WEBVTT 00:00:00.836 --> 00:00:05.856 A:middle >> Hi. My name is Peter Mendoza and I am 47 years old and I work 00:00:05.856 --> 00:00:07.566 A:middle at the Independent Living Resource Center 00:00:08.176 --> 00:00:13.106 A:middle in San Francisco, and I work with community organizing, 00:00:14.206 --> 00:00:17.026 A:middle systems change, and what we do is -- 00:00:17.026 --> 00:00:19.766 A:middle can I start over, I kind of -- 00:00:19.766 --> 00:00:20.316 A:middle >> Yeah. That's fine. 00:00:20.316 --> 00:00:20.496 A:middle >> Okay. 00:00:20.496 --> 00:00:20.746 A:middle >> We'll just -- 00:00:20.746 --> 00:00:22.686 A:middle >> Yeah. And like go ahead and look at -- 00:00:22.686 --> 00:00:23.646 A:middle >> -- just look this way. 00:00:23.736 --> 00:00:24.576 A:middle >> Pretend I'm invisible. 00:00:24.576 --> 00:00:25.196 A:middle >> Just look at me. 00:00:25.196 --> 00:00:27.856 A:middle >> Okay. I'm used to looking at the camera, so. 00:00:27.856 --> 00:00:28.866 A:middle >> Okay. That's okay. 00:00:28.866 --> 00:00:30.736 A:middle I know, I'm used to it, too. 00:00:30.916 --> 00:00:31.636 A:middle So we'll just start over. 00:00:31.636 --> 00:00:32.036 A:middle >> Okay. Okay. 00:00:32.036 --> 00:00:32.726 A:middle >> Quick introduction. 00:00:34.556 --> 00:00:35.686 A:middle >> I'm Peter Mendoza. 00:00:35.686 --> 00:00:37.566 A:middle I am 47 years old, and I work 00:00:37.566 --> 00:00:39.466 A:middle for the Independent Living Resource Center 00:00:39.466 --> 00:00:40.396 A:middle of San Francisco. 00:00:40.916 --> 00:00:44.756 A:middle I do community organizing, working on local and state 00:00:44.756 --> 00:00:46.466 A:middle and national issues for the work -- 00:00:46.936 --> 00:00:50.806 A:middle with our Independent Living Center, and also work 00:00:50.806 --> 00:00:55.336 A:middle on the statewide Disability Organizing Network which is made 00:00:55.336 --> 00:00:58.476 A:middle up of staff from the various Independent Living Centers 00:00:58.876 --> 00:01:00.316 A:middle throughout the state of California 00:01:00.926 --> 00:01:04.916 A:middle and also brings local -- local aggregates together to work 00:01:04.916 --> 00:01:09.496 A:middle on issues that support disability rights. 00:01:10.066 --> 00:01:11.866 A:middle And the Independent Living Resource Center 00:01:11.866 --> 00:01:14.076 A:middle of San Francisco is a service 00:01:14.076 --> 00:01:18.106 A:middle and advocacy organization dedicated to supporting people 00:01:18.106 --> 00:01:21.326 A:middle with disabilities and participating in all aspects 00:01:21.326 --> 00:01:24.366 A:middle of society and the community of their choice. 00:01:24.886 --> 00:01:31.346 A:middle As part of the legacies at work of Ed Roberts who was, 00:01:31.346 --> 00:01:34.746 A:middle of course, the founder of the Independent Living Movement, 00:01:35.366 --> 00:01:39.356 A:middle or as they refer to him, the father of independent living. 00:01:40.136 --> 00:01:43.056 A:middle Although when I knew him, he always said, 00:01:43.456 --> 00:01:45.146 A:middle I'm not the father, I'm the cousin. 00:01:45.746 --> 00:01:48.406 A:middle He didn't really want to, you know, 00:01:48.406 --> 00:01:50.296 A:middle he was sensitive about that. 00:01:50.296 --> 00:01:53.426 A:middle He said, I am the cousin of the Independent Living Movement. 00:01:53.966 --> 00:01:55.456 A:middle >> Right. That's very cool. 00:01:55.986 --> 00:01:57.726 A:middle Was that audio sound good? 00:01:57.786 --> 00:01:58.906 A:middle >> Yeah. Thank you. 00:01:58.966 --> 00:01:59.946 A:middle >> Okay. Just let me make sure -- 00:02:00.006 --> 00:02:03.366 A:middle let me see where his voice comes in -- in the -- in the screen. 00:02:03.916 --> 00:02:06.676 A:middle If it's touching too much of the red, let me know, okay. 00:02:06.676 --> 00:02:07.196 A:middle >> Okay. 00:02:07.196 --> 00:02:07.736 A:middle >> You see how that [inaudible]. 00:02:07.736 --> 00:02:07.966 A:middle >> I can -- 00:02:07.966 --> 00:02:09.006 A:middle >> It sounded good, right? 00:02:09.196 --> 00:02:10.496 A:middle >> I can tighten it up, too. 00:02:10.496 --> 00:02:12.006 A:middle I was kind of, you know -- 00:02:12.006 --> 00:02:12.896 A:middle >> Okay. Yeah. 00:02:12.896 --> 00:02:15.386 A:middle Just bring it down voice wise just a little bit. 00:02:15.386 --> 00:02:15.986 A:middle Like, loud and [inaudible]. 00:02:15.986 --> 00:02:16.316 A:middle >> Okay. 00:02:16.316 --> 00:02:17.676 A:middle >> Okay. But you're good for now. 00:02:17.676 --> 00:02:18.956 A:middle Yeah, that's fine. 00:02:19.926 --> 00:02:23.526 A:middle And, so one of the things that's -- I know you mentioned, 00:02:23.526 --> 00:02:27.516 A:middle you know, going to the 504 protest when you were 10, right? 00:02:27.646 --> 00:02:29.206 A:middle Or was it 11? 00:02:29.206 --> 00:02:29.296 A:middle >> Right. 00:02:29.296 --> 00:02:32.886 A:middle >> So just, you know, if you can just tell me what you remember 00:02:32.886 --> 00:02:34.596 A:middle of that experience of being there. 00:02:34.896 --> 00:02:36.986 A:middle >> Well, I remember going with actually, 00:02:37.436 --> 00:02:40.446 A:middle I believe it was Easter Seals, or a program that I was with, 00:02:40.446 --> 00:02:44.706 A:middle and we went down and supported the demonstrators on this, 00:02:44.706 --> 00:02:47.196 A:middle you know, Section 504. 00:02:47.566 --> 00:02:50.926 A:middle As we all know, it's really the first law 00:02:50.926 --> 00:02:53.736 A:middle that really mandated access and [inaudible] for people 00:02:53.886 --> 00:02:58.106 A:middle with disabilities in government facilities 00:02:58.106 --> 00:02:59.756 A:middle and access in buildings. 00:02:59.756 --> 00:02:59.916 A:middle >> Right. 00:03:00.106 --> 00:03:00.776 A:middle >> And -- 00:03:01.006 --> 00:03:02.246 A:middle >> It's -- it's too loud? 00:03:02.366 --> 00:03:02.666 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:03:02.666 --> 00:03:04.216 A:middle >> Okay. That's okay. 00:03:04.386 --> 00:03:05.116 A:middle >> Okay. Sorry. 00:03:05.186 --> 00:03:06.246 A:middle >> No. It's okay. 00:03:06.246 --> 00:03:08.116 A:middle >> Most people say I'm too quiet, so. 00:03:08.116 --> 00:03:09.506 A:middle >> You can be quiet. 00:03:09.506 --> 00:03:10.276 A:middle Just, yeah -- 00:03:10.276 --> 00:03:12.326 A:middle >> You're good, because the mic is like right there. 00:03:12.326 --> 00:03:14.376 A:middle >> -- at the library conversation. 00:03:14.556 --> 00:03:15.226 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:03:15.766 --> 00:03:16.606 A:middle >> I'll do it again. 00:03:16.746 --> 00:03:17.516 A:middle >> Okay. No problem. 00:03:17.926 --> 00:03:21.716 A:middle So we'll just -- was the -- was the first one okay, Lynn? 00:03:21.986 --> 00:03:23.356 A:middle Or was it kind of up there, too? 00:03:23.816 --> 00:03:24.196 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:03:24.446 --> 00:03:24.916 A:middle >> It was okay? 00:03:25.016 --> 00:03:26.046 A:middle [ Inaudible ] 00:03:26.046 --> 00:03:28.186 A:middle >> I can -- I can do them both over if you want. 00:03:28.186 --> 00:03:28.476 A:middle >> Okay. Yeah. 00:03:28.476 --> 00:03:29.766 A:middle Let's do that if you can. 00:03:29.856 --> 00:03:32.936 A:middle So we'll just start again with the introduction, okay. 00:03:33.346 --> 00:03:34.406 A:middle >> I am Peter Mendoza. 00:03:34.406 --> 00:03:36.006 A:middle I am 47 years old. 00:03:36.006 --> 00:03:38.296 A:middle I work at the Independent Living Resource Center 00:03:38.296 --> 00:03:43.596 A:middle of San Francisco, and we support people with disabilities 00:03:43.596 --> 00:03:47.546 A:middle in San Francisco, participating in all aspects of society. 00:03:47.896 --> 00:03:50.336 A:middle We're a service and advocacy organizations. 00:03:50.866 --> 00:03:52.716 A:middle We're a part of -- we're one 00:03:52.716 --> 00:03:55.826 A:middle of the 29 Independent Living Centers throughout California. 00:03:56.516 --> 00:04:01.276 A:middle As part of the National Independent Living Center System 00:04:01.276 --> 00:04:03.556 A:middle and there is 500 Independent Living Centers throughout 00:04:03.556 --> 00:04:04.086 A:middle the County. 00:04:04.486 --> 00:04:08.096 A:middle And they were -- it began through the vision of Ed Roberts 00:04:09.016 --> 00:04:11.636 A:middle and many other disability rights advocates. 00:04:12.036 --> 00:04:15.126 A:middle And the mission is to really support people with disabilities 00:04:15.746 --> 00:04:19.256 A:middle and achieving economic independence and for inclusion 00:04:19.676 --> 00:04:21.496 A:middle in their community of their choice. 00:04:22.306 --> 00:04:26.366 A:middle And my job there is I'm the community organizer, 00:04:26.696 --> 00:04:31.816 A:middle and I support our -- our center's work on local and state 00:04:31.816 --> 00:04:33.376 A:middle and national advocacy. 00:04:33.516 --> 00:04:38.886 A:middle I also work with what we call the State Disability Organizing 00:04:38.886 --> 00:04:42.556 A:middle Network, which brings together staff 00:04:42.556 --> 00:04:45.626 A:middle from the various Independent Living Centers throughout 00:04:45.626 --> 00:04:50.696 A:middle California with other disability rights advocates 00:04:51.046 --> 00:04:53.946 A:middle to form coalitions to really work on issues 00:04:54.456 --> 00:04:58.736 A:middle that support the independent living disability rights 00:04:58.736 --> 00:05:06.386 A:middle philosophy and transportation access, employment, Olmstead, 00:05:06.716 --> 00:05:08.326 A:middle you know, to live in the community. 00:05:09.246 --> 00:05:13.586 A:middle The core values that we hold dear as people involved 00:05:13.586 --> 00:05:18.346 A:middle in disability rights, you know, and we support families and -- 00:05:18.776 --> 00:05:22.906 A:middle and veterans, too, of all -- all ages with disabilities and -- 00:05:23.816 --> 00:05:26.436 A:middle >> Okay. And, you know, I guess [inaudible]. 00:05:26.436 --> 00:05:30.326 A:middle You know, we talked about you being at the 504 protest, 00:05:30.326 --> 00:05:31.486 A:middle and I know you were a little kid -- 00:05:31.836 --> 00:05:35.096 A:middle you're 10, but if you can just kind of tells us some 00:05:35.096 --> 00:05:38.046 A:middle of the things that you remember from those -- 00:05:38.046 --> 00:05:39.026 A:middle from the times that you went. 00:05:40.326 --> 00:05:45.496 A:middle >> Well, I went to the 504 protest with, 00:05:45.946 --> 00:05:47.586 A:middle I believe, it was Easter Seals. 00:05:47.586 --> 00:05:51.526 A:middle It was sort of a -- a day program I was in periodically. 00:05:51.876 --> 00:05:55.326 A:middle And I -- when we went down to really support the people 00:05:55.326 --> 00:05:59.936 A:middle that were, you know, trying to get 504 passed 00:05:59.936 --> 00:06:03.406 A:middle and what I remember is feeling -- I -- 00:06:03.906 --> 00:06:07.236 A:middle I was young, I really didn't understand disability rights. 00:06:07.276 --> 00:06:10.926 A:middle But I knew enough to know that, you know, 00:06:10.926 --> 00:06:14.516 A:middle this was about my rights and how I was going 00:06:14.516 --> 00:06:16.206 A:middle to be able to be in the future. 00:06:16.626 --> 00:06:22.586 A:middle Also, my parents were very involved in the 504 movement 00:06:22.976 --> 00:06:31.256 A:middle as far as my mom was active with the Autism Society of Marin. 