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~$®dl~l _ P~~ Bob 3995, FHilo,1-lI 96720 (808) 961-5601
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8/27/02
Dear Council Chair Arakaki,
I aan writing as President of Disability Rights Hawaii to comment on Bill 247, drall 2,
that is before the Council tomorrow. Please distribute this letter to the Councilmembers.
BiI1247 was the subject of discussions in two DRH meetings, on Juty 30 and today. At
first the project looked like a good idea. DRH has Long advocated improvements to the walkways
on Waianuenue between Hilo Medical Center and the sidewalk near Carvalho Park. With limited -
public transportation, many poor and disabled people must walk (or roll) to the hospital. With no
sidewalk or even road shoulder that walk is very hazardous.
But when we found out that the proposed sidewalk will only connect the two parking lots
across Waianuenue from the Mcdical Center, we realized that it would not improve accessibility
for us at aIl. That is because there is no accessible route into the Medical Center from the pazking
lot on the Puna side of Waianuenue. A stairway near the crosswalk blocks access. Wheelchair
users must travel in the roadway, and up the driveway of the Medical Center to get into the
building.
The Medical Center has eleven reserved accessible parking spaces near the entrance. But
these are ofilen Palled completely, and we have to park in the lot across the street. There really
should be an accessible route from the roadway (and parking lot) to the entrance of the Medical
Center. People who can cliirab stairs are safe. People wha cannot climb stairs must risk travel in
the roadway.
So in our meeting today we decided that we could not support Bi11247. Funds should be
spent on leaking the Medical Center accessible from the road before improving sidewalks. The
Medical Center should be accessible to all.
Thank you for your kind Attention.
Sincerely, 1 J
1 ~..J
Daniel Grant-Johnson, President
Disability Rights Hawaii
P.O. Box 5575
Hilo, HI 9b720
Cornllgo N~
Jule No.
Disabzliey Rights Hava~afd is a taz-c~ceroapt nonprofit corporattora ~
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