make it physically accessible let alone make it energy efficient), being forced to use large gas~guzzling cars or vans.
Wheelchairs do not fit too well in small foreign cars, we cannot use the efficient standard transmissions and some of us must drive vans from our wheelchairs because we can’t transfer to a car seat and few people can afford the-seasonal move to the “sun belt”. We also cannot use the cheaper “self service” gas station.
Cities such as Pine Bluff who recently ordered several full size inaccessible buses because they are “cheaper” and they could get them faster without the lifts or ramps contribute to the unemployment and dependency of disabled persons.
If we are unable to afford either the high initial cost of specially equipped vehicles or afford the high cost of gasoline or maintenance and are then forced into institutions (at an average cost of 15,OOO per year.
I fail to see how such callous insensitivity is “cheaper” in any way.
Since fully 86% of HEW funds go to fixed cost “income maintenance”l programs (SSI, Social Security, Medicaid, Medicare and other health services) just think of the incredible savings if all disabled persons were working and earning a living and paying taxes rather than being tax burdens.
One study reported by the National Center for a Barrier Free Environment alleged that if all the non-institutionalized potentially employable severely disabled persons in the country were employed and earned only $6000 per year they would generate 12 billion in new tax revenue each year; the savings in various welfare benefits not being paid to these employed persons is estimated to be over $100 billion each year.
The present conservative funding of various programs to achieve the aforementioned goals is indefensible and indeed “penny wise and pound foolish”.
Arkansas is being unduly hard hit by the energy crisis not only because of its rural nature and lack of access to public transportation but also because Arkansas has the highest per capita number of disabled persons between the ages of 16 and 64 in the United States today (approximately 14% in 1970 according to the President’s Committee on Employment of the Handicapped) and the second highest per capita number of persons over age 60 (the A;ka~5as Office on Aging estimate is about 18%).
Additionally, Metroplan (the local Metropolitan Planning Organization and owner of Central Arkansas Transit) estimates that 20% of Arkansans over age 16 are “transportation limited or handicapped” with no alternative to the private automobile even if mass transit as it now exists were available.•
Neither the state (with their doubling of license fees, increased gasoline taxes and other surcharges) nor the federal government (with “decontro1” of oil prices and the waste of Urban Mass Transportation Administration funds by maintaining discriminatory inaccessible mass transit systems) has provided any relief for transportation handicapped persons. In fact, with the removal of such deductions as the gasoline sales tax from the federal income tax return you are actually providing me with a greater incentive to work.
I would like to maintain my employment but without some consideration and accommodation it is only a matter of time until I will be one of those forced into an institution.
The following measures could be taken to alleviate some of the hardships forced upon us by the energy crisis:
1) additional tax deductions for those of us who are forced to use a specially equipped vehicle.
2) allowing (and providing funding for) the purchase of specially equipped vehicles through the state vocational rehabilitation agency or other authority,
3) providing direct cash grants to persons to both make their homes accessible and energy efficient (this could also entail low interest mortgage loans to initially purchase a home and some national “building code” or waiver from local codes to enable a disabled person to live in “manufactured housing” which is more easily adapted to our needs: at times local codes require that “house trailers” or “mobile homes” are zoned differently than site built home and thus cannot be places near persons place of employment—
I have already illustrated the transportation problem but local officials want us to live even farther out of town (1) and (4) providing “Independent Living” services to severely disabled persons to allow us to retain certain long term medical and related benefits while we attempt to work at gainful employment.
Another major problem facing disabled persons is architectural barriers. At this time it is necessary for me to get in my $10,000 lift-equipped gas guzzling van, pollute the environment, drive completely across town to an accessible store with a ramp and return the same way simply because I cannot cross the street over the high curb and heel to the local quick-serve store (with no ramps) which is only a few blocks sway from my home.
The Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 (P. L. 90-480) is useless because 1) it is not enforced (this is a national disgrace) and 2) it does not cover anything but “public buildings” I spend much more time at home, the grocery story and entertainment the Post Office since it is tota11y inaccessible.