00:06:31.256 --> 00:06:33.946 A:middle I believe she was the vice president, and so she was active 00:06:34.366 --> 00:06:36.116 A:middle in disability rights, in general. 00:06:36.186 --> 00:06:41.116 A:middle And I remember, we had the bumper stickers, pass 504 now. 00:06:41.116 --> 00:06:42.586 A:middle I believe they were blue. 00:06:42.956 --> 00:06:48.046 A:middle And also, my dad, who worked for the City of Novato 00:06:48.046 --> 00:06:50.486 A:middle as a police officer, and I were in a video 00:06:50.796 --> 00:06:55.186 A:middle that was done regarding the support of -- 00:06:55.786 --> 00:07:00.446 A:middle supporting the passage of Section 504 and talk 00:07:00.446 --> 00:07:03.616 A:middle about the importance of having access to public buildings, 00:07:04.166 --> 00:07:08.736 A:middle because back in the '70s, the City Hall was inaccessible 00:07:08.736 --> 00:07:10.006 A:middle to people with disabilities. 00:07:10.006 --> 00:07:13.196 A:middle So the video showed how important it was 00:07:13.196 --> 00:07:14.536 A:middle to really have access. 00:07:15.036 --> 00:07:18.306 A:middle And it really was the foundation of what I do now, 00:07:18.306 --> 00:07:20.436 A:middle supporting disability rights. 00:07:20.576 --> 00:07:22.946 A:middle I pay homage to all those people 00:07:22.946 --> 00:07:26.806 A:middle who spent all those days inside the Federal Building 00:07:26.806 --> 00:07:29.056 A:middle under very difficult conditions. 00:07:29.646 --> 00:07:35.376 A:middle I have, you know, done sit-ins myself 00:07:35.376 --> 00:07:39.596 A:middle and have been very active in demonstrating. 00:07:40.026 --> 00:07:42.946 A:middle But, you know, I -- 00:07:43.146 --> 00:07:47.026 A:middle so I understand a little bit what it took to -- 00:07:48.776 --> 00:07:52.576 A:middle to really be able to do that for many days 00:07:52.576 --> 00:07:53.966 A:middle and under adverse conditions. 00:07:53.966 --> 00:07:57.276 A:middle And if you watch the video, the challenge they went through, 00:07:57.276 --> 00:08:00.276 A:middle not only for standing up for what they believed in, 00:08:00.696 --> 00:08:05.566 A:middle but also the personal cost of having to arrange home care, 00:08:05.996 --> 00:08:12.256 A:middle having to, you know -- having to really, you know, deal with, 00:08:13.446 --> 00:08:17.286 A:middle you know, the -- the city officials 00:08:17.286 --> 00:08:19.886 A:middle on the outside originally not supporting the protestor 00:08:20.426 --> 00:08:22.026 A:middle and cutting off services. 00:08:23.016 --> 00:08:25.656 A:middle >> Great. Sorry, just real quick. 00:08:25.656 --> 00:08:29.256 A:middle Are you able to hear the -- the refrigerator? 00:08:30.346 --> 00:08:30.886 A:middle >> No. 00:08:30.886 --> 00:08:32.036 A:middle >> No. That humming. 00:08:32.206 --> 00:08:33.436 A:middle >> Can you hear it? 00:08:33.816 --> 00:08:36.176 A:middle >> I just want to double-check. 00:08:36.366 --> 00:08:38.536 A:middle >> I'm -- am I being articulate? 00:08:38.616 --> 00:08:39.496 A:middle >> Yeah. Absolutely. 00:08:39.496 --> 00:08:39.586 A:middle >> Okay. 00:08:39.896 --> 00:08:40.176 A:middle >> Good stuff. 00:08:40.176 --> 00:08:44.916 A:middle >> I feel like I can hear it, but I can't. 00:08:44.916 --> 00:08:46.466 A:middle >> Yeah. A little bit. 00:08:46.466 --> 00:08:48.046 A:middle A little bit. 00:08:48.576 --> 00:08:51.596 A:middle >> I -- I can't really undo apartment noises. 00:08:51.596 --> 00:08:52.336 A:middle I'm sorry. 00:08:52.416 --> 00:08:52.566 A:middle >> I know. 00:08:52.566 --> 00:08:53.286 A:middle That's all right. 00:08:53.396 --> 00:08:53.506 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:08:53.506 --> 00:08:54.636 A:middle >> Yeah. That would be [inaudible]. 00:08:55.166 --> 00:08:55.866 A:middle >> We'll just wait. 00:08:55.866 --> 00:08:56.456 A:middle It's -- it's cycling. 00:08:56.456 --> 00:08:58.886 A:middle It'll go off in a little bit, 00:08:58.886 --> 00:09:02.546 A:middle so we'll just wait a little bit, okay. 00:09:02.826 --> 00:09:06.706 A:middle And we -- it always -- it happens. 00:09:06.706 --> 00:09:08.596 A:middle >> I'm sure they can edit it out. 00:09:08.736 --> 00:09:10.916 A:middle >> Yeah. We'll be able to -- to reduce it. 00:09:10.916 --> 00:09:13.646 A:middle >> I don't think -- I mean to be honest, I don't -- 00:09:13.966 --> 00:09:16.096 A:middle they can usually mute it out. 00:09:16.096 --> 00:09:18.396 A:middle I don't think -- I don't hear it that well. 00:09:18.396 --> 00:09:18.463 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:09:18.463 --> 00:09:19.856 A:middle >> And I don't think it'll cause a problem. 00:09:19.856 --> 00:09:20.566 A:middle >> It's not -- it's not too loud. 00:09:20.826 --> 00:09:22.636 A:middle We'll just keep going. 00:09:25.406 --> 00:09:29.186 A:middle So can you kind of tell me -- can you kind of paint a scene 00:09:29.186 --> 00:09:31.076 A:middle of what it looked like for you as a -- 00:09:31.076 --> 00:09:34.996 A:middle as a ten-year old being out there on the protest outside? 00:09:34.996 --> 00:09:36.156 A:middle What were some of the things 00:09:36.156 --> 00:09:37.766 A:middle that you were thinking when you were there? 00:09:38.216 --> 00:09:40.556 A:middle >> Well I remember really, you know, 00:09:40.616 --> 00:09:44.136 A:middle people around me were explaining what -- what it -- 00:09:44.456 --> 00:09:47.636 A:middle you know, what it all meant and that it was about civil rights 00:09:47.666 --> 00:09:52.906 A:middle and I remember chanting, you know, trying to -- 00:09:53.046 --> 00:09:55.136 A:middle to do a little protesting myself. 00:09:55.466 --> 00:09:58.796 A:middle But people around me being a little careful because I -- 00:09:58.796 --> 00:10:02.906 A:middle we -- you know, those of us who were kids were really young 00:10:03.076 --> 00:10:04.696 A:middle and there was some concern, 00:10:04.696 --> 00:10:09.086 A:middle at least with the people I was with, about us, you know, 00:10:09.506 --> 00:10:13.606 A:middle being involved, but not too involved is what I remember. 00:10:14.116 --> 00:10:18.136 A:middle But I remember, I think I went out on a couple 00:10:18.136 --> 00:10:21.756 A:middle of different occasions, and I just remember, you know, 00:10:21.756 --> 00:10:25.196 A:middle talking to people and really getting a fast school -- 00:10:26.496 --> 00:10:30.286 A:middle a fast teaching on disability rights. 00:10:30.286 --> 00:10:32.756 A:middle And then when I was -- 00:10:33.036 --> 00:10:35.316 A:middle which helped me a lot when I was older. 00:10:35.316 --> 00:10:42.616 A:middle I got appointed to my first county position when I was 18 00:10:42.616 --> 00:10:46.306 A:middle and testified in front of the legislature when I was 17, 00:10:46.416 --> 00:10:50.456 A:middle so I -- I feel that that was sort of the catalyst 00:10:50.456 --> 00:10:54.086 A:middle for what I do now and what I've devoted a lot 00:10:54.086 --> 00:10:55.246 A:middle of my adult life to. 00:10:56.106 --> 00:11:00.446 A:middle >> Right. You mentioned you remember doing some 00:11:00.446 --> 00:11:02.846 A:middle of -- some of the chants. 00:11:02.846 --> 00:11:04.946 A:middle Do you remember any of those by -- by any chance? 00:11:05.136 --> 00:11:05.756 A:middle Just wondering. 00:11:05.996 --> 00:11:10.576 A:middle >> I remember what we were saying, pass 504 and -- 00:11:12.816 --> 00:11:17.696 A:middle and talking about the need for transportation and access. 00:11:17.696 --> 00:11:20.676 A:middle And I remember pass 504 now, and -- 00:11:22.026 --> 00:11:26.046 A:middle >> Right. And if you can, just kind of tell me a little bit 00:11:26.046 --> 00:11:29.936 A:middle of maybe the -- the biggest differences between being, 00:11:29.936 --> 00:11:34.506 A:middle you know, a disabled person back in the '70s to it being today, 00:11:34.926 --> 00:11:37.366 A:middle like before 504 and then after. 00:11:37.806 --> 00:11:42.236 A:middle >> Well, from what I remember -- and remember I was only ten -- 00:11:42.636 --> 00:11:45.406 A:middle but I remember that there wasn't a lot of access 00:11:45.406 --> 00:11:49.716 A:middle to public buildings, and there was certainly no transportation 00:11:49.716 --> 00:11:50.526 A:middle to speak of. 00:11:50.926 --> 00:11:57.526 A:middle And really, part of -- I think what it was is that, you know, 00:11:57.986 --> 00:12:01.816 A:middle probably because of my age, but also because there was no access 00:12:01.816 --> 00:12:04.666 A:middle or services or the right to get on a bus. 00:12:04.666 --> 00:12:07.246 A:middle So a lot of things had to be done with the aid 00:12:07.246 --> 00:12:09.036 A:middle of my parents and friends. 00:12:09.316 --> 00:12:14.796 A:middle And 504 was sort of the basis of what later, you know -- 00:12:15.336 --> 00:12:19.696 A:middle we had the ADA, we had laws in California that were passed 00:12:20.066 --> 00:12:26.096 A:middle in 1981 which, you know, 4500 of the government code, 00:12:26.096 --> 00:12:29.226 A:middle which mandated access on public transportation. 00:12:29.896 --> 00:12:32.766 A:middle Every bus after 1981 had 00:12:32.766 --> 00:12:34.726 A:middle to be wheelchair accessible in California. 00:12:35.186 --> 00:12:38.186 A:middle So it was the catalyst for a lot of things that happened 00:12:38.186 --> 00:12:40.716 A:middle that really enhanced the lives of people 00:12:40.716 --> 00:12:42.386 A:middle with disabilities nowadays. 00:12:43.066 --> 00:12:48.826 A:middle Like for example, when I was young, you really -- 00:12:49.576 --> 00:12:53.226 A:middle my family had to really advocate for me to go to grand night 00:12:53.666 --> 00:12:55.426 A:middle when I was in high school. 00:12:55.426 --> 00:12:57.986 A:middle Originally, the school didn't want me to go to grand night. 00:12:57.986 --> 00:13:01.376 A:middle They said they didn't have transportation facilities 00:13:01.376 --> 00:13:02.586 A:middle or insurance. 00:13:03.156 --> 00:13:09.446 A:middle And I went, and -- but I wasn't able to go on any rides, 00:13:09.446 --> 00:13:13.186 A:middle and so my family, after that, did a lot of advocacy 00:13:13.186 --> 00:13:14.946 A:middle with the school and I did too. 00:13:15.396 --> 00:13:17.506 A:middle And now, kids can go to grand night. 00:13:17.506 --> 00:13:22.056 A:middle And now the issue of disability, while it's in -- 00:13:22.086 --> 00:13:24.556 A:middle they have [inaudible] issues around accommodation. 00:13:24.996 --> 00:13:28.066 A:middle The question isn't whether someone can go, 00:13:28.066 --> 00:13:30.636 A:middle it's do they want to go and what do they have to do. 00:13:30.636 --> 00:13:33.146 A:middle So I think that is what's changed. 00:13:33.476 --> 00:13:36.266 A:middle Although we have a long way to go before people 00:13:36.266 --> 00:13:40.426 A:middle with disabilities achieve full equality in -- in -- 00:13:40.616 --> 00:13:44.276 A:middle in this country and, you know, around the world. 00:13:44.276 --> 00:13:46.326 A:middle But we're getting there. 00:13:46.686 --> 00:13:48.886 A:middle >> Right. You know, I have to be honest. 