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 not held public office before, however I have been an advocate, activist and revolutionary for over 35 years. Although I worked for the right to have basic services, such as, adequate education, health care and housing this would not preclude me from fighting for the disabled. I have seen how diseases like diabetes have rendered people in my district to use wheelchairs, walkers, seeing-eye dogs, and other aids due to loss of limb or sight. With that said, I will work so that persons with disabilities can have as normal a life possible and will pledge to work with the Council Committee(s) to enact and/or introduce legislation to that end. As for inclusion in the political process I pledge to enforce the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) so that polling sites and voting booths are made accessible.
 

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

N/A
 

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

What I would do to implement legislation regarding the disabled is to review any pending legislation that has not been considered; then I would set up meetings with members of the disabled community, listen to their concerns and discuss a draft agenda to bring such issues to the Council for consideration as legislation.
 

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.

As a Councilmember I have an obligation to attend meetings where my constituents have asked for my presence or representation. However, I can ask ahead of time if the location chosen for the event is accessible and if not then assist in finding a more suitable site.
 

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

Personally, I have dealt with both disability and mental illness in my family. I had an uncle who was diabetic and on dialysis as a result of this disease he became an amputee. I remember having to transport him to his weekly dialysis appointments and elsewhere because he was not readily mobile. My uncle’s experience has made me aware and sensitive to the plight people with disabilities go through he at least had caring family who looked after him I can only wonder what a single person with no immediate family near by must feel.
 

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

In the workplace the immediate concerns that come to mind are egress and restrooms. Another issue is ensuring that the ergonomics of the work station accommodates the disabled employee and is in accordance with ADA standards.
 

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

First, my office will be accessible and in compliance with city ADA guidelines. Second, both I and my staff will actively reach out to the disabled community thus creating an open door policy of comfort and trust.
 

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

   The person who will handle the Constituent Services of the office will be someone who is sensitive to all members of District 8 and the city as will all of my staff whom I hire.
    
   

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

   As often as the issue presents itself I will try my best to implement that on the agenda. I hope that any time I do bring these issues to the table that I will have your full support behind me as I will have yours.
    
   

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

As it stands in the City Council currently there is a Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services Committee. When I am in the council, although I wouldn’t know which committees I will serve on, I will try to attend as many meetings possible as it relates to this segment of the population.
 

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 would hold meetings and hearings throughout the district and take the information back to the city council and caucus with my fellow members on how we can pass this legislation and strategize given that there are enough votes, how to veto possible opposition from the Mayor’s office.
 

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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?

In my district as with other districts throughout the city we are witnessing a growth in housing that does not necessarily accommodate our people economically and in some cases does not comply with ADA standards i.e.: renovated Brown Stones. We do however, have in our district a number of supportive housing programs that service the elderly, AIDS and disabled communities. I would visit these sites and see if any can be used as a model for new developments to be built and with that purpose I would propose establishing a funding stream for the creation of these specialized developments.
 

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 believe that there are two resolutions in the City Council that address this. Namely, Intro. numbers 221 and 141 that address this issue with respect to SCRIE. I would support this legislation because it would allow disabled persons the opportunity to remain in their apartments and most importantly remain in their own neighborhoods without fear of eviction.
 

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

The aforementioned legislation stipulates that the New York State Legislature amend the Real Property Tax Law to ameliorate the income requirements. Programs like SCRIE, Section 8 and others are governed by guidelines that are set by both Federal and State law. What would be realistic is to work with the state legislature and argue the cost of living guidelines that govern these programs.
 

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?

Recently the Council passed the Tenant Empowerment Act that will preserve affordable housing by allowing tenants to come together and maintain their building at a rate that they can afford. The Local Civil Rights Restoration Act of 2003 protects against any discriminatory practices and further protects against retaliation under the City Commission on Human Rights. There are Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) laws that govern local communities and offer protection for such residents as well as funding.
 

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

I would use the Americans with Disabilities Act as the conduit in my discussions with the City Department of Buildings as well as ideas from the U.S. Department of Justice in their handbook on Project Civic Access.
 

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?

   It is my belief that every multiple dwelling must have emergency tool kits and emergency evacuation procedures, especially in these times after September 11th. By the time I get to the council I would hope that Intro. 352 has become law. The legislation stipulates that there should be protective devices for seniors and the disabled living in multiple dwellings. Providing that at the request of the tenant the landlord installs safety devices within the unit. I would further introduce legislation to include such devices for the hallways, elevators and stairs so that in case of an emergency there are no additional worries about an evacuation plan.
    
