Support for protection of the civil and human rights of people with disabilities by promoting: 
(1) the elimination or minimizing of attitudinal and architectural barriers and 
(2) continue to support local agencies that promote independent living, including support for a county tax levy to help finance such an agency. 

Attitudinal Barriers.—The League supports the activities of the Lawrence Commission on the Needs of Persons Having Disabilities and thinks it should have greater responsibility for initiating and monitoring local government action concerning barriers to the disabled and for public awareness programs. 

As one means of increasing public awareness of disabilities and the needs of persons with disabilities, the League supports and urges use of school programs and adoption of curricula that sensitize children to disabilities and persons with disabilities. 
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Architectural Barriers.—Lawrence should expand its ordinance on accessibility to apply not only to public buildings but also to new private commercial and industrial construction and to the remodeling of 50 percent of an existing structure.  Exemptions may be allowed in hardship situations and in the remodeling of architecturally historical structures. 

All site plans should take accessibility for the handicapped into consideration. 
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In the redevelopment of downtown, accessibility for the handicapped should be a major concern. 

Parking.—The Lawrence League strongly supports a city ordinance providing for reserved parking for the disabled, not only in public parking lots but also on public streets (Massachusetts in particular).  Reserved parking spaces should be well marked by signs that also specify penalties for illegal parking in such spaces (official state placard or license plate required).  The League believes that a substantial fine would be a suitable penalty. 

Commercial places that have large parking lots should also be required to provide appropriately placed reserved handicapped parking spaces, well marked by signs and listing penalties. 

Independent Living.—The League supports services to the disabled designed to promote their independence and independent living.  Such services include, but are not necessarily limited to, counseling, advocacy, attendant care, transportation, and assistance in finding employment and housing. 

The League supports a county tax levy to help fund an agency that provides the above services toward independent living.

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