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Colorado’s First Lawmaker In Wheelchair Leads To Changes In State’s Capitol

The election of Democrat David Ortiz has spotlighted the lack of accessibility around Colorado’s capitol building. The U.S. Army veteran uses a wheelchair and is not able to get everywhere he needs to be in the 130-year-old building. Changes have been made, but more are still needed. Ortiz enters the Senate and House chambers through an electric door. Two ramps bring him to his modified desk, but he is not able to move around to other lawmaker’s desks to discuss bills. There is also no ramp to the speaker’s podium, so six staffers will lift him up in his wheelchair. Ortiz hopes more changes will make the building accessible to all people with disabilities.

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