CORPUS CHRISTI CITY COUNCIL KEEPING THINGS FROM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Corpus Christi City Council does not have an Interpreter for the d/Deaf in their council chamber meetings.

According to the Americans with Disabilities Act this is a violation of the law. It falls under the Title II Act, that states,” That there should be equal access for all people that have disabilities.”

This means that the City of Corpus Christi, should have Interpreters, auxiliary aids, and other services available. Just like the bigger cities have.

“Any  person needing such things, must call the City Secretary at least 48 hours in advance to get these things. So at least by Friday morning for Tuesday evening meetings.” Says Paul Pierce, Assistant City Secretary. The City Secretary Rebecca Huerta was unable to be reached for comment.

The City of Corpus Christi is a growing community of more than 325,000 people, and of them there are about 16,000 that are d/Deaf and/or Hard of Hearing. This is a high percentage not to have Interpreters at the Council meetings.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center at 5151 McArdle, is the one that can provide Interpreters as needed for such meetings. All the City Secretary has to do is call and schedule them for the times that are needed. Although, there is a need for Certified Interpreters in Corpus Christi.

“For the City Council meetings there needs to be at least two interpreters there, since the meetings are three to four hours long, and there is more than one person talking at a time.” says Jamie Lugo, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Specialist, at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center.

The need for two interpreters at this meeting is so that the information can be passed onto the people that need it. It also, helps to get the knowledge out about new programs that the d/Deaf might be able to use.

This is the reason that the interpreters need to be there to help process the information out to those that need it. The two council members that I spoke to had no idea that there are services out there for people with disabilities.

“Such things, have never occurred to me. I have never had a need for these things.” said Gil Hernandez, Councilman for District 5.

Although, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing center is always open to help, those in need. A phone call is all it takes to schedule an appointment to meet with someone. To help, with auxiliary aids and how to get them. They can also help guide someone in the right direction for other services, as needed.

Many people do not reach out for the services, although they are there. The phone number to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center is (361) 993-1154 TTY/VP and regular calls.

” I did not know that these services are  available, even though I am over the district where the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center is. So now, I want to be able to reach out to these people and serve them better.” says Roland Barrera, City Councilman for District 3.

Both Hernandez and Barrera agree that changes need to be made to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and to help better serve their community.