by eila in Accessibility, Announcements, Arts and Culture, City Finances, Civil and Human Rights, Historical, Neighborhoods and Squares - Posted on March 12, 2010 at 6:52 pm
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Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick spoke in the inaccessible Somerville High School auditorium this past Monday March 8, 2010, celebrating the fact that Somerville, MA was named one of the 10 All America Cities, 2009, by the National League of Cities.
A week later, the Somerville Arts Council- which enjoys American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) funding, State funding, and is also fed by Somerville’s taxpayers ($100,264 General Funds approved in 2009)- will hold its annual picnic at the Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Road, March 15, 6 – 8 pm.
Although the Somerville Museum underwent a complete renovation in the 1980’s, and was subject to the 1977 MA architectural access regulations to provide an accessible entrance at that time, they didn’t bother to eliminate steps at the entrance, or to create an alternate accessible entrance.
Here’s the Arts Council buzz: “Please join us for free food, beverages, conversation, hobnobbing and a chance to hear what the Arts Council is up to. Everyone is welcome: old volunteers, potential new volunteers or just folks who like art, culture and Redbones pulled pork.”
Nope. Everyone is not welcome.
In fact, a whole group of neighbors and friends are very explicitly NOT WELCOMED.
Above: Somerville Museum’s front entrance, which is not a General Public Entrance, has 2 signs. The large green oval says, “Somerville Museum,” and in smaller letters, “Somerville Historical Society.” The smaller sign says, “ENTRANCE, side door,” and has an arrow pointing to the left. There are 5 steps to this closed entrance, facing Central Street.
Above: Somerville Museum has 2 entrances, but only the side entrance is open to the General Public. There are 7 steps before this Public Entrance, facing Westwood Road.
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It seems the Civil Rights of Individuals with Disabilities does not stack up to the rights of other minorities! How easily it’s forgotten, and allow the value and importance of Inclusion for all members in a community to slip and be minimized!
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It is obvious that those of us with disabilities have to take this issue of access on ourselves. Whether it is a historical society demanding a building remain “as is” or the government saying our access is too expensive, we are just not that important to the culture as a whole and we have to take the power in our own hands to make things happen. It is a lot of work for just a few, so we need to work together or we will be isolated and alone.
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Karen, it’s an incredible task that will be upon us for many more years to come. Try doing it out here in Western Mass. I filed my 150th AAB complaint last week after 9 1/2 years! There are a few other advocates out this way but they file a complaint or two here and there but not consistently. Banding together is a great idea!
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Scott, I know you have a daunting task out there and I commend you for sticking to it. It is or should be easier here in the city. But in the end we are all in it together, no matter where we live. I hear you do an amazing job.
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