Besides using BluePath for finding accessible places, this article gives you tips for taking your first big trip as a wheelchair user. We want you to know that fun, safe, even adventurous wheelchair travel is possible and that exploring the world without limits is a realistic possibility for you!We have the expertise – after all, our team explored Machu Picchu in a wheelchair! – to suggest a few things that can make your trip easier. Let’s go! 1) Check your hotel’s accessibility’s by calling ahead Nowadays the Internet makes things super easy for us. Booking hotels online is great, but accessibility-wise, not everything is what it seems. In our experience, we’ve found that several accommodations claim to be wheelchair accessible or to have accessible bathrooms for wheelchairs online when in reality, it’s not the case. Several countries don’t have a regulation entity such as the ADA in the US that can confirm accessibility claims, so what we recommend is to call ahead and ask direct questions regarding the installations: How wide are the doors? Are there steps, elevators, is the room on the first floor? Do you have roll in showers? That way you’ll get a better, more realistic picture of what your money is buying. We’ve had great experiences finding wheelchair-friendly accomodations in several destinations this way, also asking for detailed pictures by email! 2) Consider the intricacies of the in-flight experience If you’re planning your first airplane trip, please be aware that all airlines are required to provide an inflight special wheelchair designed to through the narrow aisles. If you need to use the lavatories, let a crew member know so they can assist you. It is a good idea to call the airline ahead to ask whether their particular models have accessible lavatories as per required by regulations in certain countries. 3) Plan ahead for the care of your power wheelchair If you’re a power wheelchair user, it’s important to be aware that it might be damaged in the transportation process. However, there are ways to avoid this. You can include handling instructions taped to the packaging of your electric wheelchair with clear instructions such as “NOT LAY ON ITS SIDE”. There are statistics for airlines in America that were recently released indicating that there are several companies that treat this delicate cargo with care and respect. Review the power wheelchair mishandling statistics here. 4) Research new technical adapted equipment As they say, knowledge is power, and innovation is strong these days. Search the internet for innovative equipment that can help you make the most out of your capabilities. The Joelette is one of our favorites – an all-terrain wheelchair that’s perfect for trekking and hiking! Want to try biking? No problem. There are handbikes, trikes, tandem bikes, that can accommodate different kinds of disabilities, including visual disabilities. For water sports lovers, there are adapted kayaks, sailboats, amphibius wheelchairs, all designed to help you have the time of your life. Do your research to discover what could be the best fit for your abilities and needs. Also, you can contact us and we can help you find out. 5) Consider professional services with disability packages Our company, Wheel the World, was founded in order to empower people with disabilities to explore the world without limits. We know we’re not the only ones to offer tourist packages to gorgeous destinations where you’ll get everything you need to have the experience of a lifetime tailored right to your requests: the equipment, the assistance, the expertise. Consider hiring a provider to take you to your dream destination and to guide you diving, trekking, hiking and biking through remote landscapes. We really know our stuff. Consider these tips for your next trip, whether it is the first one or if you’re already a seasoned traveler. We’ve taken hundreds of travelers with disabilities to challenging destinations with amazing results, and the experiences have always been incredibly rewarding. Always be careful to call ahead and gather as much information as you can, and be cautious enough to put yourself in the hands of professionals when necessary. That way, the experience will turn out amazing, just how it is supposed to be.
Wheel the World 2150 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94704-1345
Trails are springing up all over the country that feature accessibility for people with mobility issues.
One such trail, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, has jaw dropping views from the scenic overlooks that are a major attraction, however for more than 80 years this authentic Appalachian forest experience and rugged terrain that made the area famous also restricted access, even to the nearby South Lookout. It was just 100 yards from the parking area, but the steep grade was a challenge for visitors with limited mobility or even those with young children.
They know that first hand viewing of wildlife is the first step in conservation. But even a short walk with a steep grade limits many from seeing it. Individuals with disabilities are either left at home or they sit alone to wait in the Visitor Center.
After two years of planning, they created the accessible Silhouette Trail which leads to the look out. The Sanctuary credits the success of the final product to its planning team including a partnership with the CIL in their area. These partners evaluated plans, tested accessibility during construction and before opening it to the public.
The new trail was built with a slope that averages eight percent. The smooth but natural pathway is 900 feet long and six feet wide – enough for two wheelchairs to pass by one another and meanders in a wide, graceful arc through the forest.
Other enhancements include benches for rest every 100 feet, accessible trail side restrooms and improvements to the viewing platform. The benches were designed with a handrail in the middle so people can easily slide on and off and use the rail to pull. The accessible trail was the first phase of a larger project that will stretch more than half a mile in length and link all the major visitor facilities, including the outdoor center, amphitheater, native plant garden and visitor center.
