Disabled Lobby For Support From Legislators Jobs, Transportation Problems Among Issues Group Faces

Thu., Feb. 26, 1998

Jennifer Lange Staff writer

James Stinson said he has applied for 10 jobs since moving to Spokane seven months ago from the Tri-Cities.

“Finding a job in Spokane is like pulling teeth,” said the 27-year-old mentally disabled man, who has yet to find work.

Stinson joined a 40-member delegation of physically and mentally disabled people from Spokane who visited with several Eastern Washington lawmakers Wednesday.

The visit was organized by the Coalition of Responsible Disabled, a nonprofit advocacy organization that sponsors events and contacts legislators about issues that affect disabled people.

“It’s people with disabilities advocating for themselves,” said Joe Whaley, a member of CORD’s board of directors.

Members of the group fired questions at Eastern Washington lawmakers for about 45 minutes.

Low wages for the attendants of disabled people, poor wheelchair accessibility to buses and buildings, and trouble finding employers who will hire them were among the concerns mentioned.

“They’re sitting at home twiddling their thumbs and wondering if they’ll get the job,” one woman from CORD said. “We want to get a job like everyone else.”

The legislators, including Reps. Alex Wood, Jeff Gombosky and Mark Schoesler and Sen. Eugene Prince, assured the group that they are interested in the issues affecting disabled people.

Wiley Marks, executive director of CORD, said the organization has sent delegations to the Legislature for the past several years.

“We want to emphasize the importance of independent living and having the support services to make that happen,” he said.

Community support and services for disabled people have to be in place in order for them to live independently, he said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.