Advocacy

Author: Andrew Morse, Special Project Coordinator at BVCIL

BVCIL sent out a questionnaire to candidates for local elections asking for their opinions on issues of importance to people with disabilities. These questions range from broad topics such as the candidates’ awareness of issues faced by people with disabilities to specific topics regarding the pay of personal care attendants and other related occupations. The questionnaire was sent to the following candidates:

As we receive answered questionnaires, we will post them here so be sure to check back again later.

Mike Southerland

Candidate for Bryan City Council, District 4

If elected, would you lead by example by hiring qualified Texans with disabilities on your staff?

I no longer own a business in Bryan, but would hire if I could.

What steps should the State of Texas take to increase access to public transportation for urban and rural Texans with disabilities?

This area needs an assessment to determine the number of people that need 0help and where they reside. Once that is done the city could work with TAMU and/or Brazos Transit to modify their schedules and equipment to accommodate the need.

Do you know if voter accessibility is a problem locally?

Voter accessibility does not appear to be a problem. However, the transportation to the voting poll could be an issue.

Are you familiar with the Supreme Court decision Olmstead vs. L.C.? Do you know how this applies locally?

I am not familiar with the Supreme Court decision but read about it. I do not know of local application. It appears to apply anywhere in the USA.

What action would you take to increase access to affordable, accessible, integrated housing for Texans with disabilities in Bryan/ College Station?

Housing is needed in Bryan for all different kinds of residents. The city needs to begin a special study to determine how to best fund housing.

Do you understand what community attendants do? How they are trained? Where to find them?

I do not know of community attendants.

Did you realize the minimum wage for this group is $7.50, compared to $7.25 for everyone else?

No.

What do you think the Bryan/ College Station area should do to assist family and caregivers of Texans with disabilities locally?

What assistance do they need?

How would you increase community awareness of the issues faced by people with disabilities?

An awareness event needs to be held. Habitat for Humanity has a very successful breakfast once per year that raises awareness and money for home construction. An event could be styled like Habitat’s.

Would you support and/or assist in organizing a community awareness event?

I have worked on many fundraisers and events for many nonprofits in town and will happily help with an event.

Linda Harvell

Candidate for College Station City Council, Place 5

If elected, would you lead by example by hiring qualified Texans with disabilities on your staff?

As a City Council member, I don’t have the authority to hire anyone, but I certainly support making recommendations that we should hire qualified Texans with disabilities.

What steps should the State of Texas take to increase access to public transportation for urban and rural Texans with disabilities?

In doing some research on this question, it looks like TxDot is addressing this situation: Existing rural and urban transit districts and metropolitan transit authorities will be the primary subrecipients of funds from this program for their respective service areas. For those areas not covered by transit providers, or in cases where the existing provider is unable to provide the transportation, TxDOT may choose an alternative primary recipient. Examples of alternative subrecipients include, but not limited to a county agency on aging or subrecipients that the state has identified as the lead to coordinate transportation services funded by multiple federal or state human service programs.

Do you know if voter accessibility is a problem locally?

While I have not been to every voting location in College Station, the ones I have personally seen are ADA compliant.

Are you familiar with the Supreme Court decision Olmstead vs. L.C.? Do you know how this applies locally?

I did some research and discovered I was aware of the Supreme Court’s decision, I just didn’t know what it was called. I’m sorry to say I don’t know how this applies locally.

What action would you take to increase access to affordable, accessible, integrated housing for Texans with disabilities in Bryan/ College Station?

I would support any type of decision the City Council could make on behalf of our neighbors with disabilities. I’m not sure what the Council’s parameters are when it comes to housing (for anyone) but this would most definitely be a priority with me.

Do you understand what community attendants do? How they are trained? Where to find them?

Sadly, I don’t.

Did you realize the minimum wage for this group is $7.50, compared to $7.25 for everyone else?

That’s just crazy…anyone who is qualified to work, regardless of their limitations, should receive a fair wage.

What do you think the Bryan/ College Station area should do to assist family and caregivers of Texans with disabilities locally?

Could you tell me what is being done now?

How would you increase community awareness of the issues faced by people with disabilities?

I would be your greatest advocate. I was a swimming instructor for children with special needs when I was in high school and majored in Special Education my freshman year at Southwest Texas State. When I had to transfer back home to A&M, there was no such program in place at that time. People with special needs have a soft place in my heart. I had an opportunity to visit with a number of the athletes this weekend that were here for the Special Olympics, and they were so very proud of their medals and accomplishments.

Would you support and/or assist in organizing a community awareness event?

Absolutely!

BVCIL attempts to educate and advocate in the Brazos Valley on all matters dealing with disabilities and this is just one of the ways that we are able to get people thinking about accessibility options and how important services for people with disabilities are. Please share this article with others so that they are able to make educated decisions during this year’s race to the polls.

Andrew Morse is our Housing and Advocacy Specialist here at BVCIL. For more information on housing or questions about the above article, call us at 979-776-5505 and we’ll get you the information you are looking for.