Making a trail accessible will make a difference in visitation. Hawk Mountain for instance, during a typical autumn would welcome only a handful of individuals who used wheelchairs or walkers. Now they welcome someone who uses a wheelchair or walker nearly every day. Other benefits are families with strollers. They even received an outdoor Quantum Power Chair and ultra-light wheelchair to help increase access even further.
Communities across the nation are working to create accessible recreation out of doors. Blanchard Springs Caverns and the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas have accessible trails and tours available for people with disabilities. Bruneau Dunes Overlook created an upgraded circular observation overlook with easy access from the level parking lot, safety fencing and accessible vault toilet. Paved pathways, elevators and funiculars, handrails, wooden walkways have all been installed to make all the activities available to all. It’s hard to made the updates because information on accessible outdoor spaces are hard to find.
CIL’s are a good resource for any Parks and Recreation area to start with for making their trails more accessible. DAC NW was successful working with the City of Coeur d’Alene to make the Tubbs Hill Trail accessible. The restroom at Elsie Lake in Shoshone County was made fully accessible in 2017 by simply removing large boulders placed there to prevent vandalism but were too close together for a wheelchair to pass through. The City Beach in Coeur d’Alene has installed a rollup accessible sidewalk through the sand to access the water, it even includes lights for nighttime safety.
Sustainable Trails For All has hosted workshops on Trail Accessibility Guidelines in New Hampshire. These in-depth, field oriented workshops help officials understand the Federal accessibility guidelines for outdoor recreation sites. It also provides an overview of the techniques and hands on skills needed to build sustainable hiking trails that provide enjoyment for all. You can learn about new products that help with accessibility like Zeager Wood Carpet. This eco-friendly solution provides access in a natural setting. Wood fibers are bonded together to form a firm, pervious surface that eliminates eroding trails and muddy paths. You can call Deb DeCicco for more information at 603-547-1475.
If you are interested in getting outside you can find wheelchair accessible trails in Idaho at www.traillink.com.
The House Judiciary Committee is considering imposing significant limitations to the ADA through the passage of the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017. Never in my life as a disabled woman have I been so terrified of losing my civil rights as I am now.
On July 26, 1990, George H.W. Bush signed the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) into law, proclaiming, “Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down!” Although I was only 8 years old, I still remember its passage and the increased accessibility that followed.
The ADA literally opened countless doors for people like me, by requiring entities that are open to the public—such as restaurants, movie theaters, hospitals, hotels, museums, and government programs—be fully accessible to people with disabilities. The ADA also requires employers, as well as public and private entities, to provide reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities and prohibits discrimination based on disability.
Of course, passage of the ADA did not make ramps and elevators magically appear; nor did it immediately halt discrimination against people with disabilities. Progress takes time. For several years after the law’s passage, my parents or I would always have to call places in advance to make sure that they were wheelchair accessible and for years the answer was “no.” But times have changed. Nearly 27 years after the passage of the ADA, I now expect that all businesses will be accessible. And that is liberating.
While we surely have further to go, the ADA led to greater inclusion and accessibility and far less discrimination. Now, however, Congress is currently considering imposing significant limitations to the ADA through the passage of the ADA Education and Reform Act of 2017(HR 620), sponsored by Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX).
Currently, if a person with a disability encounters an accessibility barrier at a business, they have two options: They can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which will investigate and decide if a violation has occurred. DOJ may enter into mediation with the person and the business, which is a low-cost approach to resolve ADA violations fairly quickly. DOJ may also sue the business on the person’s behalf. Alternatively, people with disabilities may file a lawsuit in court, bypassing DOJ all together. The cornerstone of current enforcement options is that the violation can often be resolved swiftly.
However, if the ADA Education and Reform Act is passed, a person with a disability would be required to give written notice to a business who has barriers to access. The business would then have 60 days to even acknowledge that there is a problem—and then another 120 days to make substantial progress toward correcting the violation. In other words, people with disabilities would be forced to wait 180 days to enforce their civil rights.
The ADA Education and Reform Act is aimed at curbing “drive-by” ADA lawsuits; frivolous lawsuits brought by attorneys alleging ADA violations. We agree attorneys who simply bring lawsuits to line their pockets must be stopped. However, this bill is not the solution.
