504 Democratic Club: Questionnaires (Candidate for State Assembly Audrey I. Pheffer's 2010 response)

Candidate Name: Audrey I. Pheffer

Candidate for Assembly District: 23 (Queens)

Contact Person: Jo Ann Shapiro

Campaign Address: 8800 Shore Front Parkway, Apt. 10E, Rockaway Beach, N.Y. 11693

Phone: 347-526-7603

Email: pheffer23ad@yahoo.com

Endorsements: In the past, I have been endorsed by the following organizations: 504 Democratic Club, Democratic Party. Working Families, Party. NYS Parole Officers' Association / United Federation of Teachers / DC-37. NYS AFL-CIO. Utility Workers of America, Local 1-2AFSCME, New York State Empire Pride Agenda, United Transportation Union, CSEA, NYC Central Labor Council, NYSUT, NYS-PEF, Local Union 1049, Police Conference of New York, Inc., Law Enforcement Officers Union Council 82, NYS Professional Firefighters' Association, NYS Association of PBA's, MTA PBA, NEANY, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association. COPE. NARAL, NY Sergeants' Benevolent Association, Bridge & Tunnel Officers Benevolent Association, TBTA Superior Officers' Benevolent Association, NYS Troopers PBA, Citizens Union, National Organization for Women, The Committee for Modern Courts, American Cancer Society, Hunger Action Network of NYS, LAWPAC of NY, Planned Parenthood Advocates of New York, NYS Supreme Court Officers, NYS Court Officers, NYS Court Clerks, NYS Court Reporters, Correction Officers Benevolent Association, Uniformed Firefighter's Association, Uniformed Fire Officer's Association

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

There is no office at this time.
How have you incorporated people with disabilities into your campaign?

While I do not have a paid campaign staff, I have always welcomed all volunteers and have found positions and responsibilities for them according to their abilities.
If you are an incumbent,
1. Is your office accessible to persons with disabilities?
  
  Yes.
What personal and professional experience have you had with people with disabilities in your personal life and in the workplace?

Prior to my election to the Assembly, I volunteered with AHRC creating after-school programs, etc. I have also worked with Gateway National Park to ensure accessibility to the park.
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?

All open staff positions are available to any qualified candidates applying. Reasonable accommodations are made for all staff members 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?

In addition to my work with AHRC, I am very proud of the numerous pieces of legislation that I have sponsored and supported to advance disability rights. These measures included important new statutes, like Timothy's Law, as well as many pieces of legislation such as; A.3651, which would waive the state's sovereign immunity to liability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and certain other federal acts; A.9757, which ensure that housing protections offered to people with disabilities under the Federal Rehabilitation Act are enforceable on the state and local level as well; and A.3738-A, A.5707, A.7850 and A.10946, which all work to make our voting system more accessible.
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 can ensure that events that I sponsor will be accessible to people with disabilities.
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, as issues arise affecting the disability community, I would be more than happy to meet to discuss the matters.
3. What would you do to have direct contact with our community?
  
  Designated staff is available to attend meet with and discuss issues affecting the disability community.
How will you work closely with the disability community to assure passage of vitally needed legislation? What will be your strategy?

As I have throughout my 23 years in the New York State Assembly, I will continue to meet with advocates for persons with disabilities to discuss issues affecting the community and I will continue to sponsor legislation that will provide more accessible housing, transportation, employment, health care and education.
How would you change the laws of New York State to protect the rights of its citizens with disabilities?

The laws of New York must ensure that persons with disabilities have accessibility to basic civil rights such as education, housing, health care, and the right to vote. We must also remove any obstacles to equal access to employment and make certain that those violating these state and federal laws relating to persons with disabilities and their access to these basic rights are penalized accordingly. I will continue to support legislation that will ensure the rights of persons with disabilities are protected.
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?
  
  Yes, and I am currently a sponsor of A.5540, which provides a rental subsidy to persons in the Nursing Facility Transition and Diversion 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?

Yes, and I am currently a sponsor of A.3917-A, which makes certain persons who are eligible for or receiving social security disability insurance benefits eligible for elderly pharmaceutical insurance coverage.
Will you support moving funds from nursing homes to moving patients out of nursing homes and back into the community?

I am a strong support of all measures to help move patients out of nursing homes and back into the community.
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 would support the creation of a housing trust fund for persons with disabilities and I am currently a sponsor of A.3999, which provides that two owners of real property may qualify for the persons with disabilities and limited incomes exemption if at least one person is disabled. In addition, I also am a sponsor of A.4942, which relates to proposals for urban development action areas. I feel that these initiatives will help improve the quality, accessibility and affordability of housing in New York.
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 support incorporating these provisions into State law so that the Dept. of Housing and Community Renewal can be empowered to enforce these provisions. In addition, I am proud to work with Catholic Charities in the creation of the Howard Beach Senior and Developmentally Disabled Apartments, the first housing project of its kind in New York State.
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, I support incorporating the concept of "visitability" in the New York State Building Code..
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?

Yes, I support expanding DRIE to have the same income eligibility limits as 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?

Yes, I favor the elimination of provisions in Section 4-104 (1-a) of the NYS Election Law allowing waiver of polling place accessibility standards.
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 have in the past, and will continue to, support legislation and initiatives that will establish a funding program for the improvement of disability services at institutions of higher education. I am also in support of ensuring that all SUNY and CUNY campuses provide an Office of Disability Services to assist students with disabilities in securing accommodations.
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 believe that parents, community leaders and elected representatives need to meet with school officials to clarify that the disabled student has a right to use their assist animal and explain the consequences and actions that will be taken against the district for the violation of the student's civil rights.
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 support requiring car services, and shuttle services to purchase wheelchair accessible vehicles or otherwise ensure that they have the capacity to serve persons with disabilities, and I am happy to report that I am a sponsor of A.5549, which provides persons with disabilities with access to prearranged for-hire vehicles.
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 will support Assembly Member Kellner's proposed bill requiring New York City to transition to a 100% accessible taxi fleet.
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, I would 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.

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