Council Positions 2, 4, and 6 are being voted on in November 2019
Position 2
Cydney Moore
Contact: Info@electcydney.com, www.ElectCydney.com
Do you have any direct experience with disability?
Yes. I have several close family members and friends with disabilities. I have witnessed many of the struggles people with disabilities face, both in my own home and in my community, and the impact having effective support systems can have.
1. HOUSING: How would you make affordable housing available to people with developmental disabilities?
My goal is to work to ensure affordable housing is available in Burien for everyone - regardless of income. Housing is a human right and a basic necessity, which means it must be a top priority. I support offering housing based on a sliding scale that can accommodate people living on SSI, along with additional programs that can help meet other needs and cut down on expenses for those living on minimal incomes
2. SHELTER: How would you ensure people with developmental disabilities have a safe place to sleep and stay?
One of the most pressing issues we face in Burien is homelessness. I will work to provide shelter for all our people that will meet their individual needs. There isn't a one-size-fits-all solution to homelessness; we have to explore multiple options and avenues to address this effectively, and that includes being mindful of the need for accommodations that can properly support our diverse population - whether it's temporary shelter, tiny house villages, transitional housing, long-term housing, wrap-around services, etc.
3. SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: How would you ensure people with developmental disabilities are receiving case management and the support needed to escape homelessness?
I want to expand our city's outreach efforts and provide better support systems to address the needs of our homeless community members. I believe intellectual and developmental disabilities should absolutely be factored in when connecting people to necessary services, and I will work to ensure our local programs do so accordingly.
4. SAFETY: How would you ensure the safety of people with developmental disabilities in police interactions?
I worked on the campaign to require police de-escalation training across the state, and I believe we need to expand on those principles on the local level, guaranteeing our officers have proper training to serve our communities safely, and with consideration and better understand of the diverse needs of our people. I also believe strongly in police accountability in instances where people face abuse at the hands of law enforcement.
5. SAFETY & JUSTICE: Would you support cross-training among professionals in the courtroom, police departments, victim assistance agencies and schools to prepare the justice community for situations involving people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities so they can receive equal justice?
Yes.
6. ACCESS & ACCOMMODATIONS: How would you ensure access to straws in public areas?
I believe in encouraging our local establishments to both move towards more sustainable practices and accommodate those with disabilities in our community. Businesses in our city have already started utilizing a model where they carry biodegradable straws, but still have plastic straws available, and I believe we can foster that concept in Burien.
7. JOBS: What would you do to increase job prospects for people with developmental disabilities?
Establishing a livable minimum wage in Burien is important for all the people of our city, and I will work to make this a reality. Also, I believe educating our community - especially our business community - about the disparities those with disabilities face, including in employment rates, and how to offer more accessible and supportive environments for employees with disabilities is key. Enforcement of anti-discrimination policies should always be a focus, as well.
8. SAFETY: How will you ensure your city's streets, sidewalks and intersections are safe and accessible to everyone?
Accessibility is a major concern in many parts of Burien; we have a number of areas identified in our city that desperately need sidewalks, for example. My goal is to bring more funding to the city that can be focused towards infrastructure and transportation improvements by pursuing grants and additional revenue sources for these types of projects.
9. TRANSIT: Do you think Lyft, Uber and other ride-share companies should be required to include wheelchair accessible vehicles in their fleets?
Yes.
10. TRANSIT: What will you do to expand transit service and improve reliability?
I want our public transportation system to be as robust and accessible as possible. We need to pursue stronger transit systems, including para-transit, to ensure the mobility of our residents, and I will work to identify gaps and shortcomings in services in our community to target areas that need improvement.
Joel Manning
No response submitted. Contact: friendsofjoelmanning@gmail.comPosition 4
Lucy Krakowiak
Sitting council member. No response given. Contact: lucykay@gmail.com, www.electlucy.comKevin Schilling
No response given. Contact: schillingforburien@gmail.com, www.schillingforburien.comPosition 6
Sofia Aragon
Contact: sofiaforburien@gmail.com, www.sofiaforburien.orgDo you have any direct experience with disability?
