Accessibility for all
Once upon a time, there lived a kind-hearted woman named Mary. Mary was a cheerful soul who faced life’s challenges with a smile on her face. Mary was no stranger to adversity. She had faced a mobility challenge for quite some time and relied on her trusty walker to assist her in navigating the world. Every week, Mary would visit her local laundromat to do her laundry.
Recently, she found herself struggling all the time to unload her laundry due to having to walk a long distance from her car to the laundry site. Mary’s struggles did not go unnoticed.
The Northern Marianas Protection and Advocacy Systems, Inc., an organization dedicated to advocating for the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities, was a source of hope. Mary had heard of NMPASI’s mission and decided to pay them a visit.
Through NMPASI’s assistance, NMPASI worked closely with the local authorities and the laundromat owner to find a solution. Together, they came up with a plan to designate accessible parking spaces close to the laundromat’s entrance. These spaces would be reserved for individuals with disabilities like Mary, making their visits more comfortable and convenient.
In NMPASI, we provide technical assistance and observe “The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)”. This law was signed in 1990 and serves as a landmark piece of legislation that seeks to eliminate discrimination against individuals with disabilities in various aspects of life, including employment, public accommodations, and transportation. One crucial aspect of the ADA is its provision for accessible parking, which aims to ensure that individuals with disabilities have equal access to parking facilities.
The month of September 2023, marks the 30th anniversary of NMPASI. Over the past three decades, NMPASI has been assisting countless individuals and families to overcome barriers that hinder accessibility to all genal aspects of life. Through advocacy and education, NMPASI has tirelessly worked to ensure that people with disabilities in the Northern Mariana Islands can lead lives filled with dignity, equality, and opportunity.
For further information, please contact NMPASI at (670) 235- 7273/4, or visit our website at www.nmpasi.org.
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