Editorial: Disabled access is lacking

Monday, June 5, 2000 | 8:28 a.m.

In recent months this newspaper has spotlighted a number of local government buildings that can be inaccessible for those with severe disabilities, especially for Las Vegans who use wheelchairs. Sun reporter Steve Kanigher followed up with another story on Friday, this time taking a look at Chaparral High School, which has had its share of problems in ensuring that students in wheelchairs can attend that school.

If it weren't for the determination of Verne Lewton, the parent of a disabled son who attends the school, and the insistence by the administration at Chaparral to get something done, the improvements that recently have been made -- and are on the way -- might not ever have happened. David Broxterman, administrative manager of the school district's facilities division, says one of the chief problems is that funding to improve access just hasn't kept pace with the school district's population explosion. But Laurie Howard, Chaparral's special education facilitator for more than a decade, said school district officials have ignored their pleas seeking accessibility improvements. "It's absolute apathy. They really don't care. In this district if you don't make it an issue, it just rolls off their backs," Howard said.

Previous Sun stories about handicapped accessibility have noted a disturbing pattern of top officials being indifferent on this issue. Carlos Garcia, who will soon take over as the new superintendent of the Clark County School District, should make handicapped accessibility one of his top priorities. If the problem resides with inadequate support by the Nevada Legislature, Garcia should make sure state lawmakers understand the gravity of the situation. At the same time, though, Garcia should take a tough look to see if the district's facilities division is being responsive enough to the needs of the disabled.