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HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-15-25 Correspondence - Disability MT - Montana's government inaccessible to people with disabilities, Rally at the capitol, and Concerns about educationFrom:Disability Rights Montana - Life Beyond Compliance To:Bozeman Public Comment Subject:[EXTERNAL][MARKETING] Montana"s government inaccessible to people with disabilities, Rally at the capitol, and Concerns about education Date:Monday, March 17, 2025 9:21:51 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Montana's government inaccessibleto people with disabilities, Rally atthe capitol, and Concerns abouteducation READ IN APP Welcome to this week’s Disability Rights Montana newsletter, where we highlight the ongoing efforts and challenges on the work toward true inclusion and equity for Montanans with disabilities. In this issue, we explore the persistent physical barriers at state and local government buildings—obstacles that underscore the disconnect between accessibility requirements and reality. You’ll also hear from our staff about threats to public education that could disproportionately affect students with disabilities, reinforcing the urgent need for continued oversight and advocacy. Finally, we invite you to an upcoming event, Rally for Disability Rights at the Capitol on March 19th. Together, we can raise our voices, push for meaningful policy change, and celebrate the progress achieved through generations of hard- fought advocacy. Thank you for joining us as we work to ensure every Montanan can access the services, opportunities, and community connections they deserve. MAR 15 Written by Eva Belatski The air felt like it crystallized within your lungs at each breath. It was another harsh negative degree February morning in Great Falls, Montana. In multiple layers of clothing, we stood baffled as to where the accessible parking and entrance was for the office that housed Disability Services Division, Developmental Disabilities Program, Senior Long Term Care Division, Adult Protective Services, and Community Services. The sound of our boots collided with the snow at each step, making a squeaking sound as we walked up the set of stairs to enter the office. The irony was not lost upon us as we saw an accessible sign for the restroom upon entering the office just after taking the stairs; the only noticeable route to enter. We knocked on the interior door and were informed by staff that if you needed to use an accessible entrance, you had to go around the entire building and enter through a completely different state office, then navigate through the interior of the building. There was no signage directing individuals to the nearest accessible parking or building entrance. Now imagine experiencing this as a person with a disability while also having to navigate the frigid temperatures, icy conditions, and mounds of snow. The inaccessibility of these state and local buildings can become dangerous quickly. “More than 1 in 4 adults (28.7%) in the United States have some type of disability.”¹ In particular, “12.2% of U.S. adults have a mobility disability with serious difficulty walking or climbing stairs.”² According to a recent study, of the 109 people with disabilities who responded to the survey, 96% reported that they go to public buildings at least sometimes, 70.4% of respondents reported that they have arrived at a building only to realize they could not access that building, and 60.4% reported that they were prevented from accomplishing their intended task at the building due to an environmental barrier.³ Respondents in this study voiced how being unable to access public buildings have negatively impacted their ability to excel in a career, engage in Unexpected Obstacles various organizations, socialize, travel, and exercise their right to vote.⁴ Thus, illustrating how critical physical access to public buildings is to the lives of people with disabilities. Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act asserts that “[n]o qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any public entity.”⁵ Public entities include any state or local government.⁶ Yet, after over thirty-four years since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, people with disabilities still experience physical barriers every single day that hinder their ability to have full and equal access of public entities. People with disabilities are not asking for “special treatment”, but simply to be included in fundamental civic activities. People with disabilities must continually fight for the enforcement of the Americans with Disabilities Act to actualize access to public spaces and true inclusion in their own communities. Report Government Building Issue Written by Michelle Weltman The founding fathers of America felt a free, public education was a cornerstone of democracy. While this educational system wasn’t always available to all Americans, it is today, and it remains an essential part of protecting democracy and protecting children from exclusion based on aspects of their person such as race, religion, and disability status. Americans with disabilities have fought hard for inclusion in ‘mainstream’ schools. It wasn’t until the 1970s when they were given the opportunity Department of Education Cuts —There are no party lines; disabilitydoes not discriminate to even try. The U.S. Department of Education does not make decisions on curriculum, what books or ideas to teach, or graduation requirements. Education for those with disabilities is not a partisan issue. There are no party lines; disability does not discriminate. Recent actions by the current administration have put in jeopardy the hard-fought gains the disability community has sought in education by attempts to decimate public education. The Department of Education (DOE) plays a crucial role in keeping education accessible – and that role is oversight. DOE does not make decisions on curriculum or what books or ideas to teach or graduation requirements. Those are rights already held by each state. The oversight DOE is able to do is collect and analyze data about schools, monitor implementation of federal laws such as Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) through state educational agency audits, respond to and mediate complaints about discrimination through the Office of Civil Rights, and manage student lending for higher education, among other things. The children who most need this oversight – children with disabilities – will be the ones most impacted by this reckless and unnecessary action. These cuts will not result in the changes politicians claim. Local school curriculum and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) practices are not federally controlled. What these cuts will do is cause public schools to be undeserved, create information shortages, likely exaserbate staffing and funding shortages, and generally cause panic. POLL Are you concerned about how cuts to the Department of Education will affect you or a family memeber? Yes, I am concerned No, I am not concerned This issue does not impact me Sponsored by Montana Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) The Montana Centers for Independent Living (CILs) and The Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) invite you to participate in Rally Day on Wednesday, March 19th 11am at the Capitol Rotunda. This rally is a great opportunity for ANYONE to come show support for legislation that helps people living with disabilities in Montana. We will also be advocating to Save Section 504. Come one come all, let’s pack the Capitol Rotunda with people with disabilities, family members, service providers, anyone that cares about the disability community and disability issues and services. Please feel free to prepare signs to hold, please make sure they do not have a stick as those are prohibited in the Capitol. Things to note: 1. The event will take place at the Montana Capitol in Helena. 1301 E. 6th Avenue EVENT: Rally for Disability Rights atthe Capitol, Wednesday March 19th Helena, MT 2. Accessible parking can be difficult to find – most of the spots are on the south side of the building. It may be best to have someone drop you off if that’s available. 3. From the first floor of the building, take the elevator to the rotunda on the second floor where the event takes place. 4. There are accessible restrooms on every floor of the Capitol. 5. If you need transportation, please contact your local Ability Montana office to see if there is transportation available. Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter. We hope these updates empower you to stay informed, engaged, and active toward actualizing true inclusion of people with disabilities. Please share this newsletter with friends, colleagues, and anyone else interested in disability justice and living beyond compliance. Let’s keep pushing for a more inclusive and equitable Montana—together! Share Life Beyond Compliance For questions, comments, or to get involved, just reply to this email or visit our website: disabilityrightsmt.org. Me ka mahalo, Kona Franks-Ongoy Director of Communications Disability Rights Montana 1 Let’s Stay Connected, grab a Coffee,and Change the World Disability Impacts All of Us Infographic, https://www.cdc.gov/disability-and- health/articles-documents/disability-impacts-all-of-us- infographic.html#:~:text=12.2%20percent%20of%20U.S.%20adults,with%20difficul ty%20doing%20errands%20alone 2 Id. 3 Accessibility of public buildings in the United States: a cross-sectional survey, Suzanne Perea Burns, Rochelle J. Mendonca, & Roger O. Smith, August 20, 2023. 4 Id. 5 § 35.1309(a) General prohibitions against discrimination. 6 § 35.104 Definitions. You’re currently a free subscriber to Life Beyond Compliance. To help us build this library of content and to gain access to additional features, consider upgrading your subscription. Upgrade to paid LIKE COMMENT RESTACK © 2025 Disability Rights Montana1022 Chestnut Street, Helena, MT 59601 Unsubscribe