504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for State Assembly Herman Denny Farrell's 2010 response)

Candidate Name: Herman "Denny" Farrell

Candidate for Assembly District: 71 (Manhattan)

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

Yes.
How have you incorporated people with disabilities into your campaign?

By making locations accessible to volunteers and taking other steps.
If you are an incumbent,
1. Is your office accessible to persons with disabilities?
  
  Yes, all district offices are accessible.
What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

Legislative staff include people with disabilities. As a young man, in the 1950s, I had a close friend, Judge Sorkin, who used a wheelchair he carried with him in his vehicle. Going to meetings with him in places that were not accessible was my education in the challenges the disabled face and overcome every day.
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?

Exclusive of any special skills these prospective hires could offer, tasks I would hire them to perform would include answering phones in my office and meeting with people who visit my offices. I would be willing to make any reasonable accommodation to their needs.
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 always supported and voted for all legislation that sought to expand the rights of the disabled, and have worked closely with the 504 Democratic Club in support of your goals.

I have always been concerned with safety and quality access for the disabled. I secured State funding for a pedestrian ramp at 158th Street to Riverside Park where none previously existed. The only access prior to this ramp was by stairs or vehicle. I haves also acquired funding for, and am presently working to have approved, a pedestrian bridge at 151st Street which would provide the only access south to 129th Street.
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 have tried very hard over the years to be accessible to everyone, including the disabled, and to provide alternate materials tailored for their use. I will continue to do so.
Do you pledge to use your office to affirm or strengthen, rather than weaken, civil rights protections to persons with disabilities?

Yes.
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?
  
  Yes.
2. Will have regular office agenda meetings on these issues?
  
  Yes. I will remain available to discuss these issues.
3. What would you do to have direct contact with our community?
  
  I would approach the 504 Democratic Club in support of closer contact with the community.
How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation? What will be your strategy?

By doing what I have always done: listen to the disabled community and explain their views to others.
How would you change the laws of New York State to protect the rights of its citizens with disabilities?

By supporting your platform.
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?
  
  I would try to.
2. Would you seek to promote comprehensive long term care reform that will not reduce coverage or access to services?
  
  Whenever possible, yes.
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?

I would have to find funding to expand EPIC.
Will you support moving funds from nursing homes to moving patients out of nursing homes and back into the community?

I would always be supportive but cannot take a position on this issue at this time.
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, depending on the circumstances under which a housing trust fund would be created.
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.
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?

I support matching DRIE to SCRIE.
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?

No. Elections and polling places should be open to all who are legally entitled to vote.
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 support the concept, but do not know at this time how we could pay for it.
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?

By withholding a portion of State aid until the school comes into compliance with State law.
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?

Yes.
Will you or do you support Assembly Member Kellner's proposed bill requiring New York City to transition to a 100% accessible taxi fleet?

Yes. I plan to support Assembly Member Kellner's bill.
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.

Yes. Political organizations should reflect society as a whole.

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