Hartford Public Library Accessibility Statement from The City of Hartford Commission on LGBT Issues.

Note: These remarks were presented by African American Lesbian Activist Regina Dyton at the May 30th Press Conference at City Hall Hartford. 

The City of Hartford Commission on LGBT Issues is proud to stand with ADAPT, all members of the disability rights community, Queers Without Borders and all other allies to protest the lack of equitable access to the Hartford Public Library.

The ramp at the front of the library invites all who need to use it to enter with dignity, on par with all people wishing to use the library. The inoperable door at the end of the ramp sends a message of inequality, not to mention the work it take for many pepole to get to the end of that ramp, only to find no access. those who need the ramp include not only those using wheelchairs, but those who have difficulty walking up stairs and those who use walkers. All of us who find a dead-end at the end of the ramp are instructed to use the accessible entrance at the back of the library, next to the parking lot. As an African American woman in her 50s, using the back door sounds all too familiar. If it ain’t right for me, how can it be right for someone else? That entrance is commonly used by people who drive to the library (as it is next to the parking lot) or others who choose to use it. It is unfair to provide choices for some and none for others.Those of us here today are those who most likely “get it”. But for anyone who may be listening or reading about this action later, I would like to say just a few words about why it is important to act in alliance with people with disabilities. Of course, the best reason is because it is right, because equality and social justice are right. But there is a self serving reason for all of us to get on board. While you will not wake up tomorrow another race, gender, ethnicity or sexual orientation, you might become disabled before the sun sets tonight. If you simply live long enough, you are almost guaranteed membership in this oppressed community. This is why so many people do not like to look disability in the face, turn away and want people with disabilities to go away. They do not want to think about the possibility of themselves or their loved ones having a disability because the only thought in their minds is a stereotype of a pathetic, needy and sad person.

I was fortunate to have had wonderful role models who live and thrive with disabilities. They prepared me to live with and beat cancer-twice in five years. They prepared me to walk proudly when I used a can for 3 years and a walker for one. They taught me to forge ahead no matter what my body was doing, to refuse to wear a wig when chemotherapy took away my hair or to even be sure to shave away the awkward little screws that remained on my head. They showed me how to survive and thrive proudly. Chemotherapy left me with increased bone pain and aggravated my existing advanced arthritis. I live with the knowledge that my legs may not hold out as long as my heart. Thanks to friends, colleagues, allies and role models like Claude, Juli, Melissa and the hordes of folks I met at an ADAPT action in Tennessee-I know that when and if that day comes-I will be a bitch on wheels. Pity the fool that tries to get in the way of justice… Regina Dyton, Chairperson City of Hartford Commission on LGBT Issues.