By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Mike Stanford had one question for the elected officials before him on Tuesday.
“How do we get the ‘dis’ out of abilities?” he asked during the annual Advocacy Day for local residents with developmental disabilities.
As part of Developmental Disabilities Month, Wood Lane hosted a meeting with local residents and elected officials – Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher, Perrysburg Mayor Tom Mackin, and Wood County Commissioner Ted Bowlus.
Stanford’s question was more difficult to answer than other concerns about accessible restrooms, misuse of handicapped parking spaces, and lack of transportation services for people unable to drive themselves.
Bowlus said shedding the stigma surrounding developmental disabilities is a long process.
“That is going to take time,” he said.
But many of the Wood Lane consumers are doing their part to break the stigma by working in jobs out in the community.
“You are showing them what you can do,” Bowlus said.
“We’ve all got flaws,” Mackin said. “We can really accomplish a lot if we work together.”
Aspacher agreed.
“We’re all people with individual talents and skills,” he said. “We need to extend ourselves to help people like you by creating opportunities. The key thing is that we keep talking to each other – and that we listen more and talk less.”
Wood Lane Superintendent Brent Baer said the annual Advocacy Day gives people a chance to talk face to face with local elected officials.
“They have true value and wisdom, and they need direct access to their elected officials,” Baer said.
Stanford agreed.
“This month is so important because it brings us together so people can hear our voices,” he said.
Wood Lane consumers shared their concerns about older buildings not in compliance with ADA laws and the lack of transportation services throughout the county.
“These issues are important in our daily lives,” said Kim Paxton. And Developmental Disabilities Month is important as well, she added.
“It’s our month to celebrate and show people who we are,” said Paxton, who acted as moderator for Tuesday’s event. “It’s important for us to show them what we need.”
The month also recognizes the abilities of those with developmental disabilities.
“It’s our own little holiday we like to celebrate,” Paxton said.
Mark Foster said having access to local elected officials is important.
“We get to express what we think about certain issues,” Foster said. “This is what we do, every year.”
For Melissa Frizado, the top concern is more transportation opportunities. Dennis Miller shared that priority. Both Frizado and Miller have jobs at First Solar.
“You got to stand up for yourself,” Miller said. “I want more transportation to get around.”
For Geoff Dennis, a priority is enforcing handicapped parking rules.
“That’s what gets me upset,” Dennis said of seeing vehicles improperly using handicapped spots. “I just want someone to care. It hurts my feelings.”
For A.J. Hall and his mom, Barbara, a top issue is accessibility – especially of restrooms.
“He likes to do things that other people do,” Barbara Hall said. But sometimes lack of accessibility for A.J.’s wheelchair makes it difficult.
“That’s a big issue,” she said.
And for Kristin Fisher, the month is a time to celebrate.
“I like to get together with my friends and do awareness activities,” like playing basketball, she said.
The elected officials on Tuesday explained their efforts to make their communities more accessible.
Mackin said Perrysburg officials recently realized that their snow removal efforts in the downtown area were making it difficult for people using wheelchairs to get to the sidewalk from their vehicles. So the process was changed.
“We want to be an inclusive, welcoming community,” Mackin said.
Perrysburg is also working to make its city hall building more accessible for people using wheelchairs.
“City hall really should be accessible to everyone,” he said.
Aspacher talked about his desire to learn more about the unmet needs of residents with developmental disabilities and how to remove barriers in their way.
“I want to learn about the challenges you face every day and what you contribute to this community,” he said. “I need to learn the things that are important to you.”
Bowling Green’s city building is also lacking in accessibility, Aspacher said. But he assured that the new city building being planned will be much more handicaped accessible. And he said the city would consult Wood Lane officials about the new public restrooms being installed downtown.
Both Aspacher and Mackin said their cities are working on updating their websites so they are easier to use.
Bowlus talked about the county’s vision for meeting the housing, employment and transportation needs of people with developmental disabilities. He mentioned the 30 jobs at First Solar currently filled by Wood Lane consumers, and talked of the value of finding the right jobs to fit the person.
“You all have the ability to work. And we have a lot of available jobs,” Bowlus said. “We can help you anyway we can.”
