FREEDOM DAY:
ADAPT demands housing and access

ADAPT members linger around the Memphis HUD office

Community Builder Dorothy Cleaves smiles by the HUD fax machine

The demands called for the Secretary Martinez to target rental assistance to people with disabilities in institutions who choose to move into the community, convert segregated section 811 funding to integrated vouchers, monitor federal accessibility requirements by Public Housing Authorities, support funding for architectural barrier removal in existing housing stock, enforce section 504 by all HUD grantees and identify barriers to integration in HUD programs.

After HUD agreed to send the demands, five ADAPT members visited the lawyer of Bill Baker the owner of a local restaurant who has refused to build a ramp. Although he has agreed to build a ramp (see ADAPT action  from September 22, 2001), the owner's lawyer, Charles Sevier of Shuttleworth, Williams, Harper, Waring and Derrick, will not "...allow him to take action that may waive his future rights as long as space limitations apply to the placing of handicap and wheelchair accessible restrooms in the bar and restaurant [letter to Suzanne and Chris Colsey 10/30/01]."

Restrooms?

The lawyer claims that a ramp to Old Zinnies, the restaurant and bar at 1688 Madison, may encourage people who use wheelchairs to visit the establishment. Additionally, once inside Old Zinnies, a patron may have a yearning to visit the restroom. Furthermore, Mr. Sevier claims, that Old Zinnies is too small to comply with the Tennessee state liquor laws and make the restrooms accessible.

The lawyer's solution: ADAPT sign a statement "...that we will not thereafter, upon your [Bill Baker] building a ramp ... continue to demand that the bathrooms be made wheelchair accessible..." Mr. Sevier admitted that the statement was not binding, but agreed to draft us a copy for consideration.

ADAPT enjoys pizza is the posh grand boardroom

While the five ADAPT members were in the lawyer's office, in the penthouse of the ominously dark building where the HUD office is located, Chris and Suzanne were fielding a barrage of excuses why HUD could not send the information to Secretary Martinez. Protocol, redrafting and "respect for time" were all discussed. Chris and Suzanne were told that they thought they could send it tomorrow. Chris and Suzanne, however, were not leaving until HUD sent the ADAPT demands to Secretary Martinez.

The other ADAPT members planned to take over the outer foyer of the Memphis HUD office to show support for Chris and Suzanne inside. The person at the front desk probably recognized our group from earlier and without question simply buzzed ADAPT through the security door. Suddenly the entire group was back together outside the principal Community Builder, Yvonne Leander's office. And suddenly HUD's excuses dissipated.

Community Builder Dorothy Cleaves smiled as we took her picture by the fax machine. 

The ominous building with the offices of HUD and Sevier

Back to the penthouse Law Offices of Shuttleworth, Williams, Harper, Waring and Derrick, three floors above the HUD office. Mr. Sevier said that he would have the draft ready at 2:00 p.m. Uninvited, ADAPT marched past the reception desk into the grand boardroom to wait. We sat at the custom-made table behind floor to ceiling glass walls under a skylight eating pizza.

The luxurious boardroom was a first-class place to plan an action against public transit tomorrow. 

- Tim Wheat