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NRS 440v week 4 Legislative Worksheet (SBAR Format) – How a Bill Becomes a Law
SITUATION: IS THIS SOMETHING THAN CAN BE LEGISLATED?
- Identify the problem/concern
Many disabled people living in Brooklyn, New York find it difficult to rent houses which have facilities for the disabled people. In spite of the provisions in the law that landlords should accommodate the needs of the physically disabled when designing houses or when requested to make adjustments, the disabled persons still find it house to get comfortable houses to rent (Kanter, 2009).
While some of the buildings within Brooklyn have elevators and ramps for the physically disabled people who use wheelchairs, other facilities within the houses do not favor people living with disabilities. For example, switches, fire extinguishers, water valves, water taps, shelves, cabinets and closets are designed in such a way that only people without disabilities can use them. A simple activity like turning on a switch should not require help from another person. Somebody on a wheelchair should be enabled to access it and turn it on and off. People living with disabilities such as the blind, the lame, the deaf, the dumb and the paralyzed should feel accepted to rent and live in any house within Brooklyn.
- State your proposal/idea.
I propose amendments to the Fair Housing Act (FHA) so that the disabled people have smart houses (Stefanov, Bien & Bang, 2004). I propose that all landlords, property owners and designers be compelled to design and construct houses which can accommodate anybody regardless of age and disabilities. The fact that many Americans suffer from debilitating and disabling diseases should invigorate the need to accommodate such people right from the design process. Furthermore, I propose that the houses should have motion sensors in bathrooms and near switches to help the blind and the deaf and any person who may need such facilities. This will ensue that they are not trapped in washrooms and allow easy access to the facilities. I also suggest that shelves, cabinets, switches, door knobs are for some houses are strategically placed so that people on wheel chairs can operate them.
BACKGROUND: DO YOUR RESEARCH
- Include studies, reports, personal experience, or anecdotal stories related to your proposal.
Many stories in the media show the horror the people living with disabilities go through when left alone. For example, if the caretaker of a person living with disability goes shopping and gets arrested, sick or even dies on the way, the person with disability may not even go to the washroom or even open the door to alert the neighbors. The National Disability Authority (2017) documented many horrifying cases of neglected disabled people.
- Has there been similar legislation introduced and/or passed in other states? If so, include it.
The United States has already enforced the following laws:
Rehabilitation Act, 1, section 504 – The act specifies how disabled people should be rehabilitated and settled.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – The act outlines the rights of the disable people
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) – The act highlights the housing rights of disabled people
The New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL) – The act spells out the rights of all people living in New York State.
The New York City Human Rights Law (NYCHRL) –The act spells out the rights of all people living in New York City.
ASSESSMENT: FINANCES AND STAKEHOLDERS
Identify financial impact if any (e.g., added costs, cost savings, increased revenue):
The financial burden of the proposed amendment to the Fair Housing Act (FHA) should go to the property developers and landlords. This would remove the burden of costs from the disabled persons.
- Identify stakeholder groups that would support this bill:
Property developers
Representatives of people living with disabilities
Civil rights movement groups
- Identify people/groups that would oppose this bill:
People who have no disabled person in their families
RECOMMENDATION
- Make an appointment with your legislator to discuss your proposal.
I propose a meeting with the Brooklyn representative to discuss the details of the proposed changes and how it would make the lives of the disable people better.
References
The National Disability Authority (2017). Chapter Two – The views and experiences of people with intellectual disabilities. Retrieved from http://nda.ie/Publications/Social-Community/Independent-and-Community-Living-Focus-Group-Consultation-Report/Chapter-Two-The-views-and-experiences-of-people-with-intellectual-disabilities/
Kanter, A. S. (2009). The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and its implications for the rights of elderly people under international law.
Stefanov, D. H., Bien, Z., & Bang, W. C. (2004). The smart house for older persons and persons with physical disabilities: structure, technology arrangements, and perspectives. IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering, 12(2), 228-250.