December 2005

A Message from the Committee Chair: Carolyn Herbst

Dear Colleagues:

Welcome back to the new school year.

Our committee leadership and the UFT leadership were very successful in getting disabilities accommodations for our members at the giant contract rally at Madison Square Garden last spring.

I want to take this opportunity to personally thank Randi Weingarten, Michael Mendel, Garry Sprung, and especially, our UFT committee liaison Eugene Rubin for all of their efforts and their good results. They were able to arrange with the Madison Square Garden staff and their disabilities coordinator for elevator service, special seating arrangements, signing interpreter (our own Beverly Warmbrand) and guards who knew how to politely and accurately direct people,

There was a defined route to the disability seating area on level ground close to the stage. Our members who were deaf or hard of hearing, blind or had limited sight, users of assistive animals and those who had mobility impairments were directed to elevators and whisked to the special seating on the arena floor level in either small elevators or a massively large one that could carry many people efficiently. It can be successfully done, even on short notice. Bravo!

We know our union leadership is hard at work to provide reasonable accommodations to our members so that they can fully partake in union and professional activities.

So as we start the new term, let us remember that we can be fully a part of union and work activities. Just ask for the reasonable accommodations that you need, and prove to yourself and the world that we are indeed capable.

Come to our programs and our meetings. Show your support. Receive our support. I wish you a healthy and happy year.