Katie Klabusich

Host

Accessibility is essential!

Nov 22, 2013·41 visitors

Virginia Pickel

Cohost

Stage· 172 messages

Nov 22, 2013

We hear about 'bootstraps' a lot around here. What if accessing your bootstraps wasn't just an economic issue? How often do we -- or more importantly lawmakers -- consider people with disabilities? Check out Virginia's piece on TX, the ADA and what if Wendy Davis had been disabled and tried to filibuster --> http://tootwistedtv.blogspot.com/2013/07/accessibility-and-texas-legislature.html <-- and join us to talk access!

Katie Klabusich · 12:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from Tawkers Admin

“Once 25 people gather in the audience, a comment needs at least one LIKE to become visible to the two Hosts and anyone not following them. So LIKE the comments you want everyone to see!”

Katie Klabusich · 12:00 AM

★ Spotlighted from Tawkers Admin

“Welcome to the Forum! To get involved, click "Who's Here" and then FOLLOW people.”

Katie Klabusich · 12:00 AM

Hi, all!

Katie Klabusich · 12:00 AM

Thanks for joining us -- and to Rebecca, thanks for posting ahead!

Katie Klabusich · 12:00 AM

Virginia is a badass Texas activist and grad student and she wrote a really interesting piece after the Wendy Davis filibuster.

Katie Klabusich · 12:01 AM

So I wanted to have her on to continue the discussion. Thanks for taking time, Virginia!

Virginia Pickel · 12:01 AM

Thank you Katie!

Katie Klabusich · 12:01 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Hi!”

Katie Klabusich · 12:02 AM

Tell us a little bit about what happened at the Texas capital this summer in case people missed it.

Virginia Pickel · 12:02 AM

Well, it was a pretty interesting summer to say the least!

Katie Klabusich · 12:02 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Constitutional train wreck...”

Katie Klabusich · 12:02 AM

TRUTH, Jordan.

Virginia Pickel · 12:03 AM

Rick Perry called a special session to essentially push through a restrictive abortion bill, but in the committee hearing, over 700 people showed up to give input

Katie Klabusich · 12:03 AM

That sounds like a lot….

Virginia Pickel · 12:03 AM

Their testimony took so long, it was called the People's Filibuster

Virginia Pickel · 12:03 AM

However, the bill still went to the floor, and that's when Wendy Davis stepped in!

Katie Klabusich · 12:03 AM

In the pink shoes!

Katie Klabusich · 12:04 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Go People!”

Virginia Pickel · 12:04 AM

Yes, the pink shoes! And when she initially stood up to filibuster, that's when I began wondering about all the restrictions

Virginia Pickel · 12:05 AM

Federal filibuster restrictions (a la "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington") are more lenient than Texas rules

Katie Klabusich · 12:05 AM

Right, this isn't the faux-filibuster we watched Ted Cruz pull in Congress.

Virginia Pickel · 12:05 AM

Definitely not!!!!

Katie Klabusich · 12:06 AM

Most people watching remember her getting "a strike" against her when a colleague helped her put on a back brace. What rule was that breaking?

Katie Klabusich · 12:06 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

“Wow. I'm a Special Ed teacher and I didn't even think about how exclusionary the filibuster guidelines are...”

Virginia Pickel · 12:06 AM

She was not allowed to accept assistance from any of her colleagues. There was debate over what "assistance" actually meant

Virginia Pickel · 12:07 AM

Ultimately they decided that the back brace counted as "assistance"

Virginia Pickel · 12:07 AM

And that's why she got that strike against her

Katie Klabusich · 12:08 AM

Now even before that happened, you had considered going to the capitol yourself to be part of the people's filibuster. What made you think twice about heading down there?

Virginia Pickel · 12:09 AM

That's a really great question. I personally have fibromyalgia, which causes a lot of pain for me.

Virginia Pickel · 12:09 AM

I use a cane to get around, and I often cannot stand for long periods of time (i.e. greater than 15 minutes)

Virginia Pickel · 12:10 AM

So, I had to consider a lot of different things. What would parking look like? Would it require a long walk to the Capitol building itself?

Katie Klabusich · 12:10 AM

Right. Is the capitol accessible?

Virginia Pickel · 12:10 AM

Once in the Capitol building, would elevators be easily accessible (no)?

Virginia Pickel · 12:11 AM

In my opinion, the Capitol is only accessible in the strictest legal sense. Like, what they're required to do by law.

