2003-COD-ltr (Article 8L) - Laserfiche WebLink

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STATEMENT SUPPORTING ARTICLE 8L – TOWN WARRANT 2003 My name is Victoria Buckley, resident of Precinct 9 and chair of the Enablement Committee. I am speaking about Article 8L – the capital building envelope that has $50,000 for accessibility ADA upgrades for public buildings. The law is the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) and it is very clear about unimpeded access for all. This law was enacted in July of 1990 and this town has had almost 13 years to become compliant. Yet we are still falling short of our goal of full compliance. The fire station will be undergoing exterior renovations shortly. It makes no sense to renovate a building so that a disabled person can get to the door but cannot go inside to attend to business. For this reason, the building envelope money is being proposed to upgrade the inside of the fire station. This project was estimated by DPW as costing $50,000, and includes making one bathroom accessible, widening the hallway, ramping some of the split-levels. The Enablement Committee has accepted the DPW estimate and specifications, but has been informed that the plans are not specific enough to be funded. Setting up obstacles to correcting the problem seems fruitless. We need to acknowledge the problem of ADA non- compliance and embrace the initiative to upgrade all town buildings one by one. We cannot get bogged down in wondering where and when to start. The Enablement Committee wants to be part of this process. We are fully aware that more work is needed to solidify the plan, but we are committed to working with DPW to carefully explore cost-saving measures in order to get the job done within ADA specifications in a timely manner. Disabled citizens have their special expertise to share since they know firsthand what the problems are. Speaking as one, I want to take a more pro-active stance as opposed to a reactive stance, but it is difficult to not be discouraged by all the obstacles placed in my path, literally, procedurally, and figuratively. Let’s get through this process and do what we need to do in order to fully promote the maximum opportunities and participation of those with disabilities. Until people with disabilities can participate fully and seamlessly in all public programs and can enter and do business in all town buildings paid for with their taxes, full and equal inclusion and participation are not possible. Lexington needs to get going on changing access problems. We have a lot at stake and a long way to go so we need to get started. For this reason I am asking that the proposed amount be accepted in the building envelope for fiscal ’04. Vcb0303