Aid For Handicapped

Critical problems are facing handicapped persons in Ann Arbor and the City Council, along with other governmental agencies, must take steps to make life more enjoyable for these individuals. Leonard Greenbaum, chairman of the special Committee on the Problems of the Handicapped, underlined these points as he presented an interim report to councilmen last night. The reaction of some council members was that they did not realize the magnitude of the problem. At one point in his presentation, Greenbaum said the Ann Arbor School district "operates in such a way as to discrimínate gainst handicapped children." He said state law permits exclusión of handicapped and emotionally troubled children from the school system and "from time to time" the school district has reverted to this provisión. His comments on the school system carne as he wás outlining the task facing a subcommittee on education. "Those who need the most often get the least." There are exceptions to this rule, Greenbaum noted, pointing to local handicapped children who have gone on to do well in college. Generally, however, this is not the case. he said. The special committee is broken down into five subcommittees. Established in April, the committee has a membership of some 28 persons. Greenbaum said the committee is using the federal governments definition of handicapped persons which cites both physical and mental problems. He noted statistics indicate some 30 per cent of the population has some degree of handicap, although a smaller percentage have specific needs. A subcommittee assigned to study i architectural barriers and housing probI lems is drafting an ordinance which I would cover nevf structures. The quesItion of removing barriers from existing ■structures is more difficult, Greenbaum ■said. Further, that committee is expect■ ed to propose some general guidelines for Ithe installation of curb cuts on city Bstreets to aid the handicapped. I The subcommittee on transportaüon ■and recreation is concerned there is no public transportation for people in wheelchairs. Greenbaum said the committee is working with the Transportation authority in an effort to solve this problem. It was noted federal grants for providing transportation to the har.dicapped are avaüable. In the area of recreation there is only one program offered by the Recreation Department for handicapped children. "There is a tremendous need in this area," Greenbaum said, stating handicapped children "are the most isolated segment of our community." The need also exists for recreational programs for handicapped adults. Greenbaum said the task facing the employment subcommittee is perhaps the most difficult task. "In times of recession the handicapped are the last to be hired and the first to be fired." He said the subcommittee is undertaking a process to interview companies to determine their willingness to hire the handicapped. "I'm pessimistic," he said. A subcommittee on Communications is preparing a booklet for distribution which will list the types of services available to handicapped individuals, where they can go and what places to avoid. "The goal of the committee is to provide a way to help these persons," Greenbaum said. "It will be up to City Council to carry out these programs." In situations where the council cannot ake direct action, Greenbaum said, it an at least help to effectuate change. He said the committee will present .nother report in March to see what has een accomplished by that time. Mayor Robert J. Harris commented he council would like to be supportive. 'We've discovered an enormous area vhere city services should be aimed but ve're facing a time of financial difficul;ies." The mayor suggested Greenbaum dis;üss with the city administration the possibility of setting aside dollars in aext year's budget to enact some of these programs. Other city council news appears today on pages 2 and 3.