Where is outcry on Arlington's curbs?
As a neighbor and an advocate for the rights of people with disabilities, I am writing to protest the current policy of the trustees of the Village of Arlington Heights -- and your silence on the matter - in relation to their policy of removing curb ramps that enable people with mobility limitations to have equal access to the public way.
The Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into federal law in July of 1990 to improve the lives of people with disabilities. One of its major provisions involves guaranteeing full access to the public environment.
It is regrettable that as journalists you have not commented on these illegal actions and better informed your readers of the impact of their actions on people with mobility limitations. How can you and your fellow citizens support public officials who are breaking federal laws? How can you support public officials who are making life more difficult for your fellow citizens with disabilities? And why in the world has it been so difficult for those citizens to be heard?
After filing a federal complaint about noncompliant curb ramps against the city of Chicago, the Council for Disability Rights obtained a settlement agreement that covers 10 years of expenditures for ADA-compliant curb ramps, as well as citizen and court oversight.
Anyone can file a federal complaint against the village for these actions. Even I can file such a complaint - although I am neither a person with a disability nor a resident of the village.
There will be more eyes watching the future actions of the village trustees, whoever wins this election. We hope your eyes will be watching as well.
Jo Holzer
Barrington