504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for State Senate Basil Smikle's 2010 response)

Candidate Name: Basil Anthony Smikle

Candidate for Senate District: 30 (Manhattan)

Contact Person: Rodney Capel

Campaign Address: 596 Edgecombe Avenue, New York, NY 10032

Phone: 917-592-1356

Email: basil@smikleforsenate.com

Website: www.basilforsenate.com

If there is a Campaign office(s), is it wheelchair accessible?

We are in the process of finding an office. The office that we rent will definitely be accessible.
How have you incorporated people with disabilities into your campaign?

We are an insurgent campaign and are just gearing up, but we welcome participation by all people.
What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

I had a grand uncle who was blind for most of his life. While I was a young child and my family lived in Jamaica, I helped him each day making his tea, his dinner and helping him to dress and undress. The experience was at once terrifying and fascinating. I was able to be in the presence of such an accomplished man who needed help with the basic aspects of living. This made me appreciate the fact that we all need assistance in some manner and at some time in our lives. I am willing to and going to, as the next State Senator, work to ensure that those of us who are not need assistance get it.
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 believe that people should be judged by their abilities and not by their disabilities. I will hire staff who are willing to work and to serve all of my constituents. I will not pigeonhole staffers into particular areas.
While in public office and/or 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?

I have worked with many elected officials over the years. While I have not specifically worked on issues related to access for disabled people, I have always been a supporter. As the new State Senator, I will make sure that all of my staff is familiar with issues of concern to the 504 Democratic Club and disabled people everywhere.
Will you commit to only attend and/or sponsor events that are accessible to people with disabilities including providing written materials in alternate formats, providing assistive listening systems, and sign language interpreters, as well as ensuring that locations are accessible to people who use mobility aids, like wheelchairs and walkers?

While I would love to say yes to this question, I have to say that if there is a meeting about an issue of concern to constituents in my district, I feel duty-bound to attend. I will promise you though that I will let them know that they should not only be mindful of the need to provide access to all, but my office will assist in assuring that that is the case in the future.
Do you pledge to use your office to affirm or strengthen, rather than weaken, civil rights protections to persons with disabilities?

Absolutely!
How do you propose your active involvement/availability to the disability community?
1. Will there be a specific person in your office responsible to this community?
  
  Rather than a specific person, I think that I would like to ensure that my entire staff is abreast of issues that concern your members. I am willing however to rethink this if you feel in your experience that a dedicated person is more effective.
2. Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues?
  
  Yes!
3. What would you do to have direct contact with our community?
  
  I am willing to have regular meetings with you so that I am abreast of issues of concern to you and so that you are able to hold me accountable.
How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation? What will be your strategy?

I will seek to work with my Senate and Assembly colleagues to ensure a functioning Democratic majority. This will enable us to pass needed progressive legislation.
While the State is focused on reducing the costs of Medicaid and other programs, persons with disabilities need to continue to have access to the services and supports they need and choose.
1. Would you oppose proposals which would negatively affect eligibility, benefits, coverage, and/or access to services for Medicaid beneficiaries and eliminate the systemic bias that leads to unwanted placement in nursing homes and other institutions?
  
  YES.
2. Would you seek to promote comprehensive long term care reform that will not reduce coverage or access to services?
  
  YES.
3. Would you increase rental/housing subsidies to participants in the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid waiver program?
  
  I would support this, but given the budget crisis, it may not be possible at this time. I would be an advocate for it though.
Would you expand Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage program (EPIC) to provide the same level of eligibility and coverage to persons with disabilities under age 65?

YES, I would support this.
Will you support moving funds from nursing homes to moving patients out of nursing homes and back into the community?

I would support increased funding for at home care, yes.
We are in the midst of a housing crisis. Accessible, affordable housing is in short supply. People with disabilities are being priced out of the market. Do you support the creation of a housing trust fund for persons with disabilities?

Yes, I think this is a good idea and would not just support it, but would work to try to make it happen.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires housing developers to set aside a certain percentage of accessible units for persons with disabilities when federal funds are used for construction. Do you favor incorporating these provisions into State law so that the Department of Housing and Community Renewal can be empowered to enforce these provisions?

Absolutely.
Visitability sets guidelines to ensure newly constructed multi-family dwellings have basic accessible/adaptable features to permit people with disabilities can visit, and for residents to "age in place," without having to move out when age and/or disability set in. Do you support incorporating the concept of "visitability" in the New York State Building Code?

Yes.
At present: SCRIE (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption) Household income cap is $29,000. DRIE (Disabled Rent Increase Exemption) is $19,284/single and $27,780/2 or more. What is your position on increasing DRIE income eligibility to match SCRIE?

Given that rents in New York City in particular are much higher than the rest of the State and Country, I would support increasing these caps.
While localities have acquired voting machines that attempt to meet the accessibility standards of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), many poling places in New York State remain inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Do you favor the elimination of provisions in Section 4-104 (1-a) of the New York State Election Law allowing waiver of polling place accessibility standards?

Yes, I do.
Despite Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, students with disabilities face problems when pursuing higher education. These statutes do not specify how students should request accommodations or assistance in asserting their rights under the law. Will you support a fully funded office of disability services on each SUNY and CUNY campus to assist students with disabilities in securing accommodations?

I would support this in order to provide needed information and services to students with disabilities, however, given the current budgetary problems, it may not be something that is immediately achievable.
How do you propose dealing with school districts that deny civil rights to disabled students even after the Sate Division of Civil Rights affirms the student's rights such as to use a service animal?

I would work with local education departments and the Board of Regents to make sure that the rights of students are enforced and that the agencies have the resources to carry out the necessary enforcement.
Do you support legislation requiring car services, and shuttle services to purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles or otherwise ensure that they have the capacity to serve persons with disabilities?

I do.
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 New York State residents and 23.1% of those 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 and 2010 conventions. Would you support a campaign to set a goal that 10% of the total New York State Delegation to the 2012 Democratic National Convention be comprised of persons with disabilities.

As you know, delegates are elected by voters. While I would support candidates who are disabled and work to help them get elected, I am not in a position to ensure that they represent a percentage of the Delegation. I am on board with advocating, supporting candidates and helping those candidates get elected. I am also in support of ensuring that persons with disabilities be on the platform committees and are on in various appointed positions.

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