00:13:48.886 --> 00:13:52.036 A:middle Before, you know, before taking this class, I didn't -- 00:13:52.036 --> 00:13:55.156 A:middle I didn't really give much thought to, you know, 00:13:55.196 --> 00:13:57.246 A:middle how accessible transportation was or -- 00:13:57.626 --> 00:14:01.026 A:middle or, you know, how accessible a building is. 00:14:01.206 --> 00:14:05.016 A:middle But if -- if you can kind of touch on, you know, 00:14:05.016 --> 00:14:08.116 A:middle what are some of the things that are still missing as far 00:14:08.116 --> 00:14:10.836 A:middle as accessibility, and here in California, 00:14:11.416 --> 00:14:14.656 A:middle or in any other state that you -- that you know? 00:14:15.696 --> 00:14:19.956 A:middle >> Well, I think accessibility in California is pretty good, 00:14:19.956 --> 00:14:20.776 A:middle but it could be better. 00:14:20.776 --> 00:14:23.676 A:middle We still have businesses that are not accessible. 00:14:24.416 --> 00:14:30.616 A:middle We have -- sometimes, people don't understand issues 00:14:30.616 --> 00:14:32.836 A:middle around reasonable accommodation and employment. 00:14:33.256 --> 00:14:35.946 A:middle As far as we've gone in disability rights, 00:14:36.386 --> 00:14:44.816 A:middle we are still a population that is very under-employed 00:14:44.816 --> 00:14:48.126 A:middle or is unemployed period. 00:14:48.516 --> 00:14:51.526 A:middle You know, employment is getting better right now 00:14:51.816 --> 00:14:54.776 A:middle for the rest of the country. 00:14:54.776 --> 00:14:56.436 A:middle You know, economy's getting good, 00:14:56.436 --> 00:14:57.986 A:middle but it's not really getting better 00:14:57.986 --> 00:14:59.436 A:middle for people with disabilities. 00:14:59.856 --> 00:15:04.466 A:middle It's still very difficult to find work, you know. 00:15:04.566 --> 00:15:10.606 A:middle It's still difficult to know, even though the ADA talks 00:15:10.606 --> 00:15:12.616 A:middle about when you talk to your employer 00:15:12.616 --> 00:15:16.256 A:middle about reasonable accommodation and issues about your disability 00:15:16.256 --> 00:15:18.916 A:middle in the workplace, but we have laws, 00:15:18.916 --> 00:15:23.746 A:middle but people still discriminate, although it's getting better, 00:15:23.746 --> 00:15:25.796 A:middle but there's still a lot of discrimination. 00:15:26.356 --> 00:15:29.496 A:middle There's still people with disabilities who are 00:15:29.496 --> 00:15:35.696 A:middle in nursing homes and other types of facilities who really need 00:15:35.756 --> 00:15:39.526 A:middle to be able to live in the community and who can live 00:15:39.526 --> 00:15:41.166 A:middle in the community of their choice. 00:15:41.676 --> 00:15:45.066 A:middle But we're still spending money throughout the country 00:15:45.186 --> 00:15:49.256 A:middle on state developmental centers and those type of facilities 00:15:49.256 --> 00:15:52.996 A:middle or we're -- we're sending people to nursing homes 00:15:52.996 --> 00:15:55.996 A:middle when they have lapse in attendant care 00:15:56.476 --> 00:15:58.836 A:middle and can't get the services. 00:15:59.586 --> 00:16:03.366 A:middle Or people have an accident and they want to be able to get out 00:16:03.366 --> 00:16:07.246 A:middle and live in the community, the resources aren't always there. 00:16:07.996 --> 00:16:11.336 A:middle You're a little better off if you know what the resources are 00:16:11.336 --> 00:16:12.996 A:middle and you can advocate for yourself. 00:16:12.996 --> 00:16:17.866 A:middle But we have many folks who really don't know their options, 00:16:18.336 --> 00:16:24.326 A:middle so they don't get to access some of the freedoms that we have 00:16:24.856 --> 00:16:27.506 A:middle because they don't know they're there 00:16:27.506 --> 00:16:30.376 A:middle or don't have any one to assist them. 00:16:30.376 --> 00:16:33.906 A:middle To maintain your rights you have to exercise your rights. 00:16:34.386 --> 00:16:38.306 A:middle You have to know the law so that you -- 00:16:38.436 --> 00:16:40.566 A:middle and know who to call when you need help. 00:16:40.566 --> 00:16:42.886 A:middle We still have to do a much better job 00:16:43.396 --> 00:16:45.866 A:middle of making sure particularly that Olmstead, 00:16:46.506 --> 00:16:48.976 A:middle which is the Supreme Court decision that mandates 00:16:48.976 --> 00:16:51.786 A:middle that people with disabilities, if they want to, 00:16:52.216 --> 00:16:54.586 A:middle can live in the community and call upon -- 00:16:54.726 --> 00:16:57.286 A:middle and get the government to have programs 00:16:57.286 --> 00:16:58.776 A:middle as far as community living. 00:16:59.316 --> 00:17:02.066 A:middle But we still need to do a much better job. 00:17:03.156 --> 00:17:07.046 A:middle >> Right. I just want to go back to, you know, you were talking 00:17:07.046 --> 00:17:08.676 A:middle about your high school and -- 00:17:08.676 --> 00:17:11.086 A:middle and, you know, having the problem 00:17:11.086 --> 00:17:13.196 A:middle with not having accessible transportation. 00:17:13.476 --> 00:17:16.176 A:middle If you can just kind of talk a little bit more about, you know, 00:17:16.176 --> 00:17:18.356 A:middle what was that time period like for you as a -- 00:17:18.356 --> 00:17:22.756 A:middle as a high schooler, you know, having a disability, and then, 00:17:23.036 --> 00:17:26.666 A:middle kind of going up against pretty much the school. 00:17:27.136 --> 00:17:30.576 A:middle Did you -- did you ever get any, you know, 00:17:30.886 --> 00:17:35.906 A:middle any of your friends kind of -- or any -- 00:17:35.906 --> 00:17:38.886 A:middle any lash back, I guess, would be the word? 00:17:39.836 --> 00:17:41.116 A:middle >> Well, from the school, 00:17:42.246 --> 00:17:44.336 A:middle I would say they were pretty supportive 00:17:44.336 --> 00:17:48.406 A:middle but they didn't know what was available either, 00:17:48.406 --> 00:17:51.256 A:middle or sometimes they didn't always know what the law required. 00:17:51.256 --> 00:17:54.226 A:middle Or if they did, they didn't really follow it. 00:17:54.446 --> 00:18:00.386 A:middle I think around the grand night issue, we were able 00:18:00.386 --> 00:18:04.216 A:middle to make significant headway and I was able to go to grand night. 00:18:04.656 --> 00:18:09.636 A:middle I wasn't able to participate in any of the rides and so I had 00:18:09.636 --> 00:18:12.116 A:middle to stay in my wheelchair for 24 hours. 00:18:12.736 --> 00:18:15.726 A:middle I did have -- my stepbrother went with me 00:18:15.726 --> 00:18:17.926 A:middle as my home-health aid, but -- 00:18:17.926 --> 00:18:20.426 A:middle and he offered to put me on the rides 00:18:20.426 --> 00:18:21.916 A:middle but they wouldn't allow it. 00:18:22.326 --> 00:18:27.566 A:middle I think one of the major differences now is 00:18:27.566 --> 00:18:33.316 A:middle that I was actually sent to Novato High School 00:18:33.426 --> 00:18:37.866 A:middle for high school, as opposed to the school near my house, 00:18:37.866 --> 00:18:41.626 A:middle San Marin, because San Marin was not accessible, 00:18:41.856 --> 00:18:43.776 A:middle and they only wanted to spend money 00:18:43.856 --> 00:18:48.236 A:middle on making one high school accessible so they chose Novato, 00:18:48.236 --> 00:18:49.576 A:middle so that's where I went, so. 00:18:50.436 --> 00:18:53.056 A:middle While I had a good time at Novato High School, 00:18:53.056 --> 00:18:56.776 A:middle I didn't get the freedom of being able to go 00:18:56.776 --> 00:18:58.706 A:middle to the school closest to my house. 00:18:59.636 --> 00:19:02.296 A:middle >> Right. And, you know, what -- what -- 00:19:02.296 --> 00:19:03.776 A:middle what was that like having to -- 00:19:03.776 --> 00:19:06.626 A:middle how much of a travel was that for you to do 00:19:06.766 --> 00:19:07.746 A:middle to get to -- to school? 00:19:07.746 --> 00:19:09.226 A:middle Was that an extra, how long? 00:19:09.546 --> 00:19:13.196 A:middle >> It was about, I mean it -- it was about 25 minutes. 00:19:13.226 --> 00:19:16.956 A:middle So my point is not really how long it took, 00:19:17.406 --> 00:19:21.176 A:middle but the point is -- and now, I'll tie it back 00:19:21.286 --> 00:19:24.966 A:middle to the difference between now and then, is now people 00:19:24.966 --> 00:19:27.206 A:middle with disabilities can go to both schools. 00:19:27.796 --> 00:19:31.816 A:middle So kids can go to school where they grew up and stay 00:19:31.816 --> 00:19:33.076 A:middle with their friends, where -- 00:19:33.686 --> 00:19:38.466 A:middle and also, before I went to high school, I went to Marin Del, 00:19:38.466 --> 00:19:40.256 A:middle which was a school for the disabled. 00:19:40.936 --> 00:19:46.706 A:middle They used to call it Marin Del for the Profoundly Handicapped. 00:19:46.706 --> 00:19:54.356 A:middle And -- and now, Marin Del is primarily used 00:19:54.356 --> 00:19:58.106 A:middle for physical therapy and, of course, now we integrate people 00:19:58.626 --> 00:20:04.046 A:middle into full inclusion much earlier now than they did back 00:20:04.046 --> 00:20:06.976 A:middle when I was, you know, high school age. 00:20:07.576 --> 00:20:13.926 A:middle I didn't really get to go to high school or really 00:20:16.016 --> 00:20:20.856 A:middle into full inclusion until I got a power chair and -- 00:20:21.796 --> 00:20:27.396 A:middle but nowadays, places like Marin Del, if they exist, 00:20:27.956 --> 00:20:29.716 A:middle are on a much smaller scale. 00:20:30.986 --> 00:20:31.236 A:middle >> Right. 00:20:31.236 --> 00:20:35.626 A:middle >> And so now kids have many more opportunities. 00:20:36.576 --> 00:20:40.176 A:middle And hopefully, the next generation will -- 00:20:42.576 --> 00:20:46.266 A:middle will move forward what we -- we've started out to do today 00:20:46.266 --> 00:20:49.866 A:middle so that people with disabilities have even more rights 00:20:49.866 --> 00:20:52.956 A:middle and have more opportunities even in the future. 00:20:53.476 --> 00:20:55.826 A:middle We've come a long way, which is one of the things 00:20:55.826 --> 00:20:59.186 A:middle that we're honoring here with remembering the 504. 00:20:59.186 --> 00:21:02.066 A:middle But we have a long way to go and we can't forget 00:21:02.066 --> 00:21:02.926 A:middle where we've come from. 00:21:03.006 --> 00:21:09.566 A:middle >> Right. You know, the other thing that I wanted to hear 00:21:09.566 --> 00:21:15.506 A:middle from you, too, is -- sorry -- I just lost my train of thought. 00:21:15.876 --> 00:21:16.566 A:middle >> That's okay. 00:21:16.856 --> 00:21:21.256 A:middle I've done it like three or four times since I've been here. 00:21:21.256 --> 00:21:23.796 A:middle >> Let us know if you need to take a break or anything, too. 00:21:23.796 --> 00:21:23.863 A:middle >> Yeah. [Inaudible] 00:21:23.863 --> 00:21:26.166 A:middle >> Oh, I'm good, I just -- 00:21:26.166 --> 00:21:31.346 A:middle I know my boss is going to watch the tape and go, 00:21:31.346 --> 00:21:32.976 A:middle how did you do for that [inaudible]. 00:21:34.096 --> 00:21:34.616 A:middle >> I know. 00:21:34.976 --> 00:21:37.516 A:middle >> We have a really long vision and mission, 00:21:37.516 --> 00:21:40.096 A:middle so I always cut it short because no one wants 00:21:40.096 --> 00:21:41.036 A:middle to hear the whole thing. 