CA: SB 500 (as amended 1/12/10) – Support if Amended

January 12, 2010

Honorable Darrell Steinberg
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814


SUBJECT: SB 500 (as amended 1/12/10) – Support if Amended

Dear Senator Steinberg:

Californians for Disability Rights, Inc., [CDR] is the largest cross-disability membership advocacy organization in California. CDR has long fought for affordable and accessible housing for Californians with disabilities; as without the housing component of access – we, and California, cannot fully realize the promise of the ADA and the Olmstead Supreme Court decision based on the community integration civil rights within the American with Disabilities Act of 1990.

We wish to thank you for including funding for persons with “special” housing needs. However, we are concerned that the specific language of SB500 does not spell out clearly enough the role of the State of California in meeting the accessibility needs of Californians with disabilities.

We are concerned that SB500 does not clearly address not only the accessibility requirements for tenants or homeowners; but does not address the “visitability” and “universal design” concepts that CDR and others worked so hard to get into California’s legislative language in order to begin providing housing stock that makes community integration truly doable.

We have read the amendments as presented by the ARC of California and agree with their amendments. We also wish to submit an additional amendment for setting baseline accessibility requirements whenever state or federal funds are expended for housing in California.

“Para [?] Housing funds used for new construction with state or federal dollars shall, at a minimum, provide a zero change level entry; doorways and hallways leading from that entry with adequate width for wheelchair travel and maneuvering; a bathroom/toilet room with reinforced walls for installation of grab bars in the shower/bath area and the toilet area; a sleeping or guest area with an accessible doorway.

Housing funds used for modification of existing housing with state or federal dollars shall, at a minimum, include all the requirements as stated in paragraph [?] to the extent that such changes and modifications are readily achievable.”

It has long been the considered opinion of CDR and its members that state housing funds that have been expended since the enactment of the ADA, that have not included the above


or similar requirements, place the State of California in jeopardy of violating the general non-discrimination clauses of the American with Disabilities Act. As always, we encourage proactive measures be taken by the state and the state housing agency to eliminate discriminatory spending of state funds and a fully realized “Olmstead” plan that can be accomplished only when affordable and accessible housing becomes readily available to every Californian with a disability.

Thank you in advance for your consideration,

Sincerely,


Laura E Williams, President
Californians for Disability Rights, Inc.
Sac office [not staffed] 916-447-2237

lemwilliams@gmail.com