November 16, 2005
Katrina Recovery Watch: People With Disabilities on Point Positions
Apparently there are a few other people paying attention to the lack of transparency, accountability, and community participation in post-Katrina rebuilding schemes.
These two Letters to the Editor appeared yesterday.
Concerns about BiloxiDear editors:
I am writing to express concern about the rebuilding of Biloxi following Hurricane Katrina. It is my fervent hope that, in the process, the planners will consider wheelchair access to homes, businesses, and public buildings as a basic necessity, not a luxury.
The moment presents an opportunity to do something right from the start. "Visitability" is important for people with disabilities, their families, their friends, their neighbors, and their co-workers. It makes no sense to build exclusion into the fabric of the new Biloxi. Please cover this angle of the story in your newspaper, and know that across the US people are watching.
Penny L. Richards PhD
More Concerns About Those with DisabilitiesHello, Ms. Magandy.
I've been reading your newspaper's series on the Mississippi Renewal Forum, and I haven't seen any mention of accessibility for people with disabilities. Has there been any discussion of this issue during the forum? I'm especially concerned that basic access to residential homes is being ignored.
I hope your newspaper will ask the officials involved in the rebuilding process about the issue of accessibility, and whether they will include input from people with disabilities in their planning.
Also, please consider publishing an article on universal design and visitability. It would be an excellent way to inform your readers about this critical issue.
Thank you.
Guy M. Fisher
Cleveland, Ohio
For more discussion on Katrina renewal see the SunHerald bogs at http://blogs.sunherald.com/sh/
Posted by rollingrains at November 16, 2005 02:33 AM