The American’s with Disabilities Act became a law in 1990, but much work still needs to be done.
Vikke Leeper from the Disability Action Center (DAC) in Moscow said all six of the parks in Pullman were inaccessible for people with disabilities. She said the city was unable to find their transition plan and so a new one was drafted. Leeper said it is important for people to advocate for their needs.
“But that’s where if there isn’t the squeaky wheel, it doesn’t get done because they’re gonna keep it on the back burner,” Leeper said.
To help people with disabilities live more independently, the DAC partnered with the University of Idaho to host an independent living and assistive technology conference called “Mission: Possible.”
There is also a free comedy show by Michael Beers from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Marriott Residence Inn in Pullman. Beers said he incorporates his own disability into his comedy act.
The conference runs Aug. 29-30 at the Marriott. Leeper said it will feature presentations on how to better live independently. She said workshops will give an overview of how to find employment, housing and transportation and cover topics like financial planning and how to write to a legislator.
She said the conference’s title “Mission: Possible” came from the new assistive technology being featured.
“Because it’s like spy gear,” Leeper said. “It’s cool stuff.”
Leeper said there are nine spots left for the conference and tickets are $50, but she said the fee would be waived for anyone with a disability.
The comedy show, however, is completely free. She said it will be held in the Marriott venue and can fit about 100 people.
Aerius Franklin is an independent living specialist at the DAC, and he said the center is always looking for caregivers, as either volunteers or employees. He said the state of Idaho has a shortage of caregivers.
“It’s just bad, man,” Franklin said. “We need the students. We need anybody actually that’s willing to do the job.”
Advocacy is one of the most important things the DAC assists with. Franklin said advocacy means offering peer support and providing resources for people to change their communities for the better.
“Centers for independent living is basically giving the people with disabilities not only a job, but a way to impact the community and involve the community in what they’re trying to do, and that’s changing the system,” Franklin said.
Leeper said most people involved in the original passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act are nearing retirement age, so it is important to get young people involved in this advocacy for more accessible infrastructure and services. She said many things would not get done without the advocacy.
“That’s all done at the local level by volunteers that get together and say, ‘I face this barrier. I want to change this,’ and then we given them the tools that they need to go out and do it,” Leeper said.
Jack Olson
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