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Candidate Name: Tony Avella

Contact Person: Christian Schneider (christian @ tonyavellaformayor.com)

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

Campaign Address: 2 Prince Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-855-7038
Fax: 718-762-0235
Email: action @ tonyavellaformayor.com
Website: www.tonyavellaformayor.com

Endorsements: (Political, Community & Labor) Brooklyn Democrats for Change; Three Parks Independent Democrats; Democratic Club of Flushing; Michel Regular Democratic Club of College Point, Democrats for New Politics

1. 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 co-sponsored/and or supported every piece of legislation in the City Council that advanced disability rights. I have also worked with individual constituents throughout the City to ensure accessible housing, employment and transportation. This includes individual level assistance such as helping constituents with Access-A-Ride problems and broader issues such as curb cut installations and corner clearance following snow falls.

       

   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 as Mayor to only attend/sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities.

       

2. General Questions

    

   1. What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

      My father was a disabled World War II veteran. Due to his disability, he was unable to hold a full time job. He worked part time as a street vendor because the flexibility of the work accommodated his disability. This is why I truly understand needs of people with disabilities particularly the need for flexible work options. I have introduced legislation to ensure that disabled veterans are able to obtain street vending permits.

       

   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 believe all jobs should be available to people with disabilities who can perform those jobs with reasonable accommodation.

       

   3. How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation through the City Council? What will be your strategy?

      As Mayor, I would establish regular meetings with the disabled community to develop programs and legislation to advance opportunities and access to all facets of City life for people with disabilities. I also would increase the funding and responsibility of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. For example, I believe this office should coordinate policies regarding people with disabilities with other City agencies.

       

   4. Neither Mayor Bloomberg nor his predecessor have ever met with the leadership of disability community, although they have met with other communities. What would you do to have more direct contact with our community?

      As stated in the previous question, I would establish regular meetings under the auspices of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities. I would personally attend those meetings.

       

3. Housing

    

   1. What is your position on extending the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) to low-income, eligible persons with disabilities under the age of 62 on the same basis and income level (currently the income cap for seniors is $24,000, but for persons with disabilities it has been set at $17,000)?

      Clearly, the law has to be amended to treat persons with disabilities on the same basis as seniors. As Mayor, I would submit legislation to the City Council making this change official. I also believe that the income cap must be raised for all concerned.

       

   2. What have you done/accomplished in regard to extension of SCRIE or similar programs? What alternative programs will you propose to allow persons with disabilities to stay in their own homes/apartments? Perhaps a dedicated housing trust fund should be established for persons with disabilities? Would you provide a data base of available accessible housing?

      I have co-sponsored legislation in regard to such program extensions. I have also introduced legislation to require a database of rent controlled and rent stabilized apartments. This legislation could easily be amended to include requirements for a database of accessible housing.

       

   3. The general definition of what's "affordable" in housing doesn't apply to many, particularly those who receive SSI or SSDI. Government-funded housing programs, such as those of H.P.D., are required to set aside apartments for people with disabilities, but these apartments go largely unfilled, regardless of whether the individual is eligible for rent subsidies such as Section 8 and Nursing Home Diversion voucher, because the minimum income required is $17,000 or higher. What would you do to increase the housing supply for persons with disabilities who don't meet minimum income requrements?

      As Mayor, I will change the entire affordable housing program making the income levels relevant to the particular neighborhood in which the development is located.

       

   4. The City Human Rights Law currently permits civil penalties to be assessed against discriminators to vindicate the public interest, but these penalties are seldom if ever assessed against housing providers who have failed to make reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Will you commit to imposing such penalties so as to create a greater incentive for housing providers to comply with the law?

      Yes. I believe that the political influence exerted by the real estate industry must come to an end, if true housing reform is ever to be enacted. As Mayor, I will regulate the industry and impose much stricter penalties.

       

   5. Emergency evacuation for people with disabilities: what would you do to ensure that provisions are put in place to improve survival rates of people with disabilities in the event of fire, attack, blackout, or other emergency situation?

