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 recently introduced and held hearings on Accessible Pedestrian Traffic Signal legislation. Currently in negotiation, the bill would add audio signals to crosswalks. My office has already been working with the Dept. of Transportation to bring these signals to certain intersections. (I believe one has already been installed near Associated Blind’s facility on 23rd Street.) Additionally, I introduced the first-ever Braille proclamation in honor of the Lighthouse’s 100th anniversary. I also supported funding for accessible taxis in the recent budget negotiations. Furthermore, there is a sign language interpreter at my town hall meetings and all of my newsletters are available in large print and Braille.

I am also a co-sponsor of two bills that recently were signed into law – the Disabled Rent Increase Exemption (Intro 667-A) of 2005 and the Ferry Bill (Intro 398-A). I serve on the Committee on Mental Health, Retardation and Alcoholism where I have participated in hearings on voting technologies and the rights of the disabled to participate in the voting process and the HAVA (Help America Vote Act); hearings on Brad H. v. The City of New York to support mentally ill persons who are discharged from jail; and oversight hearings on Access-A-Ride. As a member of the Higher Education Committee and Mental Health, I have participated in oversight of CUNY facilities for disabled students.

Most recently I passed through the Council Intro. 22-A, the Local Civil Rights Restoration Act, which would require the application of the stricter standards of city law (as opposed to state or Federal) when someone is discriminated against illegally in New York City.

Furthermore, I helped in securing space for the Special Olympics at Martin Luther King, Jr. High School and Riverside Park. There were several hurdles to the Games returning to these sites and I saw to it that they could.
 

What oversight have you performed regarding implementation of programs/legislation you have passed (in first term or in previous offices)?

See above.
 

What implementation/strategy do you have for your future programs and legislation to help constituents with disabilities?

In Riverside Park we have worked to make sure that the ramps are truly accessible. We will continue to monitor curb-cuts – and ask DOT to change the ones that are too steep. I am trying to obtain funding to do a study of one-step issues – eliminating the step at the entrances to local businesses; a member of the West Side community is working with me on the study. Additionally, we participated in the implementation of the only accessible playground P.S. 199.

Finally, I maintain an ongoing, active dialogue with members of the disability community and am guided by the priorities of the community in setting my disability agenda.
 

Will you commit to only attend or sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities? NOTE: This includes providing written materials in alternate formats for people with low vision, providing assistive listening systems for people who are hard-of-hearing, and sign language interpreters for people who are deaf, as well as ensuring that locations are accessible to people who use mobility aids, like wheelchairs and walkers.

Yes – also, my newsletter is also available in large type and Braille and my town hall meetings have sign language interpreters and are held in accessible locations.
 

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What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities?

1. ...in your personal life?

2. ...in the workplace?

Former Council Member Ruth Messinger, for whom I was Chief of Staff, chaired the first subcommittee of People with Disabilities and worked with the EPVA to mandate accessible buses. Personally, I have learned the most about many issues from Susan Scheer, the former deputy of the Mayor’s Office of People with Disabilities and my colleague for 4 years in another office. Finally, I have had personal experience with the City Department of Education’s special education services.
 

What special accommodations do you believe/think are in use in the workplace?

With more than 70% of individuals with disabilities unemployed, the workplace is the next frontier to ensure meaningful economic independence. Discrimination is still a significant problem despite the ADA’s mandates for equality of access. Education of employers is a key component in addressing these gaps. For example, many employers fear the cost of providing reasonable accommodations, yet studies conducted by the Job Accommodation Network (JAN) have demonstrated that most accommodations cost $500 or less. I would also like to explore the feasibility of making low-interest or no interest loans available to small businesses seeking to provide employment accommodations.

In addition to accessible meeting places, accessible (and UNLOCKED) bathrooms are exceedingly important. Also, needed, as I mentioned above, is the "One-Step" program that mandates accessibility.
 

