AAPD-Wes Clark's Campaign Event Accessibility Guidelines

Wes Clark's Campaign Event Accessibility Guidelines
Ensuring the participation of persons with disabilities at public events
December 2003

STATEMENT FROM GENERAL CLARK IN RECOGNITION OF INTERNATIONAL DAY OF
DISABLED PERSONS

The International Day of Disabled Persons is a day to celebrate the vital contributions people with disabilities make to their societies, in spite of the many obstacles that stand in their way. Their primary obstacles are usually not their disabilities, but the barriers that hinder their full integration into the workforce and social life of their nations.

With the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, America promised individuals with disabilities that they would face no such hindrances to their participation in their communities.

Unfortunately, over the past three years, the basic rights and liberties the ADA protects have been under siege. President Bush entered office promising to attack “the barriers to equality that face many of the 54 million Americans with disabilities.” But he has done just the opposite. Although it was his father who signed the ADA into law, President Bush has winnowed away many of our hard-won gains by appointing judges who want to limit the ADA, and by weakening government monitoring and enforcement of the ADA.

Tony Coelho, a former Congressman and co-author of the ADA, has issued a challenge to all candidates to promote an agenda that champions the rights of Americans with disabilities to work. Today, I gladly accept the challenge. After three years of backtracking, we must change course and move forward toward the fulfillment of the ADA’s promise. After all, people with disabilities – people who are blind, people living with HIV, people with mental disabilities, people who lost a limb at war, and so many others – make up almost one fifth of our nation. And no less than other Americans, they deserve a government that will defend their rights and guarantee them the liberty, choice, and opportunity that are the hallmarks of American life.

In recognition of the International Day of Disabled Persons, I am releasing guidelines on accessibility for campaign events, together with an issue paper outlining my agenda for people with disabilities. My plan is based on three important principles: protecting rights, safeguarding choices, and expanding opportunity. Encouraging inclusiveness and eliminating obstacles to service and participation are at the core of my campaign. I look forward to working with the disability community to achieve our common goals in the coming months and years.

Clark for President, Inc., 4th Floor,
1400 W. Markham St.,
Little Rock, AR 72201
www.clark04.com

QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN PLANNING AN EVENT

1. Is the event site convenient to accessible public transportation?

2. Is there a clearly marked, accessible path from the street and sidewalk onto the site, and to an accessible entrance? If the path for wheelchair users and others who cannot use stairs or steps is different from the regular path, it should be marked with clear directional signs with the wheelchair symbol.

3. Does the parking include the required number of accessible parking spaces and include at least one van accessible space? Are the spaces marked with the correct signs?

4. Is there at least one accessible public entrance to the building? The entrance should not be through a kitchen or other back way, and it is preferable if the main public entrance is accessible. Be sure that:

the entrance has no steps (or a legal ramp with handrails) and a level landing and threshold

the door is wide enough for wheelchairs and has an adequate space next to the door for the wheelchair user

the door is not heavy and can be opened without use of the fingers. Automatic door openers are preferable.

If not all entrances are accessible, accessible entrances should be marked with the wheelchair symbol, and directional signs should be placed near inaccessible entrances that direct to the nearest accessible entrance.

5. Inside the room where the event is being held, is the directional signage easy to read? Directional signs should have high dark/light contrast, have matte rather than shiny backgrounds and letters, and have reasonably large, non-decorative type. If the meeting place is not on the main floor, there should be directional signs to the elevator.

6. Are public restrooms available that are wheelchair accessible? If all restrooms in the facility are not accessible, accessible restrooms should be marked with the wheelchair symbol, and inaccessible restrooms should have a sign directing to the nearest accessible restroom.

7. Is there access to a raised speaker's platform? If the speaker's platform is raised, a portable ramp may need to be provided.

8. In rooms with fixed seating, are there wheelchair accessible spaces, with companion seating? It is preferable if there are seating choices throughout the room rather than all clustered at the front or back of the room.

9. Have arrangements been made for a sign language interpreter for the deaf? People who are deaf should be able to request this accommodation in advance of the meeting.

10. Are materials available in alternate formats? When meetings are held where many seniors will be present, large print materials (18 pt type is preferable) will be helpful.

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