504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for District Leader Part B Female of Assembly District 22 Mei-Hua Ru's response)

Candidate Name: Mei-Hua Ru

Address: 144-88 37th Ave., Flushing, N.Y. 11354

Candidate for A.D. 22 Part B Borough: Queens

Phone: 718-316-0308

Email: meiru_2000@yahoo.com

Candidate for party office
District Leader, Part B (Female)

Please describe any experience with disability you have had in your life or career.

I have not had any experience yet. But it's clear to me that sometime during my lifetime, I'll either be personally disabled or a family member might become disabled. This is a fact that all Americans needs to know and support. Because ultimately down the road, you're not just creating a better society for people with disability, you very well might be a recipient of that improved society. I personally feel that disability is something all Americans should be concerned about.
Does the club to which you are affiliated have a headquarters that is accessible to persons with motor and sensory disabilities?

Yes. Our club holds monthly meeting at the Rosenthal Senior Center, which has accessible entries for persons with motor disabilities. I am not sure about sensory disabilities though. I will have that checked out at our nest meeting.
When choosing locations for meetings and fundraisers for your club, is physical accessibility a deciding factor?

Yes. We have a lot of seniors in our club and physical accessibility is a top priority. I also am a designated driver for many of the senior members, when walking is difficult.
Many local clubs and several Democratic County organizations (including Queens) have their headquarters in inaccessible locations. Do you believe that local clubs are required under the ADA and National and State Party Rules to hold meetings and other public events in locations that are accessible to persons with disabilities?

I don't want to criticize other clubs at this point in time. I am sure most clubs would follow the appropriate requirement for attracting more members. It seems it's a shame for them if they don't. But some clubs might not have the means to choose & pick where they can have meetings, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to criticize without hearing from all sides.
Are there any persons with disabilities active in your club? Do you have any officers or Executive Board members with disabilities?

We have several. But disability is for me a very broad term and includes many. People whose eyesight is not as sharp or motor skills not as quick can be viewed as someone with disability. So with that, I'd have to say we have quite a lot. We have two officers (out of eight), and the executive board has at least three. They remain our most active members.
Have you run candidates with disabilities for Party office, such as County Committee and Judicial Convention Delegates?

Yes.
Has your club made efforts to attract new members with disabilities?

I don't think we've ever singled out people with disabilities to become new members. Our take has always been, we welcome all! But if there are suggestions as to how we can attract more members with disabilities, we'd love to hear them!
Have you sought to replace inaccessible polling places in your area with accessible ones?

No. Regrettably, no. I have yet to delve into poll site matters. I have always helped Councilman Liu with Inspector assignments, in which we always made sure to include anyone willing to work, regardless of disabilities. But I have never dealt with poll site accessibility issues. This is something I'll be looking into.
Have you appointed persons with disabilities as election workers?

Yes. As mentioned above.
Persons with disabilities have historically been under-represented within the Democratic Party leadership. According to the 2000 census, persons with disabilities comprised 20.6% of all residents in New York State and 23.1% of population 18 years and older. Previously, we were told that only those groups included in the Voting Rights Act were included in the goals and timetables for delegate selection. Yet the lesbian and gay communities were included for the first time at the 2000 convention and again at the 2004 convention. Would you support a campaign to set a goal that 10% of the total New York State Delegation to the 2008 Democratic National Convention be comprised of persons with disabilities?

Yes!! And I would support that that percentage be revisited at least every four years.

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