February 26, 2004

WCMF

Attention: Brother Wease

1700 HSBC Plaza

Rochester, NY 14604

Dear Brother Wease:

We are writing to express our concerns about the comments that you made on your February 26^th morning radio show regarding an incident involving a woman who uses a wheelchair. Your comments were offensive to our community and we ask that you apologize on the air.

The comments in question concern an incident that occurred during a campaign stop by Senator John Edwards. Senator Edwards patted two women who use wheelchairs on the head while he was shaking hands with the audience. Patting ANY adult on the head is offensive. It just isn’t done. Patting the head of an adult with a disability perpetuates stereotypes which portray people with disabilities as children. Adults with disabilities struggle to be treated with the same rights and respect given to their non-disabled peers. You may dismiss our concerns because you have not experienced the discrimination that we face, but behaviors such as ‘head-patting’ are representative of the deep systemic bias which we must confront everyday.

Although much of the focus has been placed on the “head patting incident, ” there were other problems associated with Senator Edwards’ visit to Rochester. There were issues with wheelchair accessibility and the campaign failed to provide sign language interpreters for the Deaf as they had agreed. Had you spoken with members our community, you would have been aware of the greater context of this situation and understood why members of our community have reacted so strongly.

By minimizing the incident and mocking the offended persons on air, you disrespect the entire disability community and reinforce the discrimination we face each day of our lives. We request that you immediately schedule a meeting with our organizations and apologize for your comments on air on by March 5^th.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Darling, Center for Disability Rights

Ann Bell, Genesee Region Center for Independent Living

Michele Olyer, Regional Center for Independent Living

cc: Kevin Murphy, General Manager