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?

In 2004, I was the primary sponsor for legislation that made ferry service more for disabled individuals.

In September 2004, I stood up to the federal government and asked for the City’s Legislative agenda to include an expansion in access to Medicaid for disabled children.

As City Council Speaker, I joined the Taxis for All Campaign in December 2004 when I pledged my support to Transportation Committee Council Member Liu and his efforts to pass new legislation that would make New York City taxis wheelchair accessible.

In 2003, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) approved the auctioning of 900 new medallions for yellow city taxicabs to increase the current fleet through 2005. As City Council Speaker I helped pass a law requiring that 9% of the medallions would be sold for vehicles that would be wheelchair accessible.

In 2003, I supported the plan to replace news kiosks with those that were handicapped accessible.

In September 2003, I helped pass legislation establishing a generalized confidentiality policy that will allow each New Yorker to apply for city services without fear of exposing private or sensitive information such as health and disability.

In 2002, I voted to require air-conditioning on vehicles transporting a child with a disability to and from school.

During my tenure as City Council Speaker the number of taxicab medallions dedicated to use with wheelchair accessible vehicles has increased by 20 percent, from 5 to 30 from 2001 to 2005. In March of 2001, I was a strong supporter of the decision by the City Council to appropriate $1 million in funding for the implementation of a program requiring all for-hire vehicles, such as limousines and car services, to be wheelchair accessible. I continued this effort to increase vehicle accessibility by sponsoring a bill that required taxi and limo fleets to have wheelchair accessible vehicles. I was also a lead sponsor in obtaining funding for and negotiating with the Taxi & Limousine Commission to mandate that every taxi and livery fleet has wheelchair-accessible vehicles.

In 2001, I voted against contractor discrimination, to require city contractors to comply with the city's human rights law and requiring that contractors will not engage in an unlawful discriminatory practice as defined in Title VIII of the administrative code.

In 2001, I spoke out and demanded that State and Federal Government to ensure voting machines in senior and disabled residences. I voted for a resolution calling on the State Legislature to amend Election Law and clarify and codify the State’s long-standing practice of placing voting machines in certain nursing homes, residential health care facilities and other similar residencies where disabled and elderly voters live.
 

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

In March of 2004, I lead support in following up with implementation of efforts to increase the number of medallions sold to wheelchair accessible vehicles. After the Taxi and Limousine Commission failed to sell any medallions designated for wheelchair accessible taxis, we addressed the problem by holding a separate auction and selling 27 wheelchair accessible medallions.

In 2003, I held a joint hearing investigating Governor Pataki’s proposed budget cuts of $1.6 billion in Medicaid funding and other health care programs which would disproportionately affect the disabled community. Over 96% of people with severe disabilities, including persons with serious and persistent mental illnesses, are Medicaid beneficiaries. In response to this proposed cut I stood up to Albany and supported two resolutions to restore funding.

In 2003, I supported investigation and the testimony of Alexander Wood of the Disabilities Network of NYC (DNNYC) on the Disability Budget & Policy Coalition Recommendations Regarding Transportation in order to gain insight into the progress made in improving wheelchair access to public vehicles.
 

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

One of the most significant obstacles we face in implementing successful legislation for bettering the lives of people with disabilities is a shortage of funds. We are currently sending $24 billion more away to Washington and Albany than we get back every year and this is a crippling problem. We don't get our fair share of mass transit aid, education aid or health care aid, and as Mayor of New York I would stand up and fight for these funds, just as I did in the past when Governor Pataki tried to cut our Medicaid budget by $1.6 billion.
 

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; sign language interpreters for people who are deaf; as well as ensuring that locations are accessible (including bathroom facilities) to people who use mobility aids, like wheelchairs and walkers.

As in the past, I will continue to provide for the needs of the disabled at any events where I, or my staff, is involved in the planning or preparation, in order to promote inclusion and honor the rights of the handicapped.
 

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

1. ...in your personal life? or in the workplace?

   I have been fortunate to have worked with a diverse group of people throughout my career and my personal life. There are a number of people with disabilities who work at the City Council, including those in wheelchairs and those who are deaf. In addition, I am proud to have a Special Olympics winner as a supporter and campaign volunteer.
    
