members@equalrightscenter.org
Everyone,

As the Disability Rights Program Manager, I hear about many instances of discrimination every day and am fortunate to be able to work with our members to help improve accessibility. One such member, Nancy-a wheelchair user living in Rockville, MD-became involved with our health care initiative after seeing her dentist one morning in 2010.

On the way into the dentist's office, Nancy noticed an extremely hazardous sidewalk, uneven and laden with cracks and breaks. In addition to being frustrated by the impediment, Nancy was at risk of serious injury as a result of the inaccessible path. Nancy complained to the building's management, but her requests were brushed aside. In an attempt to ensure she would be able to access the building on her next visit, Nancy contacted the ERC. Once the ERC contacted the building management and informed them of their legal obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, they began working to address the accessibility issues. In addition to fixing the sidewalk, the management installed two new railings and an accessible parking spot.

Nancy expressed her sincere gratitude to the ERC: "Without the ERC's involvement, nothing would have changed and the building would have remained a hazard for me and other wheelchair users. I am very pleased with the outcome, thanks to the ERC."

Nancy's dentist is just one office we helped make accessible. In my years working in the ERC's Disability Rights program, with the help of our members , I have seen many amazing victories that have improved lives:

• Scores of member complaints against MetroAccess, the District's paratransit service, in 2008 resulted in the ERC leading a class action on behalf of more than 22,000 MetroAccess riders-resulting in more than $14 million in improvements to the system.

• Joined by ERC member Rosemary Ciotti, in 2009 the ERC reached agreement with CVS Pharmacies to make more than 7,100 locations more accessible for people with disabilities.

• After concerns were raised by ERC member Georges Aguehounde, the ERC reached an agreement with Eye Care Centers of America to make more than 500 retail optometric stores accessible to people with disabilities.

Members don't have to have a disability to make a difference. Our members identify all forms of discrimination and help advocate for change. Providing people with the latest information and the tools to help end discrimination is an integral part of the ERC's work and a motivating force behind our 50/50 membership drive.

Please help us connect with more advocates like you by forwarding this email! You can also help by passing along more information about the 50/50 campaign.
By the end of this campaign, we hope to have 500 more eyes and ears, like Nancy, in the community and around the country to let us know when and where discrimination is occurring.

As always, thank you for being a member and part of the movement to advance civil rights for all,

Kat Taylo  members@equalrightscenter.org
Disability Rights Program Manager