To be fair, I vehemently oppose frivolous ADA lawsuits for monetary gain. I cherish this law and hate hearing that some misuse it. However, frivolous lawsuits are not as prevalent as some believe. An analysis of ADA lawsuits in 2016 identified just 12 individuals and one organization that have filed more than 100 lawsuits each. And these lawsuits are not an ADA issue; they are a state and court problem. Indeed, ethics rules bar attorneys from bringing frivolous lawsuits. Rather than go after people with disabilities, attention should be focused on stopping these few bad attorneys.
Remember, the passage of the ADA and ADA Amendments Act involved the disability community and bipartisan lawmakers working together with the business community. This bill however, is the result of business owners and their lobbyists.
The disability community is not interested in more lawsuits; we simply want accessibility. There is no such thing as the “ADA police.” Enforcement depends on people with disabilities who know their rights to challenge violations. Filing lawsuits is timely and expensive. Finding an attorney that is knowledgeable about the ADA is very challenging. I say this because I believe it is fairly safe to assume that there are far more ADA violations occurring than we will ever hear of. As a disabled woman, I encounter violations daily.
There’s a prevailing belief that ADA regulations are overly technical and most alleged violations are “minor.” An example would be the regulations concerning accessible parking being too specific. What opponents don’t understand is that the width of parking spaces matter for people with disabilities who drive. I drive a wheelchair–accessible van. If someone parks too close, I am literally stuck because no one besides me can drive my van. This has happened to me more times than I count, leaving me stranded outside for hours, until the person returns to their car.
Throughout the years, based on a belief that the ADA is being abused and has become a money-maker, Congress has introduced a number of “notification bills.” These bills have been strongly opposed by the disability community.
It’s a myth that ADA lawsuits can be profitable for plaintiffs; that is just plain wrong. When the ADA was being drafted, as a compromise between the business community and the disability community, the disability community gave up the option to obtain damages for a business’s failure to comply with the law by allowing only injunctive relief—meaning the business owner has to change their behavior—and attorneys’ fees.
Settlements that involve money damages for accessibility violations are based on state laws in a handful of states, not the ADA. Therefore, adding a notice requirement before people with disabilities can enforce their rights will do nothing to prevent businesses from being subjected to paying. Moreover, if the accessibility violations in question are truly minor, as the proponents of these bills claim, it would not be difficult for businesses to fix the problem and resolve the issue quickly, with minimal attorneys’ fees. Hence, the issue is not an ADA one.
The ADA already includes several provisions that protect businesses from unreasonable requirements. For example, the ADA does not require any action that would cause an “undue burden” or that is “not readily achievable,” which is defined as “easily accomplished and able to be carried out without much difficulty or expense.”
Adding a notification requirement won’t make serial lawsuits go away. It simply sends the message that business owners don’t have to worry about complying with the ADA until they receive a letter notifying them that they are discriminating against people with disabilities. In other words, they can just “wait and see” if they are caught.
The imposition of a months-long “waiting period,” during which a business may continue to violate the law and deny access to people with disabilities once it has received a notice that it is violating the ADA, is simply not reasonable.
In short, the premise of bills like the ADA Education and Reform Act is that businesses should not be responsible for knowing their obligations to comply with a law that has been in effect for nearly three decades, but people with disabilities should instead be responsible not only for knowing the accessibility requirements of that law, but also for determining when a business is not in compliance and for knowing the specific requirements of the notice that they must provide.
The bill is currently in the U.S. House Judiciary Committee; it has 18 co-sponsors. Never in my life as a disabled woman have I been so terrified of losing my civil rights as I am now. With the stroke of a pen, much that the disability community has fought hard for 27 years for could be undone. What civil rights law will be on the chopping block next?
Dana Gover, MPA, and ACTCP Certification, ADA Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator
For more information about ADA Technical Assistance visit the NW ADA Center Idaho website: nwadacenter.org/idaho
Washington State University student Zack Malmberg tries to negotiate uneven pavement using a wheelchair while classmates Natalie Swanson, left, and Hayley Sandberg watch Friday in Pullman. The students were helping to map Pullman businesses for accessibility to people with disabilities.
WSU students find out for themselves what it is like to be disabled in Pullman
By Taylor Nadauld, Daily News staff writer Apr 1, 2017
If you had to navigate the streets, sidewalks and businesses of Pullman with a physical disability, what would you find? Do Pullman businesses conform to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990?
More than 30 students from a Washington State University health communications course began to answer that question for themselves Friday afternoon as they partnered with BluePath, an organization dedicated to mapping ADA accessible businesses across the Pacific Northwest, to map what
they could of Southeast Bishop Boulevard.
The students split into groups, with one taking a wheelchair along to experience firsthand what it is like to navigate a business on four wheels. All students were armed with bright blue yardsticks to measure doorways, paths and thresholds; BluePath brochures; and quick appraisal checklists to determine how well each business complied with the ADA.
