Memo: Senate Accessibility

Item

Other Media

c021_003_006_005_tr

Extent (Dublin Core)

5 Pages

File Name (Dublin Core)

c021_003_006_005

Title (Dublin Core)

Memo: Senate Accessibility

Description (Dublin Core)

Memorandum updating Senator Bob Dole on efforts to make the Old Senate Chamber more accessible. Attached are letters thanking George White, Roberto Miranda, Perry Caswell, and Bill Beaton for their work on making the Chamber more accessible.

Date (Dublin Core)

1995-01-12

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1995-01-12

Congress (Dublin Core)

104th (1995-1997)

Topics (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valuePeople with disabilities

See all items with this valueWheelchairs

See all items with this valueOld Senate Chamber (United States Capitol, Washington, D.C.)

Policy Area (Curation)

Transportation and Public Works

Creator (Dublin Core)

Vachon, Alexander

Record Type (Dublin Core)

memorandums

Names (Dublin Core)

See all items with this valueDole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/?p=collections/findingaid&id=54&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 021, Box 3, Folder 6

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Alec Vachon Papers, 1969-2006

Full Text (Extract Text)

MEMORANDUM
Date: January 12, 1995
To: Senator Dole
From: Alec Vachon
RE: SENATE ACCESSIBILITY

*Good progress in improving Senate accessibility--which assumes even greater importance in light of the
Congressional Accountability Act.

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

*Attached for signature is a letter to the Architect, thanking him for prompt action is constructing the Old Senate Chamber ramp and asking that any "mandatory" alterations to Senate be completed by January 26th--defined as the same kind of architectural and structural changes state and local governments are supposed to have completed by that date.

*Also attached for signature are notes to the carpenters who constructed the ramp, thanking them for their work.

*Although the Old Senate Chamber ramp is "temporary," it will remain until the Architect completes design of a permanent ramp. The Architect plans to seek permission from Rules before making a permanent alteration. Historical Note: A "temporary" wooden ramp was installed at the Constitution Ave. entrance of the National Gallery of Art in 1966--and worked fine until the permanent ramp was installed in the Spring of 1994.

*Incidentally, the Old Senate Chamber ramp proved useful for Senator Ashcroft's Dad on January 4th, who is quite frail and uses a wheelchair.

SECRETARY OF THE SENATE/SERGEANT AT ARMS

* I will be meeting with Secretary of the Senate staff on Tuesday to brief them on accessibility issues and get the ball rolling. I am working to arrange a similar meeting with Sergeant At Arms staff.

CC: Dan; Sheila




BOB DOLE
KANSAS
SENATE HART BUILDING
(202) 224 -6521 RULES

COMMITTEES
AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY
FINANCE
RULES

United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 205 10-1601

January 12, 1995

The Honorable George M. White
Architect of the Capitol
U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear George:
Thank you for your prompt attention to my request that the Old Senate Chamber be made accessible in time for opening of the 104th Congress. I look forward to installation of a permanent ramp. As you know, this is not only a moral obligation of the Senate--that the Capitol Building should be equally available to all Americans--but making the Old Senate Chamber is also tangible evidence of our commitment to obeying the laws we set for other Americans.

In this regard, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, state and local governments are supposed to have made all architectural and structural changes needed to make their services accessible by January 26, 1995. I know you have an ambitious, long-term plan to make the Capitol complex a model of accessibility, but trust that any mandatory renovations in Senate facilities will have been completed by that date as well.

Lastly, I ask that you designate a "Disability Services Coordinator" (or similar title) among your current staff, to provide a initial point-of-contact for inquiries and responsiblefor oversight of accessibility activities. It would also be helpful if the Disability Services Coordinator title was listed in the Senate and House Telephone Directories.

If I can provide any assistance in this matter, please contact Dr. Alexander Vachon of my staff at 4-8959.

Sincerely,
Bob Dole
Senate Majority Leader





UNITED STATES SENATE
OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
WASHINGTON, D.C.
BOB DOLE
KANSAS
January 12, 1995

Dear Mr. Miranda,

Just a brief note to thank you for all your help in installing the ramp in the Old Senate Chamber. As you may know, we have tried to get this done for several years, and I am very pleased it has finally been accomplished. In my view, this ramp is a "welcome mat" to people with disabilities. And, as it happened, the father of one of our new members uses a wheelchair, and it proved to be very handy for him.

Best wishes to you and your family in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Bob Dole


Mr. Roberto Miranda
Acting Superintendent
of the Senate
U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20510





UNITED STATES SENATE
OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
WASHINGTON , D.C.
BOB DOLE
KANSAS
January 12, 1995

Dear Mr. Caswell,

Thank you very much for your excellent work in building the ramp in the Old Senate Chamber. I know you had to put in extra time to complete it in time for the opening of the Senate. Apart from its important symbolic and practical value to people with disabilities generally, it proved very useful
to the father of one of our new members. I am appreciative.

Best wishes to you and your family in the New Year.
Sincerely,
Bob Dole


Mr. Perry Caswell
Office of the Architect of the Capitol
SB 15
Washington, D.C. 20510





UNITED STATES SENATE
OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY LEADER
WASHINGTON, D.C.
BOB DOLE
KANSAS
January 11, 1995

Dear Mr . Beaton,

Just a brief note to thank you for your work on building the ramp in the Old Senate Chamber. It was a fine job, and I know you had to put in extra time to get it done in time for the opening of the Senate. Your efforts are very much appreciated. In my view, this ramp is a welcome mat for people with disabilities. But, as it happened, the father of one of our new members uses a wheelchair, and it proved to be very handy for him.

Best wishes to you and your family in the New Year.

Sincerely,
Bob Dole


Mr. Bill Beaton
Office of the Architect of the Capitol
SB 15
Washington, D.C. 20510