   

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.

   I would have to do additional research on this issue, I am not familiar with any legislation either proposed or on the books.
    
   

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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.?

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?

   There are several pieces of proposed legislation that call for a requirement that For-Hire vehicle base stations have available on demand a vehicle accessible for persons who use wheelchairs or other mobility aids on demand. Intro. Number 444 is an example of such legislation. I too would support this legislation but in reading the compliance portion I see why it has problems passing on the floor. The penalties are steep and the time frame for compliance too short. The Taxi and Limousine Commission needs to review this and come up with ways to help supplement the For-Hire vehicle industry by securing funding that will help in acquiring retrofitted vehicles and training in working the hydraulics and ramp system. This would help ease the burden on the drivers of such services.
    
   

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?

The Access-A-Ride (AAR) program is a paratransit system operating throughout the city that is supposed to provide a two-fold service: one a subscription service and second a demand response or ad-hoc, service. The AAR has had many problems and complaints since it was enacted in 1992 in compliance with the ADA. There have been meetings, public hearings and law suits as a result. The AAR provides a vital service and is partially funded with federal and MTA funds. There must be better accountability so that whomever holds the contract for these services provides transport that is timely, safe, and sensitive to the clients being served.
 

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

Yes, I do so long as the construction does not disrupt local businesses and that compensation be available due to lost revenue. The Second Avenue Subway should be built as the first line within the MTA subway system that is completely accessible.
 

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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.

First I would elect a Mayor that is responsive and is sensitive to issues of discrimination which I take very seriously. With that being said I would support the bill and give the Commission on Human Rights more enforcement authority in which to pursue discrimination cases of any kind to the fullest extent of the law.
 

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?

The city as well as the county have been living with the ADA since its passage in 1990. After all the progress that has been made since then to improve the quality-of-life of our disabled persons it would be criminal to turn back the clock now. There are many pieces of legislation waiting to be enacted. I will review what is available and reintroduce pieces if needed to ensure that the ADA is still in compliance in New York City.
 

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

In Community Board 11, Manhattan we hold our general meetings inside local hospitals, community organizations/institutions, etc. The board tries to accommodate as many members of the community as possible. I have seen language interpreters, large print documents, etc. If a member of the community asked for signage I am sure that it would be provided for. CB11 being a quasi city agency would have to comply with ADA and City Council Resolution 1208 that stipulates services for the hard of hearing when it is enacted.
 

Will you appoint disabled persons to local Community Boards?

If such a person feels that they can serve and meets with all the requirements as stated in the City Charter then I see no problems with that request.
 

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

I really would not know the answer to that.
 

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

Community Board 11 is revolutionary in that we already have a committee solely dedicated to addressing issues affecting the disabled community, especially our disabled and mentally ill youth.
 

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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?

Since this would be my first elected seat in office I would not know as a freshman in office what in terms of raw numbers I will be receiving for both my office and discretionary funds. However, I assure you that during the course of my terms in office I will try to listen to everyone and make decisions accordingly.
 

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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?

I would look into the agreement and see if there needs to be additional legislation to address the repair of curb cuts and include the Departments of Transportation and City Planning to review those sidewalks that are most in need of repair by way of assessing the damage and prioritizing goals and timelines. Most importantly make sure that during that budget cycle it gets implemented.
 

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

I would show business owners a copy of the U.S. Department of Justice’s guide on making establishments ADA compliant without it taxing their budgets.
 

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

That I would leave up to the Landmarks Commission to decide. I know that they have allowed a few exceptions where needed.
 

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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 understand there have been efforts to make the MOPD a city agency with its own commissioner and budget line. Since its inception in 1973 MOPD has oversight in the implementation of city compliance concerning the rights of people with disabilities. MOPD has in the past worked with the Buildings Department to implement building code accessibility pursuant to Local Law 58.

It is conceivable that MOPD continues to work with other agencies like DFTA, NYCHA, MTA and Commission on Human Rights to ensure that its role as liaison between the City and Disabled Community continues with a singular goal to recognize the rights of people with disabilities.
 

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

(Question was sent incomplete)
 

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?

By taking it out of Mayoral control and give it a budget line of its own.
 

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