Zack Malmberg, 22, of Pullman, rolled himself up the hill to Village Centre Cinemas, getting stuck on a manhole five minutes in and nearly rolling into a nearby creek had it not been for a wooden fence keeping him safe.
Malmberg said he was not sure how good the wheelchair was in the first place, but he found it difficult to control, especially over bumps and on roads with a side slope.
The seemingly small obstacle was eye-opening for some of his peers, who determined the bump in the road was a huge problem after all.
“Honestly, imagine how hard that would be if you actually didn’t have a lot of mobility in your arms and hands too. That would be pretty much impossible, I feel like. You’d have to go in the road,” Natalie Swanson, 21, of Pullman said.
Malmberg also noticed it was impossible to use his cellphone at the same time.
The group had no such at the theater, which appeared to be closed, though they noticed it had a large parking lot and lacked an automatic door.
With that, they headed to other businesses. Swanson tried the chair herself, calling it quits after the group passed the manhood cover again.
One of the groups biggest obstacles was the boulevard, filled with passing cars. One student noted most people on foot would jaywalk rather than find a designated crosswalk. In a wheelchair, you could barely jay-roll, she said.
Chain businesses like the Holiday Inn Express were more thoroughly prepared as their headquarters require branches to meet ADA guidelines – something the students learned as they visited the hotel. They found the interior of the building had low desks and counters, wide paths, an accessible swimming pool, along with accessible bedrooms, outlets and peepholes.
A Verizon store also impressed the students with its accessible phone displays and counters. The store bore a wheelchair logo on its front door.
At Crimson & Gray, Hayley Sandberg, 21, of Pullman, took to the wheelchair to experience shopping. Though the business had a large elevator and wide enough pathways, Sandberg had trouble reaching textbooks on high shelves. The pathways between books, though wide enough for her chair, gave no room to turnaround, leaving her forced to roll backward down the aisle and take a different turn.
And it was not until the students visited Irwin, Myklebust, Savage & Brown PS Attorneys at Law that they found an automatically opening door, prompting “wows” from the group.
“I never thought how useful that is,” Malmberg said.
The students were one of several groups at WSU to participate in a “mapathon” this month.
Next month, BluePath will head to Vancouver to conduct more mapathons and further develop its website before increasing its marketing to a wider audience. Areas of Idaho and Oregon have also been mapped.
The website will become something similar to Yelp or TripAdvisor – a place where those with disabilities can find businesses that are easily accessible, said Vicki Leeper, marketing specialist for DACNW.
“You have to have enough businesses on it that people with disabilities find it useful,” she said.
Mark Leeper, executive director of the Disability Action Center Northwest, said the experience is important for students to appreciate the ADA, especially when the law has always existed for most of them. The act was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush nearly 27 years ago.
As for businesses, Leeper said they should not be afraid to acknowledge when they are behind on certain ADA requirements.
“If they’re making a good faith effort … it’s a civil rights law and so it’s not black and white criminal code or something,” Leeper said.
By Dana Gover, ADA Specialist and Coordinator for NWADA Center – Idaho
One of the frequent comments I get from business owners is they want more business. At the Northwest ADA Center-Idaho we are available to provide technical assistance and training on low cost ideas to increase access that meet the ADA regulations. One of the major barriers that I encounter daily is the lack of accessible parking that prevents me from entering a business and spending my money. One of the reoccurring problems with accessible parking is the spaces are designed incorrectly; this barrier can be easily fixed by repainting the parking lot.
If a business or government entity has parking available, the accessible parking spaces must be designed according to the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Adding accessible spaces in most cases is a low cost, easy fix. However, if the parking is not marked correctly it can cause unintentional consequences.
Recently my colleague and I were driving home from a training that we provided at the annual Community Transportation Association of Idaho (CTAI) conference held in Sun Valley. We decided to take a break and have lunch at a local restaurant on the outskirts of Mountain Home before driving home to Boise. However this was not the relaxing stop we had anticipated due to the problems with the parking. As I drove into the parking lot, I noticed that the parking spaces were only marked with a sign. None of the spaces were marked with lines or the required adjacent access aisles located next to the accessible spaces. So I parked on the end of the front row and took up two unmarked spaces. I drive a wheelchair accessible mini-van equipped with a lift that comes out on the passenger door. The lift requires extra space on the ground so I can exit the van in my electric wheelchair.