   

2. ...what special accommodations do you believe/think are in use in the workplace?

   Unfortunately, New York City businesses are nowhere near where they should be in the effort to provide adequate workplace accommodations for the disabled. Although City law requires that employers make reasonable accommodation to enable persons with a disability to perform and fulfill the requirements of their job, this is not always a reality.
    
   

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

Outreach and inclusion are key aspects of any successful policy initiative. As Mayor of New York City I would continue my practice of holding hearings and attending numerous organizational meetings in order to understand the issue from the people for whom living with a disability is a daily reality. During my tenure as Speaker of the City Council, we have held numerous committee hearings with the Department of Transportation and the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) where persons with disabilities, and advocacy groups testified and took part in the legislative process.
 

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

   As Mayor of New York City I will ensure that issues important to the community of disabled persons are addressed by incorporating the key concerns into each area of the administration. Rather than appointing a single person responsible for all disability issues I would integrate various concerns into the commission on human rights, economic development, housing, health, etc. This approach would promote inclusion and diversity by making disability a standard and recurrent consideration that is addressed within each issue area, rather than a separate and often-ignored topic.
    
   

2. Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues?

   As Mayor, I will incorporate local and state leaders of various disability advocacy groups into my regularly scheduled agenda.
    
   

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 I have done throughout my tenure as City Council Speaker, I will continue to hold meetings in-person with group leaders and provide forums for communities to express concerns and ideas. During my tenure at the City Council, I have worked with numerous leaders and advocates for the disabled community, such as activist Frieda Zames, and Councilmember Margarita Lopez, chair of the council's Mental Health, Mental Retardation, Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Disability Services Committee.
 

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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 am in favor of, and would support the effort to extend Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) to persons with disabilities.
 

What have you done/accomplished in regard to extension of SCRIE or similar programs?

As Speaker, I was a strong supporter of strengthening SCRIE, leading the Council to pass legislation that gives seniors more flexibility and speed in adjusting their SCRIE benefits. Previously, seniors who received SCRIE had to wait up to a year to get their benefits. I also supported similar legislation, such as The Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption (SCHE). During my tenure as Speaker, this legislation passed, enabling senior property owners with incomes up to $32,400 to obtain relief on their property taxes.

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 support efforts to compile a database of available, accessible housing and design alternative work through the inclusion of members from the disabled community in the dialogue of various issues addressed by the housing department. One alternative program that merits further exploration is creating more flexible requirements for benefits and health care for those people that work at home and are thus ineligible for many employee benefits.
 

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?

I support enforcing the City Human Rights Law to the fullest extent to ensure persons who have experienced discrimination are rewarded full compensation.
 

New York City is in the process of adopting a new building code:

1. how would you advocate for the strongest possible access provisions?

   I will ensure that the issue of wheelchair accessibility is addressed at any hearings by the Department of Buildings, and I will conduct outreach in order to have a diverse group of testimonies presented during the process of designing a new code. Furthermore, I will also consider the option of tax incentives in order to promote accessibility provisions.
    
   

2. 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?

   Ensuring emergency evacuation for people with disabilities is a necessity that is too often overlooked or over-ruled. Therefore, now that we are in the midst of re-evaluating and re-conceptualizing our security policies and emergency plans we have a valuable window of opportunity to bring light to this important issue. As Mayor, I will ensure that city employees are aware that The Americans With Disabilities Act requires equal access for people with disabilities to all government programs, which includes programmatic inclusion in all disaster plans developed for a community.
    
   

3. 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 will work towards increased visibility by encouraging consistent and uniform approaches throughout the social care network. A significant obstacle to making it easier for people with disabilities, or the elderly, to continue living at home is that they are not ware of the services, public and private, that are available to them. I will help create an easily accessible database of those services available and the information on different providers.
    
   

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

I will include the need for housing for the disability in my broader policy initiative for new and renovated affordable housing throughout the city.
 

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?

A number of studies have show that reducing the stigma associated with being disabled is a risk reduction strategy that increases opportunities. I will committed to reducing stigma through exposure to community members and colleagues by providing incentive for the hiring of disabled people in positions where interaction and relations is integral. I will also be committed to improving programs that help prevent eviction, such as emergency rent and mortgage payment assistance.
 

