Host: Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). We have with us Ericka Miller, systems advocate with Independent Living of Niagara County (ILNC) and occasionally chiming in is Office Administrator Ryan Brehmer. And it's about a situation that consumers have brought to their attention that can pose a hazard or many hazards actually for individuals with disabilities around a six-point intersection in the Cataract City. Can you tell us more about the situation at the Henry F. Abbott Elementary School? Not to be confused with Abbott Elementary on the sitcom on TV. What all is the situation?
Guest: Well, we have received a complaint and you know other complaints as well about the surrounding area of the Abbott school. That is the around the intersection of 11th St. and Lockport Street, if you're familiar with Niagara Falls. We have received a report that the sidewalks and the curb cuts are very dangerous to traverse if you're trying to take your child to school or your person with a disability. The reason being that it is it has broken sidewalks, the curb cuts are broken in bits as well. There's grass impeding travel and sidewalks pathway, and because winter is here, once the snow covers everything, it's hard to even know that all of that is under there posing a separate danger.
Host: But thanks to you all being told about this by consumers, you are taking positive steps to try to see that something is done about it. I believe you're passing around some petitions.
Guest: Yes. We will be petitioning in front of Tops in Niagara Falls. We will be petitioning, let's see, we'll be petitioning for a couple of days, one of which is on the 27th.
However if you are unable to join us on the 27th, we are still able to take your signatures at ILNC and that's on Portage Rd.
Host: Is that 746 Portage?
Host: Near Pine Ave., I believe.
Guest: Yes, near the problem itself.
Host: OK. Oh, so you're actually a stone's throw away from the issue at hand.
Guest: Yes, it's really not that far of a distance from us.
Host: And how many signatures do you hope to get to take to, is it the city attorney's office?
Guest: So, our goal would be to be about 250. We would like to bring the signatures to City Council themselves to address the issue.
Host: Oh council, as in the administrative or the legislative body? Not counsel as an attorney. OK, sorry about that. And you hope to wrap this up by how much in the future?
Host: Alright, well that's hopefully that's before there'll be too much of the white stuff coming down, but it sounds like the sooner they can attack the situation, the better it is for all concerned. So, a whole bunch of people there at ILNC are participating in trying to gather these together and that's actually all within the Independent Living philosophy, which is to take positive steps to make things better for individuals with disabilities. I'm sure people will have some questions. How can they reach you?
Guest: Well, you can go to ILNC and I'm sure my friend Ryan here would be able to take your signature or what's the best way, Ryan?
Guest 2: If they have questions, they can call the office, or if they prefer email, they can email to my address.
Host: And the phone number that's handy?
Guest 2: The phone number is 284-4131 and that is local to Western New York, so area code 716.
Host: Alright, would the ext. 200 be a good place to start?
Host: Terrific. Well, we're out of time. Thank you so much for being on the program.
Guest 2: Thank you so much for having us, Ernie.
Host: Our pleasure. You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guests today were Ericka Miller, systems advocate and Ryan Brehmer, office administrator at ILNC. And I've been your host, Ernie Churchwell.