As a registered nurse, addressing the needs of people with special needs is core to our practice. During my time as a nurse in a primary care clinic in South Seattle, we cared for many adults and children with special needs. As an attorney, I support assuring that persons with disabilities have the same rights as everyone, that accomodations need to be addressed, and that rights should never be limited or restricted without due process. As a Burien City Councilmember, I will work to create a safe, healthy, and inclusive Burien for everyone. During my time as a public health policy analyst, I had the honor of serving on the Caring for Individuals with Autism Legislative Task Force 2005-2008. The task force was created by the state legislature. I was called to join a group of autism experts to make recommendations to the legislature on the growing incidence of autism and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state. As a result, the Autism Guidebook for Washington State was published, which included a report and recommendations. Mandated by the state legislature, this group of autism experts made recommendations to the legislature regarding the growing incidence of autism and ways to improve the delivery and coordination of autism services in the state. Final recommendations and a report are published in the Autism Guidebook for Washington State.
1 - HOUSING: How would you make affordable housing available to people with developmental disabilities?
• As a registered nurse, I am active in educating health providers and other community organizations in raising awareness of housing as a social determinant of health. Social determinants are those factors that impact how long a person lives as well as quality of life. For example, people with higher incomes and/or education tend to live longer and have higher quality of life. For persons with disabilities to achieve optimal health status, persons with disabilities need to be able to live with as much independence as possible. Stable housing is key for the health, safety and stability of persons with disabilities. Increasingly, housing is being recognized as a key social determinant.
• As a member of the board of directors of the WA Low income Housing Alliance, and the Burien Downtown Core Advisory Committee, I work towards making affordable housing available to everyone. The Burien Downtown Core Advisory Committee is an opportunity to significantly increase the amount of affordable housing and I would work towards assuring needs of persons with disabilities are accommodated and the demand for housing addressed. I am also passionate about homelessness—both preventing homelessness for those at risk and helping those who need to find housing find a stable, permanent home with services as needed.
• Based on the data that persons with disabilities may be over-represented in the homeless population, this means they are at higher risk than populations without disabilities to fall into homelessness. As the Burien City Council deliberates on ways to prevent renters from losing their homes or providing for time to transition between rental agreements to avoid homelessness, I would advocate for additional supports to assure that the needs of disabled people are being adequate addressed. I believe in a broad definition of diversity, which includes persons with disabilities. I currently serve on the WA Low Income Housing Alliance’s anti-oppression work group and the goal is address needs of the diverse communities that face challenges to housing.
• As a local official, I would have the opportunity to work with legislators to advocate for more state funding for affordable housing and our congressional delegation for federal funding. State legislators have passed significant legislation in 2019 in the form of local options to invest a portion of the existing sales tax to support affordable housing. I plan to learn more about this option and how this might apply to Burien. Persons with disabilities also face challenges with rent protections. This is another area of policy that I look forward to exploring and advocating for on the Burien City Council.
2 - SHELTER: How would you ensure people with developmental disabilities have a safe place to sleep and stay?
In Burien, there exists only a shelter for women and their families and temporary shelters in the case of severe weather. A regional approach is key to address the larger population for those struggling with homelessness. Those seeking shelter wherever they can land, making city boundaries artificial and one city cannot tackle this issue alone. A regional approach means working with neighboring cities such as Tukwila, SeaTac, and Kent on a strategy to provide adequate shelters for a homeless population that will likely travel among our cities. I look forward to working with our regional partners to address the shared concern of the lack of available shelters in our communities.
3 - SUPPORTIVE HOUSING: How would you ensure people with developmental disabilities are receiving case management and the support needed to escape homelessness?
