ACL Live at the Moody Theater
False Premise
RECEIVED Mon., July 31, 2017
Dear Editor,
A reasoned discussion of greater accessibility to public buildings should not proceed from the false premise that – absent unfettered physical access – disabled persons are "barred from affecting policy" ["Access Denied," News, July 28]. This is overwrought and just plain silly. All citizens, regardless of mobility or ability, can vote, make political contributions, support activist groups, and communicate with elected officials via phone, email, and social media.
Are El Paso (or Panhandle) residents "barred from affecting policy" at the Capitol due to their geographic separation from it? Most Texans have never physically visited the state or U.S. Capitol, but don't feel disenfranchised.
We should have a public discussion about the costs and benefits of enhanced accessibility, but conflating that topic with the right to participate in political discourse is puerile.
A reasoned discussion of greater accessibility to public buildings should not proceed from the false premise that – absent unfettered physical access – disabled persons are "barred from affecting policy" ["Access Denied," News, July 28]. This is overwrought and just plain silly. All citizens, regardless of mobility or ability, can vote, make political contributions, support activist groups, and communicate with elected officials via phone, email, and social media.
Are El Paso (or Panhandle) residents "barred from affecting policy" at the Capitol due to their geographic separation from it? Most Texans have never physically visited the state or U.S. Capitol, but don't feel disenfranchised.
We should have a public discussion about the costs and benefits of enhanced accessibility, but conflating that topic with the right to participate in political discourse is puerile.
Mark Pulliam