Disability Day on the Hill

Memphis Disability issues in the Tennessee Legislature

By Allison Donald
Disability Day on the Hill is the culmination of a two day event that brings together disability advocates from across Tennessee to talk with our legislators about the everyday issues that affect our lives.  Tim Wheat (Program Director), Dr. Lou Conley (Board Chair), Leslie Jones (Board Vice Chair) and I were there on behalf of the Memphis Center for Independent Living.  

We were scheduled to meet with our district representatives Mark White, Barbra Duncan, Ramesh Akbari, and Brian Kelsey.  Our primary goal during Disability Day on the Hill was to address two constitutional amendments proposed by Senator Massey and Representative Lamberth.  The language of both amendments are troubling, because they use “disability” as a reason to remove the governor. 

In concert with that we wanted to speak with Senator Akbari about (SB0829) a bill drafted by Akbari about accessible polling sites. The Senator informed us however, that the language of the bill was just “place-holding” and the actual bill will be published soon about students using photo-ids for voting identification.

Disability Day on the Hill is a unique opportunity who live and work in the disability community of Memphis to engage legislators on a personal level.  My favorite visit all be it impromptu I must say was with Representative London Lamar.  She took out her lunch hour to sit and speak with us about the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1913 and the Disability Integration Act.  She also shared her background and what led her into a career of political service.

  

I do believe that every person with a disability should participate in this event if they are able, because it gives us an opportunity to be a part of the political process of this state and have our voices heard.