From: brenda konkel [brendakonkel@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 06, 2006 11:43 AM
To: Lisa Veldran
Subject: [Fwd: accessible polling sites]

Attachments: Attachment A.doc; Madison Survey Analysis.doc
Please copy this email and the attachments and include with the next CCOC packet for the elections committee issue.  Thanks!
b

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: accessible polling sites
Date: Thu, 6 Apr 2006 10:28:07 -0500
From: Alicia Sidman <alicias@drwi.org>
To: Brenda Konkel <brendakonkel@yahoo.com>
CC: Pat Kelly <patk@drwi.org>, Barbara Vedder <bvedder@charter.net>


Hi Brenda,
 
I saw the article on the Cap Times re: accessible polling sites. I think it really exposed the issues. I wanted to let you know, however, my concern regarding Sharon Christensen's response that she heard about this access issue for the first time. This is not true.
 
I met with Sharon Christensen on 2/9 to review the accessibility problems that were identified in the attached report. She received a copy of this report.
 
I also presented the report to the Commission on People with Disabilities on 2/23/06... http://legistar.cityofmadison.com/DotNetCalendarReports/2006/2/2821_M_COMMISSION_ON_PEOPLE_WITH_DISABILITIES_06-02-23_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
 
Angela Bennett helped to organize both the meeting with Sharon and the presentation to the Commission on People with Disabilities.
 
When I presented our information to the Commission and Ms. Christensen, I mentioned that because the surveys were not conducted by professional surveyors, it may not be not be 100% accurate. In addition, the City may have already corrected some of the access issues that we identified. However, I made it very clear that I felt the best course of action was to take the information from our report and use it as a benchmark to look at potential problems at each of the sites. And, indeed, access into the building at Tenney Park Apartments was identified as a potential problem that should be looked at and addressed. During our meeting Ms. Christensen assured me that she would do just that. She also said that she would get back to me about what she found. I never heard back from her.
 
I also completed a similar report for other polling sites in Dane County. This was a requested of me by Barbra Vedder. (Hi Barbara. I am including you in on this email because I know that this is an important issue to you). I believe the reports were discussed at a Dane County Board meeting this winter. I also shared both of the reports with Robert Ohlsen.
 
Pat Kelly and I are working on a letter to the editor in response to the article that was published yesterday.
 
I hope that you find this information helpful as you work to get a committee to look at polling place accessibility. If there is anything that I can do to assist you with your efforts, please let me know.
 
 
Best,
Alicia
 

Alicia Sidman

DISABILITY RIGHTS WISCONSIN

16 N. Carroll Street, Suite 400

Madison, WI  53703

608 267-0214 Voice

608 267-0368 Fax

800 928-8778 consumers & family only

888 758-6049 TTY

alicias@drwi.org

*formerly Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy

PLEASE NOTE NEW AGENCY NAME, E-MAIL ADDRESS, AND TTY NUMBER