To the editor:

I’m disabled and regularly visit Jaycee Park. I have several concerns about the new plans, especially regarding safety and accessibility for people with disabilities.

When I called the city parks and recreation department and asked to speak with someone about my concerns, I was told that everything meets ADA codes.

When I asked to speak with someone about specifics, I was told that everything was on the website and there’s no more information anyone could provide.

So I really wanted to speak at Wednesday’s city council meeting about ADA access and safety concerns with the new plans for Jaycee Park.

A few weeks ago, I attended my first Cape Coral City Council meeting but because of my disability, I needed someone to hold the microphone for me.

At that time, city staff gave my family a multiple page handout, that explained Cape Coral requires 48 hours notice for anyone with a disability to request assistance.

I just needed someone to hold a microphone. That could be a friend or family member, it didn’t require staff time or training or any kind of special skill. I thought that because the city staff wouldn’t need to help me, I wouldn’t need to give notice.

I called the City Clerk’s Office on Tuesday, just to give a heads up that I would be there, but not to worry, because I would have a helper and the city wouldn’t need to do anything special for me.

I was very surprised when I was told that I still needed to provide 48 hours’ notice.

I explained I didn’t need any help from staff, but she said “these are our policies and best practices. If we made an exception for one person, we’d have to make an exception for everyone.”

She kindly offered that if I arrived 15 minutes early, she would make sure I could speak.

So on Wednesday morning, when I had a transportation problem and couldn’t get there early, I gave up.

I understand needing notice if someone requires a sign language interpreter, or any changes to the meeting space, or a separate entrance. But I didn’t need that. The fact that I bring someone else to help me should not limit my participation.

ADA policies are supposed to ensure access for disabled people, not prevent, impede or limit access. But that does not seem to be the interpretation by Cape Coral city government.

I believe the city needs to have a disability advisory group, made up of residents with different disabilities, their family members and caretakers. That group needs to represent people of all ages, with all kinds of disabilities including: limited mobility, conditions that cause weakness in the upper body, arms and hands, neurological conditions, kids with cerebral palsy, adults, teens and children on the autism spectrum, and more health concerns that affect the way we interact with our environment.

Please encourage our city council, mayor and staff to include disabled residents in creating plans about what’s truly accessible for us. Encourage them to work with the community and create an advisory group to fully understand, appreciate, and address the needs of our city’s disabled people, their families and caretakers.

Heather O’Connell

Cape Coral