00:21:41.036 --> 00:21:42.326 A:middle >> No. But you had that. 00:21:42.326 --> 00:21:43.256 A:middle I was like wow. 00:21:43.256 --> 00:21:44.496 A:middle That's really detailed. 00:21:44.496 --> 00:21:47.516 A:middle >> I -- I don't think I could remember all 00:21:47.516 --> 00:21:48.986 A:middle that off the top of my head. 00:21:49.626 --> 00:21:53.366 A:middle Yeah. The -- the one thing I wanted to kind of, you know, 00:21:53.366 --> 00:21:54.496 A:middle we talked about this before. 00:21:59.106 --> 00:22:01.776 A:middle But what was your, you know, I said -- 00:22:01.776 --> 00:22:03.946 A:middle I know you said that your -- your parents wanted you -- 00:22:03.946 --> 00:22:06.806 A:middle one of the reasons why they wanted to -- 00:22:06.806 --> 00:22:09.676 A:middle for you to go the 504 protest to be -- to be inspired. 00:22:09.676 --> 00:22:12.156 A:middle Can you talk a little bit about, you know, 00:22:12.156 --> 00:22:14.196 A:middle the role that your parents had as far 00:22:14.826 --> 00:22:20.186 A:middle as you being the person that you are today? 00:22:20.186 --> 00:22:24.006 A:middle >> My parents by -- without a doubt are probably mostly 00:22:24.006 --> 00:22:26.776 A:middle responsible for who I am today. 00:22:27.186 --> 00:22:29.996 A:middle I certainly had supportive friends 00:22:29.996 --> 00:22:33.126 A:middle and other people, too, and teachers. 00:22:33.126 --> 00:22:35.956 A:middle But it was my mom and dad who really wanted me 00:22:35.956 --> 00:22:40.296 A:middle to be independent and, you know, live on my own 00:22:40.296 --> 00:22:44.986 A:middle and have a full life and have access to education and -- 00:22:45.356 --> 00:22:46.586 A:middle and to make sure that -- 00:22:47.386 --> 00:22:50.116 A:middle that I had the right to do whatever I wanted to do 00:22:50.116 --> 00:22:54.776 A:middle and my mom spent a lot of time 00:22:55.026 --> 00:22:57.786 A:middle because my dad was working really advocating 00:22:57.786 --> 00:22:58.816 A:middle with the school district. 00:22:59.216 --> 00:23:03.596 A:middle And my dad, as part of the spirit of 504, 00:23:03.596 --> 00:23:06.376 A:middle was one of the people in Novato who worked 00:23:06.776 --> 00:23:11.206 A:middle to have curb ramps put in all over the city 00:23:11.206 --> 00:23:12.716 A:middle of Novato and blue zones. 00:23:12.716 --> 00:23:15.996 A:middle He was one of the main champions of that. 00:23:16.216 --> 00:23:19.386 A:middle And both -- because my parents were so vocal 00:23:19.866 --> 00:23:21.686 A:middle on disability rights and -- 00:23:22.266 --> 00:23:25.696 A:middle and advocacy, they sometimes took a lot of heat 00:23:25.696 --> 00:23:27.756 A:middle from neighbors and friends. 00:23:27.756 --> 00:23:30.146 A:middle I should also mention that my brother, Michael, 00:23:30.486 --> 00:23:35.066 A:middle is a person who lives successfully with autism 00:23:35.066 --> 00:23:41.766 A:middle and so my mom was very active with the Marin Autism Society. 00:23:41.766 --> 00:23:47.476 A:middle She was the vice president and she was also involved in the -- 00:23:48.376 --> 00:23:54.106 A:middle in public law 91142, which mandated full 00:23:54.106 --> 00:23:57.826 A:middle and equal education for people with disabilities and was part 00:23:57.826 --> 00:23:59.446 A:middle of what is now called IDEA. 00:24:00.686 --> 00:24:11.286 A:middle >> And do you -- do you have any -- maybe any -- any -- 00:24:11.796 --> 00:24:16.416 A:middle do you ever remember any, like, specific conversations that you 00:24:16.416 --> 00:24:20.386 A:middle with your -- with your dad or your mom that maybe -- 00:24:21.336 --> 00:24:24.526 A:middle of them inspiring you or -- or -- or kind of telling you, 00:24:24.526 --> 00:24:26.976 A:middle you know, that you have a right to be -- 00:24:27.416 --> 00:24:28.416 A:middle to do whatever you want? 00:24:28.516 --> 00:24:30.376 A:middle Like any conversations specifically 00:24:30.376 --> 00:24:31.586 A:middle that you can remember? 00:24:31.586 --> 00:24:32.216 A:middle Anything like that. 00:24:32.216 --> 00:24:37.076 A:middle >> I remember my mom being really active in saying 00:24:37.076 --> 00:24:40.416 A:middle that you can do whatever you want, you know. 00:24:40.956 --> 00:24:43.436 A:middle But you have to work hard and do you best, which -- 00:24:43.996 --> 00:24:46.946 A:middle not that I've had a perfect life, but I have tried 00:24:46.946 --> 00:24:48.856 A:middle to work hard and do my best. 00:24:49.506 --> 00:24:52.476 A:middle And my dad was a little -- 00:24:52.666 --> 00:24:58.136 A:middle probably a little quieter about it, but certainly was really -- 00:24:58.136 --> 00:25:02.516 A:middle was -- also wanted me to be really independent 00:25:02.516 --> 00:25:05.896 A:middle and really pushed me to move 00:25:05.896 --> 00:25:07.966 A:middle out when it was time for me to move out. 00:25:08.076 --> 00:25:14.026 A:middle And kind of made sure that I didn't, at times, get too -- 00:25:14.426 --> 00:25:17.446 A:middle too lazy because as a kid, like all of us, 00:25:17.446 --> 00:25:18.626 A:middle we have that propensity. 00:25:18.656 --> 00:25:23.356 A:middle So really, you know, I pay a lot of homage to my parents 00:25:23.356 --> 00:25:29.066 A:middle who are now up in years and -- and, you know, still active, 00:25:29.326 --> 00:25:34.666 A:middle but you know, they really had to work really hard 00:25:34.666 --> 00:25:36.146 A:middle to get me where I am today. 00:25:37.076 --> 00:25:42.146 A:middle And of course, you know, I have a great family and many friends 00:25:42.276 --> 00:25:46.256 A:middle and through the opportunities that, you know, 00:25:46.256 --> 00:25:49.636 A:middle I got with the passage of 504, I've gone on to serve 00:25:49.636 --> 00:25:55.056 A:middle on several state boards and a couple of city 00:25:55.056 --> 00:25:58.036 A:middle and country commissions, the Berkley Commission 00:25:58.036 --> 00:26:01.256 A:middle on Disability, the California State Rehabilitation 00:26:01.296 --> 00:26:05.206 A:middle and Appeals Board, the California State Council 00:26:05.206 --> 00:26:08.496 A:middle on Developmental Disabilities, just to name a few. 00:26:08.496 --> 00:26:12.816 A:middle And I've worked to help make state parks accessible and, 00:26:12.816 --> 00:26:16.876 A:middle you know, trying to enhance where I could the lives 00:26:16.876 --> 00:26:19.516 A:middle of people with disabilities. 00:26:19.516 --> 00:26:23.246 A:middle But of course, we all do it together as a movement, 00:26:23.246 --> 00:26:25.236 A:middle it's not about one single person. 00:26:25.236 --> 00:26:28.346 A:middle It's about all of us really working together 00:26:28.776 --> 00:26:35.416 A:middle to make things happen, and also to bring forward the youth 00:26:35.416 --> 00:26:40.386 A:middle of today so that they carry on the torch because all 00:26:40.386 --> 00:26:46.416 A:middle of us are getting older and we need the -- 00:26:46.706 --> 00:26:53.636 A:middle the youth to really pick up where we left off and so 00:26:53.636 --> 00:26:55.146 A:middle that they can make things happen. 00:26:55.626 --> 00:26:57.346 A:middle And I'm so happy we have 00:26:57.346 --> 00:27:03.026 A:middle such a really vital youth with disabilities. 00:27:03.026 --> 00:27:05.336 A:middle You know, we have Young Disabled and Proud, 00:27:05.776 --> 00:27:09.336 A:middle we have several youth organizations involving 00:27:09.336 --> 00:27:13.236 A:middle disability rights throughout the Bay area through the colleges 00:27:13.236 --> 00:27:15.276 A:middle and through schools now. 00:27:16.586 --> 00:27:26.716 A:middle But we need that to be a hundred times fold, because I remember 00:27:27.106 --> 00:27:29.886 A:middle when I was young working on disability rights. 00:27:30.886 --> 00:27:35.596 A:middle You know, I was probably a lot more -- 00:27:35.976 --> 00:27:39.756 A:middle I was really out there and really a lot more direct, 00:27:39.756 --> 00:27:42.616 A:middle and we need more people like that who are -- 00:27:42.616 --> 00:27:45.576 A:middle who are younger and who are articulate. 00:27:46.036 --> 00:27:48.016 A:middle And we have many, but we need more. 00:27:48.886 --> 00:27:52.536 A:middle >> Right. And now that you touched on that. 00:27:52.536 --> 00:27:56.076 A:middle >> I'm not -- I'll do that -- that -- okay go ahead. 00:27:56.076 --> 00:27:57.906 A:middle I don't know if I said that good, but okay. 00:27:57.906 --> 00:27:58.536 A:middle >> Okay. You want to -- 00:27:58.536 --> 00:28:01.176 A:middle if you want to say it again, we can do it again. 00:28:01.266 --> 00:28:03.026 A:middle You want to? 00:28:03.026 --> 00:28:03.926 A:middle >> I don't know if I can -- 00:28:03.926 --> 00:28:06.096 A:middle well, let's see, I -- that's fine. 00:28:06.186 --> 00:28:06.776 A:middle Go ahead. 00:28:06.776 --> 00:28:08.056 A:middle >> I think it was really good. 00:28:08.056 --> 00:28:09.086 A:middle >> I'm sure they'll edit. 00:28:09.226 --> 00:28:09.486 A:middle Go ahead. 00:28:10.106 --> 00:28:13.646 A:middle >> Okay. Yeah, now that you -- that you touched on it. 00:28:13.646 --> 00:28:18.676 A:middle Can you kind of tell me what your journey has been as far 00:28:18.676 --> 00:28:20.966 A:middle as like getting to where you're working at right now? 00:28:20.966 --> 00:28:24.906 A:middle Like, how did you start becoming an advocate? 00:28:24.906 --> 00:28:30.286 A:middle >> Well, I guess, when I was like 17, I was starting 00:28:30.866 --> 00:28:34.416 A:middle to be [inaudible] of programs, 00:28:34.416 --> 00:28:37.916 A:middle like in-home support services and there were cuts. 00:28:38.476 --> 00:28:41.246 A:middle So I went with a group of folks up to the state legislature 00:28:41.246 --> 00:28:45.346 A:middle and testified on cuts involving in-home support services, 00:28:45.346 --> 00:28:48.726 A:middle which is the Medicaid program for people with disabilities 00:28:48.726 --> 00:28:50.976 A:middle who need home health assistance. 00:28:51.446 --> 00:28:55.716 A:middle It provides assistance with activities, daily living, 00:28:55.716 --> 00:28:59.126 A:middle bathing, dressing, getting someone up in the morning, 00:29:00.096 --> 00:29:04.946 A:middle some assistance with, you know, transportation 00:29:05.506 --> 00:29:11.526 A:middle and basic services so that the person can live independently. 00:29:12.326 --> 00:29:16.936 A:middle And so that was a program that was, of course, starting to 00:29:16.936 --> 00:29:20.746 A:middle and it's still near and dear to me. 00:29:21.126 --> 00:29:22.806 A:middle So that's kind of where I started. 00:29:22.806 --> 00:29:28.356 A:middle Then when I got -- I think I was 18 or 17 and a half 00:29:28.756 --> 00:29:30.946 A:middle when I wanted to ride the local bus. 00:29:30.946 --> 00:29:37.326 A:middle They had a bus service that was starting to be accessible -- 00:29:37.326 --> 00:29:41.326 A:middle Golden Gate Transit, and they -- 00:29:41.826 --> 00:29:46.316 A:middle they didn't want to put the bus near the house 00:29:46.316 --> 00:29:49.366 A:middle because the commuters didn't want to have to wait 00:29:49.366 --> 00:29:50.856 A:middle for a person in a wheelchair. 00:29:50.856 --> 00:29:53.776 A:middle So I did a lot of advocacy around that 00:29:53.846 --> 00:30:00.466 A:middle and then Golden Gate Transit sort of was, shall I say, 00:30:00.466 --> 00:30:04.436 A:middle back then, making some backwards steps in accessibility. 