Katie Klabusich · 12:12 AM

So, they've done the bare minimum, which wouldn't be helpful on such an unusual day as the special session testimony.

Katie Klabusich · 12:12 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“It's fitting. The last thing they want is citizen participation. I'm surprised the even honor the minimum codes.”

Virginia Pickel · 12:12 AM

The only elevators and accessible entrances are off the Rotunda, which is in the middle of the Capitol building

Virginia Pickel · 12:12 AM

So if you come in from the side entrances, you'll have a long walk ahead of you :(

Katie Klabusich · 12:12 AM

True, Jordan! Especially since the AG Greg Abbott has sued on behalf of the state to limit the reach of the Americans With Disabilities Act in Texas.

Virginia Pickel · 12:13 AM

Yes, since it was such a special circumstance to inquire about possibly getting a wheelchair to navigate the Capitol on the day I actually DID go up there

Katie Klabusich · 12:13 AM

Wow. So much for full participation. o.O

Katie Klabusich · 12:13 AM

(As if Rick Perry cared.)

Virginia Pickel · 12:14 AM

They only have 2 wheelchairs at the visitor's center, and those have to be returned by 5pm. Obviously not very helpful when filibusters go until all hours

Katie Klabusich · 12:14 AM

They have TWO wheelchairs. Two. As in one…two.

Katie Klabusich · 12:14 AM

Yeah, that's accommodating.

Virginia Pickel · 12:14 AM

Yes, two wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. You have to leave your ID there until you return the chair

Katie Klabusich · 12:14 AM

I'm resisting making a snarky comment about days AG Abbott visits the capitol

Virginia Pickel · 12:15 AM

At least, this is what I was told when I called, because this information is not readily available on their website (also an accessibility problem)

Katie Klabusich · 12:15 AM

As if you're going to steal it.

Virginia Pickel · 12:15 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Were you heartened by the national outpouring of support that Ms. Davis enjoyed?”

Katie Klabusich · 12:15 AM

Yeah, you and I ended up having some social media chats ahead of this tawk about accessibility on websites. You'd think a government website would be required to offer that info.

Virginia Pickel · 12:16 AM

@Jordan - the support during and after Senator Davis's filibuster was amazing!!

Katie Klabusich · 12:16 AM

That shit was inspiring.

Virginia Pickel · 12:17 AM

Yes Katie, it took some doing to even find out where to call to GET the accessibility info. The Visitor's Center was where they sent me

Katie Klabusich · 12:17 AM

Unreal. smh

Katie Klabusich · 12:17 AM

I'm sure the talk about additional special sessions and questions about additional filibusters made you consider more about the actual filibuster rules.

Virginia Pickel · 12:19 AM

Yes, Texas filibuster rules include: no food/water, no sitting/leaning, no bathroom breaks, and no assistance.

Katie Klabusich · 12:19 AM

That sounds brutal.

Virginia Pickel · 12:20 AM

So I thought, what if Senator Davis was disabled? Or what if I (a disabled person) was a Senator and wanted to filibuster? Could it even be done??

Virginia Pickel · 12:20 AM

And the answer is, I honestly don't know.

Virginia Pickel · 12:21 AM

Texas Congress meets every 2 years instead of every year, but I plan to contact my representatives and demand that they explain and/or modify these rules

Virginia Pickel · 12:21 AM

Oh I forgot, one of the other stipulations is you must speak AUDIBLY the entire time of the filibuster.

Katie Klabusich · 12:21 AM

That sounds like a topic for another talk: why does the Texas lege only meet every other year. :P

Katie Klabusich · 12:21 AM

Yeah, I think that one gets me.

Katie Klabusich · 12:21 AM

I mean the whole thing gets me.

Katie Klabusich · 12:22 AM

But that sounds like something even an able-bodied person could have trouble with in front of a large crowd.

Katie Klabusich · 12:22 AM

From Virginia's piece: "When a member has been recognized and is speaking on a bill or resolution, he must confine his remarks to the subject of the bill and speak audibly (62 S.J. Reg. 778 (1971)). (emphasis added)"

Katie Klabusich · 12:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Everything's big in Texas. Even the time between sessions.”

Katie Klabusich · 12:22 AM

HA. <applause> @Jordan

Katie Klabusich · 12:22 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“TY. Tyvm.”

Katie Klabusich · 12:23 AM

Not every body has my loud mouth or projection ability. Serously, WTF?

