★★★★★
15 South Park Avenue
(Rte 44- between Court and Water Street)
Plymouth, MA 02360
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php

obama-plymouth-011.jpgAs I was traveling through Plymouth a few weeks ago, I saw a new ‘Obama 08’ Plymouth Democratic Headquarters’ office  so my friends and I decided to stop and offer our time for volunteer work. I closely follow politics because I believe in getting involved in issues I care about and I have often volunteered my time and campaigned for persons I believe are the best.

obama-plymouth-010.jpgI wanted to offer my assistance to the campaign for Barack Obama because I BELIEVE he will be the BEST President for the United States. As soon as I got out of my van my friends and I saw that the office is not wheelchair accessible because it has stairs leading to both the front and side entry door. I was very disappointed!!

obamarickennyoct-2008.jpgI contacted Marjorie, my good friend who is very involved in the Obama for President campaign and explained how very disappointed I was that the Plymouth Office is not wheelchair accessible, especially since I’ve read that Barack believes in a world that is barrier free for disabled. Marjorie told me that she voiced my concern to members of the National Democratic Headquarters and they took my concern with the utmost seriousness and were going to try to resolve the problem of lack of access constructively.

I believe that Barack Obama will help to make the world more sensitive, respectful and accessible to all. I love the following  statement Barack Obama has posted on his  website at http://www.barackobama.com/issues/disabilities/ regarding his  

‘Plan to Empower Americans with Disabilities’

 “We must build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination …. policies must be developed, attitudes must be shaped, and buildings and organizations must be designed to ensure that everyone has a chance to get the education they need and live independently as full citizens in their communities.”

-Barack Obama

obama-plymouth-headquarters-005.jpgToday, my mom, aunt, friends and I attended the official opening of the ‘Obama 08’- Plymouth Democratic Headquarters. Senate President Therese Murray and Congressman William Delahunt cut the ribbon.

I met Bill Keohan, Chair of the Plymouth Democratic Committee. He explained to my friends and me that the committee looked very hard to find  a wheelchair accessible office to rent in Plymouth but none were available. Some persons wouldn’t rent their office because they were John McCain supporters and other places didn’t want to rent for just a short few weeks. He also told us that he asked the town if he could build a wheelchair accessible ramp but was told that it would need to be approved by the town zoning board and that process wouldn’t be completed until after the election when the office would be closed.

obama-plymouth-headquarters-008.jpgBill Keohan was very kind and offered to help my friends lift my wheelchair up the stairs into the office so I could hear the speeches of Senator Therese Murray, Congressman William Delahunt, Plymouth County Treasurer Tom O’Brien and other members of the Democratic Committee. I met Congressman Delahunt at the event and he was very kind and asked me to visit his office next time I go to Washington D.C.

I give the ‘Obama 08’- Plymouth Democratic Headquarters’ FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. The office is not really accessible but I chose to give it Five Stars  because the Plymouth Democratic Committee did everything possible to make the office accessible for me today and included me in the grand opening event. I’m quite sure that they will do all they can to make it accessible to all persons who visit this office.

I give Barack Obama FIVE STARS for his commitment to bringing about needed positive changes to our country and FIVE STARS PLUS for wanting to ‘build a world free of unnecessary barriers, stereotypes, and discrimination’.