504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for State Assembly Marion L. Bell's 2010 response)

Candidate Name: Marion L. Bell, M.S. Ed.

Candidate for Assembly District: 68 (Manhattan)

Contact Person: Daniel Vega 646-374-3495, fax 646-349-5344

Campaign Address: PO Box 286493, New York, NY 10128

Phone: 917-215-4345

Fax: 212 534-0738

Email: MarionBell68AD@aol.com

Website: www.MarionLBell.com, www.ActBlue.com

Endorsements: Political: As a District Leader, I have always had the support of Congressman Charles B. Rangel and Council member Inez Dickens. I hope that they will continue that support. Anne R. Bradshaw (*TA President Taft Houses), Willie Mae Goodman (*Gouverneur Parents Association President elect), Monica Brown (*1st Vice-Chair Metropolitan Hospital CAB), Rev. Annette Jimenez (Pastor) *titles noted for identification purposes only not as association endorsement; East Harlem United Democrats. Other pledges will be declared in future literature; I am a proud and active member of the UFT and serve as a NYS United Teacher Delegate. I hope to have their endorsement but I fully recognize that all thresholds must be met as with all candidates. I have had very promising conversations with several labor unions and have had the support of several Locals in my successful elections for District Leader. I trust that these relationships will lead to endorsement of my candidacy for Assembly.

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

I recognize the importance of making the campaign office wheelchair accessible. Therefore I am exploring available spaces in the 68th Assembly District that can meet ADA compliance or simple alteration with the addition of a compliant ramp.
How have you incorporated people with disabilities into your campaign?

Many of my supporters are seniors with varying disabilities. As a District Leader, I also seek to maintain their employment with the NYC Board of Elections. I support the fact that people are capably disabled and can execute many tasks that contribute to a viable campaign and community.
If you not are an incumbent,
1. Is your present office/work place accessible to people with disabilities? If not, what have you done to rectify the inaccessibility?
  
  As a teacher, I have personally experienced the inequity that results in buildings not being accessible. Many of our school buildings do not accommodate teachers or students and administrators are often reluctant to accommodate. I have used every recourse of the NYC Department of Education to report this problem in my own building and draw attention to the numerous others in the 68th Assembly District.
2. If the present district office is inaccessible, do you intent to find an accessible office?
  
  The present District Office is moderately accessible. I would ensure that a compliant ramp is available for use as needed in the office. I would require that the staff is trained on the procedure to use install and uninstall the ramp.
What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

I was severely injured due to a fall at work and subsequently hit by an Access a Ride turck. Under poor weather conditions or unavoidable exertion, my injuries impact my ability to walk up and down stairs and other daily activities become difficult. With extensive therapy, I have since regained freedom of mobility without a walker or cane. I have adjusted my lifestyle, continue medical treatment, and consider myself to be capably disabled. I was raised by my great-grandmother who was forced to retire from cleaning offices due to arthritis and stricken to use a cane until she passed at age 88.
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 intend to follow all required labor law hiring practices. The key will be to first hire a human resource/Chief of staff who is personally sensitive and legally versed in hiring a diverse staff and organizing schedules that can reasonable accommodate staff members with disabilities.
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 served as an Executive Board member of the NYC Health & Hospital Corporation Metropolitan Community Advisory Board for six years. During that time, I established the annual Legislative meeting. These meetings were held in the accessible hospital allowing disabled persons to address concerns and be directly involved in any political decisions regarding the medical community. As former chair of the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development, Neighborhood Advisory Board which was responsible for assessing and approving the allocation of millions of dollars distributed to local communty based organizations, I ensured that all the public hearings were held in disabled access sites: North General Hospital and Mt. Sinai Hospital. Moreover, while serving on Manhattan Community Planning #11 for 14 years, I have always voted in the affirmative for the development of accessible housing such as the Lott Assisted Living Center on 107th Street and Fifth Avenue. One of the most reliable poll workers I have appointed is a member of the deaf community since her mother is deaf. Ms. Leana Culpepper will continue to be a part of the political process. I anticipate inviting her to be a sign interpreter at any site where her services are needed in the district.
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?

I will commit to insist by written acceptance that any event requesting my participation seek to operate with the same standard as my sponsored events to provide materials in alternate formats, provide assistive listening systems, sign language interpreters, and ensure that all locations are accessible to people who use mobility aids, wheelchairs, and walkers.
Do you pledge to use your office to affirm or strengthen, rather than weaken, civil rights protections to persons with disabilities?

I pledge to use the office of the NYS Assembly to affirm civil rights protections to persons with disabilities.
How do you propose your active involvement/availability to the disability community?

I am proud to report that I have recently had the privilege of representing Congressman Charles B. Rangel at the Gouverneur Parent's Association Musical Tribute to Percy Sutton and Bill Tatum at the legendary Apollo. Ms. illie Mae Goodman presented a large framed pictorial history to him. Ms. Goodman announced my candidacy to the audience.
1. Will there be a specific person in your office responsible to this community?
  
  I will assign a specific person to be responsible to disabled people with disabilities in the community. It is clear that my active involvement will continue with the community of disabled persons with disabilities. I will absolutely support Ms. Goodman to continue hosting a workshop about disabled people during the annual Albany Black & Hispanic Caucus.
2. Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues?
  
  As such, I will certainly place this as an agenda item and expect a report at regular office meetings.
3. What would you do to have direct contact with our community?
  
  I expect to routinely visit and attend the events of members of this community as often as possible. East Harlem benefits from an annual multicultural parade of this community, summer gospel concert and their local Special Olympics. I intend to help these events to be maintained and hopefully expand.
How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation? What will be your strategy?