Before I could put my lift down on the ground, a lady and her husband pulled up in a van with a disabled license plate wanting to park in the space next to my van on the lift side. When I didn’t move the van, she started honking her horn and yelling at us to move over. My friend got out of the van and tried to explain to her that the lift needs extra space but the lady would not listen. At one point the lady yelled, “people like you should be strangled”. To avoid further insults and conflict we left and did not go into the restaurant. If the parking lot WAS designed according to the ADA standards this situation would not have happened. The restaurant would have had four customers spending money that day not just two.
To address the parking problem, I sent the restaurant a letter explaining the encounter with the lady and provided the manager with information on how to correct the parking problem.
If you are a business owner or a person with a disability it is important that we work together as partners to provide common sense ideas and use the new ADA requirements called the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design when designing parking. If parking spaces are not correctly designed this can keep people from entering a business and spending money. Maintaining your parking lot by making sure your parking spaces are clearly marked, free of debris and snow are also important in maintaining accessible parking. Consult Chapter 2 and Chapter 5 of 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Link to Chapter 5 describing accessible parking design requirements:
If you are a business and want ideas to increase access please contact the Northwest ADA Center-Idaho at 208-841-9422 or email dananwadacenteridaho@gmail.com. And be sure to have your business listed on www.blue-path.org and let customers know you have accessible parking!
BluePath has grown a lot since it’s launch. From its initial listing of around 160 businesses, it now has 250!
This is in part due to our volunteers. Students at both Washington State University and University of Idaho have been taking part in Mapathons.
These events work in several ways. First there is an education that happens for the students. They learn about barriers to accessibility and the purpose behind the ADA. These students were all born AFTER the ADA was signed into law! So they didn’t know about the struggle for independent living prior to that. Then they go out into the field and “map” accessible businesses. By helping populate the site, it helps create a better tool for people with disabilities to access the information they need in order to do business in their community.
BluePath differs from other accessible sites in a number of ways. It is cross disability, not just looking for wheelchair accessible sites. We look at businesses that remove barriers for people with hearing and vision impairments. It is also not reliant on reviews. There is a strict protocol that a business goes through to see if it meets minimal accessibility requirements. This is not to say they have to be completely ADA compliant! Often times, if a business wants to serve customers with disabilities, they can find alternate ways of doing things to make that customer feel welcome. They are also committed to being open to discussion about removing barriers. A person with a disability can make a recommendation about what may make their experience better and know they will be listened to with respect.
2017 will see growth in the number of businesses listed on the site. Mapathons are scheduled from January to April in Pullman, Moscow, and Vancouver. How can you help? You can become a Pathfinder by signing up on the site. Then when you go into a business that you think is accessible, you can fill out a 10 minute “Quick Look” survey and – boom – the business is loaded! It’s not hard, the questions are all in easy to understand language and it can be done on your smartphone.
So join today and help us build a more accessible world!
We cannot say enough good things about HP and their Disability Employee Resource Group. Members of the Consortium of Idahoans with Disabilities (CID) – partnered with HP’s Disability Employee Resource Group to participate in awareness building, resource sharing, and community development at HP during Disability Employment Awareness Month . HP’s willingness to create a diverse, welcoming, and supportive environment for their employees whose lives are touched by disabilities is to be commended. From Liza Long’s keynote on October 11, to the CID member resource fair on Wednesday October 12, to the Q & A panel on Thursday October 15. Panel Members included Moderator Michael Turner HP Alliances, Document and Industry Solutions HP Americas with speakers Steve Graci, Director Idaho Federation of Families for Children’s Mental , Angela Lindig, Director Idaho Parents Unlimited, Christine Pisani, Director Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, Mel Leviton, Director State Independent Living Council, and Dana Gover, Northwest ADA Center-Idaho. HP is laying a new foundation that embraces a culture of inclusion. Thank you HP!
To begin the month of November on a positive note we asked members of HP’s Disability Employee Resource team to provide us with their thoughts and impression about disability in the workplace at HP. The rest of the article is from the team at HP including a quote from Lesley Slaton Brown, the company’s chief diversity officer at HP.
Think about some of the greatest inventors of all time and names like Thomas Edison, Sir Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein typically pop to mind. No doubt, each made well-known contributions to our lives.
What’s not as well known is that these historical figures also struggled with disabilities. Edison had a learning disability. Newton had epilepsy. And Einstein had Asperger’s Syndrome, a form of Autism.