00:30:04.436 --> 00:30:06.906 A:middle So I kind of became the -- 00:30:06.906 --> 00:30:11.726 A:middle one of the leaders working on transportation. 00:30:12.076 --> 00:30:14.886 A:middle Started out working on issues involving Golden Gate Transit, 00:30:14.886 --> 00:30:18.406 A:middle you know, ordering buses, what -- 00:30:18.736 --> 00:30:21.676 A:middle what routes the buses were going to be on. 00:30:21.676 --> 00:30:24.396 A:middle Sometimes, the wheelchair lifts weren't maintained, 00:30:24.696 --> 00:30:25.726 A:middle et cetera, et cetera. 00:30:25.726 --> 00:30:27.216 A:middle Sometimes, they wouldn't pick us up. 00:30:27.716 --> 00:30:32.096 A:middle And so the -- and from that, I really started working 00:30:32.096 --> 00:30:37.306 A:middle on transportation, home care, and housing. 00:30:37.746 --> 00:30:41.286 A:middle And one of the things that I learned early actually, 00:30:41.286 --> 00:30:44.736 A:middle because I did a lot of work in -- 00:30:44.906 --> 00:30:47.636 A:middle with Ed Roberts around that time, 00:30:47.636 --> 00:30:52.696 A:middle and people like Jane Jackson who was a disability rights leader 00:30:52.696 --> 00:30:55.716 A:middle in the East Bay, who has since passed away. 00:30:56.786 --> 00:31:03.026 A:middle Paul [inaudible] and other -- and other folks who taught me 00:31:03.026 --> 00:31:07.296 A:middle that it wasn't only important to advocate for yourself, 00:31:07.356 --> 00:31:12.446 A:middle but to advocate for others, too, that we had to look 00:31:12.446 --> 00:31:15.196 A:middle at broad rights issues. 00:31:16.006 --> 00:31:18.336 A:middle And so I'm really thankful that I -- 00:31:18.676 --> 00:31:21.206 A:middle I've learned that and that really made the person I 00:31:21.206 --> 00:31:21.806 A:middle am today. 00:31:22.276 --> 00:31:25.846 A:middle So that sort of carried forward in my work, 00:31:25.846 --> 00:31:27.986 A:middle and I have done other things in my life, too, 00:31:27.986 --> 00:31:29.996 A:middle outside of disability, both personally 00:31:29.996 --> 00:31:32.156 A:middle and professionally, and still do. 00:31:32.156 --> 00:31:34.586 A:middle But that certainly was sort of the backbone 00:31:34.586 --> 00:31:40.956 A:middle of really learning issues around accessibility, food access, 00:31:42.716 --> 00:31:49.476 A:middle equality, and you know, really making a more broad stream 00:31:49.476 --> 00:31:52.156 A:middle of civil rights work, not just around disability. 00:31:52.506 --> 00:31:55.636 A:middle >> Right. And you -- you've mentioned -- 00:31:55.636 --> 00:31:58.486 A:middle you've mentioned other advocates, like Paul and -- 00:31:58.486 --> 00:32:01.256 A:middle and can you tell me a little bit more about, 00:32:01.346 --> 00:32:03.326 A:middle kind of like your relationship, how your relationship 00:32:03.326 --> 00:32:06.106 A:middle with them was, or how did you meet him? 00:32:06.106 --> 00:32:08.616 A:middle Or do you have an anecdotes about, you know, 00:32:08.796 --> 00:32:11.176 A:middle being an advocate alongside with them? 00:32:11.966 --> 00:32:16.226 A:middle >> Well, I remember particularly with Ed Roberts and also 00:32:16.226 --> 00:32:18.806 A:middle with Paul, but I'll talk about Ed first. 00:32:19.166 --> 00:32:23.346 A:middle I remember one of the first times that I had really been 00:32:23.346 --> 00:32:25.766 A:middle with Ed at a legislative hearing. 00:32:26.266 --> 00:32:29.816 A:middle And Ed, I think, got -- 00:32:29.816 --> 00:32:32.896 A:middle George Deukmejian was the Governor we were discussing cuts 00:32:32.936 --> 00:32:35.996 A:middle with in-home support services, and Ed was there. 00:32:36.536 --> 00:32:41.326 A:middle And Ed said, tell the Governor I was here. 00:32:43.146 --> 00:32:46.276 A:middle He said, I know the Governor, you tell him I was here. 00:32:46.956 --> 00:32:51.256 A:middle And it never really occurred to me that as a person 00:32:51.256 --> 00:32:55.696 A:middle with a disability, I could know the Governor. 00:32:56.156 --> 00:33:00.126 A:middle I mean, not just meet the Governor casually, 00:33:00.126 --> 00:33:02.866 A:middle but actually go up in front of a microphone and say, 00:33:03.336 --> 00:33:04.996 A:middle you tell the Governor I was here. 00:33:05.536 --> 00:33:10.476 A:middle I was still fairly young in my advocacy, 00:33:11.106 --> 00:33:16.706 A:middle and I remember what a profound moment that was to realize that, 00:33:16.706 --> 00:33:21.386 A:middle yeah, someday, I can -- I can really meet the governor 00:33:21.386 --> 00:33:24.346 A:middle and perhaps say, you know, tell the governor I was here. 00:33:24.876 --> 00:33:27.826 A:middle And you know, from there I went to serve on a couple 00:33:27.826 --> 00:33:34.496 A:middle of state positions and I met, among other people 00:33:34.886 --> 00:33:36.586 A:middle in my life, two governors. 00:33:37.166 --> 00:33:43.906 A:middle And I don't know if I would have been as gutsy to like be 00:33:43.906 --> 00:33:49.506 A:middle where I am today if I hadn't really been profoundly affected 00:33:49.506 --> 00:33:54.006 A:middle by Ed's statement back then, tell the Governor I was here. 00:33:54.506 --> 00:33:56.876 A:middle Because remember people with disabilities, 00:33:56.876 --> 00:34:02.166 A:middle especially back then, were sort of brought up to sort 00:34:02.886 --> 00:34:06.926 A:middle of know your place, don't rock the boat, and you know, 00:34:07.346 --> 00:34:10.766 A:middle whatever you can -- if you need services, 00:34:10.766 --> 00:34:12.486 A:middle whatever you get is what you get. 00:34:12.486 --> 00:34:15.656 A:middle And it was really the first time that I realized 00:34:15.736 --> 00:34:17.856 A:middle that the sky was the limit. 00:34:18.686 --> 00:34:23.976 A:middle Paul was -- had a lot of the same values and said many 00:34:23.976 --> 00:34:27.706 A:middle of the same things, but he was probably vocal 00:34:27.706 --> 00:34:31.106 A:middle but also vocal in a quieter way. 00:34:31.756 --> 00:34:39.676 A:middle So he was more -- he would spend more time telling stories 00:34:39.676 --> 00:34:45.666 A:middle and kind of -- in kind of a more low-keyed approach, 00:34:45.726 --> 00:34:48.306 A:middle but they were both wonderful advocates, 00:34:48.826 --> 00:34:51.306 A:middle and they understood the importance 00:34:51.806 --> 00:34:56.946 A:middle of everyone being involved and everyone being treated equally, 00:34:56.946 --> 00:34:58.766 A:middle and everyone's voice being heard. 00:34:59.096 --> 00:35:04.176 A:middle But I remember about Paul was he was vocal, but when he talked 00:35:04.266 --> 00:35:09.746 A:middle to you one-on-one, it was more like an uncle or a -- 00:35:09.746 --> 00:35:12.586 A:middle a relative because he sort of had the kind 00:35:12.586 --> 00:35:14.926 A:middle of a laid back conversational approach. 00:35:15.476 --> 00:35:20.636 A:middle But also, I have -- I was on him on many panels over the -- 00:35:20.636 --> 00:35:23.826 A:middle with him as a panelist on many panels 00:35:23.826 --> 00:35:26.336 A:middle and he was also very direct, too. 00:35:26.336 --> 00:35:28.826 A:middle But they both had different styles. 00:35:29.576 --> 00:35:31.186 A:middle >> That was awesome. 00:35:31.436 --> 00:35:35.006 A:middle It's awesome you got to meet both of those guys and got 00:35:35.006 --> 00:35:38.686 A:middle to work with them, and like you said, be inspired by them. 00:35:38.686 --> 00:35:41.916 A:middle That's -- that's really cool to know somebody like that. 00:35:42.056 --> 00:35:44.176 A:middle It reminds me of me whenever I -- 00:35:44.176 --> 00:35:47.546 A:middle whenever I'm covering any sort of sports event, you know, 00:35:47.546 --> 00:35:49.496 A:middle and I see, you know, a photographer, 00:35:49.496 --> 00:35:52.426 A:middle the Associated Press, and I go up to him and ask them for tips, 00:35:52.426 --> 00:35:54.316 A:middle and they always kind of help me out. 00:35:54.436 --> 00:35:57.046 A:middle It's always something -- things that you remember. 00:35:57.736 --> 00:36:01.136 A:middle >> Yeah. And then after a while, you know, I mean, some -- 00:36:01.136 --> 00:36:06.456 A:middle some reporters let me, you know, oh that's that guy, you know, 00:36:06.456 --> 00:36:08.036 A:middle and some of them are like, really -- 00:36:08.376 --> 00:36:12.946 A:middle like I always wanted to meet, 00:36:13.176 --> 00:36:16.676 A:middle but unfortunately I never got to, although I was 00:36:16.676 --> 00:36:18.196 A:middle in Washington it a few times. 00:36:18.636 --> 00:36:20.086 A:middle But there were several people 00:36:20.086 --> 00:36:22.576 A:middle with the Washington press corps I always wanted to meet 00:36:22.576 --> 00:36:25.446 A:middle because I thought it would be fun to -- 00:36:25.536 --> 00:36:31.776 A:middle to meet like Tim Russert, but never got a chance too. 00:36:31.776 --> 00:36:35.446 A:middle But, you know, I went to the signing of the ADA and did get 00:36:35.446 --> 00:36:41.276 A:middle to meet Tom Harkin, and Bob Dole, and several people, so. 00:36:41.466 --> 00:36:45.816 A:middle You know, it happens. 00:36:46.286 --> 00:36:48.826 A:middle You'll meet people at the right time, I guess. 00:36:49.646 --> 00:36:51.216 A:middle >> Yeah. That's the way -- that's the way I -- 00:36:51.216 --> 00:36:52.906 A:middle I like to look at it too. 00:36:53.546 --> 00:36:56.816 A:middle Now can you tell me a little bit about kind of your daily -- 00:36:57.826 --> 00:37:01.076 A:middle your daily routine, maybe? 00:37:01.456 --> 00:37:04.136 A:middle Maybe you can start off from when you first wake 00:37:04.136 --> 00:37:05.766 A:middle up till you come back home. 00:37:06.596 --> 00:37:08.006 A:middle >> Well, let's see. 00:37:08.596 --> 00:37:12.316 A:middle My daily routine, it kind of runs -- 00:37:12.316 --> 00:37:14.126 A:middle I'm married to my beautiful wife, Jennifer, 00:37:14.126 --> 00:37:16.796 A:middle and we have a dog, Latte. 00:37:17.006 --> 00:37:20.576 A:middle So wake up in the morning -- they have to wake up with me, 00:37:20.576 --> 00:37:23.876 A:middle too, because I have home health folks that come in. 00:37:24.346 --> 00:37:26.236 A:middle And sometimes, if it's early morning, 00:37:26.236 --> 00:37:28.016 A:middle Jennifer even helps get me up. 00:37:28.486 --> 00:37:32.606 A:middle And, you know, start the morning routine working 00:37:32.606 --> 00:37:35.246 A:middle with home health folks to get up and make sure 00:37:35.246 --> 00:37:38.486 A:middle that I'm reasonably presentable, and then I usually, 00:37:38.846 --> 00:37:41.416 A:middle most of the time, ride the bus into work. 00:37:41.416 --> 00:37:46.116 A:middle It's about an hour and a half trip from Novato. 00:37:46.396 --> 00:37:50.936 A:middle It was a lot quicker when I took BART to work, 00:37:51.026 --> 00:37:52.676 A:middle but when I lived in Berkley. 00:37:52.676 --> 00:37:56.476 A:middle But it's a longer commute in Novato, and I'm always sort 00:37:56.476 --> 00:37:58.026 A:middle of a little groggy in the morning. 00:37:58.496 --> 00:38:02.436 A:middle And usually, we'll listen to some music on the way 00:38:02.436 --> 00:38:05.266 A:middle into work on my cell phone. 