- Chris Hinds, Denver’s first council member who uses a wheelchair, was confronted by an inaccessible stage at a scheduled debate in his district.
- He felt pressured to transfer from his wheelchair and crawl onto the stage in front of the media and audience.
- The organizers claimed they believed the venue was accessible, but Chris’s staff said they knew it was not.
A debate venue’s inaccessible stage forced Denver City Council member Chris Hinds, a wheelchair user, to make a terrible decision.
“I had to climb out of my wheelchair and attempt to crawl onto the stage in front of a crowd,” said Chris in a Twitter statement.
Chris says the organizers admitted to his staff that they knew the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance’s stage wasn’t accessible. They assumed they’d somehow be able to carry him onto it, despite his power wheelchair weighing hundreds of pounds. “It’s insulting that they thought they could lift me up,” he says.
“No one should have that experience, and I have apologized to Councilman Hinds personally,” said Paul D. Lopez, Denver’s Clerk and Recorder. “Our office continues to communicate with all debate sponsors to ensure that they can fulfill ADA requirements and other needs.” He says the venue filled out an application affirming it met access requirements.
Chris says if he didn’t participate, he would forfeit $125,000 in Fair Election funds that his campaign needed to remain viable. Adding insult to inaccessibility, Chris is the first Denver council member to use a wheelchair and a staunch advocate for equity and access.
“Our democracy is stronger when it represents everyone, and this is another example of why we need disability representation,” said Chris. “People often think that the ADA solved accessibility problems, but here is a stark reminder that serious issues still persist.”
Why is Inaccessibility Still a Thing?
“It’s disappointing and discouraging that something so easily remedied is still occurring,” says Kleo King, Senior Vice President of Accessibility Services, United Spinal Association. She’s helped many venues become accessible, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Citi Field, and the new Yankee Stadium. “Organizers of events should always assess the venue for full access. If a stage is only accessible via stairs, venues can add a temporary lift or consider a ramp. If there is no accessible option, they should move the event.”
Yet it seems for every venue that is made accessible, many more that don’t think the law applies to them. Like the Colorado House of Representatives, for example. When Colorado State Rep. David Ortiz, a wheelchair user, showed up for work during his first term, he had to fight for even an accessible office with the space and accommodations he needed.
“They thought I was coming in too assertive and too aggressive,” David told our membership publication, New Mobility. “That was the start of me being like, Oh, they don’t understand that this is not me being a jerk. This is me fighting for my community’s health and access.”
Even though accessibility has improved in the state house, David’s career is being held back by the work that remains. “One of the reasons why I’m not running for leadership is because the entire chamber is not accessible yet,” he said. “How can I be a whip if I can’t get to every single legislator?”
Filmmaker Vince on Twitter captured the situation on his Twitter feed:
After the City Councilman hoisted himself on to the stage from his chair on the ground, the decision was made that instead, the debate would be moved to the floor in front of the stage and @DenverPerfect10 returns to his chair after the five-minute episode.
Wild start here. pic.twitter.com/IzuQkvfArC
— 𝑽𝑰𝑵𝑪𝑬 (@VinnieChant) February 13, 2023
United Spinal Association is the largest disability-led membership organization in the nation. We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for America’s 5.5 million wheelchair users. For more information about our chapters and programs, contact our Community Support team. Join us by signing up for a free membership.