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Galveston
Needs to Send Their City Manager to ADA 101
by Ron M.
Rodriguez
April 22, 2005
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After
reading the news update "Galveston Seawall Advisory
Committee" article dated April 5, 2005, I felt I needed
to write the GNS to express my comments and opinion about
Galveston's continued discriminatory practices toward persons
with disabilities. First, I applaud Vic Maceo of the
Galveston Beach Patrol for his honest evaluation of
Galveston's ADA non-compliance along our seawall and how
dangerous this area is for persons with disabilities,
especially those in wheelchairs.
Since federal funds will be used to enhance our seawall, ADA
compliance will be certainly mandated. The Galveston
Seawall Committee should consider some major upgrades to the
current parking situation which effectively denies access to
persons with disabilities. Parking signage identifying
handicapped parking spaces are not visible when driving west
along the seawall. This only encourages persons with
disabilities to drive toward the heavily congested east part
of the island. This surely benefits businesses along the
east end, but places persons with disabilities with heart
conditions or those who use walkers or canes directly in the
path of passing motorists as they exit their vehicle.
Persons with disabilities that use wheelchairs have difficulty
finding handicapped parking spaces because the general public
freely parks in these spaces without worry because police
enforcement is lacking. More handicapped parking spaces
should be designated for this quickly growing population.
I was not surprised, but disappointed to hear Steve LeBlanc's
remarks regarding persons in wheelchairs on the seawall.
"Maybe they shouldn't be up there. There is a ledge
there," said LeBlanc. This either shows his
ignorance or his open bias toward persons with disabilities.
The City of Galveston needs to send their City Manager to ADA
101. Mr. Carl Sharp, before you assure anyone that the
seawall is in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities
Act, I suggest you learn about it as well.
Persons with disabilities have every right to access the
seawall like the general public and the City of Galveston has
the responsibility, by law, to grant access to these citizens.
The first federal dollars budgeted for seawall improvements
should be allocated to making this area in compliance with the
law.
What most people don't realize is they or their loved ones
will most likely be joining this fastly growing group of
persons with disabilities. The City of Galveston should
make their seawall, strand and beaches accessible to these
persons because it is the right thing to do and it's the law.
Ron M. Rodriguez
3716 Bellaire Blvd & 22907 Martes
Houston, TX
Galveston, TX
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