Virginia Pickel · 12:23 AM

The speaking audibly thing gets me because what about ASL (American Sign Language) or people who are unable to speak?

Virginia Pickel · 12:23 AM

Would they automatically be disqualified from filibustering?

Virginia Pickel · 12:24 AM

I feel kinda bad that I'm only providing more questions with few answers, but these are things people need to think about.

Katie Klabusich · 12:24 AM

We like questions around here. The only people afraid of questions are those who think they have all the answers.

Katie Klabusich · 12:24 AM

#meta

Katie Klabusich · 12:25 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Good call, Katie!”

Katie Klabusich · 12:26 AM

I think that's what makes your piece well thought-out.

Katie Klabusich · 12:26 AM

You brought up issues we're already used to seeing be routinely "handled" for lack of a better term.

Katie Klabusich · 12:26 AM

We've all been to speeches, etc. and seen the ASL interpreters off to the side.

Virginia Pickel · 12:26 AM

And the thing is, I'm sure I only caught the most glaringly obvious accessibility issues. I'm sure there were many more issues that I didn't recognize.

Katie Klabusich · 12:27 AM

Did you hear about other people wanting to attend or noticing the inherent discrimination in the way the filibuster rules are written?

Virginia Pickel · 12:28 AM

Most of my activism during the special sessions was done on Twitter, and there many fellow PWD (people with disabilities) who wanted to go and could not.

Katie Klabusich · 12:28 AM

That sounds supremely frustrating.

Virginia Pickel · 12:28 AM

We formed a sort of "Online Brigade" to spread the word to media, and ask people to donate food/money, etc.

Virginia Pickel · 12:29 AM

Personally, it helped me feel like I was contributing. And I know we were spreading information that was difficult for protestors to get on the ground

Virginia Pickel · 12:29 AM

Like, how many people were watching the live stream? Where were food donations coming from? etc etc

Katie Klabusich · 12:30 AM

Yeah -- I'm pretty sure that's how I found you!

Virginia Pickel · 12:30 AM

Well that, and fantasy football lol!

Katie Klabusich · 12:30 AM

I needed updated info to spread around and take to media outlets and you knew the everything!

Katie Klabusich · 12:31 AM

Ha. Truth. feminist fantasy football. bam.

Virginia Pickel · 12:31 AM

Yes, during the filibuster I created a blog post that listed as many media outlets and prochoice-friendly celebrities I could find so we could tweet or FB them incessantly

Katie Klabusich · 12:31 AM

You did some great work.

Katie Klabusich · 12:32 AM

And you point out a number of glaring issues with the filibuster law

Virginia Pickel · 12:32 AM

I'm sure MSNBC shows got tired of hearing from us lol!

Katie Klabusich · 12:32 AM

Is it a law, or a rule?

Katie Klabusich · 12:32 AM

(HA!)

Virginia Pickel · 12:33 AM

That's a really good question, and I'm not sure actually. I can check into it and we can let people know later...maybe in a follow up Tawk (hint hint)!

Katie Klabusich · 12:33 AM

It looks like it's a rule from your post. "Senate Rules for the 83rd Legislative session"

Katie Klabusich · 12:34 AM

Hehe…. this may be a place people can get active and demand better from their next legislature.

Katie Klabusich · 12:34 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Lol”

Virginia Pickel · 12:34 AM

I am totally planning to write my state reps (probably all of them really) and demand they reconsider these rules, and I would encourage other Texans to do the same.

Virginia Pickel · 12:35 AM

People from out of state, you might want to check on the accessibility of your legislatures too! Even if you don't have filibusters, there may be other areas where they can improve!

Katie Klabusich · 12:35 AM

I wonder how many states have these rules? The one you point out about "No food/no water" is at the federal level too. Tell us what that's especially problematic for PWD.

Katie Klabusich · 12:35 AM

Ha! great minds...

Katie Klabusich · 12:35 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“I have a question. Why do progressives stay in Texas?”

Katie Klabusich · 12:36 AM

Alright, V -- I just spent two weeks of my life fundraising for Texas, so I'll let you answer Jordan. ;)

Virginia Pickel · 12:36 AM

@Jordan Because it's our state and we love it and we're not going to let some ridiculous lawmakers run us out of our own homes

Virginia Pickel · 12:37 AM

We want to change it from within. Why go anywhere else??

Katie Klabusich · 12:37 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Good answer.”

