Power Grid Blog
Mark's Weekly Message
June 22, 2012 | Mark Perriello
June 22 is significant for our community.
On this day in 1999, the Supreme Court of the United States affirmed our right to live in our communities, not in segregated institutions. The Olmstead decision is basically about being full citizens and human beings.
Ten years ago today, our friend and hero Justin Dart died. We benefit from his legacy every day. Wherever we go, we can see the fruits of relentless efforts to break down physical barriers. He and his fellow disability rights pioneers made the ADA possible.
But on June 22, 2012, the ADA’s promise is far from fulfilled. Here in DC, it’s difficult to find an accessible apartment. We have to enter government buildings from the side entrances. When AAPD plans a gathering, we must choose from a limited number of truly accessible spaces.
Wherever I travel, it’s the same. We’re contributing to our communities, our families, our religious congregations, and our work places. Our communities simply aren’t truly open to us. It’s got to stop.
Recently, AAPD, the National Council on Independent Living, the National Disability Rights Network, and ADAPT have been fighting for access to pools. The hotel industry is lobbying to eliminate their obligations to install fixed pool lifts, which could deny millions of Americans access to the facilities we pay for.
Many in our community are fired up! We held a rally in front of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s headquarters. The AH&LA is the hotel industry’s lobbying arm. They’ve been fighting on multiple fronts to chip away at the ADA. We tried to talk to them but they don’t want to work together—they want to flex their muscles and roll us. And they think they’ll win.
I have three things to say to the AH&LA and every single one of the member hotels who support them:
No, no, and NO!
Frankly, we’re fed up. For our coalition, this attack on the ADA is a shot across the bow from people who would marginalize us to save a buck. First this, then what?
We’re fighting. This community isn’t going to let them do it and everyone fighting against us needs to hear this warning: our community has power. And we’re going to use it.
We have a voice. And we’re going to get media across this country to tell OUR story of civil rights and expose your efforts to destroy them.
We have money. And we can choose where to spend it. Already, travel industry publications have figured out what you’re doing and they know that we, your customers, don’t have to take this anymore. Check out what they have to say:
http://www.hotelchatter.com/story/2012/6/15/141549/805/hotels/American_Hotel_%26_Lodging_Association_Fights_Accommodating_the_Disabled_in_Hotel_Pools
http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/Articles.aspx/8394/Disability-community-protests-AHLA-lobbying
We have strength in numbers. They have high-paid lobbyists but we have something far better: we have our community. Millions of people who will not let them get away with this.
Does this sound like an ultimatum? Good. You sent your shot across the bow; be ready for ours.
We’re going to flex our muscles now. Please start by telling them you’re not going to spend the summer on the sidelines. Contact the AH&LA: http://www.aapd.com/take-action/speak-out/
Comments
Submitted by swoodclark at 04:21 PM on June 22, 2012