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- MIA NOT ON BOARD TO CHANGE WORST AIRPORT TO THE BEST IN THE WORLD FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES By Denny Wood |
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Dear Mr. Flores & Ms. Gittens, Airport Director, E-mail: vrobles@miami-airport.com I am very disappointed with the response below. The italics and red, express my displeasure. I am sharing it with Convention Planners, and others that I can reach. We are also posting this document on the internet. Additionally, the MIA has a web site. Where is the section on disabilities? Denny R. Wood THE RESPONSE June 26, 2002 Dear Mr. Wood: The following identifies the issues raised by you during the walk-thru that was conducted at the Miami Airport on January 27, 2002. Each Concern is followed by your Response and our Comments that is identified in bold, red italics print. Concern: High vehicle parking was closed and sign placed in front of the entrance to the parking garage with a number to call. Response: The high vehicle parking area is open and fully operational. In addition, two van accessible spaces have been added in this area. Mr. Wood: This constitutes a positive change at the airport. Concern: The entrance ramp going into the Landside office is in violation of the code. Response: The department is looking into options regarding this
issue. Concern: The telephone in front of the Landside Office is too high and the coin slot is extremely high. Response: The telephone has been lowered to the required height and this also resolves the issue with the coin slot. Mr. Wood: Good. It should have been done this way years ago. Concern: The ramp ending at Concourse “E” needs a smoother path. Response: The ramp ending is in compliance with the code. However, the ADA Coordinator will have Facilities Maintenance determine if anything can be done to smooth out the path. Mr. Wood: Ramps at the airport generally are for people with wheelchairs, who generally come with at least one suitcase or bag on their laps. All the ramps, including the short curb ramps should be at least 1:14 in slope, if not greater. Minimum standards, according to law, may be "legal" but they are not practical when at places like the airport. Common sense and the needs of people in wheelchairs should dictate, not the minimum standard. Concern: The restroom by the Bus Bay had no running water and the soap dispenser was not operational. Response: Facilities Maintenance has repaired the restroom and the soap dispenser. Mr. Wood: Good! Concern: Most of the restrooms visited had a McDonald’s hand dryer and no paper towel dispenser. Response: The Code requires that we provide a means for patrons to dry their hands. However, if any additional modifications are made to the restrooms, the department will review this recommendation and determine our options. Mr. Wood: The point we tried to make is that if the general restroom offers paper towels, then the handicapped stall should offer the same paper towels. What is the option? Current MIA Policy is to say "out of order" and then it gets fixed "someday" with little regard towards people in wheelchairs who can use the "just one" handicapped stall. Concern: 98% of the restrooms visited had the tissue dispenser under the grab bar, and close to the front rim of the ceramic commode, which constitutes a barrier in transfers and seat adjustments. Response: The ADA Standards and the Florida Accessibility Code for
Building Construction – 1997 (FACBC) specifies the location of the
tissue dispenser, which is under the grab bar and within 36 inches from
the back of the wall. Mr. Flores needs to look at the little illustration right out of the ADA Guidelines and see exactly what he needs to do QUICKLY!!!!! The source of figure below: www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/reg3a/fig29b.htm. (This problem also exists at the New Government Building, and was pointed out months ago to Javier Suarez, GSA Building Management Assistant. It will be interesting to see what Mr. Suarez has done in the last few months, when we go up to fight Mr. Flores' and his charge the certain disabled to park proposed amendment on July 13, 2002 at the Transportation, Infrastructure & Environmental Committee.) Concern: Restaurants visited all had tables with pedestals and small tops, precluding wheelchairs from being seated correctly. Response: A meeting of those business partners that are affected by this items will be advised of this concern and a recommendation will be made by the department to obtain more accessible tables. Mr. Wood:
"Recommendation?" What about an order to comply with the law or
have their contract terminated? ASAP!!! We are trying
to prevent a Federal Law Suit listing the restaurants individually as well
as the MIA Airport. Almost 90% or more of the counters at the airport do not have low areas that are now required. Response: MIA is in the process of revising the ticket counters and has created a design that will provide accessibility. Mr. Wood: Some response! Where is the time table? Will this be done by December 31, 2002? Mr. Flores does not seem to get it. He does not understand that the AIRPORT has been out of compliance for years and we paid him a courtesy to get the airport STRAIGHT BY DECEMBER 31, 2002. Perhaps he is not qualified to handle this ADA Co-ordinator job he has assigned to him. Concern: Carpet is still everywhere, on every concourse, and every concourse ramp that was visited. Response: The ADA standards allow for carpet to be used. However, the carpet is being replaced in many areas of the terminal with terrazzo flooring. When carpet is being used, the department has not added the additional padding that was previously used. We realize that carpet is better suited for some people with disabilities such as arthritis and that the ideal path of travel is one which gives the user a choice of either carpet or a hard surface. Mr. Wood: The carpet on the long concourses is the major reason we refer to this airport as the worst in the world. We feel that a hard surface corridor, everywhere where