The Traveling Wheelchair

MassMutual Center
1277 Main Street
Springfield, MA 01103
Phone: 413-787-6610
http://www.massdems.org/
http://www.massmutualcenter.com/

Saturday, my mom, Tony, Ric and I traveled to MassMutual Center in Springfield to attend the 2009 Massachusetts Democratic State Convention. Cheryl Cummings and Ben Schwartz, Co-Chairs of the newly established DSC Disabilities Outreach Committee  asked me to speak at the Workshop on Perspectives on Inclusion: Policies and Politics. I was honored and proudly accepted.

The Democratic State Committee (DSC) did everything possible to make this convention fully ACCESSIBLE and INCLUSIVE to all persons with disAbilities.

Upon arrival we parked in a parking lot directly across the street from the MassMutual Center. This parking lot was designated for individuals with handicapped placard/plates.  Crossing the street from the parking lot to the convention center is safe and easy.

The pedestrian  crosswalks at all the intersections surrounding the convention center are the nicest I’ve ever seen. There is a button to push which is of wheelchair accessible height and easy for me to reach.

These crosswalks have freshly painted white lines PLUS permanent bricks and cobblestones embedded deep into the pavement of the street. If the white painted lines fade, the crosswalk is still clearly marked.  

A special entrance was designated for disAbled delegates, committee members and guests. This door was not automatic but entering in my Permobil C350 Power Chair was easy for a security guard held the door wide open. Security guards and convention center employees were stationed at all the entrances of the MassMutual Center and kindly held the door open for wheelers.

Right inside this entrance was a DSC registration table for delegates with disAbilities. Loaner wheelchairs or loaner hearing device were made readily available to anyone in need. Guest passes for individuals accompanying a person with a disability were given at no cost. Volunteers were available to help anyone in need.

In the lobby of the convention center is an escalator; all floors are wheelchair accessible via a very spacious elevator. All bubblers have a lower one which is of perfect wheelchair accessible height. A lower wheelchair accessible payphone is located on the wall in the lobby that is of perfect height. A Citizens Bank ATM in the lobby is accessible to all; the height is perfect for a wheeler; Braille is located on the keys; plus it is a talking ATM so persons with a visual impairment will be able to use it with ease!!

The restrooms are spacious, fully wheelchair accessible and ADA compliant. The toilet in the large handicap stall has the required ADA safety grab bars located on the rear and side wall of the toilet; the accessible sink is of a perfect height; the pipes underneath are not exposed; the faucet and soap dispenser are within my reach; the automatic towel dispenser is placed at an accessible height on the wall, but it’s difficult to access because a trash barrel is in front of all 4 towel dispensers.

We then headed to a huge room which had tables set up with information provided by many organizations and politicians. We placed our ‘Transporation for Wheelchair-Seated Travelers’ and ‘Accessibility’ Poster Boards on one of the tables. Our ‘Transportation for Wheelchair-Seated Travelers’ Poster Board explains new legislation filed in Massachusetts that Kenny & Company strongly support.

Because there is NO specific Law in the State of Massachusetts regarding the safety of wheelchair-seated passengers my wonderful State Representative, Stephen Canessa filed House 3785 and my wonderful State Senator, Marc Pacheco filed  Senate 1948: “An Act relative to the transportation of individuals seated in wheelchairs”. Passage of this legislation in the state of Massachusetts would ensure that we wheelchair-seated travelers are as safe as all other citizens traveling in vehicles.   

There were other tables with important information. A few tables had Democratic tee shirts, pins, buttons, souvenirs etc for sale. All items were reasonably priced and all set at tables of a perfect wheelchair accessible height.

I once again met Governor Deval Patrick, our Massachusetts Governor who I haven’t seen since the The Massachusetts Democratic Inaugural Presidential Party at Washington Nationals Park. I like Governor Patrick a lot for he is sensitive, caring and compassionate. I am a big supporter of Governor Patrick. I think he has done a fantastic job governing our state during these tough economic times. He has worked very hard to try to protect services for our most vulnerable disAbled citizens. He also believes ‘Reform’ is needed which Kenny & Company agree.

