[DC-clf] THE CLF NEEDS YOU PLEASE TO ATTEND DPRA EVENT MONDAY MARCH 12th

Thank you for RSVPing for the DRPA Letter Delivery Day! It looks like we'll
>have about 10 people participating. Attached is a one-page fact sheet that
>provides an overview of the bill and the budget needs. We'll be using this
>as our talking points.
>
>As a reminder, the details are:
>
>WHAT: DRPA Letter Delivery Day
>DATE: Monday March 12, 2007
>TIME: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
>WHERE: John A. Wilson Building
> 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
>CELL: 202-486-3567
>
>MEET: Let's officially convene inside the building on the first floor, in
>the "lobby" area just beyond the security gates on the Pennsylvania Avenue
>(front side of the building at the top of the front stair). This is one
>floor up from the accessible entrance on the front side; the elevator will
>take you directly up. If you're running late or for any reason having
>trouble getting in or finding us, call my cell at 202-486-3567. We will
>also
>have a lookout person out front.
>
>Once we're all together we can go over logistics. This is an easy and fun
>event. Several offices plan to have staff members speak with us and at
>least
>one office has indicated we may get to say hello to the Councilmember,
>although I assume that will be brief.
>
>Again, thank you so much!! I'll look forward to seeing you all Monday. Many
>thanks and all the best, TJ
>
>---------------------------------
>T.J. Sutcliffe, Director of Advocacy & Public Policy
>The Arc of the District of Columbia
>817 Varnum Street, NE Suite 229
>Washington, DC 20017
>Phone: (202) 636-2963 / Fax: (202) 529-1854
>Email: tjsutcliffe@arcdc.net
>Web site: http://www.arcdc.net

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Fund the Disability Rights Protection Act of 2006!

 

While 1 in 5, or approximately 114,000, DC residents is a person with a disability, individuals with disabilities are too often unable to access DC government buildings and services.

 

The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 requires the DC government to be open and accessible to people with disabilities. However, for many years the DC government has not had an overall plan, the knowledge or the means to make sure this happens. As a result, people with disabilities are often excluded from much-needed government services and DC has been repeatedly sued for violating disability rights laws under the ADA.

 

The Disability Rights Protection Act

 

The Disability Rights Protection Act of 2006 will become law on March 12, 2006. The law will:

 

1. Create a city-wide ADA Compliance Program. All DC government agencies will have an ADA Coordinator, and will have a plan for how the agency will be accessible to people with disabilities.
2. Create an Office of Disability Rights. The Office will oversee the city-wide ADA Compliance Plan and help DC government agencies learn how to be more accessible. It will also help people with disabilities who have questions about their disability rights.
3. Put the Mayor’s Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Office of Disability Rights so that people with disabilities have a voice in the new Office.

 

Benefits

 

Ø    Making DC a better place for individuals with disabilities to live, work and play.

Ø    Helping people with disabilities access DC government buildings and services.

Ø    Giving DC agencies the know-how to assist people with disabilities.

Ø    Saving DC money by reducing costly lawsuits against the DC government.

Ø    Making sure the Mayor and public have the information needed to improve the city’s accessibility year after year.

 

Funding Needed for Implementation

 

The Disability Rights Protection Act will not take effect without funding. Mayor Fenty has committed to implement the new Office of Disability Rights with 4 staff members in FY 2007 and 10 staff members in FY 2008, at an estimated cost of $1.5 to $2.0 million for FY 2008.

 

Community Support

 

The Disability Rights Protection Act is supported by DC residents with disabilities and 69 community organizations which formally endorse the legislation.

 

For more information, contact Amber W. Harding, Washington Legal Clinic for the Homeless,

 (202) 328-5503 or T.J. Sutcliffe, The Arc of DC, (202) 636-2963.