How do you propose to implement your active involvement and/or availability to the disability community?

As City Councilwoman, I plan to host monthly meetings with those constituents who have disabilities in order to receive updates and feedback as to how the District is attending to their needs. Also, my city council office will designate a telephone hotline and e-mail address to receiving input from my constituents who have disabilities.
 

1. Will there be a specific person in your office responsible to this community?

   Yes.
    
   

2. Will have regular office agenda items and meetings on disabled community issues?

   Yes.
    
   

Do you/or will you, have an active Disability Advisory Committee? Explain its duties, responsibilities and powers.

Through friendships with Susan Scheer, Anne Emerman, Jim Weisman and others – I consult on disability issues.
 

How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation through the City Council? What is your strategy during your first term?

I work and meet regularly with staff and members of The Lighthouse, Jewish Guild for the Blind, Selis Manor, Disabled in Action, accessible taxi advocates, and other organizations (including 504 and 504 North).
 

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What is your position on the development of supported apartments/homes and retirement homes for the mentally disabled in your borough? Please also explain same for physically disabled. What strategies will you utilize?

I strongly support passage of the state legislation New York, New York III which provides supportive services and affordable housing. For retirement I support more city and state funding for NORCs and for affordable assisted living.
 

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)?

I support such an extension. Furthermore, I support DRIE and was one of three Council Members at the bill signing with the Mayor. I am a prime sponsor of Intro 667-A.
 

How will you develop realistic income levels for individuals and couples with disabilities to avail themselves of the SCRIE provisions?

The DRIE legislations sets an income ceiling of $17,000; I hope that we can increase it in the future.
 

What alternative programs will you propose to allow persons with disabilities to stay in their own homes/apartments? (i.e. protection from rent increases or undue eviction (harassment) and make funds available to make appropriate accommodations in present living environment). Another example: perhaps a dedicated housing trust fund should be established for making those housing accommodations. If so, how would you fund same?

The NORC model for support services should be expanded, and Local Law 58 that mandates accessibility in housing in New York City should be enforced. In addition, I am well aware of the pivotal role that for Medicaid-funded home health care plays in helping individuals with disabilities maintain their independence.
 

New York City is in the process of adopting a new building code. How would you advocate for the strongest possible access provisions?

1. 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?

   I have attended all hearings on adoption of a new building code. Emergency evacuation is of paramount interest during the current and future hearings on the building code. On the West Side, we have federal funding for community involvement in local evacuation plans and I have participated in this process. In addition, I have been briefed by a company that is promoting an evacuation "hut" that travels up and down a commercial building on slides and 50 people – wheelchair accessible – move at a time. Penn Plaza is testing it now. I am aware of the recent report by the Center for Independence of the Disabled in New York covering the lessons learned regarding the WTC disaster and the evacuation of persons with disabilities in residential and other commercial buildings.
    
   

2. What would you do to ensure that "Visitability" is enacted in New York City? Visitability is 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.

   The disabled community worked to pass Local Law 58 when I worked in the Council. All new and renovated units are supposed to be accessible. The Buildings Department must do a better job monitoring. In addition, new buildings should be built with accessible entrances and paths of travel, and older buildings should make the entrances and public spaces as accessible as possible. Constituents contact us often when they grow older, now use a wheelchair, and cannot leave the building without assistance because of steps. The Commission on Human Rights has told me that under most circumstances, the owners must put in a ramp if the request is made. Tenants are not aware of this. Obviously ramps are of assistance to visitors and residents alike.
    
   

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Will you support, and what strategy will you utilize, to implement an expansion of affordable wheelchair accessible transportation in NYC, including taxis, livery service, express buses, airport shuttle service, more accessible subway stations, etc.?

In the budget process for fiscal year ’06, I supported funding for implementation of accessible taxis. I am very pleased that over $1 million was set-aside for this purpose.
 

1. 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?