there is carpet to travel long distances (over 200 feet) shall be provided. Carpet on ramps, should also have a hard surface. Anything less is cruel and hard punishment for people pushing their wheelchairs. Again, Mr. Flores wants to hid behind an ADA standard rather that do what people with disabilities need. I am implying that Mr. Flores does not have the empathy or sensitivity for the job of ADA Co-ordinator and that he should be replaced by a more sensitive people person. Concern: The handrail was obstructed with a movable row of chairs. Response: The movable row of chairs have been moved to another location. The department will continue to monitor this to ensure that the contracted cleaning company keeps the furniture in its proper location. Mr. Wood: Good, but provides a movable problem that will continue. At least MTA, after a 20 year battle has decided to anchor bus benches down so that the problem does not reoccur. Concern: TTY telephones are scattered throughout the airport. Airline employees do not seem to know where they are located. Response: It is proposed that each airline’s Station Manager will get a copy of the ADA Access Guide, which will identify the location of the TTY Telephones. Mr. Wood: Good. Concern: TTY international symbols need to be added as decals to the many airport sign directories. Response: This was reviewed through the Way Finding terminal study and the appropriate signage will be added, as required. Mr. Wood: Good. Concern: For those telephone banks that does not have a TTY telephone, a sign should be placed at each bank directing the hearing impaired to the next available TTY location. A brochure with these locations would be nice. Response: The Access Guide that will be available to all airport users and airline staff will have the locations of the TTY telephones throughout the terminal. Mr. Wood: Not very good at
all. I guess the signs are too much trouble and work for Mr. Flores to
make it really good for people with hearing disabilities. I can't wait to
see how the deaf respond to this response of Mr. Flores. I'm surprised
that Mr. Concern: Signage for Unisex restrooms is needed. Response: Signage for Unisex restrooms is displayed. In addition, the locations are identified in the Access Guide that will located at the information counter. Mr. Wood: If it was so well displayed why did we identify it as a problem? We will now have to go back to the Airport, and further point out the problems again. Concern: Signage where elevators are located is needed. Response: The current signage throughout the terminal to include the locations of the elevators is being studied and reviewed by the Way Finding terminal study. Mr. Wood: "is being studied and reviewed by the Way Finding terminal study?" We identified the problem. now we need some new study as where to put signage to let people with disabilities know where the elevators are? Not much of a solution that will see much action in the near future. Concern: Many ramps in the concourse, carpeted, did not have handrails. Response: Those sloped areas that are ramps have been identified and Handrails are being installed. Mr. Wood: Good. Now we need to get a hard surface on these ramped areas. Concern: At least two ramps in the Dolphin Parking Garage
terminated in a curb Response: These concerns where not raised during the walk-thru that was conducted. This particular concern is currently being reviewed by the department to determine what course of action should be taken. Mr. Wood: Not a good response. Does Mr. Flores want me to come out and show him exactly where the curbs must be cut? Who is reviewing this? Hopefully it is that guy in the radio room who also is in a wheelchair. The lack of time tables in this document is down right disgusting. We set a goal of December 31, 2002, and this ADA Co-ordinator talks as if there is no urgency. Concern: Only a few restrooms had signs “YIELD TO DISABLED”. Response: A review of the signage will be conducted to ensure consistency throughout the terminal. Mr. Wood: Bad Response! The signs should have been ordered and installed by now, On every handicapped stall door. Again, no planned time table. This would have been a good response, in February of 2002. It is now July. Mr. Flores has had 4 months for a review. What happened in these four months? Concern: Only one restroom was encountered with a locked stall door today. Response: The restroom has been repaired by Facilities Maintenance. It is airport policy to keep restrooms maintained and open. Mr. Wood: Did Mr. Flores miss it again? We want a policy at the Airport that Handicapped Restrooms are emergency priority, including a label of time of restroom out of order and where next handicapped facility is located. Concern: I explained why disabled parking spaces need a five foot space on the passenger side and recommended when possible, provided this space, even though Florida Law rolled us back a bit. Response: Florida Law states, the 5 foot access aisle can be on either side of the accessible parking space. Mr. Wood: Bad, bad response. The spaces I showed him were angle spaces, precluding backing up. Even the new federal guidelines being proposed are addressing this error. This is a typical bad response of a bureaucrat who does not want to do what is right, but finds a legal loophole to hide behind. Mr. Flores is not dedicated to making this the best airport in the the world. We are talking about nickels and dimes to stripe a disabled parking space correctly, once and for all, so that is can be used to it's maximum usage for all people with disabilities. (I understand a similar situation was pointed out in Perrine, at the One Stop Center and the County Manager's Office ordered it corrected for the maximum usage with the access aisle placed on the passenger side.) Concern: I pointed out a bar area that had a T.V. to watch, and no tables for the disabled in wheelchairs to eat and drink. Response: The bar area accessible tables. However, the tables and chairs where not in clear view of the T.V. This is not a requirement, but will be reviewed to determined if any modifications