By Kelly Charpenet Santa Monica
I write today shocked by the lack of ADA-compliant public accommodations within the City of Santa Monica.
Don, a disabled and homeless veteran, living on the Promenade, was taken advantage of by the Santa Monica Hotel (on Pico) a few nights ago. The motel rented a room to wheelchair-bound Don claiming it would accommodate his disability; it did not. When he asked for his money back, he was rebuked. Of the 20 other motels in the city he contacted, none were ADA-compliant.
Homeless for months, Don has been unable to locate ANY ADA-compliant housing within the city willing and/or able to provide him a permanent place to call home. Public restrooms in Downtown Santa Monica have been, largely, closed (i.e., the restrooms within the parking structures.) Each day is an adventure for Don (and others like him) just to find somewhere to accommodate a bodily function most of us take for granted.
I believe that the City Council, like myself, may have been oblivious to the federal violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act within our city.
When asked by our country to defend freedom, Don did not shrink from the responsibility — he welcomed it. We asked the high standards of strength and sacrifice from Don.
“With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds,” said John Kennedy in his inaugural speech. I challenge the City Council to lead this progressive city we love in asking what we can do for our disabled veterans.
Surely we can do better. This IS Santa Monica, after all!
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 13, 2007. Read the original PDF.