SETTLEMENT MANDATES
ACCESS TO STATE TRAILS FOR NEW YORKERS WITH DISABILITIES
Three-Year Plan Looks to
Improve Accessibility at Targeted Sites
ALBANY, NY - June 5, 2001
 U.S. District Court Judge Lawrence Kahn signed a
settlement agreement today that changes policy and improves access to state
trails for people with disabilities.
Disability rights advocates Ted
Galusha, Teena Willard, and William Searles sued the NYS Department of
Environmental Conservation, Governor Pataki, and the Adirondack Park Agency
under the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The agreement will
allow motorized access at selected locations, especially where man-made
barriers were erected by the State to control admission and use. Overall, it
provides motorized access to over 156 miles of roads and 30 miles of trails
throughout New York State.
"I am now confident that the state
will give the disability community due consideration when they acquire and
classify our lands and forests and that the preservation organizations, who are
so adamantly opposed to our motorized access, realize that we love these
resources as much as they do!" said Ted Galusha.
Access to the disabled will be
improved at approximately 150 sites over the next three years at a projected
cost of $4.7 million dollars. Examples include construction and/or
modifications of boat launches, campsites, parking areas, mounting platforms,
and fishing piers.
Galusha adds, "I hope that people
who have physical disabilities take advantage of the opportunities provided by
this settlement. I am also optimistic that this settlement will foster a better
understanding and working relationship between all the parties involved - the
disability community, veterans, sportsmen and women, property rights groups,
the State and the preservationists."
Neil Woodworth, Counsel for the
Adirondack Mountain Club, said "We are pleased with the improvements to
campgrounds, boat launches, fishing access sites and non-motorized recreational
opportunities along with the expenditure of funding to enable persons with
disabilities to enjoy the Forest Preserve." Bernard Melewski of the Adirondack
Council agreed, "The unanticipated benefit of this case is the access
opportunities and substantial financial commitment by the State."
In addition, DEC must hire an
independent consultant with appropriate expertise to ensure that their programs
are accessible, as well as train all DEC and APA personnel, licensed guides,
and other service vendors in the Forest Preserve on the subject matter. The New
York State Independent Living Council, Inc. (NYSILC) will receive $20,000 per
year to monitor the progress of this settlement agreement. Each site
improvement will be reviewed and approved to document compliance with the plan.
Brad Williams, Executive Director of NYSILC commented, "We look forward to
fulfilling our role under the consent decree. Credit should be given to Ted
Galusha for having the wherewithal to see this process through to the end. Many
people fail to realize the power that an individual citizen has in our
country."
Details about the consent decree
will be made available soon on the NYSILC website, www.nysilc.org. For more
information, contact Ted Galusha at (518) 623-4519. |
