Disability advocates call for accessibility as WA plans for transportation package

Washington Governor Jay Inslee recently called for investment in the state’s aging infrastructure. Now disability advocates are calling on the state Legislature to make sure that funding doesn’t leave them behind.

For Krystal Monteros, the hard part about finding a wheelchair accessible apartment is not the apartment. It’s the transportation to get there in the first place.

For example, while there is a bus stop available, Montero’s wheelchair can’t safely access the route.

"Whether it’s the gravel like this or no curb cuts, those are the things that are actually blocking me from accessible units."

Monteros is with the Tacoma Commission for People with Disabilities.

In a busy five-lane street in Tacoma, she and other advocates led a press conference Tuesday pointing out issues that hinder people from safely using public transit.

"It gets so hard sometimes," she said.

Currently, there are a couple of transportation packages floating around in the Washington Legislature. Advocates worry, however, that the focus will be on highways rather than accessibility.