Sorry about the delay in responding-


On Nov 12, 2009, at 6:59 AM, Robert wrote:

> Hi Simon,
>
> As a disabled vet I understand your concerns. The family
> that owns the property has not adequately invested in serving
> the community's accessibilities needs. Their new buldings do,
> but those of us in the back row just have steps.

That entire section of the complex seems to be like that, although a  
couple of galleries do have ramps.    Has anyone else with a  
disability brought up the lack of wheelchair access?  I ask because  
in the almost 17 years I've been using a wheelchair one of the more  
frustrating things I've encountered is a certain number of disabled  
persons who seem to be more hostile to their fellow disabled persons  
in regards to things like ADA and accessibility.    This is the first  
time in years that I've been confident enough to even discuss openly  
access problems, so I really appreciate the fact that people really  
are concerned about making the gallery more wheelchair-friendly.­

I'd like to see more wheelchair users at events like First Friday-  
over the years it seems like while other disabilities are becoming  
more accepted, the wheelchair users seem to have become much less  
visible.  Nowadays I go out someplace and I'm the only wheelchair  
user, and even VIAtrans seems much less accommodating when  
transporting wheelchair users or others with physical disabilities  
compared with how reliable the service seems to serve those with  
developmental or cognitive disabilities.  I get more dirty looks  
these days sometimes than I did a long time ago when I use a ramp, a  
handicapped parking spot (using my manual chair when riding with  
family or friends in their vehicles) or even just wheeling around in  
public.

 From an art standpoint, am I out of line in thinking there should be  
more disabled persons in the art community? Not disabled persons  
creating *only* disability-themed art in a segregated group, but  
people like myself who happen to be disabled but would like to see  
other disabled artists being encouraged to get out and be part of the  
larger local art community.

>
> Since the older section is coded residential it could be some time
> before Lifshultz alters that area. As you know, ADA compliance
> is less stringent for R-coded residences.

That's been a gripe of mine about ADA- lots of exemptions, like  
residential vs. "business" space, or the age of the building or space  
in question.  I've actually had people quote ADA to rationalize not  
complying with it.   And that's compounded by a small faction of  
disabled persons who seem to oppose the rest of the disability  
community being able to do things that "normal people" do (I say  
"normal" in a sarcastic manner ;-)  ).

One dirty little secret about advocates for "independent living" for  
disabled persons is that in a roundabout away higher-functioning  
wheelchair users are excluded because while there's housing  
assistance and help for people mental disabilities or physical  
limitations but not using a wheelchair, wheelchairs users run afoul  
of ADA being waved around to justify the lack of accessible  
apartments in the city- anything that would allow a wheelchair user  
to live in a particular apartment is suddenly going beyond  
"reasonable accommodation".


> We do not have public
> hours and operate by invitation and appointment only for that
> reason.

Is there a way to promote the need for better wheelchair access at  
galleries that doesn't immediately get misinterpreted as one guy in a  
wheelchair trying to scam special treatment?   That's the big reason  
I've been reluctant to be involved with advocacy or promoting  
disability awareness- last time I did that, back in the early 90s, I  
came close to facing legal action and a fraud charge that only was  
withdrawn when I promised to stop associating with the disability  
community and self-identifying as disabled.   I even had to downplay  
the visibility of my wheelchair in the video projects my friends and  
I were producing at the time.

More recently though I'm finding that there are people asking the  
same questions I am, and really wanting to *do* something that's not  
just getting angry but not accomplishing anything.


>
> If you would like to schedule a time with the gallery I would
> be happy to work with any assitance provider you have to
> do my best to ensure you can enjoy the opportunity to see
> the art.

That would be great- while I can't get into the gallery with my  
motorized wheelchair, I think I might be able to come by with my  
manual chair and have a friend with me, so I can transfer and pull  
myself up the steps, then have my chair at the top of the steps  
waiting for me, so I can transfer back into it.

I'll let you know when I might be interested in coming by.

Again, I really do appreciate the concern and real interest in making  
the gallery more accessible.

Simon