[Mn-abs] Fw: a plea from the heart

[Joe Orozco]

    Though the story below does not reference a blind student, the 
conditions are reminiscent of conditions that have previously faced, and 
those that could face, our fellow blind colleagues.  When does the ADA 
become overused, and when is it not used enough?

1/12/2007 1:51:00 PM

Letter: Plea from the heart

I am a senior at Astoria High School, and use an electric wheelchair for 
long distances because of scoliosis and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.



I don't know much about politics, but I do have some knowledge of the 
current situation going on with Clatsop Community College. High school 
really isn't

my cup of tea, so I have made my decision to start simultaneous enrollment 
with CCC. However, when I signed up for classes I quickly got the hint that

CCC meets little or none of the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements 
for handicapped accessibility.



When I went to Astoria High School, a boy who had a wheelchair, and attended 
before me, fought and got an elevator put in at the high school. However, 
there

was only one handicapped push-button on one door in the whole school. Today 
I am sometimes late for classes because I have to wait outside the door 
until

someone comes down the hall and helps me open it.



I'm currently attending CCC, and I found that I'm limited to the cafeteria, 
one small hall in the Towler Building, one or two classes in Patriot Hall 
(there's

never anyone in this hall) and the computer lab in Fertig Hall. I'm 
downright mad. I believe that I have every right to access all parts of the 
building,

not just a few select places.



The college currently has agreed to move my classes downstairs. But that's 
still not fair. I can't go to the places most people hang out. There are 
stairs

everywhere. I'm told there is an elevator in the building, but guess what? 
The building with the elevator in it isn't handicapped accessible. How smart

is that? These classes should not be moved for me. I should be like everyone 
else and move to the classes.



To those of you who seem to walk all over this town thinking you know the 
situation, and have your degrees in architecture, and your doctorates or 
your

own business, who cares? Just wear a few sacks of potatoes and walk around 
that college, and then add a backpack with 25 pounds of books. You'd need a

wheelchair, too, and it just isn't possible to use a wheelchair at CCC.



I mean, look at the place. It looks like crap. It's molding, rusting, just 
downright falling apart. I know in your head you have good intentions, but 
money

isn't the only thing in the world. I think the taxpayers need to look at 
everyone's side.



Yes, it is taking more money from you, but look what it's doing for me - 
it's giving me the freedom you had in high school and college. And not just 
me,

but any other kid "like" me who happens to walk through our town.



Yes, our society revolves a lot around money, but the constitution of the 
United States clearly states that we all should be treated equally, and CCC, 
and

you are denying me that right. You're just thankful that it's taken this 
long for someone to call you guys on it.



But I'm here now. And I will do everything in my power to make sure that 
this college and the rest of Astoria's schools are handicapped-accessible, 
because

I'm not the only person with a disability. There will be others.



KERA HOAGLAND-McGEE

Astoria



Reader Comments



Posted: Saturday, January 13, 2007

Article comment by:

Barbara Uggen-Davis



I am editor of EDS Today, a newsletter for, by, and about people with EDS. I 
would like to tell your story in our Spring issue. I will also be sharing 
this

article with others in the EDS and Disability Communities. I'm in Washington 
State, so not far from you.



Posted: Saturday, January 13, 2007

Article comment by:

WH Evans



This powerful letter should motivate Astorians to step up to assure that 
changes are made so CCC complies with ADA requirements. These problems 
should embarrass

everyone who values the service that CCC provides. To the community.