CHAMPIONING DISABILITY RIGHTS

WITH A WORLD LEADER ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Rabbi Marvin Hier founded the Simon Wiesenthal Center, the Museum of Tolerance + Moriah Films. 

I was gratified to talk to him this week about increasing disability awareness at the Museum of Tolerance.

We met after the World Premiere of The Hollywood Rabbi.

The Hollywood Rabbi, "the story of Marvin Hier who won 2 Academy Awards, worked with 8 Presidents + a Who's Who of Hollywood royalty while dedicating his life to healing the world through tolerance."

I was happy to attend World Premiere, at the Miami Film Festival, on 4-14-26.

I am well aware that Rabbi Marvin Hier is controversial.

He gave an invocation at 2017 inauguration of Donald Trump, despite #47 spouting intolerance.

The greater good was the opportunity to preach my gospel of disability inclusion.

IF YOU ARE A PUBLIC SERVANT, BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO SERVE ALL PEOPLE EQUALLY

YOU ARE NOT QUALIFIED AND MUST QUIT YOUR JOB

City official: "It denies access to people with disabilities, but it technically meets code. So there's nothing we can do."

Me: Fix your broken code.

Laws prevented women from voting & deemed Black people 3/5ths of a human being.

Just because it's the law doesn't mean it's right.

Perpetuating discrimination is NEVER following the rule of law.

ABLEISM IS A TOXIC FORM OF DISCRIMINATION

DON’T BE AN ABLEISM ENABLER OR APOLOGIST

Why is everyone an ableism enabler?

Every time I point out the evil of a brand new shop accessed only by steps, I get an avalanche of apologist replies “maybe the architect doesn’t know” about the ADA.

If an architect is not aware of the Americans with Disabilities Act, (the law of the land for a third of a century) then they are better suited for shoveling pig poop than designing places and spaces for human beings.

Why are everyday people so aggressive about making lack of access the fault of people with disabilities? 

Forgiving a business for not knowing it must serve all is as ludicrous as forgiving a chef for not knowing to wash his hands after wiping his heinie.

HISTORIC IS NOT AN EXCUSE FOR INACCESSIBLE

IT IS ABLEIST TO DENY FRONT DOOR ACCESS 

TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

 

I love the 19th century cast iron buildings of New York’s SoHo.

I also reject the absurd argument that replacing their stairs with access ramps would diminish their history.

Their interiors have been 100% gutted for retail and apartments. Ramps do not alter facades.

It is ableist to claim denying front door access to people with disabilities preserves history.

Many Soho buildings have no access 34 years after the ADA.

Others have demeaning back alley access or faulty lifts.

Access for all is a basic civil right.

Those that cling to inaccessible buildings as “a part of history” are as out of bounds as those that would cling to race based deed restrictions or denying women the right to vote.

Let’s celebrate Disability Pride Month and the 34th anniversary of the ADA with inclusive design.

YOUR DESIGN WORKSHOP HAS NEVER HAD A SPEAKER LIKE THIS

PASSIONATE PRESENTATIONS ON INCLUSIVE DESIGN

Steve Wright engaged a full audience of diverse people with his cut-to-the-bone examples of what is right and wrong in the built environment at Disability Advocates Fifth Annual Absolutely Accessible Kent technical workshop. 

He provided many firsthand examples of the good, the bad, and the ugly of accessibility in the built environment, while engaging participants in lively conversation.   

Steve's expertise, as well as lived experience as a care provider, provides an unparalleled perspective on the need for considering the dignity and inclusion of people with disabilities from the onset of design work. 

He empowered designers and planners to create places that are inclusive for people with disabilities.  

Wright drove home the essential point that design for people with disabilities isn't about building codes and technical terms- it's about dignity and inclusion. 

He is an ideal keynote speaker for any organization that wants to ensure that Accessibility is a core part of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion so that we make the world a better, more inclusive place for all. 

–David Bulkowski, J.D., Executive Director, Disability Advocates of Kent County.

I have covered planning and urban design as a journalist for 35 years. I have worked directly in the field of planning, design, urbanism and policy for more than a quarter of a century. I will drive civic engagement of diverse audiences. My rates/expenses are reasonable. Contact me: stevewright64@yahoo.com

RIDESHARE MUST BE 100 PERCENT INCLUSIVE

PLEASE TAKE THIS SURVEY TO GIVE INPUT ON WHEELCHAIR USER EXPERIENCE WITH UBER AND LYFT 

I'm promoting very important research on accessibility with rideshare.

My brilliant colleague needs input on Uber and Lyft.

Wheelchair users, family members, caregivers, etc. can give valuable input.

The app-based gig economy MUST not be allowed to exclude the disability community.

Please click on the link below and take the survey.

Please share this with those who can give valuable input.

From my friend and colleague Mahtot Gebresselassie, at Virginia Tech:

I'm researching #accessibility of Uber/Lyft & looking for participants anywhere in the US. R u/do u know former/current #wheelchair user? Experience w Uber/Lyft not a must to participate. I want to know impressions too. #a11y #Transportation #Disability 

https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rsUle54qKYYWqx?SC=TW

https://virginiatech.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6rsUle54qKYYWqx?SC=TW