Editorial: More progress needed

Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2003 | 8:48 a.m.

Vicki Quinn and Monica Guinn have fought hard over the past four years for more accessibility at public buildings in Southern Nevada, particularly at the Thomas & Mack Center. Much has been accomplished, including the installation of a new, elevated area for wheelchair users that will be ready for use next month at the T&M. We wish that it had not taken the women four years to see these reasonable changes. It is, however, good to see progress, even late progress.

The Legislative Committee on Persons With Disabilities is conducting hearings on the state of accessibility and heard testimony this week from Quinn and Guinn. The two were complimentary toward the progress but noted the extensive work that yet needs to be done. The committee members concluded that accessibility is a "major" issue and vowed to hear more complaints at a formal hearing in the future. What's really needed is for the state to budget money for the improvements. The Americans With Disabilities Act applies mostly to buildings constructed after 1990. No such rule governs common courtesy, however. Accessibility issues should be addressed -- as a priority, so that progress isn't measured in four-year increments.