Katie Klabusich · 12:38 AM

Texas has amazing activists -- just look at what they're inspiring across the country!

Virginia Pickel · 12:39 AM

I'm glad Texas is inspiring people across the country! But we can't forget about other areas that need our help too.

Katie Klabusich · 12:39 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Oppressive government creates great activism I guess.”

Katie Klabusich · 12:39 AM

Truth. It's easy to get complicit and apathetic. It's part of why I moved out of Chicago. Though the attacks on public transit and the school system are finally waking people up.

Katie Klabusich · 12:40 AM

I think progressive Texans were awake, they just didn't have enough "every day people" standing next to them. Extra special sessions just to curb abortion access got people angry.

Katie Klabusich · 12:40 AM

And just look at how getting involved in one issue spurs interest in others. I found Virginia b/c of the filibuster, and now we're chatting accessibility!

Virginia Pickel · 12:41 AM

Yay us!! :D

Virginia Pickel · 12:41 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“It's hard to believe the great Ann Richards was once the governor there.”

Katie Klabusich · 12:41 AM

Truth, @J

Virginia Pickel · 12:42 AM

Indeed. Miriam A. (Ma) Ferguson was the first female governor of Texas, then Ann Richards, and HOPEFULLY Wendy Davis in 2014!!!

Katie Klabusich · 12:42 AM

Katie Klabusich · 12:42 AM

I think this conversation makes an excellent additional point.

Katie Klabusich · 12:43 AM

Intersectionality is something we should be striving for in activism. The juxtaposition of ableism and feminism should be talked about.

Virginia Pickel · 12:43 AM

I completely agree. There were issues with some of the terms used around the filibuster

Katie Klabusich · 12:43 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Going from Ann Richards to Rick Perry. Maybe evolution is a fake.”

Virginia Pickel · 12:44 AM

Stand with Texas Women, for example. It excludes trans* people and PWD (who possibly can't stand)

Katie Klabusich · 12:44 AM

Would the Davis filibuster have been as iconic without the shoes?

Virginia Pickel · 12:44 AM

I think so. :)

Katie Klabusich · 12:45 AM

Would the mainstream media have grabbed onto it, is what I'm thinking.

Virginia Pickel · 12:45 AM

Ohhhhh, I see what you mean. I thought you meant from my perspective, lol!

Katie Klabusich · 12:45 AM

Ha! No. I meant from a PR perspective.

Katie Klabusich · 12:46 AM

They were pretty snazzy

Katie Klabusich · 12:46 AM

;)

Virginia Pickel · 12:46 AM

I think it still would have been iconic. Just her standing there, or she and the other senators holding up their two fingers...the shoes definitely helped though :)

Katie Klabusich · 12:47 AM

I was being a little vague; what if she couldn't wear the shoes, ya know? The pictures of her standing there for 11 hours with all the emphasis on standing. You pointed out that were she in a wheelchair or in need of a cane, she should still

Katie Klabusich · 12:47 AM

have been able to filibuster. But the rules say she can't.

Katie Klabusich · 12:48 AM

Or something as simple as needing medication. I hadn't even considered that till I read your piece. If you aren't allowed food or water, there are medications people need that they couldn't take.

Virginia Pickel · 12:49 AM

Right. Yes, so no food/water. Some disabled people are required to take medication at set intervals and most meds require water and/or food

Virginia Pickel · 12:50 AM

No sitting/leaning = what if someone is in a wheelchair or needs to lean on a cane?

Katie Klabusich · 12:50 AM

Exactly. I'll be really interested to see if anyone in the Texas lege responds to inquiries about this. I hope you'll update us!

Virginia Pickel · 12:50 AM

Definitely!!

Katie Klabusich · 12:50 AM

The bathroom break thing always gets me. We hear about that in federal filibusters.

Virginia Pickel · 12:51 AM

The bathroom break thing was interesting because they talked about the "tradition" of the Senate being that...

Katie Klabusich · 12:51 AM

There's that word…."tradition."

Katie Klabusich · 12:51 AM

I always want to get all snarky about what else was considered "tradition" 'round here...

Virginia Pickel · 12:51 AM

...if someone was filibustering, his (because it was usually a guy) colleagues would surround him so he could pee into a trash can

Katie Klabusich · 12:51 AM

WOW

Katie Klabusich · 12:52 AM

So the filibuster is sexist too. What a shocker.