00:38:05.446 --> 00:38:08.666 A:middle And -- and you know, we start to work -- 00:38:08.666 --> 00:38:12.226 A:middle usually get to work around 8 or 8:30, after I stop 00:38:12.226 --> 00:38:13.796 A:middle for coffee at Starbucks. 00:38:14.276 --> 00:38:17.006 A:middle And then, just kind of -- 00:38:17.256 --> 00:38:20.026 A:middle there's always a lot of things to do. 00:38:20.186 --> 00:38:25.376 A:middle At [inaudible], advocacy never stops, and besides working 00:38:25.376 --> 00:38:28.536 A:middle on advocacy issues on more of a systemic level, 00:38:29.186 --> 00:38:33.936 A:middle sometimes people need individual advocacy services, 00:38:33.936 --> 00:38:35.206 A:middle so I do that, too. 00:38:35.206 --> 00:38:39.606 A:middle And so I stay pretty busy and work on a number 00:38:39.606 --> 00:38:41.596 A:middle of different projects for the agency. 00:38:42.726 --> 00:38:48.106 A:middle And then I sort of do the reverse going home. 00:38:48.206 --> 00:38:53.916 A:middle >> Right. And can you tell me about maybe some of the things 00:38:53.916 --> 00:38:55.196 A:middle that you see the most often -- 00:38:55.316 --> 00:38:57.476 A:middle some of the issues you see most often that people have, 00:38:58.316 --> 00:39:00.006 A:middle that they need help with? 00:39:01.716 --> 00:39:03.246 A:middle >> Well, people need help with, 00:39:04.126 --> 00:39:06.396 A:middle sometimes it's a transportation issue. 00:39:06.996 --> 00:39:13.206 A:middle There's a issue going on right now where Muni has, 00:39:13.206 --> 00:39:17.936 A:middle on some of their new buses, they're configured in such a way 00:39:17.936 --> 00:39:21.506 A:middle that people who need to straighten their leg 00:39:21.506 --> 00:39:23.236 A:middle to ride the bus, there's some folks 00:39:23.236 --> 00:39:24.486 A:middle that aren't able to do that. 00:39:24.606 --> 00:39:31.546 A:middle So I'm working with -- or we're working with [inaudible] Muni, 00:39:31.546 --> 00:39:34.316 A:middle which is our fixed bus route system, 00:39:34.316 --> 00:39:35.916 A:middle to see what we can do to resolve that. 00:39:36.426 --> 00:39:40.246 A:middle There's issue with BARK right now, and the purchase 00:39:40.246 --> 00:39:44.316 A:middle of their cars of the future that actually have a pole 00:39:44.316 --> 00:39:47.596 A:middle in the middle of the path of travel that passengers hang 00:39:47.596 --> 00:39:51.236 A:middle on to, but it's right in the middle of the path of travel 00:39:51.236 --> 00:39:56.916 A:middle for the -- for a person using a -- a wheelchair or a scooter. 00:39:56.916 --> 00:40:00.616 A:middle So what's going to happen during the commute is that folks 00:40:01.136 --> 00:40:05.786 A:middle who will -- who need to use the pole may be standing right 00:40:05.786 --> 00:40:08.246 A:middle in the middle of the accessible wheelchair position. 00:40:08.716 --> 00:40:15.456 A:middle Plus BART has removed one wheelchair accessible position 00:40:15.816 --> 00:40:22.406 A:middle from each car and there isn't enough access for service dogs. 00:40:23.016 --> 00:40:27.126 A:middle People in San Francisco, we do a lot of work around housing, too. 00:40:27.776 --> 00:40:32.536 A:middle The economy is such a way that rents in the city are going way 00:40:32.536 --> 00:40:35.256 A:middle up and they're going way up everywhere, 00:40:35.256 --> 00:40:36.726 A:middle but particularly in the city. 00:40:37.156 --> 00:40:41.666 A:middle It's about $3400 a month for a one bedroom, now. 00:40:43.326 --> 00:40:47.896 A:middle And so people are having difficulty with housing access 00:40:48.396 --> 00:40:53.196 A:middle and getting even basic services or even having access to food 00:40:53.196 --> 00:40:54.946 A:middle because they're spending so much in -- 00:40:55.466 --> 00:40:57.616 A:middle in rent and other basic needs. 00:40:58.126 --> 00:41:02.676 A:middle So we're working on that issue as well. 00:41:03.076 --> 00:41:07.906 A:middle And of course, you know, there's issues around people who want 00:41:08.116 --> 00:41:13.336 A:middle to live in the community who are still working on transitioning 00:41:13.336 --> 00:41:14.696 A:middle and trying to find housing. 00:41:14.806 --> 00:41:17.076 A:middle I work closely with our housing department on that. 00:41:17.656 --> 00:41:21.116 A:middle One of the issues that I'm working on right now is 00:41:21.116 --> 00:41:24.816 A:middle that in a lot of San Francisco public housing, 00:41:25.246 --> 00:41:30.076 A:middle whether it's Housing Authority properties or -- 00:41:30.076 --> 00:41:33.626 A:middle or private housing, that are single room occupancies 00:41:33.626 --> 00:41:38.726 A:middle and other types of -- of public housing is, some elevators 00:41:38.726 --> 00:41:44.146 A:middle that have been out of service or complexes or housing 00:41:44.146 --> 00:41:46.256 A:middle that hasn't been properly maintained. 00:41:46.776 --> 00:41:49.836 A:middle So we're trying to figure out how to deal with that issue 00:41:49.836 --> 00:41:52.876 A:middle and make sure that there is enough teeth 00:41:53.376 --> 00:41:57.426 A:middle in the local ordinances that the building department can actually 00:41:57.426 --> 00:42:00.886 A:middle go out and cite a building owner 00:42:00.936 --> 00:42:05.416 A:middle for not having a working elevator and have 00:42:05.726 --> 00:42:08.516 A:middle that citation carry some teeth to get it fixed. 00:42:09.216 --> 00:42:11.706 A:middle So there's a lot of things going on in this city. 00:42:11.706 --> 00:42:14.806 A:middle >> Yeah. That's busy, busy city. 00:42:15.316 --> 00:42:21.076 A:middle We're actually -- for another class, I'm working on a project 00:42:21.076 --> 00:42:23.826 A:middle that has to do with the, you know, 24th and the Mission 00:42:23.826 --> 00:42:26.906 A:middle and how, you know, that rent's going way up just as, you know, 00:42:27.076 --> 00:42:28.916 A:middle the rest of the city, and a lot 00:42:28.916 --> 00:42:32.126 A:middle of people have been living are being displaced because of that. 00:42:32.126 --> 00:42:32.636 A:middle >> Oh, I know. 00:42:32.636 --> 00:42:36.716 A:middle I mean, I actually looked, you know, between my wife and I, 00:42:36.756 --> 00:42:38.936 A:middle we both make a pretty good income. 00:42:39.386 --> 00:42:41.836 A:middle And I looked in the city because we both work there. 00:42:42.376 --> 00:42:44.826 A:middle But it's really -- the rents are way too high. 00:42:45.306 --> 00:42:49.236 A:middle And I know people in the city have been displaced 00:42:49.236 --> 00:42:50.966 A:middle who lived there for many years. 00:42:51.416 --> 00:42:57.196 A:middle They've had to go to other areas -- Concord, Antioch, even Marin, 00:42:57.306 --> 00:43:02.206 A:middle which, you know, Marin needs to be, you know, 00:43:02.206 --> 00:43:05.376 A:middle considered really high rent now compared to the city. 00:43:05.796 --> 00:43:07.956 A:middle It's -- it's not that high. 00:43:08.546 --> 00:43:13.176 A:middle But there's people that have lived in San Francisco for years 00:43:13.176 --> 00:43:15.366 A:middle and years and years for generations who -- 00:43:15.826 --> 00:43:17.436 A:middle who now have lost their housing 00:43:17.866 --> 00:43:20.836 A:middle and can't find housing unless they go 00:43:21.036 --> 00:43:25.786 A:middle into a shared living situation or they move out to [inaudible] 00:43:26.286 --> 00:43:28.876 A:middle across the county or maybe Oakland. 00:43:29.396 --> 00:43:34.606 A:middle So San Francisco's really losing a lot of long-term, 00:43:34.606 --> 00:43:36.586 A:middle multi-generational residents. 00:43:37.796 --> 00:43:42.676 A:middle >> Right. Can you tell me how did you meet your wife? 00:43:43.066 --> 00:43:44.676 A:middle >> We actually met in high school. 00:43:45.056 --> 00:43:48.886 A:middle I am -- although she says I planned it, 00:43:49.726 --> 00:43:51.846 A:middle my wheelchair used to breakdown a lot. 00:43:51.846 --> 00:43:53.276 A:middle There was some steep ramps 00:43:53.766 --> 00:43:58.456 A:middle and I had an old Everson Jennings traveler wheelchair 00:43:58.456 --> 00:44:05.236 A:middle and I would go to see her by her locker and my -- 00:44:06.216 --> 00:44:08.606 A:middle I would always get stuck on this one ramp 00:44:08.606 --> 00:44:09.926 A:middle when she was walking by, 00:44:09.926 --> 00:44:14.986 A:middle so she would always push me up the ramp. 00:44:14.986 --> 00:44:19.316 A:middle And she's wonderful and does so much for me, it means so much. 00:44:20.336 --> 00:44:25.636 A:middle But one of the things that attracted me even back then, 00:44:25.636 --> 00:44:28.646 A:middle and maybe I even decided back then I wanted to marry her. 00:44:29.096 --> 00:44:32.236 A:middle But I really wasn't encouraged to really go out 00:44:32.236 --> 00:44:33.916 A:middle and date in high school. 00:44:33.916 --> 00:44:36.746 A:middle And again, your parents had to take you pretty much everywhere. 00:44:37.196 --> 00:44:39.116 A:middle So I didn't tell her for years 00:44:39.116 --> 00:44:42.316 A:middle until we got reconnected on Facebook. 00:44:42.816 --> 00:44:48.216 A:middle But she would always, you know, treat me just like anyone else 00:44:49.166 --> 00:44:54.276 A:middle and -- and back then, that transition was difficult for me 00:44:54.826 --> 00:44:59.186 A:middle because before Novato High School, I did go to one year 00:44:59.186 --> 00:45:04.346 A:middle in junior high but only half a day and I was gone by lunchtime, 00:45:04.346 --> 00:45:10.116 A:middle so I didn't really get a chance to network with kids my own age. 00:45:10.576 --> 00:45:14.246 A:middle So high school was a really sort of new and scary experience. 00:45:14.726 --> 00:45:21.106 A:middle Plus, while I'm pretty caught up in that now, back then, 00:45:21.526 --> 00:45:23.906 A:middle education wasn't really that great 00:45:23.906 --> 00:45:29.936 A:middle for people coming out of Marin Del. 00:45:29.936 --> 00:45:33.296 A:middle Although Marin Del did what they could, 00:45:33.406 --> 00:45:38.336 A:middle I had some major learning disabilities around math 00:45:38.336 --> 00:45:42.806 A:middle and reading, and I really wasn't up to the standards 00:45:43.786 --> 00:45:46.576 A:middle of the kids my own age. 00:45:46.576 --> 00:45:48.636 A:middle So it took a lot of work to get caught up, 00:45:48.636 --> 00:45:53.376 A:middle and so sometimes it was hard to fit in and she treated me 00:45:53.376 --> 00:45:55.016 A:middle like just anyone else, so. 00:45:55.786 --> 00:45:56.976 A:middle And here we are today. 00:45:56.976 --> 00:45:58.096 A:middle She's lovely. 00:45:58.476 --> 00:46:00.026 A:middle She works very hard. 00:46:00.486 --> 00:46:06.316 A:middle And she worked all night last night, so she's resting, 00:46:06.316 --> 00:46:07.756 A:middle which is well-deserved today. 00:46:08.456 --> 00:46:09.116 A:middle >> Absolutely. 00:46:09.246 --> 00:46:09.866 A:middle Absolutely. 00:46:10.116 --> 00:46:12.686 A:middle You got to -- you got to -- you got to catch up on the Z's. 00:46:13.166 --> 00:46:14.716 A:middle I know that's how I feel right now. 00:46:15.516 --> 00:46:18.266 A:middle >> She's -- she's a quiet force in my life. 00:46:18.356 --> 00:46:21.666 A:middle I'm more of the -- I've got -- I'm kind of the more, 00:46:21.666 --> 00:46:24.116 A:middle you know, be in the lime light. 