McALESTER — The town of Kiowa is now one step closer to becoming accessable for those with disabilities.
The town has been trying to get bids for the work for months, said JoMae Peck city clerk.
Kiowa became aware of the accessiblity issue in April after Peck said she received a letter from Oklahoman for Independent Living regarding access to the building. Peck said she asked for a representative from OIL to come to a town meeting to make recommendations for improvement.
At an April board of trustee’s meeting Pam Pulchney assistant director for Oklahoman for Independent Livng told the Kiowa board of trustees that the time to correct the problem is now.
“The American Disablitly Act has been the law since 1990 ... I’m surprised nothing has been done here,” Pulchney said. She said the situation had not been brought to the attention of Department of Justice yet; but it would if accessibility improvements weren’t made soon.
Currently a gravel parking lot sits to the side of the building and steps with no rails are the the front access to the city hall with crumbling ramp that sits the left of the entrance. There is no railing on the ramp.
There is also no handicapped parking in front of or next to Kiowa City Hall.
Meanwhile, Pulchney said she has been working closely with the town of Kiowa to help them comply with the law.
She said she helped them find contractors to bid on the work and during Monday’s meeting Pulchney looked over the bids to determine if they met ADA requirements.
On Monday, the board accepted one of the bids and the contractor told the board that work would start as soon as next week.
“They are making a good faith effort,” Pulchney said.
For more on this story, see the print or electronic editions of the McAlester News-Capital. Click here for print edition home delivery or click here to see the Smart Edition for your computer, tablet, e-reader or smartphone.
Contact Jeanne LeFlore at jleflore@mcalesternews.com.
RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma
Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble
Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir
Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you
Reporter Cries Over Devastation
Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye
Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download
IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado
RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school
Robert Pattinson Moves Out
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
Oklahoma tornado survivor: "Everything is gone"
Khloe Lashes Out at Kim Kardashian's Critics
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
RAW: Brad Paisley Forgets Lyrics To His Own Song
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims
Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