History teaches that innovation knows no physical or mental boundaries, which is why HP is pursuing a little-publicized effort to attract, develop and retain top talent from a range of backgrounds in Idaho. Noting that roughly one in three employees in Idaho have some form of disability, according to Cornell University data, HP recently formed a local disability Enterprise Resource Group (ERG) whose main purpose is promoting the benefits of inclusion in the workforce. Wikipedia defines inclusion as the idea that all people should act to freely; openly accommodate people with disability, for example by providing ramps and accessible toilets in meeting facilities.
HP has been focused on diversity and inclusion for a while, having started Employment Resource Groups as far back as the 1970s for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allies and Black/African American workers. The programs have grown considerably since then with the company sponsoring more than 260 diversity-focused events in 30 countries in 2015.
Now HP is focusing on the Boise area, and it’s been incredibly busy of late. In October, as part of National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2016, HP held a series of events for its employees, including a keynote event featuring a nationally known speaker and author on bipolar disorder; an awareness fair to discuss resources for empowering workers with disabilities; and a Q&A forum to help people learn more on the subject.
Interestingly, HP is also beginning to experiment with a mapping application called BluePath to help employees find local “disabled friendly” businesses.
The company started by charting some of its own properties, such as its lobby and credit union. It is also sponsoring a series of voluntary “mapping parties,” where employees will locate local businesses to add to the BluePath map.
HP says it will continue to expand the efforts of its Employment Resource Group team, which currently has eight members, because it strongly agrees with the recent sentiments of Jennifer Sheehy, deputy assistant secretary of labor for disability employment policy, who said:
“By fostering a culture that embraces individual differences, including disabilities, businesses profit by having a wider variety of tools to confront challenges. Our nations most successful companies proudly make inclusion a core value. They know that inclusion works. It works for workers, it works for employers, it works for opportunity, and it works for innovation.”
Indeed, those comments are right in line with HP’s own view that its prospects – and those of any business really – are directly tied to having as diverse a work force as possible.
“Diversity is embedded in everything we do,” says Lesley Slaton Brown, the company’s chief diversity officer. “The more points of view we can draw upon, the better our products, and the company as a whole, will be.” Brown notes that HP’s longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion has been widely recognized by many organizations that track such things. For example, HP received the highest possible score of 100 on the 2016 Disability Equality Index (DEI), a nationwide benchmarking tool that objectively ranks the biggest companies on their disability inclusion policies and practices. HP was also listed as on the DEI’s “Best Places to Work” list.
In addition to industry accolades, the company is also ranking its own progress – and being very transparent about what it discovers. Each year, HP issues a closely watched sustainability report that draws upon a wealth of internal surveys and other data to measure its success against goals for diversity and inclusion as well as its commitment to the environment, society and corporate integrity.
HP says that programs such as the DEI and its own sustainability report help analyze its strengths and identify areas of opportunity across the organization. The company also uses these programs as a benchmark to compare itself to competitors and other businesses.
In the end, HP believes the diversity and inclusion work it’s doing in Idaho and beyond will attract a wider mixture of top-notch talent and lead to more innovation. Quite possibly the next great computing device or mobile gadget or printer. And who’s to say they won’t find the next Edison, Newton or Einstein somewhere in that mix? It could very well happen.
A dream to honor the late father of Major League great Cal Ripken Jr. converged Wednesday with the legacy of Otto Zehm as Spokane officials gathered in the rain to dedicate a new baseball field at Mission Park for kids with disabilities.
Spokane Mayor David Condon and Spokane City Councilwoman Amber Waldref joined park staff members who worked with the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation, secured state grants and persuaded local donors to raise a total of about $560,000 to fund the Mission Park Ability Field. The field is adjacent to the only playground structure in the city that provides access to kids with mobility issues or other special needs.
“This is the park Otto Zehm played in as a child,” Condon said, referring to a mentally ill man who died after a violent encounter with Spokane police. “This has become somewhat of a local destination for children with disabilities. (The ball field) will have a synthetic surface. With the dugouts and digital scoreboard … it will make the kids feel like they are playing in the majors.”
Spokane Parks and Recreation officials had dedicated the playground equipment years before the city settled a civil suit brought by Zehm’s family. As part of that settlement, the city agreed to a request by Zehm’s mother to place a plaque honoring Zehm in a gazebo at the park. The new ballfield was not a part of that settlement.
Zehm’s “mom wanted (the memorial) here because he came here all the time to play,” Waldref said. “He loved it here. It’s come full circle.”
Waldref said the ballfield only came about because city staff sought grants, contacted the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and worked with neighborhood groups who have successfully completed other projects, like providing exercise equipment for senior citizens at Mission Park.
The ballpark’s second phase, expected to be completed by this next summer, will add restrooms that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, new paths and additional parking to make it easier for kids in wheelchairs to get to the new ballfield. Combined, the new projects will cost more than $800,000 to build.
