Lawmaker in wheelchair puts Capitol access in spotlight
DENVER (AP) — Soon Colorado will get its first state lawmaker known to use a wheelchair. Democrat David Ortiz was elected by voters in south Metro Denver and will be sworn into office in January. But the Capitol building, where he’ll work and where he’s supposed to interact with his colleagues and the people he serves, is not fully accessible to him.
His election has jumpstarted some changes to the 130-year-old building that some say are long overdue.
“Obviously the most urgent thing was to make sure I could at least do my job,” Ortiz said.
The former aviator survived a catastrophic helicopter crash eight years ago while serving in Afghanistan. The U.S. Army veteran lives in Littleton, and the accident left him without sensation or muscle control below his waist.
While the state Capitol is officially accessible to people with disabilities, it isn’t feasible to get around every part of the building in a wheelchair. There are only steps to get into the Senate and House chambers, and steps on the aisles inside the House that made it impossible for a person in a wheelchair to get to any of the lawmakers’ desks. To prepare for Ortiz, ramps have been installed and crews put in a new electronic door so Ortiz will enter the chamber through a break room and reach his desk by going up two ramps.
Clerk of the State House Robin Jones said they have modified Ortiz’s desk so he can fit his wheelchair underneath, and are modifying some of the committee room doors so they’re easier to open. The total cost of the updates is around $30,000.
Ortiz hopes the changes to accommodate him are just the beginning of a journey to make his fellow lawmakers and their staff more accessible to all Coloradans.
“For me, the long term goal is making sure that entire building is...