Disabled Persons Protest Lack of Post Office Accessibility

Protesters block the entrance to the Post Office Monday afternoon attempting to raise awareness about the lack in accessibility for disabled persons.

by Tiffany Chaffee

After Monday afternoon’s celebration rally in Riverfront Park, approximately 30 members made their way to the Kittanning Post Office to protest the lack of accessibility.

“It’s an oxymoron,” said Disability Investigative Group (D.I.G.) member Bill Beranty.  “Look at the handicapped parking now.  To get up here [to the sidewalk], you have to walk into traffic and go around.”

“It’s not only those in wheelchairs who are having problems,” continued Beranty.  “Seniors and those with arthritis have problems and its worse when it gets wet.  What should take you five minutes, can take ten or eleven minutes.”

Three Rivers Center for Independent Living advocate Victoria Campbell said, “There was an inaccessibility study done by a company called ADA, Inc.  The post office said that it can’t ramp it up, but the independent study says it could be done.”

Armstrong County Commissioner Rich Fink was present at the demonstration.  “I’m here showing my support, but I’m a little bit different.  My brother was paralyzed from a mining accident, so I understand the challenges he has.”

“[Demonstrators] don’t want the Post Office closed, just handicapped accessible” continued Fink.  “It’s nice to say we’ll accommodate you, but how do they get the services [offered at the Post Office.]”

Protesting members asked to purchase stamps from the Post Office.  Supervisor Dan Mulneix came out to sell stamps to interested members.

Once Mulneix came outside, protesters began asking questions about what the Post Office was going to do about the accessibility issue.

“I can’t answer questions,” said Mulneix.  “I don’t deal with the issues you are talking about, I only deal with personnel issues.”

Mulneix explained to protestors that some individuals with disabilities have called when parked outside, and someone has been sent down to help them complete their business.  But some members responded by saying that not everyone has access to a cell phone or their own transportation to get there.

The members then blocked the stairway up to the Post Office.  Those who were able to climb onto the steps did so, while those in wheelchairs formed a chain across the entire front, and began chanting.

“This place is unsafe,” shouted D.I.G. member Gail Taylor.  “It’s a fire hazard and illegal.”

Other members chimed in with shouts of “Access is a Civil Right” and “ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) is the law.”

Kittanning Post Office Supervisor Dan Mulneix addresses the protesters at yesterday afternoon’s Post Office demonstration.