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Life in the Mainstream Newsletter
Volume 1, Number 1
Life in the MainstreamINDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM UNDERGOES MAJOR CHANGES
For the first time the independent Living program in Little Rock is a consumer-controlled program. A majority of the leadership and staff are persons with disabilities.
Independent Living Resource Center Inc. (ILRCl completed the transition from a State agency in early May. Even before then, major changes in the program’s focus and services had occurred during the transition which began in January.
Empowering persons with disabilities to live independently is the mission of the program. All services, support and advocacy are directed toward this goal.
The Board and staff are committed to the philosophy that persons
with disabilities have the capability and the right to direct our own lives with dignity and freedom. All citizens of our society–disabled an~ non-disabled alike–have the right to access all areas of our society.All activities of the new program will reflect our commitment to this belief the service program has been–and will continue to be–expanded to provide those services which assist disabled consumers to achieve independence.
An attendant referral system is now being developed. Peer counseling and support group activities are being expanded. An expanded ramp building program, staffed largely by volunteers and funded with funds from the City of Little Rock, is now in operation. Independent living skills training will be offered in new ways to more consumers.
A supported work program, in cooperation with a UALR program, will begin in July. The growth of our program–and the growth •of the independent living movement nationally–are bringing about exciting changes. in the lives of persons with handicaps.
NEW STAFF
With all the other changes, new staff members have come to the program, and there are new roles for the existing staff.A new Director, Richard Petty, was hired in May. He came to the program from Rehabilitation Services where he had been manager of grants and planning. Karen Bays, who worked as a service coordinator in the program when it was run by the State, was promoted to Service Supervisor.
Evelyn Deloach (who recently married, changing her last name to Mitchell) continues in her role as Independent Living Skills training Specialist and is now coordinating the volunteer program. Adrian Horton, the newest member of the ILRC staff, is the new Attendant Care Specialist. Gwen Winston continues as Office Manager.
Transportation is handled by Doris Bryant, who now also keeps ILRC’s books and assists in coordinating the ramp construction program.
RAMP SCONSTRUCTION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO MAKE STRIDES
The ramp construction program in Little Rock continues to grow because of the enthusiasm and support of the Telephone Pioneers, the Greater Little Rock Jaycees and the Little Rock Department of Human and General ‘Services.
ILRC is coordinating this program, accepting referrals, surveying and drawing plans, and ensuring compliance with accessibility standards. The City of Little Rock is providing funding for materials and the Greater Little Rock Jaycees secure releases from landlords and property owners. The retired A T & T Pioneers donate their time and talents, building the ramps, usually one every week.
This worthwhile program is expanding because of commitment of all of these groups. Our appreciation goes out to them for their invaluable volunteer hours.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to Jim Osborn and others of the .Carpenters Union Local 690 who have volunteered their time designing ramps I and to Edwin Stanfield of the Little Rock Human Services department forhis continued support and cooperation. A special thank you goes to Marty Shuller at United Way who help in bringing all of these organizations together.
Need a ramp? Contact either Karen Bays or Doris Bryant at the Center. For more information call 568-7588.
$10,000 EARMARKED FOR NLR RAMPS
The City of North Little Rock has allocated 510,000 to be used for ramp construction and minor in-home modifications to increase accessibility. There is an income eligibility limit for this service. For more information call 3720050.SUPPORT GROUP MEETS MONTHLY ON THIRD TUESDAY
On the third Tuesday of every month a social/support group meets. This is a great opportunity to come have a good time and to meet new friends. Support groups for persons having similar disabilities are also being formed. For more information call 568-7588.TRANSIT SYSTEM PLANS TO PROVIDE NEW VEHICLES
The HEMS Transit system is in operation and anticipates new vehicles later this summer. This is an important addition to transportation options in Little Rock. Along with an accessible public system, there are needs which can best be met by a paratransit system.ILRC is referring consumers to this agency tor transportation. HEMS accept Medicaid insurance and will bill for medical related appointments Hours are from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Reservations should .be made at least 24 hours in advance. A charge of $3.90 for each one way trip, is payable when you ride. HEMS require exact change.