00:46:24.116 --> 00:46:29.516 A:middle She's -- she's -- does a lot but she does her work quietly. 00:46:30.046 --> 00:46:33.256 A:middle But it's still important work. 00:46:33.376 --> 00:46:34.426 A:middle >> Yeah. No, it is. 00:46:34.426 --> 00:46:37.216 A:middle It is. It's the same thing with my girlfriend. 00:46:37.216 --> 00:46:40.426 A:middle She's kind of really quiet, you know, and I'm kind of just more 00:46:40.426 --> 00:46:42.546 A:middle of the outgoing kind of personality. 00:46:42.996 --> 00:46:47.196 A:middle So she's kind of my balance, as well. 00:46:47.866 --> 00:46:48.576 A:middle >> She's good. 00:46:48.576 --> 00:46:52.016 A:middle She makes sure I don't go too far one way or the, you know. 00:46:52.376 --> 00:46:52.786 A:middle >> Exactly. 00:46:52.786 --> 00:46:53.656 A:middle >> So yeah, so she's -- 00:46:54.526 --> 00:46:55.336 A:middle >> Keeps you in check. 00:46:55.456 --> 00:46:56.116 A:middle >> Yeah. 00:46:56.116 --> 00:47:01.036 A:middle >> If you could just kind of tell me a little bit more 00:47:01.036 --> 00:47:02.876 A:middle about how -- how you guys reconnected. 00:47:02.876 --> 00:47:06.266 A:middle How -- how long of a -- of a window was there? 00:47:06.266 --> 00:47:09.006 A:middle >> There was a 27-year gap. 00:47:09.006 --> 00:47:11.356 A:middle We actually got reconnected on Facebook. 00:47:12.446 --> 00:47:14.996 A:middle So I told her how I felt and we got married. 00:47:15.076 --> 00:47:18.416 A:middle So it's a really wonderful love story and it was great to -- 00:47:18.786 --> 00:47:24.206 A:middle grateful to have her in my life because she really does add 00:47:24.646 --> 00:47:30.016 A:middle so much [coughing] -- she really does add a great deal 00:47:30.016 --> 00:47:31.656 A:middle to my life and she's wonderful. 00:47:32.806 --> 00:47:36.966 A:middle And she puts up with me and most people know 00:47:37.096 --> 00:47:40.806 A:middle that I am very direct and very outspoken. 00:47:40.886 --> 00:47:44.896 A:middle So sometimes putting up with me can be -- is very difficult, 00:47:44.896 --> 00:47:48.666 A:middle I'm sure -- I'm sure she would have many stories [inaudible]. 00:47:49.046 --> 00:47:53.626 A:middle She, you know -- but, you know, she's a terrific balance 00:47:53.626 --> 00:47:55.136 A:middle and a wonderful person, and -- 00:47:55.656 --> 00:47:58.616 A:middle >> Right. Did you -- do you remember what -- what -- what -- 00:47:58.906 --> 00:48:00.496 A:middle did you -- did you find her? 00:48:00.496 --> 00:48:02.846 A:middle Did you look -- look her up on Facebook, or? 00:48:02.846 --> 00:48:06.086 A:middle >> I've been trying to find her in phone books. 00:48:06.086 --> 00:48:08.686 A:middle She lived around San Diego, so I was actually trying 00:48:08.686 --> 00:48:10.776 A:middle to find her via the phone book. 00:48:10.776 --> 00:48:14.416 A:middle And then in -- what was it 2009? 00:48:14.416 --> 00:48:17.396 A:middle she found me on Facebook, so we started from there. 00:48:18.076 --> 00:48:22.466 A:middle But I used to travel and, you know, I served on state boards 00:48:22.786 --> 00:48:26.696 A:middle and I think I was on one of the state boards sometime 00:48:26.696 --> 00:48:27.566 A:middle and every time I would -- 00:48:28.076 --> 00:48:30.986 A:middle I would go to San Diego where I knew she was from, 00:48:30.986 --> 00:48:32.566 A:middle I would look up her name. 00:48:32.626 --> 00:48:33.956 A:middle And I called a bunch of people 00:48:33.956 --> 00:48:35.846 A:middle with the same name, but it was never her. 00:48:36.276 --> 00:48:41.346 A:middle Only to find out that she'd, you know, lived out of the country 00:48:41.346 --> 00:48:46.346 A:middle for a while and had a, you know, was not actually 00:48:46.346 --> 00:48:48.116 A:middle where I thought she was, so. 00:48:48.976 --> 00:48:54.736 A:middle But -- and so we got reconnected and the rest is history. 00:48:54.826 --> 00:48:57.006 A:middle >> Yeah. Good for you guys. 00:48:57.206 --> 00:48:57.766 A:middle That's awesome. 00:48:57.946 --> 00:49:01.116 A:middle Do you remember what you tell -- what you told her on Facebook? 00:49:01.116 --> 00:49:03.446 A:middle What -- what -- how'd you -- how'd you do it? 00:49:03.446 --> 00:49:07.036 A:middle >> Well, I just told her how I felt. 00:49:07.246 --> 00:49:10.456 A:middle And then we just started dating from there. 00:49:10.896 --> 00:49:12.946 A:middle And I really appreciated the fact 00:49:12.946 --> 00:49:17.286 A:middle that she really did treat me just like any other student 00:49:17.286 --> 00:49:19.986 A:middle and we used to -- we never really dated 00:49:20.836 --> 00:49:24.796 A:middle because I really wasn't really allowed -- well, I -- 00:49:25.046 --> 00:49:30.816 A:middle my parents didn't really encourage that so much. 00:49:30.816 --> 00:49:34.916 A:middle My mom was more supportive, but I lived with my dad at the time, 00:49:34.916 --> 00:49:37.286 A:middle and you know, parents are sometimes worried 00:49:37.286 --> 00:49:43.446 A:middle about their kids and sometimes rightfully so, but although I 00:49:43.446 --> 00:49:46.416 A:middle like to think I made pretty good decisions in my life. 00:49:46.416 --> 00:49:51.306 A:middle But as -- as independent as my parents wanted me to be, 00:49:51.676 --> 00:49:54.656 A:middle they're, you know, your parents are always your parents. 00:49:55.366 --> 00:49:59.146 A:middle So it really wasn't encouraged so I really didn't get a chance 00:49:59.146 --> 00:50:02.666 A:middle to tell her and -- and really didn't start really dating 00:50:02.666 --> 00:50:06.136 A:middle and dating until after I moved out and lived independently, so. 00:50:06.726 --> 00:50:08.946 A:middle I mean, while I didn't tell her for many years 00:50:08.946 --> 00:50:12.726 A:middle and we lost contact and -- but I think the way it worked 00:50:12.726 --> 00:50:16.176 A:middle out was meant to be the way it worked out and so it was okay. 00:50:16.696 --> 00:50:19.636 A:middle And I don't mean to sound critical on my parents 00:50:19.636 --> 00:50:24.126 A:middle for not encouraging dating in high school 00:50:24.486 --> 00:50:28.016 A:middle because that was a different time then, and I think one 00:50:28.016 --> 00:50:30.286 A:middle of the things that's important too to remember, 00:50:30.586 --> 00:50:34.796 A:middle as we tell old stories about how life was like, 00:50:35.506 --> 00:50:38.446 A:middle that that was a whole generation ago. 00:50:38.446 --> 00:50:40.226 A:middle And this is where we take stock 00:50:40.736 --> 00:50:42.536 A:middle and realize how far we've gotten. 00:50:43.086 --> 00:50:46.846 A:middle >> Can you give us, like, was there any other children 00:50:47.226 --> 00:50:49.556 A:middle that were the same ages as you? 00:50:49.836 --> 00:50:52.616 A:middle >> I remember kids, I don't remember their names. 00:50:52.616 --> 00:50:59.186 A:middle I mean, but I remember I was there, but we -- 00:50:59.186 --> 00:51:02.876 A:middle our group was -- there were kids with me 00:51:03.296 --> 00:51:07.956 A:middle because we went as a group. 00:51:08.666 --> 00:51:16.386 A:middle So we were all -- we were all involved and many of us -- 00:51:16.736 --> 00:51:21.756 A:middle I only understood at the time a fraction of what I know now. 00:51:22.636 --> 00:51:25.776 A:middle So I think when you talk about the legacy of 504 00:51:26.036 --> 00:51:28.796 A:middle for me is it was the building blocks 00:51:28.796 --> 00:51:34.116 A:middle for really disability rights as we have it today. 00:51:35.006 --> 00:51:40.326 A:middle And I -- I remember how difficult it was for me 00:51:40.826 --> 00:51:47.186 A:middle when I was younger, and I'm thankful for everyone 00:51:47.686 --> 00:51:52.436 A:middle that participated in 504 and, especially everyone 00:51:52.436 --> 00:51:55.566 A:middle that was inside and everyone who supported the people inside, 00:51:56.056 --> 00:52:01.496 A:middle because as an adult, I'm not sure if I would have gotten 00:52:01.886 --> 00:52:05.586 A:middle as far as I have if it wasn't for those folks 00:52:05.586 --> 00:52:07.916 A:middle who did that first step. 00:52:08.226 --> 00:52:11.516 A:middle >> Right. Let's see. 00:52:14.776 --> 00:52:19.706 A:middle What -- what lasting impact does 504 have for collaborating -- 00:52:19.976 --> 00:52:22.786 A:middle for collaboration among social justice movements 00:52:23.256 --> 00:52:26.236 A:middle since 504 was supported, you know, by the Black Panthers 00:52:26.236 --> 00:52:29.736 A:middle and Cesar Chavez and other people like that? 00:52:30.326 --> 00:52:34.406 A:middle >> Well, I think the -- the -- what we need to do is we need 00:52:34.406 --> 00:52:37.616 A:middle to bring -- although we have a lot of collaborations 00:52:37.616 --> 00:52:41.676 A:middle with various communities now, we need to really bring back 00:52:41.676 --> 00:52:48.496 A:middle that collaboration between various groups -- churches. 00:52:49.696 --> 00:52:52.546 A:middle We need to bring that back more forcefully 00:52:53.136 --> 00:52:56.186 A:middle through the groups that are today. 00:52:56.186 --> 00:53:01.536 A:middle Although we do have strong ties within the LGBT community 00:53:01.536 --> 00:53:05.146 A:middle and many other communities, we, in my view, 00:53:05.146 --> 00:53:10.316 A:middle don't have the cohesiveness where we all work together 00:53:10.316 --> 00:53:12.166 A:middle on issues all of the time. 00:53:12.876 --> 00:53:18.486 A:middle And also, sometimes, disability rights gets a little fragmented. 00:53:19.046 --> 00:53:26.756 A:middle And I think what was successful about 504 and the ADA was that, 00:53:27.216 --> 00:53:30.906 A:middle for that brief time, everyone really worked together 00:53:31.256 --> 00:53:37.706 A:middle on one goal so we, you know, we were able to get it done, 00:53:37.706 --> 00:53:42.356 A:middle climb the mountain and achieve two great outcomes 00:53:42.356 --> 00:53:43.986 A:middle that have lasting effects. 00:53:44.426 --> 00:53:50.186 A:middle We need to galvanize folks again, work more with churches 00:53:50.186 --> 00:53:53.636 A:middle and other groups -- other civil rights groups, 00:53:54.006 --> 00:53:56.106 A:middle and really find common bonds. 00:53:56.806 --> 00:54:02.426 A:middle And also, we need to do a better job with the media. 00:54:03.046 --> 00:54:08.326 A:middle The media hasn't really, in my view, lately, 00:54:08.326 --> 00:54:13.696 A:middle supported disability rights as much as they should or even -- 00:54:14.286 --> 00:54:19.556 A:middle I remember one of the people that was -- 00:54:19.556 --> 00:54:25.766 A:middle who covered 504 extensively was Evan White from KRON-TV, 00:54:25.766 --> 00:54:27.836 A:middle although I think he was with channel 7, 00:54:28.236 --> 00:54:30.136 A:middle back in the '70s, KGO. 00:54:30.956 --> 00:54:35.946 A:middle And he was sort of, into the '80s and '90s, or early '90s, 00:54:36.266 --> 00:54:38.336 A:middle the disability rights reporter. 00:54:38.766 --> 00:54:40.816 A:middle He was the one that we all went 00:54:40.816 --> 00:54:44.256 A:middle to when we had stories on disability rights. 00:54:44.256 --> 00:54:49.446 A:middle There were others, too, but he was the main one that, you know, 00:54:49.446 --> 00:54:52.946 A:middle I used to call and pitch something going on 00:54:52.946 --> 00:54:54.276 A:middle and he'd always be there. 