      As Mayor, I would direct the Office of Emergency Management to develop and implement procedures in every agency to ensure that accommodations are in place for people with disabilities during disasters or other emergencies.

       

   6. What would you do to ensure that "Visitability" is enacted in New York City? Visitability = the movement towards establishing guidelines providing that newly constructed multi-family dwellings have basic accessible/adaptable features that permit friends and family with disabilities to visit, and for residents to "age in place," without having to move out when age and/or disability set in.

      I would work with the disabled community to develop new guidelines in the building and fire code to ensure "Visitability."

       

   7. Will you develop new and renovated housing for people with disabilities?

      Yes. As Mayor, I will allocate the necessary capital funding to provide housing for people with disabilities. I consider the development of affordable and accessible housing a priority for an Avella Administration.

       

   8. What efforts are you willing to commit to assuring that people with disabilities do not become homeless - are able to stay in their own apartments with adequate supports?

      To prevent homelessness, I would ensure that more proactive steps are taken by the appropriate City agencies to intervene in eviction cases, situations of financial distress, and mediation with landlords.

       

4. Employment

    

   1. People with disabilities have one of the highest rates of unemployment and underemployment as a result of both physical and attitudinal barriers. What have you done in your present office to advance employment opportunities for people with disabilities? Would you ensure that all 55-A Non-Competive job slots are filled?

      In my City Council District Office, I display employment information and opportunities. I have advertized for open positions both in print media and via the Internet.

       

   2. What else would you do as Mayor to increase the employment of people with disabilities in both City government and the private sector?

      As Mayor, I would require each City agency to provide yearly statistics on the number of people employed with disabilities and efforts to increase employment levels. In the private sector, laws must be enacted to ensure that efforts are made to increase employment.

       

5. Organization

    

   1. Although Mayor Bloomberg elevated the Director of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities to Commissioner-level, he failed to increase the Office's budget and responsibility. How would you ensure that city departments/agencies coordinate through MOPD?

      As Mayor, I would attend regular meetings with the disabled community. I would require City agency commissioners to attend as well and provide me with regular reports as to how they are implementing plans and procedures developed at these meetings.

       

   2. What implementation/authority should MOPD have, and/or how would you ensure that MOPD have?

      MOPD should have the authority to oversee/coordinate with other City agencies with respect to all issues relating to people with disabilities. As Mayor, I would institute such a policy.

       

   3. Since presumably MOPD is a Mayoral Office, how would you enforce and do oversight regarding the work of the office and be certain of the implementation and its efforts?

      Same as above.

       

6. Accessibility

    

   1. Under Mayor Bloomberg, the City settled with the United Spinal Association and agreed to install curb cuts -- pedestrian ramps, on all corners which presently don't have one. However, no provision has been made to repair or replace those current ones which are unsafe. How would you ensure that curb cuts-pedestrian ramps - are provided on or repaired on streets that need them? What would you establish as a timetable?

      Curb cut installation has been an issue with which I have been actively involved. The entire program has been mismanaged by the City. Within the first few years of my tenure as Mayor, I would ensure that all of the remaining curb cuts are completed and inspections of the previous installations are conducted. I would hold contractors who conduct shoddy work financially accountable - either through fines or through requirements to make repairs.

       

   2. What steps do you think NYC should take to encourage business owners to make their establishments more accessible?

      The small business community is in dire straits in the City. The City of New York is ranked the lowest in the country for small business. My Administration would be dedicated to helping revitalize this industry. Part of this effort would include incentives for the owners to make these establishments accessible as well as hiring people with disabilities.

       

   3. Do you believe that landmark buildings can be made accessible without losing their historical integrity?

      Yes. For example, Poppenhusen Institute, a New York City Landmark in Queens, is installing an elevator with funding that I obtained in the capital budget. This beautiful building with a rich history will now be accessible.

       

7. Transportation

    

   1. Would you support an expansion of affordable wheelchair accessible transportation in NYC, including taxi, livery service, express buses, airport shuttle service, more accessible subway stations, etc.?

