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A Stand For Accessibility at 1701 Central

September 11, 2024

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Living with a physical disability has been a lifelong challenge, but I’ve always been determined to rise above the obstacles and live as independently as possible. However, my home at 1701 Central Ave has presented me with difficulties that no one should have to face in their own living space. I’m writing this to raise awareness about the significant accessibility issues in our building, as well as to ask for your support in ensuring that all residents—regardless of mobility—are treated with fairness and dignity.

A Daily Struggle

For some of us, the simple act of going through a door is far from easy. The doors in our building, which are not properly equipped for accessibility, have caused me intense physical pain, including pinched nerves. Every day, I have to push through pain to move around the building, and it’s more than just frustrating—it’s debilitating. The stress and discomfort are constant reminders that the building I call home is not designed to accommodate everyone.

I’ve reached out to management multiple times, asking for the accessibility updates that I—and many others—deserve. But instead of receiving the support and compassion that any resident should expect, I’ve been met with delays, denials, or no response at all.

Ignored, Denied, and Retaliated Against

The lack of response from management has been deeply disheartening. Instead of taking action, they’ve chosen to retaliate in petty and hurtful ways. From noise complaints lodged weeks after the fact to reprimands for my medical device temporarily being in the hallway, it seems that any request for accommodation is met with resistance and punishment. Even something as positive as hanging my artwork—an expression of hope and inspiration—was denied without any reasonable explanation.

The situation reached a breaking point when I requested to use the wheelchair lift at the pool, a feature that should be available to me without question. Rather than assisting, the property manager responded with aggression and made me feel as though I was asking for too much, when in reality, I was only asking for what is rightfully mine: equal access.

Asking for What We All Deserve

What I want is simple: the same access and rights that any resident at 1701 Central Ave should have. I’m not asking for special treatment; I’m asking for fairness. Accessible doors, wheelchair-friendly spaces, and reasonable accommodations are not luxuries—they are necessities. And as someone who deals with daily physical pain, including pinched nerves and the exhaustion of constantly fighting for my rights, this is about more than convenience. It’s about living with dignity.

I believe we can make this change happen, but I can’t do it alone. That’s why I’m asking for your support. Together, we can demand that the management at 1701 Central Ave take action to ensure that all residents, regardless of ability, have equal access to their own homes.

How You Can Help

Please sign my petition to update all the doors in our building so that they meet accessibility standards. By doing so, you’re not just helping me—you’re helping create a more inclusive environment for anyone who may face similar challenges in the future.

In addition to signing the petition, I encourage you to voice your concerns directly to management. Share your thoughts on the lack of accessibility and the need for change. We deserve to be heard, and together, we can make sure our message is clear: accessibility is a right, not a privilege.