September 02, 2010 04:23 PM UTC

Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition "Appalled" by Beezley Remarks on Disabilities

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• by: Broomfield County Democrats

( – promoted by Colorado Pols)

Today the Colorado-Cross Disability Coalition responded forcefully to controversial comments made by GOP State House Candidate Don Beezley.  In the recently disclosed remarks, Mr. Beezley stated that before the Americans with Disabilities Act, “it had been a pleasure to help a disabled person out with a tray, a door or whatever. After that, I could only think, “you better use my d*** bathroom!” when someone rolled in. ADA took other human beings from being someone with a challenge whom it might be a joy to help, and turned them into a burden.”

The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, an advocacy group for Coloradans with disabilities of all kinds, responded forcefully:

“It is unfathomable that someone running for public office would openly and proudly engage in speech demonizing and expressing hatred towards 20% of the population” said Julie Reiskin, Executive Director.

“Clearly, this individual has not read the ADA and shows no understanding of what the law actually says” says Kevin Williams, the Legal Program Director of CCDC.  “In fact it is this attitude from business owners that flooded the congressional record proving to Congress that disability discrimination is a prevalent problem in our society.”  

“It amazes me that a business owner would publicly show his resentment against any segment of the population, particularly one that tends to have disposable income and spent $35 billion in restaurants nationally in 2003  said Joe Beaver, CCDC Board President and retired accountant.  If this is the attitude no wonder the economy is in trouble.  This is not a problem caused by the Government. It is this attitude that costs jobs and causes businesses to fail”

Mr. Beezley was asked about these comments yesterday by the Broomfield Enterprise and reiterated that he is opposed to the Americans with Disabilities Act.  

Full release after the jump:

For immediate release:

Contact:  

Julie Reiskin 303-667-4216 Executive Director

Kevin Williams 303-809-6706 Legal Program Director

The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition is appalled at the statements allegedly made by Don Beezley, a candidate running for House District 33 and trying to unseat incumbent Diane Primavera.  Mr. Beezley allegedly thinks the Americans’ with Disabilities Act is a serious failure of government.  Among the outrageous remarks he made included:

“I used to own small restaurants shortly after ADA was passed. When building out a new one, the existing bathrooms were off in dimensions by a few inches. Rather than risking a lawsuit under the newly energized ADA, I spent $5,000 to redo the bathrooms (on a small budget with no money).

Prior to that, it had been a pleasure to help a disabled person out with a tray, a door or whatever. After that, I could only think, “you better use my d*** bathroom!” when someone rolled in. ADA took other human beings from being someone with a challenge whom it might be a joy to help, and turned them into a burden. An enemy. This may be the true legacy of government. It’s certainly the legacy of the ADA.”

CCDC has a mission to promote social justice and create systems changes that benefit people with all kinds of disabilities (cross-disabilities).  “It is unfathomable that someone running for public office would openly and proudly engage in speech demonizing and expressing hatred towards 20% of the population” said Julie Reiskin, Executive Director.  

“Clearly, this individual has not read the ADA and shows no understanding of what the law actually says” says Kevin Williams, the Legal Program Director of CCDC.  “In fact it is this attitude from business owners that flooded the congressional record proving to Congress that disability discrimination is a prevalent problem in our society.”  

“It amazes me that a business owner would publicly show his resentment against any segment of the population, particularly one that tends to have disposable income and spent $35 billion in restaurants nationally in 2003(1) said Joe Beaver, CCDC Board President and retired accountant.  If this is the attitude no wonder the economy is in trouble.  This is not a problem caused by the Government. It is this attitude that costs jobs and causes businesses to fail”

The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition will publicize these statements far and wide and will urge not only our own members, but our friends, business associates and others to remember this attitude and this statement in November.  

“We have been doing voter outreach and registration for years-when people ask why should I vote we will be sharing this statement” said Reiskin, “this is why we all need to vote and pay attention.”    As a society we hopefully would not tolerate someone who spoke negatively against civil rights for any other group and should not tolerate people who speak negatively against the rights of a customer with a disability to enjoy the same goods and services as any other customer-such as the right to use a rest room in a restaurant without having to beg the proprietor for assistance.

CCDC urges people to review the article by Lynn Bartels for the Denver Post today

1. US Department of Justice July 2004 Disability Rights Online Newsletter