Working together to put the ability in disability

Are you tired of all the political rhetoric that is continually spun around and around and tearing the Town of East Haven apart?  Residents on both sides of the political landscape standing behind the fence and throwing verbal barbs at one another but very few seem to posses the intellectual capacity to reach across the aisle, shake hands and work with one another to find logical solutions to the challenges that we face together as a community.

We as residents have witnessed many issues being brought out into the political forefront some of which have placed a black eye on our beloved community.

One issue in particular that I would like to address in this column and others that follow is that of the plight of those living with disabilites here in East Haven.

During the current Mayors first ten years in office our town had a committee that only met to address the needs of our disabiled residents on a "As need basis" I found this ironic that the committee designed to address the needs and issues of our disabled communitty only met on an as needed basis.

I currently serve in the capacity of Chairman of the East Haven American Disability Act Committee what makes me qualified to serve in this capacity is that I am a disabled resident of our community having,Epilepsy,Diabetes,and severe Lower Back Disgeneration just to name a few.

I do not however allow my disabilites to interefere with my daily life or stop me from enjoying the highest quality of life that I can and helping others do the same. I have undertaken many various projects that serve in the best interest of our communitty and choose to acknowledge the ability in disability and serve as Chairman of The East Haven American Disability Act Committee to the fullest of my abilites.

When I became Chairman of this committee I searched for minutes to the any meetings that had been held prior and found none in fact this committee existed in name only. I have had the pleasure of working with some of the finest residents in East Haven and together we have breathed new life into this once dormant committee.

During the November 2011 election I brought the issue of the town's lack of compliance with  the federally mandated Americans with Disability Act to the forefront. I took a couple of bumps along the way for doing so however I knew that if I persisted that change would come and in fact it come and is continuing to build momentum.

The Town of East Haven has an ADA Coordinator to address any issues that our disabled residents may have...The Committee meets every other month and as in the past when we have held numerous events to benefit the disabled communitty such as our Conferences on Epilepsy,Autism and Emergency Prepardness for disabled residents we have many exciting projects that will be of benefit to our disabled residents.

Speaking of working together The Committee now works with Mr Art Desobo a liason between the committee and the Mayor's Office.

Yes the past wasn't so bright for the town's Disabled residents but by working together we can ensure a brighter future as ensuring that the town itself is in full compliance with federal law and ensuring that disabled residents can have a higher quality of life and their rights are protected is indeed a civil rights issue.

As I have previously mentioned this column and others to follow by me will address the plight of those living with disabilites here in East Haven.