The projects will “make it a regional destination for all kinds of families and people with disabilities,” Waldref said.
Bill Tsoukalas, speaking on behalf of the Ripken foundation, explained that Cal Ripken Jr. and his family created the nonprofit in 2007 to honor their father, who died in 1999. The foundation provides seed money for ballfields to serve disadvantaged youths.
The foundation’s initial goal was to build 50 ballfields across the country. The Spokane project becomes field number 66. It’s the 16th field designed specifically for kids with disabilities, Tsoukalas said.
“These are designed to deal with at-risk kids,” he said. “Whether its two working parents … or a kid with disabilities, this is a way the foundation can help you help your kids do the right thing.”
The foundation contributed the first $50,000. The city then won a grant from the state Recreation and Conservation Office for about $230,000 and local donations made the up the rest. The Kalispel Tribe of Indians donated the money for the scoreboard.
Larry Gorton, 69, attended the ceremony. He works with the local organization called Access 4 All Spokane, which visits dozens of venues in the city to rate them for how they accommodate people with special needs.
“We are not the ADA police, but we are here to promote accessibility,” said Gorton, who is deaf and spoke through an interpreter. “I grew up here (in Mission Park), too. It’s been a very slow process to change things. That’s why we are here is to encourage people to adapt to people with disabilities.”
He applauded the city staff’s work to reach out to the Ripken foundation, and the three-and-a-half year effort to secure grants and donations needed to make the ballfield happen.
“It’s more than a park,” Gorton said. “It shows the city is trying.”
September 6, 2016, By Brian Walker, Staff Writer for Coeur d’Alene Press
To see the world through Jessica Workman’s eyes, you’d have to be in a wheelchair navigating broken-up sidewalks, dodging spray from sprinklers and hoping motorists see you on the side road when you’re forced to take a detour.
The 22-year-old has been bound to a wheelchair for the past year and a half, erasing activities such as hiking and basketball that she enjoyed before. Workman has dystonia, a disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause repetitive or twisting movements.
Workman also was a volunteer for those with special needs and at nursing homes, but her mission these days is helping to smooth travels for those with disabilities.
“I live independently, so I have to do everything myself,” she said. “I use my power chair to pay bills and grocery shop.”
That means she has had to find the best possible routes for her chair from her apartment near Treaty Rock to Super 1 Foods and other businesses since moving to Post Falls from Coeur d’Alene two months ago.
Workman said progress on access improvements for those with disabilities has already been made. She called the Disability Action Center to explain she needed to maneuver her wheelchair onto the street to get around a broken sidewalk. The detour caused her to have to enter oncoming traffic.
Within two weeks of hearing from Workman and the center, the city had the sidewalk repaired, making it a smooth ride along Idaho Street for Workman and others with disabilities. Workman said she was amazed at the quick response.
“They’ve listened to my everyday struggles,” she said.
Workman said the city not only fixed the sidewalk, but it is working with her on other projects around town to help make Post Falls more accessible.
Rob Palus, Post Falls assistant city engineer, said while all new roads and sidewalks must be built to standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). New signalized intersections also have beeping sounds to help those with disabilities find the cross buttons.
The city has also made an effort over the past decade to make improvements to the older sidewalks and roads, Palus said.
“If someone is having trouble making it from Point A to B, if it’s maintenance-related, we want to do our part to have that taken care of,” he said. “It’s important that when citizens notice something in bad shape to let us know and that can help us make corrective actions. Otherwise, it could be a long time before we notice it.”
Palus said the city sometimes receives concerns about why tax dollars are being spent for bicycle paths and sidewalks when roads for vehicular traffic still need to be improved. But there are also young and elderly residents in similar situations to Workman’s who can’t get where they’re going without having their chairs damaged by sprinkler spray or axles destroyed by uneven sidewalks.
“It’s good to know you can help make someone’s life a little better,” Palus said.
Michelle Porter of the Disability Action Center said congratulations are in order — for the city for the improvements it is making, and for Workman for advocating for herself and others in similar situations.
“Even small repairs and minor adjustments can make a difference in the life of people, like Jessica, whose mobility is dependent on accessibility to accomplish everyday chores,” Porter said. “Accessibility around town is crucial for personal independence when that person doesn’t have their own transportation and solely relies on their wheelchair or walker for mobility.”
Brian Walker can be reached at bwalker@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter @brianCDAPress.