I know that Metropolitan Community Advisory Board, the Gouverneur's Parent Association and the OMRDD already work diligently to convene routine meetings regarding this community. My strategic approach will include ensuring that staff is present quarterly at at least one of these meetings and that my office seek their counsel on proposed legislation. There are also other respected associations such as the 504 Democrats, AHRC NYC, YAI Network, Lifespire, Birch Family Services, Guild for Exceptional Children and United Cerebral Palsy/NYC that will of course be encouraged and accepted at the planning stages of any such legislative development.
How would you change the laws of New York State to protect the rights of its citizens with disabilities?

New York State laws on injury need to be reformed. Populations of people become disable as a result of many issues including but not limited to medical malpractice, environmental abuse, genetics, and injury. My personal injury experience has taught me that the rubric for injury is primarily supportive and beneficial to the insurance providers. I recognize that this is a strong lobby group and that fraud is not to be tolerated. However, the victims of injury, malfeasance, and negligence must be afforded stronger protections that are easily enforced. Clearly we have laws in place that very often are violated by employers with very little recourse of action by employees that results in expedited resolution. I will seek to evaluate and propose reforms that improve the enforcement of existing laws.
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, I will oppose proposals which would negatively effect disabled people.
2. Would you seek to promote comprehensive long term care reform that will not reduce coverage or access to services?
  
  Yes, I will seek to promote comprehensive long term care reform that will not reduce coverage or access to services.
3. Would you increase rental/housing subsidies to participants in the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid waiver program?
  
  I would vote together with my Assembly colleagues to increase rental/housing subsidies to participants in the new Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion Medicaid waiver program.
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?

EPIC should be expanded to provide the same level of coverage to persons with disabilities under age 65. I will collaborate with the representatives and leaders of the disabled community to develop the parameters of expansion.
Will you support moving funds from nursing homes to moving patients out of nursing homes and back into the community?

I support programs that seek to assist patients returning to the community such as the Lott Residence Assisted Living (107th Street & Fifth Avenue), Archcare health facility (107th Street & Fifth Avenue and Senior Health partners which operates directly under my apartment building at 4 East 107th Street.
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?

I agree that the 68th Assembly District is experiencing a housing crisis as are many states in the nation. I expect to support the creation of a housing trust fund for persons with disabilities as well as seek to propose other viable solutions explored by advocacy groups such as Community Voices Heard. I participated in the New York is Our Home rally a few years ago and attended the recent Community Voices Heard rally on 110th Street. I live in a Mitchel Lama housing complex that faces a pending buy-out as well. While all people will be affected by this housing crisis the disabled community who often live on fixed incomes will not be able to easily find resources or alternative housing. They must be additionally protected.
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?

Yes, I would support a NYS version of Federal Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. My apartments are governed by DHCR. It would be appropriate that DHCR could enforce these provisions. It would help to ensure that communities also maintain diversity.
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?

I absolutely support incorporating "visitability" into the NYS Building code. I was raised by my great-grandparents and witnessed the numerous changed and discomforts that come with aging.
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?

SCRIE and DRIE income cap should match. Seniors and Disabled people can experience the same issues regarding medical needs and finances. Therefore, I would argue that the disabled should not be treated any differently.
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?

As a District Leader, I have taken the need to ensure disabled access at each polling site under my jurisdiction. Maintaining poll workers who are capably disabled has been a consistent goal. At each site, the door clerks are informed to make all necessary calls and get custodial support to open accessible area immediately upon request. The NYC Board of Elections has primarily chosen public schools in my area. However, I am in favor of the elimination that allows NYS Election Law to waive polling place accessibility standards especially when there is no other locally accessible polling alternative. Disabled people should not be forced to vote by absentee ballot. Terrence Cardinal Cooke facility provided 100% accessible voting for persons with disabilities. Moreover, we are excited about the new machines that will further support the enfranchisement of disabled persons that will be fully implemented at each polling site in the 68th Assembly District and others who have not yet complied with HAVA.
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?

SUNY and CUNY campus staff must be required to comply with the law to assist students with disabilities in securing accommodations. After investigation, if additional funding is required or fines need to be imposed for violations, I would support either response.
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?

Any school that is denying the civil rights of students in any form based on disability or otherwise poses a serious threat to the very lessons being taught in school. The NYC Department of Education governing the 68th Assembly District is now under Mayoral Control. I would aggressively pursue these matters with the Chief Administrator, Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Klein. As and Executive Board member of the NAACP, I am well versed in the causes of Civil Rights and would seek all avenue available in the Assembly to partner with advocacy groups that will gather necessary information to exact new legislation, if necessary, that jeopardizes Mayoral control based on reported Civil Right violations.
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?

Transportation such as car services and shuttle services must be equipped to serve anyone that calls upon their services. I would support legislation that requires them to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle(s) to better enable the independence of disabled people. I also recognize that such a law would require some provisions for the drivers to be trained. Such a law will need the collaboration of all interested parties, but it is very possible to be negotiated in good faith and then legislated.
Will you or do you support Assembly Member Kellner's proposed bill requiring New York City to transition to a 100% accessible taxi fleet?

I respect Assemblymember Micah Kellner. Therefore, I look forward to discussing the details of this bill. NYC is the model for so many others in our nation. If we can bring about a change that results in a 100% accessible taxi fleet that disabled persons can use independently I can support that bill. It is also crucial that such a bill be able to implement. I want to be a part of NYS reform that makes SMART laws which are strategic, measurable, clearly articulated, and built on collaborative trust of all parties involved in its negotiation.
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.

Fortunately, the 2012 Democratic National Convention will occur after the 2010 Census data is available and new district lines are drawn. I am certain that it will be quite possible to set a goal that 10% of the total NYS Delegation include persons with disabilities. The Voting Rights Act goals, Disabled people, and their sexual orientation are not mutually exclusive.

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