Candidate Name: John Liu

Contact Person: Tchiyuka Cornelius

If there is a Campaign office, is it wheelchair accessible? Yes.

Campaign Address: P.O. Box 520631, Flushing, NY 11352
Phone: 646-242-9879
Fax: 718-678-9570
Email: Info @ liunewyork.com
Website: www.liunewyork.com

1. Action Shows Commitment!

    

   1. While in public office/prior to this campaign, what have you accomplished in regard to advancing disability rights? This can include work towards accessible housing, transportation, employment, health care, education, and including people with disabilities in the political process?

       

      As Chairman of the City Council's Transportation Committee I was the prime sponsor of legislation requiring the Taxi and Limousine Commission to purchase accessible taxis. I also held hearings on the need for accessible taxis. The attention brought to the issue and the research conducted by the committee contributed to subsequent reports on the issue like "Stranded", a report by Assemblyman Kellner highlighting the lack of accessible transportation in the city.

       

   2. Will you commit to only attend / sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities (PWDs including providing written materials in alternate formats, providing assistive listening systems, and sign language interpreters as well as ensuring that locations are physically accessible)?

       

      Of course. I will only hold functions at accessible venues and will encourage others to do the same. The Democratic party has passed a resolution suggesting that all subordinate organizations hold it's meetings and functions at accessible venues. I wholeheartedly support this resolution and would encourage clubs to comply with it.

       

2. General Questions

    

   1. What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

       

      Professionally, I have participated in the person's with disabilities day, where I mentored a person who used a mobility assistance device followed me the entire day as I conducted business as a council member. I have participated in this program every year for the past several years. Personally, a few years ago, my mother had a stroke and half her body became paralyzed. Her condition required physical changes to the structure of the house and she required assistance to move about the home.

       

   2. What type of jobs would you be willing to hire and to provide reasonable accommodation (e.g. flex or part time) for staff members with disabilities?

       

      I would certainly provide any reasonable accommodation to a member of my staff who requires it. There is no limit to the potential of a person with disabilities or anyone else for that matter. Persons with disabilities would have the opportunity to serve at the highest level of my administration. I know in the past many have served as policy advisors and/or community liaisons in the office. I will continue the practice of hiring the most qualified individuals regardless of their physical capabilities.

       

   3. How do you propose your active involvement/availability to the disability community? Will there be a specific person in your office responsible to this community? Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues? What would you do to have direct contact with our community?

       

      As Comptroller, I would support shareholder resolutions that remove barriers to the employment of and service to persons with disabilities.

      I would also make sure that issues and concerns impacting the disability community are discussed and addressed by the office of the comptroller where appropriate.

      As Comptroller, I plan to have an open door policy to make sure that the office is accessible to and address the issues of the broad range of concerns by the many constituencies in the city, including the disability community. I will make sure you have a contact person from my office to liaison with.

       

   4. Would you assure that City contractors maintain program access to persons with disabilities?

       

      I will make sure that all contracts and contractors reviewed by my office address issues of Persons with Disabilities.

       

   5. Would you support the inclusion of preferences for businesses owned by persons with disabilities to those who are owned by women and/or other minorities?

       

      Yes. Persons with Disabilities have limited access to the workforce and should be encouraged to start and run their own businesses.

       

Date: June 3, 2009