00:54:54.766 --> 00:54:56.736 A:middle We need more people like that. 00:54:57.446 --> 00:55:02.936 A:middle We need people who will tell our stories and we have 00:55:02.976 --> 00:55:06.316 A:middle to do a better job of networking with the media 00:55:06.746 --> 00:55:09.896 A:middle because we're losing that edge through a lot 00:55:09.896 --> 00:55:12.056 A:middle of what you see now in the legislature. 00:55:12.796 --> 00:55:19.266 A:middle The proposed overtime gap for home healthcare workers 00:55:19.266 --> 00:55:21.626 A:middle that work under the state's Medicaid 00:55:21.626 --> 00:55:23.506 A:middle and home support services program. 00:55:23.836 --> 00:55:28.306 A:middle The -- some of the -- 00:55:28.696 --> 00:55:34.856 A:middle the notification rules for filing access complaints 00:55:34.856 --> 00:55:39.266 A:middle or even lawsuits as part of Title 24, 00:55:39.266 --> 00:55:45.596 A:middle which is the California -- California Code of Regulations 00:55:46.096 --> 00:55:49.556 A:middle that deals with disability access for state law. 00:55:50.086 --> 00:55:56.296 A:middle And also, we're seeing some backwards movement as far 00:55:56.296 --> 00:56:00.926 A:middle as the number of disability rights issue. 00:56:00.926 --> 00:56:04.306 A:middle We need -- we need to get that going forward again. 00:56:05.186 --> 00:56:12.456 A:middle It's sort of getting almost acceptable for people 00:56:12.456 --> 00:56:16.496 A:middle to make comments that are derogatory 00:56:16.496 --> 00:56:18.256 A:middle of disability rights in the media. 00:56:18.736 --> 00:56:24.686 A:middle Where -- while we have more laws now, as I recall back in -- 00:56:25.486 --> 00:56:29.976 A:middle back years ago, that wasn't really allowed as much 00:56:30.676 --> 00:56:33.646 A:middle and now it seems to me to be a little more prevalent. 00:56:34.036 --> 00:56:36.216 A:middle Maybe it's just me, but it's how I feel. 00:56:38.006 --> 00:56:41.006 A:middle >> So Mendoza, is that [inaudible] heritage, or -- 00:56:42.466 --> 00:56:43.536 A:middle are your parents [inaudible crosstalk]? 00:56:43.816 --> 00:56:47.746 A:middle >> Yeah. My -- my great -- my grandfather was from Spain. 00:56:48.596 --> 00:56:48.946 A:middle >> Okay. 00:56:49.306 --> 00:56:51.296 A:middle >> His name was Julius Mendoza. 00:56:52.036 --> 00:57:00.416 A:middle And then my -- my grandfather, was born in Mexico and they -- 00:57:00.706 --> 00:57:06.206 A:middle they -- my -- my grandparents, or my grandfather 00:57:06.206 --> 00:57:13.496 A:middle and his family came to the U.S. in the early twentieth century, 00:57:13.496 --> 00:57:16.456 A:middle and here we are in the -- my -- my -- 00:57:16.456 --> 00:57:22.446 A:middle on the other side of the family, they're English and Welch. 00:57:23.846 --> 00:57:25.376 A:middle >> Okay. Wow, so -- 00:57:25.376 --> 00:57:27.616 A:middle >> So one side was Mendoza. 00:57:27.616 --> 00:57:29.206 A:middle The other side was Owen. 00:57:30.706 --> 00:57:31.356 A:middle >> That's cool. 00:57:32.046 --> 00:57:32.586 A:middle That's cool. 00:57:32.586 --> 00:57:33.926 A:middle So you were born in Mexico, you said? 00:57:34.356 --> 00:57:35.316 A:middle >> No. I was born here. 00:57:35.406 --> 00:57:35.896 A:middle >> Oh, okay. 00:57:35.996 --> 00:57:37.916 A:middle >> My grandfather was born in Mexico. 00:57:38.276 --> 00:57:38.656 A:middle >> Okay. I see. 00:57:39.056 --> 00:57:45.886 A:middle So the last question is pretty much -- is there -- 00:57:45.886 --> 00:57:49.326 A:middle do you think there's a -- 00:57:49.486 --> 00:57:52.276 A:middle a race issue within the disability community, as well? 00:57:52.276 --> 00:57:56.456 A:middle Like is there -- is that sort of a problem, or? 00:57:56.836 --> 00:58:00.436 A:middle >> Well, I mean, we know that we -- 00:58:00.946 --> 00:58:06.956 A:middle the disability rights movement hasn't paid as much attention 00:58:06.956 --> 00:58:12.266 A:middle as it should over issues of color or issues 00:58:12.266 --> 00:58:13.646 A:middle of color and disability. 00:58:15.126 --> 00:58:18.406 A:middle Within the disability rights movement are several 00:58:19.606 --> 00:58:22.336 A:middle communities, for lack of a better term, 00:58:22.806 --> 00:58:29.286 A:middle and we need to bring the issues of people with color 00:58:29.716 --> 00:58:32.066 A:middle and disabilities in the forefront. 00:58:33.486 --> 00:58:37.086 A:middle We need to be more accepting of, not only people of color 00:58:37.086 --> 00:58:41.416 A:middle with disabilities, but people who are LGBT, 00:58:41.636 --> 00:58:45.746 A:middle or whatever they bring to the table as -- 00:58:46.536 --> 00:58:49.566 A:middle because each person is valued. 00:58:50.796 --> 00:58:55.136 A:middle And -- and the disability rights movement -- 00:58:56.316 --> 00:58:59.216 A:middle none of us has a cookie cutter approach 00:58:59.666 --> 00:59:01.546 A:middle as to what works for everybody. 00:59:02.016 --> 00:59:03.966 A:middle So we have to be more inclusive. 00:59:05.026 --> 00:59:09.346 A:middle You know, there's been a -- a lot of, you know, there's -- 00:59:10.266 --> 00:59:15.406 A:middle for example, if you talk to people who are -- 00:59:15.616 --> 00:59:16.376 A:middle who are part 00:59:16.376 --> 00:59:20.016 A:middle of the self-advocacy movement would support folks 00:59:20.066 --> 00:59:23.106 A:middle with intellectual disabilities in their families. 00:59:24.236 --> 00:59:27.056 A:middle They don't sometimes feel accepted by the -- 00:59:27.526 --> 00:59:29.746 A:middle the mainstream disability rights movement. 00:59:30.226 --> 00:59:36.806 A:middle And so there -- there are some kind of divisions 00:59:36.806 --> 00:59:40.586 A:middle between our community that we need to really work together 00:59:40.586 --> 00:59:48.006 A:middle so that we speak -- that we speak with a strong voice 00:59:48.396 --> 00:59:51.556 A:middle but also allow for differences within our community. 00:59:51.966 --> 00:59:56.636 A:middle Not that they compromise rights or compromise access to, 00:59:57.376 --> 01:00:00.216 A:middle but that -- that allow everyone to have a voice 01:00:01.206 --> 01:00:03.226 A:middle and to be accepted where they come from. 01:00:04.186 --> 01:00:07.476 A:middle >> Right. And -- sorry I forgot one question. 01:00:07.646 --> 01:00:10.776 A:middle And it's -- can you tell me what's -- 01:00:10.776 --> 01:00:13.166 A:middle what's your disability and -- 01:00:13.326 --> 01:00:15.106 A:middle >> My disability is Cerebral Palsy. 01:00:15.536 --> 01:00:18.706 A:middle I also have a lower leg amputation below the knees -- 01:00:19.376 --> 01:00:20.756 A:middle below the left knee. 01:00:21.866 --> 01:00:26.706 A:middle >> Okay. And Cerebral Palsy is a -- a congenital disability? 01:00:26.706 --> 01:00:28.656 A:middle >> It's -- it comes under the -- 01:00:28.656 --> 01:00:32.406 A:middle the family of developmental disabilities. 01:00:32.406 --> 01:00:34.156 A:middle It's the part of the brain 01:00:34.156 --> 01:00:40.356 A:middle that controls your muscle movement doesn't get the 01:00:40.356 --> 01:00:41.206 A:middle signals down. 01:00:41.256 --> 01:00:45.506 A:middle So I -- it's the cerebrum, the messages don't get through. 01:00:46.126 --> 01:00:52.186 A:middle And so, for example, I only have partial use of my left arm 01:00:52.186 --> 01:00:57.256 A:middle and my right arm, I can hold things and grasp things, 01:00:57.506 --> 01:01:03.976 A:middle but it's, you know, my left hand is the primary hand 01:01:03.976 --> 01:01:05.346 A:middle that do things with. 01:01:05.346 --> 01:01:07.696 A:middle And, for the most part, I mean, 01:01:07.806 --> 01:01:14.346 A:middle while I think my disability is relevant, it really is, 01:01:14.596 --> 01:01:17.446 A:middle you know, only a part of who I am, too. 01:01:18.096 --> 01:01:19.896 A:middle And that's a neat thing 01:01:22.426 --> 01:01:25.706 A:middle about disability rights that's important. 01:01:26.216 --> 01:01:29.926 A:middle It certainly -- disability brings you all together, 01:01:30.366 --> 01:01:35.946 A:middle but it's -- let me -- I'm going to do that one over. 01:01:35.946 --> 01:01:36.816 A:middle >> That's okay. 01:01:37.446 --> 01:01:40.046 A:middle Take your time. 01:01:40.586 --> 01:01:42.876 A:middle >> I'm going to start from the beginning of your question. 01:01:42.956 --> 01:01:43.046 A:middle >> Sure. 01:01:43.046 --> 01:01:45.256 A:middle >> My disability is Cerebral Palsy, which -- 01:01:45.466 --> 01:01:48.566 A:middle and I also have a leg amputation below the knee. 01:01:48.566 --> 01:01:51.786 A:middle I had an issue with melanoma for a while. 01:01:52.366 --> 01:01:55.796 A:middle And around that time, when they had to -- 01:01:55.796 --> 01:01:58.486 A:middle I found out about the melanoma about the same time they had 01:01:58.486 --> 01:02:01.626 A:middle to amputate my lower left leg. 01:02:01.626 --> 01:02:05.716 A:middle And so that's why I use home health. 01:02:05.716 --> 01:02:09.646 A:middle And I do -- my left arm works pretty well. 01:02:09.646 --> 01:02:13.116 A:middle The right arm, I can grasp things and things like that, 01:02:13.116 --> 01:02:15.596 A:middle but I do things primarily with my left arm, 01:02:16.236 --> 01:02:18.946 A:middle and use home health services for most 01:02:19.406 --> 01:02:22.386 A:middle of my activities of daily living. 01:02:22.586 --> 01:02:27.186 A:middle But I'm able to get around 01:02:27.186 --> 01:02:30.526 A:middle and lead a full life and a happy life. 01:02:30.706 --> 01:02:34.286 A:middle And I think what's important when you think 01:02:34.286 --> 01:02:40.156 A:middle about disability is that that's only part of who you are. 01:02:40.766 --> 01:02:42.216 A:middle There's so much more. 01:02:42.376 --> 01:02:46.506 A:middle You know, people ask about my disability and I tell them, 01:02:46.646 --> 01:02:48.566 A:middle but I want them to know that there's -- 01:02:49.016 --> 01:02:52.206 A:middle that's certainly an important part of, you know, 01:02:52.206 --> 01:02:55.136 A:middle disability rights is an important part of what I do 01:02:55.136 --> 01:02:59.276 A:middle and who I am, but when people ask about my disability, 01:02:59.276 --> 01:03:02.086 A:middle I want them to know that there's so much more to me. 01:03:02.086 --> 01:03:05.886 A:middle There's a person that loves music, loves -- 01:03:05.886 --> 01:03:08.856 A:middle you know, I'm a HAM radio operator. 01:03:08.856 --> 01:03:10.086 A:middle I love to talk to people. 01:03:10.086 --> 01:03:11.296 A:middle I've got the gift of gab. 01:03:11.886 --> 01:03:16.286 A:middle My wife and I appear on a TV show called Dance Party. 01:03:16.876 --> 01:03:18.736 A:middle We dress up and look crazy. 01:03:19.216 --> 01:03:22.576 A:middle We dress up with '80s clothes and '80s wigs and we go 01:03:22.576 --> 01:03:27.076 A:middle on the dance floor and have a good time. 01:03:27.076 --> 01:03:29.616 A:middle So there, you know, we are -- 01:03:30.026 --> 01:03:34.636 A:middle people with disabilities are part of a very rich community 01:03:35.366 --> 01:03:38.556 A:middle that brings so much to the table and that's why I'm so glad 01:03:38.556 --> 01:03:42.356 A:middle that we're honoring 504 today.