News from Senator 
BOB DOLE 

(R -Kansas) SH 141 Hart Building, Washington, D.C. 20510-1601 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE		CONTACT: WALT RIKER,
THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 1987	DALE TATE 202/224-3135 

DOLE CALLS FOR ACCESS FOR DISABLED TO NATIONAL CONVENTIONS 

WASHINGTON-- Senate Republican Leader Bob Dole, a disabled world war two veteran, today called on the chairmen of the two political parties to ensure full access for the handicapped at next year's national conventions.

Dole made the request in letter to Frank Fahrenkopf, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and Paul Kirk, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. 

"More than 37 million Americans have some form of disability," Dole said. "It just seems to me that if the national conventions in New Orleans and Atlanta are symbols of the political process, then they must be open to every American."

Dole Called for access not only at the conventions, but also to public transportation systems to and from the convention sites. He also urged the party chairmen to make certain that interpreters will be available for deaf persons and that brailled materials are produced for the visually impaird.

"It is my understanding that New Orleans has not in the past adequately accommodated the needs of disabled persons for Public Transportation Services. i would urge you to talk with officials in the city about their present and planned efforts to make their transportation system accessible," Dole said in a letter to Republican National Committee Chairman Frank Fahrenkopf.

"In September of 1984 the Congress of the United States passed and the President signed into law the Voting Accessibility For The Elderly and Handicapped Act. The act promotes the fundamental rights of disabled and elderly citizens to vote in federal elections by requiring states to improve their access to registration facilities and polling places. This was a beginning. It was also a challenge to the political parties of this country to improve access for disabled and elderly citizens to the entire election process," Dole added in his letter.