Checks are accepted. Cancellations must be made at least two hours before appointment; otherwise you will be billed.
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN
To me the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) is an organization with a cause that is rooted in the historic tenets of our nation:“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Our goal is to make these self-evident truths a reality in the lives of as many handicapped people as possible.
Our purpose is to develop and implement programs to remove any and all barriers to the achievement of this goal.
PEER COUNSELOR TRAINING SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 25
Peer counselor training is scheduled for Saturday, June 25. The training is for persons with disabilities who would like to support and assist other persons with similar disabilities. Participants will be trained in the most effective techniques of assisting and supporting.
In addition to support, Peer counselors also provide information and referral, self-help skills, community orientation, and empathetic listening.“Persons who successfully complete the training will be certified as peer counselors and will become part of a pool of counselors.
Counselors will work under the leadership and with the support of ILRC’s professional staff.
The ILRC peer counseling program is being expanded to provide this additional level of support to many more persons in our community.
WHAT IS INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS TRAINING?
Independent Living Skills Training is a structured program which enables severely handicapped consumers to live independently and control their own lives.Training is offered in personal hygiene, homemaking and household management, money and time management, social and communication skills, and health and safety. For more information contact Evelyn Mitchell at 568-7588.
ATTENDANT CARE SUBJECT OF FOCUS
A new, important focus at ILRC is attendant care. ILRC has just started a new program to assist persons who use personal care attendants. To learn about this new program, call Adrian Horton at 568-7588.BOARD STRENGTHENED BY VARIETY OF EXPERIENCES
The nine members ILRC Board of Directors is well suited to directing an independent living program; backgrounds are varied and their range of experience is broad.Forrest Rozzell, Chairman of ILRC’s board, served as Executive Director of the Arkansas Education Association for thirty-seven years. Mr. Rozzell is an attorney and a former member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Rita Byers is graduating UALR senior who plans to enter law school. She worked as a staff member of Arkansas Easter Seals.
Bobby Simpson is research associate specializing in independent living
at the Regional Continuing Education Program in Hot Springs. He served as executive director of the Independent Living Center in Austin, Texas.Steve Bonds is a commercial real estate broker and Vice President of the Hathaway Group. Active in the community • he has received international recognition as the outstanding state chairman of the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation.
Beverly Fletcher is a student at UALR and is an• active volunteer. Judith Zinser is owner of Judith Zinser Custom Clothing. She directed Peace Links, Inc., a national non-profit organization.
Glennis Sharp owns and operates Washday, a North Little Rock business, and is a member of the State Spinal Cord commission.
Arnold Nelson, Pastor of Pulaski Heights Christian Church, serves on the Administrative Committee for the General Board of the Christian church of the United States and Canada, and on the Board of Planned Parenthood of Greater Little Rock.
Woody Woolcock is an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department at UALR. Dr. Woolcock operates a supported work program.
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Accessibility for the Physically Disabled and/or Handicapped
M101 SCOPE
Every building or structure shall have all levels and areas made accessible to the physically handicapped in accordance with ANSI A117.1 and the requirements of this section, with the following exceptions:
EXCEPTIONS: ‘
1. Group R buildings. One and two family detached dwellings, and other residential buildings to be offered for sale shall be exempt from the requirements of this section. Group R buildings that are to be offered for rent, such as apartments. hotels. dormitories. etc., shall provide accessible housing, as defined by ANSI AI17.1. in accordance with Table M 101.
TABLE M 101
Total Number of Units Number of Accessible Units
0 thru 10
11 thru 19
20 or .more 0
1 Unit
*5%
*Fractions of ½ or more shall be counted as a whole unit.2. Buildings or areas within buildings which are frequented only by employees and where the work within such areas cannot reasonably be performed by the handicapped.
3. Buildings having an accessible grade floor, where a public elevator is not provided, shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section at floors above the grade floor if facilities normally sought and used by the public in such buildings are available al the grade level.
