Disability issues raised in Santa Barbara march

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - As part of Disability Awareness Month, a special march took place Wednesday in Santa Barbara.

Momentum WORK, Inc. hosted a disability awareness event in downtown from Victoria St. to Ortega.

Those attending met in front of Santa Barbara Art Works at 28 East Victoria Street and then carried signs and balloons in their rally along State Street together.

The organizers spread a message to the local community about their rights and how they are capable. 

There have been compliance issues with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) since the new promenade was established.

" I want to see that people when they see us on the street they're not all like 'oh this guy has a disability.'   I want them to be happy when they see us," said Joseph Haake with Momentum WORK, Inc. He has been among the advocates who have contacted city officials when there are problems for those who are disabled, not just downtown but in other areas.

Haake said, "I feel like I have a better voice now. "

Businesses have been checked and called out if they had inappropriate access areas, illegal or missing ramps,  or tables that were not the correct size for someone in a wheelchair.

At one point there were several locations where someone who is visually impaired or had mobility issues could not got down the sidewalks without being blocked or hitting something in their way.

The group says many of those issues have been resolved, after repeated efforts, and they will continue to monitor it.

The City of Santa Barbara says it has staff doing routine checks for compliance and says nearly all businesses are in line with the rules this week.