can be made to the area for better viewing capabilities. Concern: I of course pointed out the absent 36-inch passage in stores, restaurants and bars. Response: This issue will be addressed with each business partner that is not in compliance with this requirement during the scheduled meeting that has been planned for July 30, 2002. Mr. Wood: "will be addressed" This is just one issue of ADA compliance. Will the other interior restaurant items be reviewed? Will the "business partners" be required to come into full compliance of all ADA violations within 30 days or have their contracts canceled? Concern: I pointed out the an absence of posted phone numbers in the garage, that would accommodate everyone and especially a person with a disability with a problem. Response: When a patron has a problem, there are “Assistance Buttons” that are located in the elevator core that connect them to the Control Room, which is staffed 24 hours/7 days a week. Mr. Wood: Bad response. The phone numbers need to be posted. Especially near pay phones, or entrances and exits for people in their cars. This is just another "blow off " of a citizen problem brought to the attention of the airport personnel who like blowing off people with problems at the airport. Unfortunately, it impacts the disabled person more than the person without a disability. Concern: The ramps I saw on the exterior, leading into the airport all appear to be 1:12, but some could use some work. I also believe that the 1:12 slope minimum requirement is too steep for an airport. Response: The slopes that are mentioned above are within the ADA standards. However, if the opportunity presents itself, the department will review this recommendation for future projects. Mr. Wood: "if the opportunity presents itself," We have presented the issue. The issue addresses people in wheelchairs with some luggage on their lap. It is common knowledge that a 1:12 slope does not accommodate most people in wheelchairs. We did not bring this issue up for future projects. We identified all of the curb ramps leading to the sidewalk of the airport. We are not seeking a minimum standard airport. We are seeking the best airport n the world as a goal. Concern: It was suggested that people with disabilities are separated too long from their carry on possessions and the possessions are out of sight too long at security, because they must go through a personal hand check. Response: People with disabilities are required to go through the same security procedures. However, this concern is being reviewed and the necessary changes will be made to minimize this concern. Mr. Wood: "reviewed" suggests no time tables or really any changes. Concern: Has at least one employee in a wheelchair that works at MIA’s Radio Room and others should be utilized to make this MIA Airport the best airport in the world for people with disabilities. Response: The airport is re-establishing a committee to address ADA concerns and to take a proactive approach to improving MIA for persons with disabilities. Mr. Wood: We had such a committee in the past. The MIA Administration didn't listen much as we have the worst airport in the world for people with disabilities. You have a committee already. It is all the people with disabilities and and interest on this e-mail train. What you need is a time table, a co-ordinator that wants to remove all the airport barriers by December 31, 2002. You need a plan of action that has the written support of the Airport Director, who also has a goal of making this the best Airport in the World for people with disabilities. I look forward to working with you and others who may provide some in-sight into removing ADA barriers throughout the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. Mr. Wood: After watching you present an ordinance that punishes people with disabilities, and your lack of positive action on the above, I must give you a vote of "no confidence". You certainly are not looking out for the interests of people with disabilities, which is a required first to be an ADA Co-ordinator. As I have stated to you before, I am committed to addressing ADA barriers that may prohibit any airport users from utilizing all of the services that Miami-Dade Aviation Department has to offer the traveling public and airport users. Mr. Wood: Committed, but when? Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to assist me in identifying ADA barriers throughout the terminal at MIA. Mr. Wood: I intend to take out a great deal of time on this issue alone in the next few months. I do not like writing to the Democrat, Republican, and other Convention planners and telling them to skip Miami as we have the worst airport in the world for people with disabilities. Sincerely, Kelly D. Flores A LETTER TO MR.FLORES Mr. Flores: Your answers indicate a person who is not thoughtful, with empathy, and without goals or time tables. You try to hide behind laws, and minimum standards when you should be seeking maximum access. Worse, you used your position to attack my peers, with your affiliation in the make certain people with disabilities at the airport pay, for the first time since 1971. Because of your lack of positive attitude toward people with disabilities, I want you to resign as the ADA Co-ordinator at the Airport. We have had our share of the Dick Judy's, who fought access laws every day he was at the airport. Rick Elder was no better. These are the carpet guys. They screwed people with disabilities to the wall. What you have accomplished in 4 long months is dismal. You could have taken this issue on with a passion. Instead, you worked on a ordinance to hurt people with oxygen bottles for breathing, people on crutches and braces and other people with disabilities that were not protected from the wicked state parking law as amended for airports by highly paid airport administrators. You could never understand their financial pressures and added financial burdens in pursuing their activities of daily living, which might include one air fare a year. Sincerely, Denny R. Wood, MSW |
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