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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? How would you ensure that city departments/agencies coordinate through MOPD?

I will support the promotion of the MOPD to a commissioner level agency, and because the MOPD is responsible for coordinating agency compliance with various laws and regulations, I will devise a system for streamlining the bureaucratic process of citizen complaints. For example, rather than only having a few limited forms available on the MOPD website I would propose included a variety of forms from other departments, such as housing and education, that pertain to disability benefits and concerns.
 

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

I will ensure that the MOPD has the support of the Mayor’s office and the authority to conduct hearings, forums and investigations in order to bring attention to issues concerning the disabled community. I will also make sure that the MOPD was more than just an advisory committee by respecting a balance between their autonomy and the necessity of collaboration.
 

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?

I will hold regular meetings with representatives from the MOPD to ensure that progress is made and concerns are efficiently addressed.
 

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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?

As Mayor I will propose alternative methods for the implementation of provisions for the replacement and repair of pedestrian ramps in order to accelerate the project. For example, I will consider moving beyond city bureaucracies and working with private companies. This method of implementation would circumvent many of the obstacles the city often faces in trying to secure city funds and organize city-run construction projects, and would expedite ramp construction.
 

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

Staying consistent with my plans for small business growth and with the method that has repeatedly worked in the past, I will support tax incentives to promote disability accessible workplaces.
 

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

A large part of the historical significance of landmark buildings is their role in the surrounding community. The educational value of these landmarks is an integral part of their significance and all members of the community should have an opportunity to experience their value.
 

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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. 38 Council sponsors, 32 civil rights and allied organizations, and three hearings should be enough to get the job done, but the Mayor opposes 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?

As a member of the City Council, I showed my support and sponsored this legislation and as Mayor I will continue to support its passage.
 

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?

As Mayor I will continue my unwavering support for civil rights protections for persons with disabilities.
 

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In the Olmstead decision, the Supreme Court ruled that severely disabled persons have the right to live in the community in the "least restrictive environment," and not be warehoused in nursing homes. In spite of the fact that personal care services are often more cost effective, and severely disabled persons are often happier and live longer in their own homes, there continues to be a nursing home bias in government. What would you do to insure that consumers have the opportunity to remain in the community if they so desire?

As Mayor, I will push the cost-effective argument for personal care services by promoting it as an option during dialogue on health care and Medicaid benefits. I will also work to specifically include those care providers who specialize in at-home care when appropriating health-related funds.
 

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 1,500 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 support processes that increase consumer involvement and input, especially when it comes to personal care. Increasing the control one has over the type of care they receive is an integral part of providing adequate personal care services.
 

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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.

I will ensure the timely implementation of the IEP by assigning a member of my staff to work directly with the office of the Chancellor on finding solutions to specific problems as they arise. The Department of Education has designed a guide to IEP and therefore, a member of my staff would only need to raise specific case problems and work in collaboration with those members of the Chancellor’s office who designed the guide to ensure effective implementation.
 

As a result of cutbacks in Federal funding, programs serving students with disabilities in the CUNY system are being eliminated, including the home-bound program at Queensborough Community College. These students often find that CUNY fails to provide mandated supports. What would you do as Mayor to assure that disabled students in the CUNY system have the required services to assure their academic success?

Throughout my tenure as City Council Speaker I have consistently stood up to state and federal cutbacks in funding to CUNY schools. In May 2004, I joined CUNY students, faculty, and administrators to protest a Bloomberg plan to slash almost $12 million from the city budget. After protests, in June 2004, I successfully fought to restore CUNY cuts, and agreed to a budget that restored $17.2 million in cuts proposed by Bloomberg for the City University of New York.

In 2002, I helped block $8.6 million in cuts to CUNY, reaching a budget deal with Mayor Bloomberg that spared CUNY from the proposed $8.6 million cut. In 2003, I voted for a resolution calling on Pataki to withdraw a proposal to cut funding for CUNY. The first step in ensuring funds for students with disabilities is to ensure that New York City receives its fair share in state and federal dollars, and I have consistently vowed to make this a top priority in my administration.
 

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