By Howard Packowitz
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington is a long way from being a welcoming place for disabled residents to get around, according to advocates attending a mayor’s open house Friday at city hall.
They voiced concerns to Mayor Tari Renner, new City Manager Tim Gleason, and others staffers including the city’s human resources director, Nicole Albertson, who this month is also assuming the role of Americans With Disabilities Act coordinator.
Bloomington Election Commission Chair Denise Williams said she found it hard to navigate the Miller Park polling place Tuesday after breaking her toe.
“It’s not just Miller Park. There are businesses here in town and churches, and we’re going to be working with them too,” said Williams.
“We’re going to have to move our (polling) place if Miller Park isn’t fixed,” Williams also said.
Conan Calhoun, disability rights advocate for Life Center for Independent Living, said it’s disturbing that the disabled can’t enter city hall from the front door. Calhoun said transportation is another big problem.
“I’ve got people walking on Six Points Road with no lights, no sidewalks, in the middle of the night getting dropped off by a bus,” said Calhoun.
“I’ve got things that are just constantly coming at me on a daily basis,” he added.
Gleason said providing access to the disabled is close to his heart because his grandson has disabilities. He said there’s much work to be done, but the city council has made progress, embarking on a ten year plan to fix sidewalks.
“The city council has authorized $600,000 every year. That’s quite an accomplishment that you don’t see in many other communities,” said Gleason.
“So, while I say that, that does not mean that we are satisfied, and we are done,” Gleason added.
Mayor Renner, who serves as liquor commissioner, said he has the power to require establishments to be ADA compliant before they’re allowed to sell alcohol.
“You better believe that people want to serve liquor. It’s very profitable,” the mayor said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