Located in the large hall where the tables were stationed is a Concession stand where members, delegates and guests could purchase lunch, drinks and snacks. The countertop is of a perfect wheelchair accessible height. Roy, the cashier was very friendly, courteous and polite.

During the lunch break, my mom, friends and I went across the street to a Palazzo Café for lunch because the line at the concession stand was very long. I was so happy to see   Congressman Barney Frank , my wonderful Congressman who is very intelligent, kind, compassionate and caring. Congressman Frank was parking across the street and took the time to come to say hi to me. I was especially happy to meet his good friend, Jim. Jim is very friendly and kind. Even though Congressman Barney Frank is extremely busy helping to resolve our world’s financial crisis, he really impresses me because he still finds the time to meet with his local constituents and tries his hardest to help resolve problems.

We then headed back to the convention center for it was time for the Workshop on Perspectives on Inclusion: Policies and Politics. This workshop was located in Meeting Room # 1. It is a spacious room; the table for the members of the panel is of a perfect wheelchair accessible height and the microphones are easy to reach!

The Workshop started late due to the convention running late.

Panel Members included: Cheryl Cummings and Ben Schwartz, Co-Chairs of newly established DSC Disabilities Outreach Committee. DSC Disability Sub-Committee member Jon Delman, President of Consumer quality Initiatives; Michael Wilcox, Former Investment Analyst and Advocate for  people with disabilities; Shira Grabelsky, Teacher at the Horace Mann School for the Deaf and me, Kenny Cieplik, President of Kenny and Company – The Traveling Wheelchair.

All members of the panel are persons with disAbilities; the purpose was to share our perspectives on inclusion and what actions can be taken in various communities to achieve inclusion.

Mary Connelly, Esquire; Diversity Officer; Office for Disabilities and Community Services of Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services was the Moderator.

The Topic: ‘The passage of the American’s with Disability Act guarantees that people with disabilities have the right to live and work in accessible places and to pursue life in the least restrictive setting. Yet as people with disabilities strive to achieve a full and integrated life, they often encounter physical and attitudinal barriers.’

I wasn’t able to stay long because we had a two hour drive and I had to be back home by 5 p.m. Mary kindly allowed me to speak first. I spoke briefly about how much better my life is living in the community vs. living in an institution where I lived for 20 years; the accessibility obstacles I face; the need for better enforcement of the ADA; and the need for passage of Massachusetts Legislation:   House 3785 and Senate 1948 ”An Act Relative to the Transportation of Individuals Seated in Wheelchairs”; which ensures W/C Passenger Safety. I also handed out RIDE SAFE brochures.

Summary of Discussion is as follows:

• Many businesses do not follow the regulations to make their businesses accessible to people with disabilities.

• There is an effort to alter the ADA regulation which exempts buildings which were constructed before (date) to be accessible.

• Education of the non disabled is an important avenue for change.

• For people with disabilities being employed affects one’s self worth.

• By not employing people with disabilities, employers are overlooking a valuable source of workers.

• Employers have to learn how to accommodate people with disabilities.

• For people with mental illness there has been a concerted effort to have a respected and valued role in developing and implementing programs.

• Within the advocacy community for mental health, work continues to build opportunities for peer mentoring and peer program development.

• Currently within the Massachusetts legislature, legislation has been proposed “An Act relative to the transportation of individuals seated in wheelchairs”.
  The Massachusetts Senate No. 1948; http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/senate/186/st01/st01948.htm. 
  The Massachusetts House No. 3785; http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht03pdf/ht03785.pdf .
  Committee members and their networks can contact their State Legislators to ask for their support of the House and Senate Bill. Contact information for Legislators can be found at http://www.mass.gov/legis/

• Having captioning available was very helpful: made the Convention accessible for many.

• Town Committees and other State committees should ensure that meeting sites are accessible to anyone who may want to attend.

I give the Massachusetts Democratic 2009 State Convention at MassMutual Center in Springfield FIVE STARS PLUS for wheelchair accessibility. The Democratic State Committee did a splendid job to make this convention INCLUSIVE to all persons with disABILITIES.