4. Mezzanines used solely for storage.
5. Mezzanines and balconies in Group A buildings
6. Group S buildings, having 5,000 sq ft or less of office space.
M102 EXISTING BUILDINGS
When existing buildings or structures are repaired or altered, the provisions of this section shall apply, as determined by the Building Official, in accordance with 101.5.
M103 REQUIRED NUMBER OF ACCESSIBLE ELEMENTS
M103.1 Where parking spaces and loading zones are provided, the number to be reserved for the handicapped shall be as set forth in Table M103.1.or less per floor, having accessibility at habitable grade levels but without an elevator, and Group S – storage buildings having five thousand (5,000) square feet or 1ess of office space shall not be required to comply with the provisions of this section.
(d) Buildings of Occupancy Classification Group R “Residential” are exempt from the provisions of this section in the following respects:.
I. The number of dwelling units or guest rooms which shall be required to comply with the provisions of this part shall be not less than the following:
0 through 10 no units
11 and over 5%2. Hallways within dwelling units having no walk through openings in the sidewalls may be less than forty-four (44) inches in width but shall be not less than thirty-six (36) inches wide.
3. Within dwelling units, toilet rooms providing twenty-nine (29) inch clear passage need not comply with the other provisions of this section.
(e) Ramps seven (7) feet and less in length required to provide accessibility need not be provided with hand rails.
SECTION 509 GROUP I-INSTITUTIONAL OCCUPANCIES
509.1–GENERAL
The provisions of this section shall apply to all group I – Institutional occupancies defined in Section 409.1 (a). Such buildings may be either sprinklered or unsprinklered. To qualify for the sprinkler option buildings shall be fully protected in accordance with NFiPA 13 and the sprinkler system shall be electronically supervised in accordance with Section 901.9. Table 509.1 identifies the building features or systems required under either option. There shall be no co-mingling of the two options.
All Group I – Institutional restrained occupancies defined in Section 409.1 (b) shall be equipped throughout with a manual or automatic fire sprinkler system in accordance with section 901.7(b).
509.2—SMOKE PARTITIONS
(a) Group I, Institutional occupancies, all doorways to areas housing bedridden patients, and doorways between patient occupied spaces and the required exit, and all exit doorways leading to the exterior shall be not less than forty-four (44) inches in clear width except that exit doors so located as not to be subject to use by patients, may be not less than thirty-six (36) inches in clear width. Required corridors, ramps, or passageways shall be not less than eight (8) feet in clear width in all areas occupied by patients or serving as part of the means of egress from patient areas.
(b) All Group I, Institutional occupancies, shall have smoke partitions to divide into at least two (2) compartments every story used by inpatients for sleeping and/or treatment, and any story having an occupant load of fifty (5O) or more persons, and to limit on any story the maximum area of each smoke compartment to not more than twenty two thousand five hundred (22.500) square feet, of which both the length and width shall not be more
508.4—ACCESS WITHIN BUILDINGS
(a) Accessibility within buildings shall be provided utilizing at least one of the required means of egress at ground level, preferably an entrance generally used by the public, and shall include access provisions to each floor. Where provided, elevators shall be included in the contemplated access patterns.
(b) Elevator entrances shall be identified as to each floor level by means of a plaque located five (5) feet above the floor on the right jamb of such entrances, bearing square-edged numerals at least one and one-half (1 1/2) inches high raised at least twenty-five thousandths (0.025) of an inch and adjacent braille symbols.
Elevator control panels shall bear identification of buttons by means of square-edged numerals or letters at least one half (1/2) inch high raised at least twenty-five thousandths (0.025) of an inch and adjacent braille symbols.
(c) Common facilities of Group R “Residential” Occupancies, provided for the use of all residents and their guests, such as pools, patios, sauna rooms, recreational buildings, laundry rooms and similar areas shall be included in contemplated access patterns.
(d) Rooms included in accessibility patterns which do not have a depth of seven (7) feet or a turning space of four (4) feet by five (5) feet shall be equipped with outward – swinging doors if hinged door leaves are installed.