Katie Klabusich · 12:52 AM

No reallu/ Tjat

Katie Klabusich · 12:52 AM

**No really; that's my shocked face.

Virginia Pickel · 12:53 AM

Yeah, but we have some pretty awesome politicians coming up. Wendy Davis/Leticia Van De Putte FOREVER!

Katie Klabusich · 12:53 AM

I can only imagine Leticia Van De Putte in a filibuster.

Katie Klabusich · 12:53 AM

::dreams wistfully::

Katie Klabusich · 12:53 AM

Toss her quote out there in case people forest.

Virginia Pickel · 12:54 AM

But maybe sexism in the Texas lege would be for another time...

Katie Klabusich · 12:54 AM

**forget (thanks, autocorrect)

Katie Klabusich · 12:54 AM

Sounds good!

Virginia Pickel · 12:54 AM

Indeed I will! I have a bright orange shirt with the quote emblazoned on it. One moment please!

Katie Klabusich · 12:54 AM

I could do a whole "sexism in the states" series. lol

Katie Klabusich · 12:55 AM

Everyone should youtube her and get the audio/video. I still get chills.

Virginia Pickel · 12:55 AM

"At what point must a female senator raise her hand or her voice to be recognized over the male colleagues in the room?"

Virginia Pickel · 12:55 AM

That was the quote that started the chanting that led to the defeat of the bill. For that session anyway. :-/

Katie Klabusich · 12:56 AM

<<cheering>>

Katie Klabusich · 12:56 AM

Hahaha. Well, on that positive note!

Katie Klabusich · 12:56 AM

Virginia, tell people where they can follow you and read your stuff.

Virginia Pickel · 12:56 AM

You can find me on Twitter at @tootwistedtv. You can also find my blog at www.tootwistedforcolortv.com

Virginia Pickel · 12:57 AM

I wrote a 4-part series about Accessibility and the Capitol back in July that readers may find interesting!

Katie Klabusich · 12:58 AM

Kick ass! Thank you SO much for taking the time. Don't forget that this transcript stays up, so feel free to use it to add on to or promote your series!

Katie Klabusich · 12:58 AM

Looking forward to the next time we chat!

Virginia Pickel · 12:58 AM

Thank you Katie, and thank you everyone watching/reading!

Katie Klabusich · 12:58 AM

Thanks, everyone!

Katie Klabusich · 12:58 AM

★ Spotlighted from Jordan Birnbaum

“Thanks you two! Great Tawk!”

Forum · 19

Forum· 19 comments

41 visitors

Tawkers AdminNov 15, 2013, 4:37 PM★ Spotlighted

Welcome to the Forum! To get involved, click "Who's Here" and then FOLLOW people.

Tawkers AdminNov 15, 2013, 4:37 PM★ Spotlighted

Once 25 people gather in the audience, a comment needs at least one LIKE to become visible to the two Hosts and anyone not following them. So LIKE the comments you want everyone to see!

Rebecca Westbrook TokerNov 15, 2013, 6:14 PM★ Spotlighted

Wow. I'm a Special Ed teacher and I didn't even think about how exclusionary the filibuster guidelines are...

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:00 AM★ Spotlighted

Hi!

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:02 AM★ Spotlighted

Constitutional train wreck...

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:03 AM★ Spotlighted

Go People!

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:06 AM★ Spotlighted

Were you heartened by the national outpouring of support that Ms. Davis enjoyed?

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:12 AM★ Spotlighted

It's fitting. The last thing they want is citizen participation. I'm surprised the even honor the minimum codes.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:20 AM

Shouldn't ADA standards be upheld in public buildings?

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:22 AM★ Spotlighted

Everything's big in Texas. Even the time between sessions.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:22 AM★ Spotlighted

TY. Tyvm.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:25 AM★ Spotlighted

Good call, Katie!

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:31 AM★ Spotlighted

Lol

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:35 AM★ Spotlighted

I have a question. Why do progressives stay in Texas?

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:37 AM★ Spotlighted

Good answer.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:39 AM★ Spotlighted

Oppressive government creates great activism I guess.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:41 AM★ Spotlighted

It's hard to believe the great Ann Richards was once the governor there.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:42 AM★ Spotlighted

Going from Ann Richards to Rick Perry. Maybe evolution is a fake.

Jordan BirnbaumNov 22, 2013, 12:58 AM★ Spotlighted

Thanks you two! Great Tawk!