DTD is a non-profit organization that improves the lives of people living with disabilities by advocating on their behalf to U.S. policymakers! policymakers.
DTD is a non-profit civil rights organization that improves the lives of people living with disabilities by advocating on their behalf to U.S. It also is building a coalition of disabled rights organizations to advocate and hold local, regional, state and federal government policymakers accountable to ensure their jurisdictions are ADA compliant. DTD provides a powerful "voice" for the disabled an
d encourages people living with disabilities of all ages to share their concerns, accessibility issues, discrimination whether regarding employment or other violations on this forum to bring change, take action as needed so their civil rights are not violated or continue to be violated. Seattle has been in the forefront with civil rights and other important equality issues over the years. Unfortunately, city officials and other politicians have chronically neglected the rights of the disabled. In October of last year, Disabilities Rights Washington (DRW) filed a class action lawsuit in federal court against Seattle for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Rehabilitation Act and state law, which require the city to provide people with mobility disabilities equal access to Seattle's pedestrian right-of-way through a system of usable and accessible curb ramps. DRW claims the City of Seattle has failed miserably by not providing fully accessible streets by adding curb cuts, curb ramps and other pertinent changes which allow people in wheelchairs, walkers, motorized scooters, and even those using devices like canes. DTD fully agrees with DRW and adds that due to a lack of curb cuts, people with disabilities cannot equally and safely enjoy the city. If a curb is not constructed properly or curb cuts are inadequate, disabled people are forced to endanger their lives and travel out into traffic until they find a way to get up onto the sidewalks. If the disabled are trying to cross an intersection, more often than not, lights are not timed properly to provide enough time for the handicapped to get through intersections safely. In addition, access to many businesses are not ADA compliant including professional sports franchises such as the Seattle Sounders, Seattle Seahawks, and Seattle Mariners. Disabled parking is also a challenge. Many of the dedicated disabled parking spaces are taken by people who are using disabled placards illegally making it extremely difficult for people that really need to park near entrances. DTD fully understands what disabled people go through on a day-to-day basis and is eager to work with the city, state and federal government to make needed changes so people with disabilities have the right of access everywhere. DTD also will assist the disabled in other cities and states that are not ADA compliant and provide a "voice" to have their grievances heard. Education is still needed to demonstrate how people with disabilities can be “enabled” in Seattle and change the way residents think about disability issues. If you or someone is disabled and would like to tell your story about the challenges you face in Seattle (have a specific ADA issue or other concerns), other cities regarding accessibility or any other issues regarding handicapped services or lack thereof in your area, please contact me at:
Email: [email protected]
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