On July 10, 2001 Summit staff joined a group of Missoula advocates in an action outside a local restaurant to protest the fact that it is inaccessible. A table and accessible port-a-potty labeled "accessible seating area" and "accessible restroom" were set up on the sidewalk out front as protesters chanted "access is a civil right" and other slogans to call attention to the restaurant's lack of access. Groups participating in the protest included ADAPT, People First, the Coalition of Montanans Concerned with Disabilities, the Alliance for Disability and Students at the University of Montana, and Summit.

If you or someone you know has a business that is inaccessible, Summit has information available to assist you in making your business more accessible. You may also contact the Rocky Mountain ADA Technical Assistance Center http://www.ada-infonet.org

Good Access is Good Business Highlight

Many business' in our communities have succeeded in making their services accessible to people with disabilities. We would like to thank them for their efforts and point them out to you here. If you have a suggestion for a future highlight, or would like more information, contact Joanne Perkins at Hamilton@summitilc.org.
This month, the spotlight is on:

Ellen and Lee Goldstein weren't required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to make their Roaring Lion Inn accessible. The law doesn't cover bed-and-breakfasts. But they've done so well in appointing one of their rooms, their grounds and their common areas that they'll collect an award Friday morning from Summit Independent Living Center's Hamilton office. "They are just a model B-and-B in terms of accessibility," said Joanne Perkins, Ravalli County coordinator of Summit. "They have just thought of all the amenities that make it extremely comfortable for people with disabilities." Ellen Goldstein said the couple had an edge on designing when they bought their bed-and-breakfast just south of Hamilton two years ago. Her husband has used a wheelchair since a diving accident years ago. "When I travel with my husband, we're hardly ever able to stay in a B-and-B because they're usually not accessible," she said. All their rooms have private entrances flush with the ground. The accessible room in their cedar house has hardwood floors, a king-size bed, roll-in shower, Jacuzzi, skylight, a gas-log rock fireplace and other amenities. "The room is very, very accessible," Goldstein said.
(Missoulian, August 2nd, 2001, written by Ginny Merriam)

Action Alert

Summit's Action Alert will keep you informed on the latest local, state and national disability issues. It will also give you opportunities to help make our communities more accessible. You can join our email Action Alert by emailing Travis Hoffman at Missoula@summitilc.org or calling him at Summit and asking to be added to the email or snail mail list. You can also leave information that you would like sent out on the Alert system.

Public Education

Summit regularly participates in public education in our local communities. Summit can provide:

Disability Awareness Training

School Presentations

Fair Booth Displays

If you would like to have Summit visit your local organization or business for an inservice training, please contact us at (406) 728-1630 or 1-800-398-9002.

Summit Community Advocacy Priorities

Summit has identified seven priorities for community and systems advocacy efforts on the local, statewide and national level:

1. Expand transportation resources through active participation in local Transportation Advisory Committees in numerous western Montana communities and statewide transportation advocacy group, Montana Transportation Partnerships.
2. Improve accessibility of businesses and government facilities through ongoing Good Access Is Good Business campaign and accessibility consultation services.
3. Develop more housing options through establishment of a home modifications fund and ongoing promotion of affordable and accessible housing.
4. Dispel myths and stereotypes about disability through ongoing public education program.
5. Advocate for passage of MiCASSA, the Medicaid Community Attendant Services and Supports Act, a bill to establish a national personal assistance program.
6. Participate in statewide efforts to implement the Olmstead Supreme Court decision requiring states to comply with the ADA's "integration mandate" by providing services to individuals with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.
7. Strengthen Montana's self-directed personal assistance services through ongoing participation in statewide efforts to streamline and improve the program.

This page was last updated on 10/18/05