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Chris Hinds—a city councilman in Denver, Colorado who uses a wheelchair—says he was "humiliated" and "felt like a circus clown" after he was forced to hoist himself onstage at the venue for a mandatory debate because the stage was inaccessibl
The debate, held at the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance studio, was mandated by the Fair Elections Fund, Denver's new public campaign financing mechanism.
Unfortunately, Hinds was under pressure to appear at the debate because if he didn't participate he would have been forced to forfeit $125,000 in Fair Elections Fund money that he had gotten so far.
Hinds said he felt like he had to choose "to either preserve the campaign's viability or his dignity" and the image of him hoisting himself onstage is a stark reminder of the venue's lack of wheelchair accessibility and its failure to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Per the law, buildings must remove "architectural barriers" that could adversely impact an individual's ability to receive the full and equal enjoyment of goods, services, or facilities.
You can see the image of Hinds hoisting himself onstage below.
\u201cAfter the City Councilman hoisted himself on to the stage from his chair on the ground, the decision was made that instead, the debate would be moved to the floor in front of the stage and @DenverPerfect10 returns to his chair after the five-minute episode. L\n\nWild start here.\u201d— \ud835\udc7d\ud835\udc70\ud835\udc75\ud835\udc6a\ud835\udc6c (@\ud835\udc7d\ud835\udc70\ud835\udc75\ud835\udc6a\ud835\udc6c) 1676329178
In an official statement, Hinds said he feels "incredibly disappointed and disheartened after the public humiliation [he] endured," noting that the venue's lack of wheelchair accessibility "culminated in an extremely uncomfortable outcome."
Hinds' office also criticized the Fair Elections Fund's stipulation that he would have to forfeit campaign funds if he did not appear, saying he "had to choose to either preserve the campaign's viability or his dignity" onstage.
\u201cMy official statement on the events of 2/13.\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
Many expressed their anger on Hinds' behalf and praised him for speaking out.
\u201c@ChrisForDenver I can't imagine how you were able to compose yourself for a debate after that start. Great statement.\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
\u201c@ChrisForDenver I can\u2019t imagine this is what the supporters of the Fair Elections Fund had in mind. This entire event was problematic. No one, much less an elected official, should have to make these impossible choices to participate in a mandatory debate. Thank you for your courage.\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
\u201c@ChrisForDenver You showed tremendous resilience and resolve. I will say that I believe your dignity is firmly intact. You should have never had this experience\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
\u201c@ChrisForDenver I'm appalled . There should have been plans made long before this even happened. I have to make all of my haunted houses are Ada accessible . the government of the city should be required to do the same. Chris I hope you find a legal actions against the city .\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
\u201c@ChrisForDenver @jahnh28 How is that not an ADA violation? Not holding election debates in a way that would\u2019ve accommodate disabled candidates would limit their ability to exercise their first amendment rights.\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
\u201c@ChrisForDenver Just horrible!!\u201d— ChrisForDenver (@ChrisForDenver) 1676479460
\u201c@washingtonpost What a shame, no one bothered help him, all standing as if they are watching a movie. What happened to humanity!! \nHad this happened in where I came from, the whole arena will be helping him with great pleasure. Unbelievable & unacceptable.\u201d— The Washington Post (@The Washington Post) 1676639651
\u201c@washingtonpost On top of the humiliation, if he had canceled he would have been forced to forfeit his campaigns $125,000 from the city\u2019s election fund. So sad in 2023 we are still dealing with ADA non-compliance.\u201d— The Washington Post (@The Washington Post) 1676639651
The failure on the part of the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance studio to ensure wheelchair accessibility at the debate is an example of ableism, which is defined as discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities or who are perceived to be disabled.
While a spokesperson for the venue told reporters the facility is ADA compliant, they acknowledged the stage itself had limitations and said the venue would seek a long-term solution.
Paul D. López, with the Denver Clerk and Recorder’s Office, said in a statement that he "apologized to Councilman Hinds personally" and that his office "continues to communicate with all debate sponsors to ensure that they can fulfill ADA requirements and other needs."