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Florida ADA Working Group Update and other items of interest

© Michael VanRanden

For those of you who live in Florida, I want you to understand the facts of the ADA in Florida. Our Governor, Jeb Bush has made the commitment to the disabled of Florida and has in no way watered down the ADA. Some of you have taken the road of least resistance and followed the groups in the State who are Bush Bashing. That is your right, however, you need all the facts before an informed choice can be made. Governor Bush does not control all the divisions of government. Some think so, but the truth is that like most States in the Union, Florida has the separation of powers not unlike the Federal Government.

Several things are happening and I will not go into all the ins and outs of the processes. If you have a question on the Governors position on any item, just email him and you will get an answer. Now for the ADA Working group meeting that took place in Orlando, FL. On November 1, 1999 the Working Group met for what seemed like a week. The Monday meeting was normal, but the Tuesday meeting did not let out until 8:45 PM. A long public forum was held and everyone who showed up got to speak if they choose.

New officers were elected and a few new committees were formed. One that I am most interested in is the Web Task Force. This group is empowered by the Governor to bring all State Agencies in line with the accepted format of total accessibility for all persons. This will prove a large task, but by no means impossible. This group also has the honor of designing the ADA Working Group's web site. Look for some great pages to be up and running in a very short time. Just for your information, this writer is the Chair for that Task Force. So, if you live in Florida and have suggestions, let me know. They will be placed in public record.

There are many things wrong in the area of disability. I hope and pray that through this medium I will gain more knowledge of the needs of my peers. One of the most interesting things this writer learned at this meeting is that the ADA form the feds, allows the State to make the rules and laws more stringent than the Federal Regulations. One of the great things in Florida is the disabled parking. This law in Florida exceeds the requirements of the Federal Statutes. All disabled parking in this State must comply.