Celebrating Accessibility Achievements
(September 29, 2008)
Watch the video here.
THERESE MURRAY:
Good afternoon. I';d like to welcome all of you to the State House, the people’s house, today to mark some very important accomplishments.
You know, Charles Bullfinch, in his wildest dreams as the chief architect of this historical building could never have imagined that one day we’d be talking about live Webcasts, or closed captioning, or FM assisted listening devices when discussing the finer features of this grand building. But that’s where we’re at today.
Beyond the marble floors and Doric columns, there is a 21st Century flair to this 210-year-old house of the people. And what we do and say here very often resonates across the nation. Just look at what we’ve done with healthcare reform, as an example, or energy reform, or the life sciences, or any number of initiatives in which Massachusetts leads the way for the rest of the country. It all takes place right here in the people’s house.
And that’s why the improvements we’re celebrating today are so important. From simple ramp access to high-tech devices for the hearing and visually impaired, the people’s house must be inclusive. It must be available everyone, and with those advancements, we come closer to achieving our goal. And I hope we continue to do more.
SALVATORE F. DIMASI:
Every single citizen in this commonwealth has a right to participate, and to understand, and know what we do here. You should be included, and that’s the first and foremost thing that we should pay attention to.
And secondarily, I’d like to say this: that the fact that you may not have had access to this building or to the communications that go on up here, or to express your opinion and ideas. You have great ideas. You have great opinions. And you have a lot to say.
And believe me, we would be remiss if we didn’t pay attention to what you had to say. And what your ideas are. Because, guess what, maybe, one of the ideas that you have will become a great law to help everybody in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. And we should never lose that opportunity. And I’m grateful for everybody who’s here and had anything to do with the improvements that we’ve made.
DEVAL PATRICK:
As the senate president said, for over 200 years, the State House has stood as the people’s house, your house, and as an emblem of our ideals around American democracy. American democracy works only when all have an opportunity to participate. And that has to, as a practical matter, include the ability to get access to this building physically, and to the business of this building through communications.
I’m impressed by all the different ways that we’re working to welcome everyone into this magnificent building. Braille tour cards and signs, assistive listening devices at public hearings, and improved power-assisted doors, and lifts at key access points.
You know and I know that work remains to be done, but I hope you will take from these examples a commitment to the spirit of what must be done and a wiliness to bring it home.
JOHN PIRONE:
This administration really understands the importance of our involvement in the legislative process, and were quick to act and make the necessary adjustments to create access in the State House. I actually have a personal experience that complements this.
In the 1980s, I use to go to video stores to try to rent movies. And I didn’t pick a movie based on what I wanted to see, but more so on which movie had closed captioning. But nowadays, I can go into any video store and pick out any movie I’d like to see.
And I feel like that happens here at the State House now. I don’t have to access an event simply because it has an interpreter. I can go to an event or a legislative session, or whatever it be as a citizen and access it.
And I really am appreciative of that commitment that this administration has made, not only for making the State House fully accessible, but for recognizing us as genuine citizens, so thank you.
JOHN WINSKE:
What a great day this is. Let’s give ourselves a round of applause. (applause). On a day like this, let us remember that it was some 230 or 240 years ago that a group of men dumped some tea into the harbor here in Boston. Because they believed in the fundamental right of all people who pay taxes, and who are citizens, to participate in government and have a voice in their lives. Today is merely an extension of that dream, that ideal, and that goal.
But now the real work begins. If you are coming here for the first time, please come back, speak out, be heard. It’s your right. And we need you. If you don’t take advantage of this process, shame on you, because this is a hard-won milestone and these people behind me are making a serious commitment to make your government accessible to you and to all people.
END OF VIDEO