10/15/1997

Tim Wheat
(901) 726-6404

ADAPT demands Dresden Tennessee Post Office become accessible to all Americans.

(Dresden, TN) ADAPT demonstrators blocked the entrance of the Dresden Post Office for more than three hours demanding that postal officials comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide access to everyone. At around 11:30 a.m. protestors blocked the steps leading to the entrance and shouted for equal access, later in the afternoon the demonstrators blocked the service entrance.

The ADA is civil rights legislation guaranteeing equal access to all Americans. Although is was passed in 1990, Dresden is just now catching up to the rest of the nation. Title II of the ADA requires that all Federal buildings provide access.

"We have given them an adequate amount of time," said Deborah Cunningham of ADAPT. "They have not done the honorable thing." Bill Bolen, Post Office Manager from Jackson was called because no postal employee would fill out and sign a Title II complaint. Mr. Bolen gave his written commitment to satisfy demonstrators with an access plan within 30 days.

"This is just a start," said Chuck Darden of Dresden. Mr. Darden and others of the vicinity want people to see that they are committed to creating a welcoming, accessible, and legally responsible community for all Americans. Everyone should be able to use the Post Office.