MPR’s Dick Daly reports on protest in downtown Minneapolis over handicap inaccessible skyways.
The handicapped say they're America's new angry minority. A skyway in downtown Minneapolis was filled with protestors in wheelchairs and crutches. Jeff Farnum, member of United Handicapped Federation (UHF), said of the ten skyways that have been constructed in downtown Minneapolis, five, or half, are inaccessible due to steps or escalators. This reduces usability of the entire system even if future construction is barrier-free. He stated that while the City Council has passed resolution that future construction will be barrier free, existing skyways need attention. Farnum’s remarks were followed by Audrey Benson, president of the UHF, who asked "Are we going to remain invisible? Are we going to allow them to deny us the usability of Minneapolis?" Benson said the dream of a totally accessible environment will become a reality even if they have to embarrass every noncomplying architect builder and corporate executive in the process.
Transcripts
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SPEAKER: Two, four, six, eight. Barriers discriminate.
DICK DALEY: The strident sound of a minority group trying to make an impact on the larger society. But these were not war protesters, or Blacks, or women. Instead, the Skyway across 7th Street from the IDS Center to Donaldson's was filled with people in wheelchairs and on crutches.
Their signs read, how can we fit around wheel on a square step? The trouble with Skyways is we can't use them. And we don't like snow and cold either. At the bottom of seven steps leading into Donaldson's, Jeff Farnham spoke for the United Handicapped Federation.
JEFF FARNHAM: There have been 10 Skyways constructed in downtown Minneapolis. When completed, the system will include 76 primary and feeder Skyways. Five or half of the existing Skyways are inaccessible because of steps, stairs, and in one case, an escalator. These five are located in key positions in the proposed system, thus effectively reducing the usability of the entire system, even if future construction is barrier-free.
The city council has seen fit to pass a resolution that will help ensure that future construction will be barrier-free. But unless something is done about the existing inaccessible Skyways, we, the handicapped, still have only half a system. Audrey.
AUDREY BENSON: Audrey Benson. I'm the president of United Handicapped Federation. Are we going to allow these people to keep 16.5% of the population oppressed? Are we going to remain invisible?
Are we going to allow them to deny us the usability of Minneapolis?
SPEAKER: No.
AUDREY BENSON: Good. Good.
SPEAKER: We want privileges. We want--
DICK DALEY: The handicapped say they're America's new angry minority that the Skyway issue is just one of many. They'll press in the months and years ahead. UHF President Audrey Benson said today, the dream of a totally accessible environment will become a reality, even if we have to embarrass every non-complying architect, builder, and corporate executive in the process. This is Dick Daley.