Photo by Carly Winston of Moscow Pullman Daily News
The Americans With Disabilities or ADA has been in effect for over 25 years. We, as people with or without a disability, have come a long way in making life more “accessible” for people with a disability. There have been guidelines put in place and laws created that help to ensure a more accessible America …but, there is far more that needs to be changed and preferably at a faster rate than the last 25 years.
As A Movement:
Since the mid 1900’s, people with disabilities have pushed for recognition, to be viewed as an individual and not have their disability define who the are as a person.
People with disabilities have battled with stigmatism, irrational fears, and harmful stereotypes that resulted in oppression, pity, ridicule, poverty, inability to contribute to society, and even viewed as entertainment for circus acts. Our first President with a disability, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was an advocate for the “rehabilitation of people with disabilities” but still had the view that a disability was an abnormal, shameful condition that should be “fixed” or medically cured.
By the 1940’s and 1950’s veterans who were disabled started demanding that the government provide rehabilitation and vocational training, which brought more visibility and concern for the long-term welfare of those who sacrificed for the safety of the United States. Despite these initial efforts towards independence, people with disabilities still didn’t have access to public transportation, telephones, bathrooms, stores, buildings and work due to stairs and other physical barriers. Employer’s attitudes created more barriers for talented and eligible workers when people with disabilities were essentially denied access to meaningful work.
The Civil Rights Movement:
In the 1960’s the civil rights movement began and disability advocates saw an opportunity to join in with other minority groups and the demand for equal access and opportunity began to take shape. People with disabilities struggled to challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes. They rallied for political and institutional change by lobbying for the minority community of people with disabilities.
Disability rights activists started a grassroots movement at the local level, demanding national initiatives to address these physical and social barriers. Parents of children with disabilities started demanding that their children be deinstitutionalized and removed from asylums so they could have the opportunity to attend schools, be included and engage socially with children who were not disabled.
Rehabilitation Act- Section 504:
By the 1970’s disability activists lobbied congress and marched to Washington to include civil rights language for people with disabilities into the 1972 Rehabilitation Act. In 1973 the Rehabilitation Act was passed and a historical change took place. The civil rights of people with disabilities were now protected by law. For the first time in history people with disabilities were viewed as a class, a minority group.
ADA – The Americans With Disabilities Act:
The ADA was signed into law on July 26, 1990 on the South Lawn at the White House. But as you can see the ADA story began many years ago through the struggles and determination of people with disabilities who fought to have their voices heard.
The Independent Living Movement:
The ADA’s birthright is not owed to any one person, or a few people, it took thousands of people working together to put the movement into law. People worked for years organizing protests, lobbying, drafting legislation, testifying, filing lawsuits, being arrested, negotiating, doing whatever they could for a cause they believed in. If not for the commitment, contribution and hard work, even something as small as licking an envelope, the ADA would not exist today.
NCIL – The National Council on Independent Living:
The single mission of the NCIL – “To advance independent living and the rights of people with disabilities.” It’s vision is “a world in which people with disabilities are valued equally and participate fully”.
“The NCIL is the longest- running national cross-disability, grassroots organization run by and for people with disabilities. It was founded in 1982 and represents thousands of organizations and individuals with disabilities, Centers For Independent Living (CILs), statewide Independent Living Councils (SILCs) and other organizations that advocate for the human and civil rights of people with disabilities throughout the United States.”
The NCIL emphasizes that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, with crucial and valuable perspectives to contribute to society and deserving of equal opportunity to decide how to live, work and take part in their communities. For more information visit NCIL
WE STILL HAVE MUCH MORE TO ACCOMPLISH:
Although the independent living movement has made great strides, the ADA still has a long road ahead. Barriers to inclusion still exist, language in reference to people with disabilities need to change, stigmas and stereotypes are still present, and accessibility is far from acceptable. With the invention of the internet and technology many more advancements are needed. As an ever- growing group, we have established that people with disabilities will keep fighting for our civil rights. In the meantime, websites like Blue-Path.org will provide people with disabilities access to businesses that are fully accessible. And it will provide businesses with the tools they need to become more accessible.
The ADA LEGACY Project:
With the 26th anniversary of the ADA looming on the horizon, the ADA Legacy Projects works to Preserve, Celebrate, and Educate. A nationwide tour will culminated in a celebration on July 26-28, 2015 in Washington DC. “We envision a world in which all people are accepted and valued for who and how they are: where all are welcomed with respect and given equal opportunities to contribute to the human experience. The mission of The ADA Legacy Project is to honor the contributions of people with disabilities and their allies by:
Preserving the history of the disability rights movement.
Celebrating its milestones; and Educating the public and future advocates” for it is they who will carry the torch for the next 25 years.