      Yes.

       

   2. Efforts to secure a 100% accessible fleet of medallion taxis have been hampered by opposition from Mayor Bloomberg and the taxi industry. Wheelchair accessible taxis are present in many cities as a result of strong support from local Mayors and City Councils. What would you do to assure that all New York City residents, commuters and tourists have access to an important form of public transportation, our medallion taxis and community car services?

      As Mayor, I would issue an Executive Order demanding that these industries become accessible.

       

   3. Access-A-Ride has denied rides to many eligible consumers, caused unnecessarily long trips, and has left many consumers stranded at the curb. What would you do to improve the quality of service for those who must use Access-A-Ride? Would you support the use of a "smart card" where Access-A-Ride consumers can obtain taxi or local car service transportation at a lower cost than a para-transit and receive better service?

      I believe that the MTA must be "broken up" and New York City given control of our own buses and subways as well as Access-A-Ride. This would ensure more accountability and result in significantly improved service.

       

   4. Do you favor the construction of the Second Avenue Subway? If so, is this a priority?

      I believe that a more sensible approach is the construction of a ground-level light rail system, which could be constructed at one-tenth of the cost, in less time and be more easily accessible to people with disabilities.

       

8. Civil Rights

    

   Under the Bloomberg Administration, the Corporation Council intervened on the side of the city of Sacramento when it sought to challenge the Americans with Disabilities Act regarding the requirement to maintain accessible sidewalks. Do you pledge to use your office to affirm or strengthen, rather than weaken, civil rights protections for persons with disabilities?

   I commit to using the power of the City of New York to defend and expand the rights and protections of people with disabilities.

    

9. Long Term Care

    

   The Consumer-Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP): Enables self-directing senior citizens and younger disabled persons (or their surrogates) receiving home care under Medicaid to recruit, hire, train, supervise and (if necessary) discharge their workers, with the home care agency servicing as a "fiscal conduit" to pay salaries, taxes and benefits based on information provided by the consumer and worker. Although CDPAP is a product of the disability rights movement, HRA no longer allows consumers to serve on the Boards of provider agencies and has encouraged agencies to move away from the "self-directing" model to the more traditional "medical" model. Currently only about 2,500 consumers and their surrogates are enrolled in CDPAP. Would you, as Mayor, seek to reverse that policy and strengthen and expand CDPAP? Please describe strategy and time frame for such policy change.

   I would, as Mayor, reverse this policy. Clearly, the self-directing model ensures better services and services tailored to individual needs. As part of my meetings with the disabled community early in my administration, we will develop the strategy and time frame to address this policy.

    

10. Education

     

    1. Children with disabilities often attend schools with segregated placements, insufficient supports to function in a regular classroom, or travel in poorly maintained buses to attend schools far from their homes because their neighborhood school is inaccessible, cannot or will not provide an appropriate education. Months have passed before an Individual Education Plan (IEP) is developed or implemented. What will you specifically direct the Chancellor to do to assure that the policies of the Department of Education are more user friendly to children with disabilities and their parents? Provide time frame.

       Within my first year as Mayor, I would direct the Chancellor to develop and implement, in conjunction with the disabled community, policies and procedures to ensure that the agency is more user-friendly.

        

    2. Do you support a name change for the IEP Diploma, which really isn't a "diploma?"

       As indicated above, this will be part of a coordinated strategy with the disabled community.

        

    3. As a result of cutbacks in Federal funding, programs serving students with disabilities in the CUNY system are being eliminated and these students often do receive mandated supports and services. What would you do, as Mayor, to assure that disabled students in the CUNY system have the required services to assure their academic success?

       As a CUNY graduate myself, I understand the significant role CUNY plays in our City. As Mayor, I would make it a priority to ensure that CUNY is properly funded to not only address the needs of disabled students but all students as well. I believe that we should work towards free tuition at CUNY.

        

Date: June 4, 2009

Printer-friendly version of this questionnaire
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For other candidates running for Mayor, go to the Questionnaires section