   I would make such accessibility a priority and use my public platform to advocate for its expansion. The City Council holds hearings on all issues relating to the MTA and the Taxi and Limousine Commission. As City Councilwoman, I will fight to have hearings on transportation accessibility produce real results.

   I pledge to continue my support for any legislation that would improve accessibility.
    
   

Access-A-Ride has denied rides to many eligible consumers; cause unnecessarily long trips, causing workers to be late for work and consequently be docked pay and even lose their jobs; routinely leave many consumers stranded at the curb, lying to their clients that a bus is coming and calling consumer a "no-show" when the bus has not shown. Consumers who complain are often subject to retaliation. What would you do to improve the quality of service for those who must use Access-A-Ride?

I have participated in oversight hearings regarding Access-A-Ride. Regarding constituent service, I meet regularly with the staff of Access-A-Ride to solve constituent complaints. Although we have been somewhat successful in addressing individual concerns, there are major overall challenges that can only be addressed with more support for Access-A-Ride.
 

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

I favor construction and it is a priority.
 

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The Local Civil Rights Restoration Act (Intro 22) seeks to protect the vigor and independence of the City’s Human Rights Law against the attacks of an increasingly conservative State and Federal Judiciary. Although there are 38 Council sponsors, 32 civil rights and allied organizations, in favor of this legislation, and three hearings have been held, Mayor Bloomberg continues to oppose the most central aspect of the bill, the need for City Human Rights Law not to be restricted as federal and state civil rights law gets cut back. Would you work to assure its passage? Please describe your strategy.

I am the prime sponsor of Intro 22-A. It passed the City Council on September 15, 2005.
 

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?

Yes.
 

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Do you support making sign language interpreters available for Community Board meetings? If so, how would you fund this?

I support making sign language interpreters available for Community Board meetings. Funding should come from City revenue, but could be supplemented by organizations that train sign language interpreters who could use Community Board meetings for their training/certification of their students.
 

Will you appoint disabled persons to local Community Boards?

Yes.
 

How many have you/ or will you appoint to Community Board?

ANY qualified individual who is interested in serving on a Community Board will be considered by my office. Ken Stewart, a former member of Community Board, as well as a constituent, has worked with me to support accessible pedestrian signals.
 

Will you support the "requirement" and implement, a Disabled Committee on every Community Board?

Yes.
 

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Please Specify: Have you used (or will you use) your discretionary funds to support organizations serving persons with disabilities or service organizations seeking to make their programs accessible to persons with disabilities? If so, what percentage of your discretionary funds went to such organizations?

Capital funds that I allocated to the West Side Campaign Against Hunger were used to renovate their food pantry and included an elevator, a ramp and other infrastructure. Capital funds allocated to Department of Parks’ 59th Street Recreation Center include putting in an elevator, making the Center accessible for the first time. I also allocated expense funds to Adaptive Design – a company that builds customized equipment for children with disabilities enabling them to fully participate in school, home and community life.
 

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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?

We regularly work with the Department of Transportation to repair curb cuts and I strongly support a timetable for prioritizing and expediting repairs for those that are unsafe.
 

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

I support the One-Step campaign to encourage owners of restaurants and other businesses to provide wheelchair accessibility. My office intends to conduct a survey of West Side local businesses in fall 2005.
 

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

Yes.
 

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What is your position on efforts to elevate the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) to a commissioner level agency or Commission on Disabilities to enable coordination of efforts of agencies? (A one stop shop for information and assistance.) How would you ensure that city departments/agencies coordinate through MOPD?

I support the elevation of MOPD.
 

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

MOPD should have the power to convene meetings of relevant agency Commissioners and to set an agenda of joint initiatives. It is critical that dedicated funding be available from OMB to implement these activities and that the Deputy Mayors direct their agencies to fully cooperate in efforts to streamline the development and implementation of disability-related programs and policies.
 

Since presumably "this" office 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?

N/A
 

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