504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for Comptroller David I. Weprin's 2009 response)

Candidate Name: David I. Weprin

Contact Person: Eben Bronfman

If there is a Campaign office, is it wheelchair accessible? Yes.

Campaign Address: 250 West 54th Street, New York, NY 10019
Phone: 212-582-2820
Email: prof.bronfman @ gmail.com
Website: www.davidweprin.com

Endorsements: (Political, Community & Labor) Campaign Co-Chairs: Former Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins, and Former Brooklyn County Leader and Brooklyn Borough President Howard Golden, New York City Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, DC37 Retirees, Assembly Member Dov Hikindm, Assembly Member Peter J. Abbate, Jr., District Leader Joseph Bova, Assembly Member Steven Cymbrowitz, Councilman Vincent Gentile, District Leader Michael Geller, District Leader Jacob Gold, District Leader Mary Rose Satti, District Leader Pearl Siegelman, District Leader Delia Shack, District Leader James Wrynn, Assembly Member Grace Meng, Congressman Gary Ackerman, Leo Barilli, former District Leader (now a Staten Island District Leader), Assembly Member James Brennan, Assembly Member Ann Margaret Carrozza, Congressman Steve Israel, Hon. Steve Kaufman, Former Bronx Borough President Herman Badillo, Assembly Member Charles D. Lavine, Hon. Honey Miller, Hon. Steve Sanders, Hon. William Saunders, Hon. Martha Taylor, Assembly Member Mark Weprin

Action Shows Commitment!
1. While in public office/prior to this campaign, what have you accomplished in regard to advancing disability rights? This can include work towards accessible housing, transportation, employment, health care, education, and including people with disabilities in the political process?
  
  I have been a proud supporter in advancing disability rights. I have fought on issues related to accessible housing, transportation, employment, health care, and education. I supported New York City Council Intro. 0444-2006, this increased the maximum qualifying income for the Disabled Homeowner's Exemption. I also took action to reform the policies related to the TLC Accessible Dispatch Program, which doesn't work and also puts passengers and pedestrians in harms way. Additionally, I was a sponsor of Intro. 378, which increases the number of taxicabs that are accessible to people with disabilities, and Intro. 0072, which would establish a program to train and authorize volunteers to gather photographic evidence of individuals who park in spaces reserved for people with disabilities. I was also a supporter of Intro. 0198, which called for the creation of a NYC office for people with disabilities. I have introduced legislation requiring the installation of carbon monoxide detectors for hearing impaired individuals in specific building types, following the deaths of two of my constituents. I also sponsored the accessible ferry bill. I also lead a $1.75 million initiative which addresses the needs of those individuals and families living with Autism Initiative. The funds were earmarked for groups that provide after school programs and wrap-around services to young people on various points of the Autism Spectrum.
2. Will you commit to only attend / sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities (PWDs including providing written materials in alternate formats, providing assistive listening systems, and sign language interpreters as well as ensuring that locations are physically accessible)?
  
  I will commit to sponsoring events that are accessible to people with varying disabilities. It is important to provide the opportunity for all to attend my events regardless of limitations due to their disability, and I will encourage my colleagues in government to do the same.
General Questions
1. What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?
  
  Throughout my time in the Council, I have employed people with disabilities and have made every possible accommodation to make their time working for me an enjoyable learning experience. I have also worked with many individuals with disabilities on legislation that I have sponsored and supported.
2. What type of jobs would you be willing to hire and to provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. flex or part time) for staff members with disabilities?
  
  I would be more than happy to hire qualified individuals, regardless of their disabilities. I will make every reasonable accommodation for such staff members so they feel welcome and accepted within the office environment. I will show such commitment by assigning a high level liaison between the Comptroller's office and those with disabilities.
3. How do you propose your active involvement/availability to the disability community? Will there be a specific person in your office responsible to this community? Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues? What would you do to have direct contact with our community?
  
  As I have campaigned over the last several months, I feel that government should come to the people - not the other way around. That is why I have made a commitment to making the Office of the Comptroller accessible to everyone by opening up Borough offices. This would make it easier for those individuals with varying disabilities to access government resources.
4. Would you assure that City contractors maintain program access to persons with disabilities?
  
  As Comptroller, and Chief Investment Officer of the City Pension System, I would use the city's investment dollars to ensure that the Pension is investing in companies that adhere to the ADA, and with companies who are making reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. If our money is in a company that is not making reasonable accommodations, I would attempt to work with said entity to reach a reasonable resolution, and if that tact failed, threaten to pull the City's investment from that company, and reinvest those dollars with a company that is ADA compliant.
5. Would you support the inclusion of preferences for businesses owned by persons with disabilities to those who are owned by women and/or other minorities?
  
  In addition to my support of women and minority owned businesses, I would whole heartedly support the inclusion of those businesses that are owned by persons with disabilities.

Date: June 5, 2009

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