Greek houses need to be brought up to code, and fast

Thanks to national accessibility laws, people confined to wheelchairs are able to get around with little or no assistance. This allows those who may seem disadvantaged to keep their independence and their pride. But lagging behind in wheelchair access are the University's Greek houses. According to an article in today's BG News, Greek houses here were built before laws were put into place making it mandatory for all public buildings to be handicap accessible. Because of that, many are still without ramps and other amenities. So what is being done about this? Not much. While the University says they're looking into it, we need to see action here. University Hall, one of the original building at the University, has managed to comply with the laws, installing ramps and handicap accessible bathrooms in the nearly 100-year-old building.

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The Wheel Deal

Restaurants in the city of Prague don't want Jeanette Dodd's patronage. Most of them, in fact, would prefer that she visit some other city. Or just stay home.
That's just an impression, of course. But Dodd maintains that this "is the least welcoming of European cities."
You see, Jeanette Dodd uses a wheelchair to get around. Prague, in turn, has a well-earned reputation for casually dismissing the basic rights of disabled people. Much of the public transportation system remains off-limits. Only 24 of the 50 metro stops allow wheelchair access. And many restaurants are several steps below or above street level. If not, their restrooms often occupy a basement space.
"If I see a flight of stairs, it might was well have a sign saying 'no access,' " Dodd says.

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Snow removal insufficient for people in wheelchairs

With winter snows upon us, I need to express grievances about snow removal practices. I speak for all people in wheelchairs who still need to get around. First, if the city plows the streets, they should also plow the sidewalks. Snow plowed from the street onto the sidewalk makes it impossible for us to get through.Secondly, sidewalks should be shoveled all the way to the end and curb cuts cleared out. Many places the sidewalks are cleared, shoveled into the curb cut, leaving a big pile, impossible for us to cross.Here's an example of what we face: Today I was going to work, taking the cleared path through Lillis Park. I was fortunate that the snow was still fresh so I could cross the bridge over the irrigation ditch, where the city stops plowing without clearing it off. I traversed the four blocks through the park with no problem until I hit the 24th Street side.

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