MPR News Feature; Skyway protest focuses on accessibility for handicapped

Ah. OK. OK this Criden sound of a minority group trying to make an impact on the larger society. But these were not war protesters or blacks or women. Instead the skyway across seven straight from the IDF center to Donaldson's was filled with people in wheelchairs and on crutches their signs read. How can we fit around wheel on a square step. The problem with skyways is we can't use them and we don't like snow and cold either. At the bottom of seven steps leading into Donaldson's Farnum spoke for the United handicapped Federation. There have been 10 skyways constructed in downtown Minneapolis. When completed the system will include 76 primary and feeder skyways. Five or half the existing skyways. Are inaccessible because of steps stairs. In one case an escalator. These five are located in key positions in the proposed system thus effectively reducing the usability of the entire system. Even if future

construction is barrier free the city council is seen fit to pass a resolution that will help ensure that future construction will be barrier free. But unless something is done about the existing inaccessible skyways we the handicapped still have only half the system. Do you know a good Hindi cat. Oh we do have people. Who keep. Teasing me. Oh God. Oh yes I'm going to have both. Our. Own use. Them too. Do you. Feel lonely.

Oh. Good to. Believe. This will be a handicap say they're America's new angry minority that the skyway issue is just one of many they'll press in the months and years ahead. UHF president Audrey Benson said today the dream of a totally accessible environment will become a reality even if we have to embarrass every non complying architect builder and corporate executive in the process. This is Dick Daley.