LAX ADA

ENFORCEMENT

REQUIRES NEW

LEADERSHIP ON THE

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

COUNCIL

USA Today published the results of a survey of Americans with disabilities this week. It asked participants whether the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act, signed into law by President George H.W. Bush, had made a difference in their lives. The answer might surprise you.

61% said "No."

Is this because the law was ineffective? No, I believe it is because it has not been adequately enforced.

We can find this to be the case here in Montgomery County. I've filed numerous complaints about ADA violations here in the county, some of which related to county facilities. Most recently, I reported here - and brought to Councilmember Mike Knapp's attention - ADA violations at Damascus ES. I was promised that those violations would be corrected this summer, and I guess we'll find out if that was true soon enough!

This is in addition to the county council's reductions in services for the disabled, including transit cuts and a 50% cut in subsidized taxi coupons for the disabled.

And the many violations of the ADA include the county's refusal to clear sidewalks for days or weeks after a snowstorm. This has a tremendous impact on the ability of those in wheelchairs, for example, to get around or to access Metrobus and Ride On at snowed-in stops.

This is why, if I am elected, disabled residents will finally have an advocate on the council, as will those with special needs.

I have promised that, if elected, I will appoint one staff member to specifically handle disability and special needs issues.

These issues extend to the programs offered in public schools, and the current shortcomings in that area call for new leadership on the council.