A visit from the Commissioner — one perspective
Here is Arlene’s report of the visit to our Center by Kumiki Gibson, Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights. While you’re at it, check out her blog, The Future Doc Wilson. It has lots of good and pertinent information.
A Focus on Systemic Discrimination: A Visit by Commissioner Kumiki Gibson
Disability advocates, staff, and friends gathered for a meeting with the new Commissioner of the New York State Division of Human Rights. Kumiki Gibson toured the building with the Executive Director, Bruce Darling, Chris Hilderbrant, Director of Advocacy, Dean DeRusso (Deaf Systems Advocate) and Anita Cameron (Systems Advocate). Julia Day, Regional Director of the Rochester/Syracuse office of the Division of Human Rights accompanied the Commissioner. Gwen Ashford (Transition Specialist) graciously volunteered to take pictures to capture the event.
The tour began with a group photo session by the outdoor banners, and then moved into the Atrium, where Bruce Darling shared how this part of the building celebrates accessibility. Our journey continued to the public resource area, where the community can access computers, the Internet, and deaf individuals can use the video relay equipment to place calls.
We then proceeded through to CDPAS, Independent Living and the Nursing Facility Transition work bays, where Bruce Darling explained the nature and importance of the work done by our colleagues. At the Independent Living (known as IL) bay, the Executive Director gave examples of the types of calls that staff receives, and what they do. Anita Cameron, Systems Advocate, offered herself as an example — the IL staff helped her to find an apartment. This led to a discussion of the paucity of affordable, accessible, integrated housing, and the discrimination that people with disabilities face.
At the Nursing Home Transition bay, Bruce spoke of the barriers to transitioning folks from nursing homes to the community. The issue of Transportation was raised, with the major problem being Lift Line, and how they seem to be changing people’s times without their permission, and cutting people from the rolls. He stated that Lift Line is late or doesn’t show up 55% of the time, and this very often has a negative impact on a person’s ability to hold a job. Ms. Gibson said that if a pattern of discrimination could be documented, an individual could file a complaint with her office. At the end of the tour, the group joined with staff and community members in the large conference room. Chris Hilderbrant, Director of Advocacy, served as moderator, directing questions to the Commissioner.
Group Discussion
The Commissioner stated that she wanted the focus of the Division to be on systemic discrimination—eliminating ongoing episodes of repeat discrimination by organizations and businesses. Ms. Gibson felt this could be achieved through education as well as public disclosure. She also offered her position as Commissioner to serve as a bully pulpit to support advocacy efforts against discrimination.
Shelly Perrin asked the first question. Her statement spoke to the need for accessible, affordable housing. The Commissioner said that is not an area they cover, but they do want to know about any issues people have seeking housing. She stated that it is important to address issues of housing discrimination, when landlords are continually showing themselves to be discriminatory. The challenge comes in being that person who will stand up—even if you have decided to pursue an apartment elsewhere. It is important to stand up, to protect the rights of the person who comes after you.
A subsequent question about the occurrence of Iraqi veterans for services evolved in to a discussion on the lack of funding through any of the established systems for home modifications. Fred Dievendorf, from the Regional Center for Independent Living, spoke to the challenges of trying to get people into their homes, after medical treatment and rehabilitation is completed. People can get wheelchairs, but not the ramps to get into their home using the chair.
Anthony Griggs shared issue around hospital staff not including the person with the disability in medical decisions and people with home health aide service not being allowed to bring them into the hospital setting. Bruce Darling explained how the latter impacts the quality of care, as home staffs know how best to assist the consumer.
Julia Day shared that the Division has made some substantive changes under the leadership of Ms. Gibson. One of these is the ability to file a complaint online
http://www.dhr.state.ny.us/complaints.html
Forms will need to be notarized; this service is available through staff at CDR and RCIL. The Commissioner also stated that her office could assist with cases of discrimination in the search for housing.
She ended by saying she is in favor of being aggressive to get people’s attention, to change attitudes. She recognizes and supports the use of a collaborative voice. Ms. Gibson then fielded questions from the group.
Community Questions & Concerns
Ray Kenney spoke on the need for captioning of all state television commercials and gave specific examples. He also spoke to the need for public accessibility through public address (PA) systems and communication in public transit venues (train stations, airports, bus depots). Misty Munson shared that many times TTY is hidden, and has to be requested. Ray Kenney pointed out that TTY is antiquated technology that needs to be replaced.