(e) In buildings equipped with water fountains, at least one such shall have a spout within thirty-three (33) inches of the floor and shall be equipped with front mounted hand operated controls. When accessible fountains arc located in alcoves, the alcoves shall be of a width not less than thirty-two (32) inches.
(0 Where public telephones are provided, at least one (l) shall be so installed that the headset dial and coin receiver are within fifty-four (54) inches of the floor. Unobstructed access to within twelve (12) inches of the telephone shall be provided. Such access shall be not less than thirty (30) inches in width.
508.5—RESTROOM FACILITIES
(a) In buildings equipped with restrooms for use by the public or by the general tenancy, at least one restroom for males and one for females on each floor shall be made accessible to and usable by the handicapped. Such restrooms shall be marked by signs or symbols generally recognized as pertaining to facilities suitable to the handicapped. Where such restrooms are not visible from all public areas on each floor, the direction thereto shall be indicated by use of similar signs or symbols.
Exception:
Unisex, single occupant restrooms for the handicapped, may be provided in lieu of separate facilities for each sex. Such single occupant restrooms shall comply with the minimum dimensions contained herein and shall be equipped with & water closet, lavatory and lockable door.(b) Any abrupt changes in floor level in excess of one (I) inch at door-
507.12—SMOKE CONTROL RQUIREMENTS
(a) The purpose of smoke control is to restrict movement of smoke to the general area of fire origin and to maintain means of egress in a usable condition.
(b) Smoke detectors shall be provided within the return air portion of an air conditioning system in accordance with the Standard Mechanical Code. Actuation of either a smoke detector or the sprinkler system shall cause the air supply to the air conditioning zone in which the fire occurs to shut down.
(c) The mall shall have smoke removal capability installed in or near the roof. Such facility may be either natural or mechanical.
(d) Before the systems are accepted by the Building Official, they shall be tested in his presence to confirm that they are operating in compliance with the requirements or this subsection.
507.13—PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEM
When a public address system is provided, the system shall be made accessible to and usable by the Fire Department.
507.14—FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT
Rooms containing controls for air conditioning systems, sprinkler risers and valves, or other fire detection, suppression or control elements shall be identified for the use of the Fire Department.
507.15—PLASTIC PANELS AND PLASTIC SIGNS
(a) Within every store or level and from side wall to side wall of each tenant space or mall, approved plastic panels and signs shall be limited as follows:
I. They shall not exceed twenty (20) percent of the wall area facing the mall.
2. They shall not exceed a height of thirty-six (36) inches except that if the sign is vertical then the height shall not exceed ninety-six (96) inches and the width shall not exceed thirty-six (36) inches.
3. They shall be located a minimum distance of eighteen (18) inches from adjacent tenants.
4. All edges and backs shall be fully encased in metal.
SECTION 5O8—ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED AND/OR HANDICAPPED
508.1—APPLICATION
The requirements of this section shall apply to all levels ‘and areas of buildings and structures except as modified by Section 508.7(a), 508.7(b), 508.7(c), and to all occupancy classifications except Group H – Hazardous and except single family structures and duplexes of group R – Residential.
5O8.2—STANDARDS AND DEFINITIONS
(a) The provisions of this section may not adequately provide for every
- Alwyn Perrin, 10 pages
- Carmen Stanfield, 8 pages
34 AR Video Histories Available for Transcription
Arkansas (34)
Eric Treat, Jane Ellen White, Melissa Andrews, Amy Tridel, Craig Blanchard,Sandra Revas, Brenda Stinebeck, Eddie Steel, Janie Neworth, Randy Alexander, SeRonna Rodgers, Caleb Keesaer, Barry Vuletich, Wanda Horton, Joyce Solari, Barry Shumaker, Carol Hart, Jim Mather, Lynn Holland, Ruth Bratford, Kenneth Vires, Rick Roessler, Neil Williamson, Diedra Davis, Brian and Michael Swisher, Glenn Cleveland, Brent Williams, Michael Collie, Burke Fanari, Brian Petty and Kids
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