As a registered nurse, case management is key to stability a person's health, especially those with chronic mental or physical health conditions. Supportive housing provides case management and is an essential and cost- effective way to keep people out of a cycle of homelessness. While homeless, people will face health and safety hazards such as lack of medication or ability to store needed medications. An example is insulin for diabetics and this medication requires refrigeration. Those with adaptive or intellectual functioning disabilities need additional support to make sure they take their medications safely and consistently. Without case management, we would only be relying on emergency care which creates unnecessary high costs. In this example, diabetics who are unable to store medication due to lack of having a refrigerator or safe place for storage would be unable to medication as needed and will inevitably need emergency medical attention. Costs of emergency medical care and is far more expensive than continuous, preventative care that can be provided through supportive housing. Supportive housing can also help to link formerly homeless persons to employment and other services to increase their ability to be independent and stay out of a cycle of homelessness.
4 - SAFETY: How would you ensure the safety of people with developmental disabilities in police interactions?
I intend to develop a positive working relationship with our police force as well as key stakeholder groups such as disability advocates. I am eager to learn about their existing efforts to train officers with regards to the needs of persons with disabilities and how that influences de-escalation and other tactics used. I would also support additional training to address implicit bias for police officers to address any negative biases towards individuals with disabilities.
5 - SAFETY & JUSTICE: Would you support cross-training among professionals in the courtroom, police departments, victim assistance agencies and schools to prepare the justice community for situations involving people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities so they can receive equal justice?
• People with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities have the right to justice and fair treatment in all areas of the criminal justice system and must be afforded the supports and accommodations required to make justice and fair treatment a reality.
• Strengthening Burien’s Community Court is a great opportunity to steer persons with disabilities into needed services. Subjecting persons with disabilities to the criminal justice system alone does not address needs stemming from disabilities. Incarceration only further stigmatizes individuals with disabilities and creates barriers against obtaining housing and employment.
• As a former advocate for school nurses, I look forward to exploring with local schools and families on how to reduce the risk of students with disabilities of falling into the criminal justice system.
6 - ACCESS & ACCOMMODATIONS: How would you ensure access to straws in public areas?
• I support the statement that people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are often able to better perform basic tasks of everyday life, when individual supports are provided when needed. In addition, supports should be provided based on functional needs and choice.
• Straws would be considered assistive technology because it enhances independence, and self-determination in addition to assuring safety for those without muscle control.
• While eliminating plastic straws are key to environmental protection, such as decreasing waste in oceans, persons with disabilities and their advocates should be engaged in this conversation. Use of straws by persons with disabilities should be an exemption to plastic straw use as their availability is necessary for health and safety.
7 - JOBS: What would you do to increase job prospects for people with developmental disabilities?
• I am in favor of promoting opportunities for post-secondary education, including college and vocational training, to gain knowledge and skills to allow people to get better jobs. I would explore partnerships with the Puget Sound Skills Center and nearby community colleges on how to increase educational opportunities for persons with disabilities. I would also explore partnerships with the Highline School District about how to better prepare students with disabilities for meaningful employment.
• Fair and reasonable wages and benefits are also key.
• As an employer, this is an opportunity for the City of Burien to promote jobs and careers to include persons with disabilities. I would encourage the Burien Economic Development Partnership, a key stakeholder community of business leaders that advises the Burien City Council, to examine the issue of increasing job opportunities for persons with disabilities in Burien and to include advocates and persons with disabilities in conversation around economic development for the city.
8 - SAFETY: How will you ensure your city's streets, sidewalks and intersections are safe and accessible to everyone?
• A key role of city government is to assure safe infrastructure for everyone.
• This is a key area of focus for Burien as we have experienced considerable growth and the addition of neighborhoods and land over the years. It’s a key responsibility of the City to assure that adequate infrastructure such as sidewalks are provided.
• As a member of the Downtown Core Advisory Committee, I would advocate for accessible streets, sidewalks, and intersections so that persons with disabilities can be an equal contributors in the economic growth of the city.
9 - TRANSIT: Do you think Lyft, Uber and other ride-share companies should be required to include wheelchair accessible vehicles in their fleets?
I support persons with disabilities having access to both public and private transportation to lead full, independent lives. As a City Council member, I would reach out to organizations doing business in Burien, including Lyft and Uber regarding limitations on providing wheelchair accessible vehicles in their fleet and how the City can help lower barriers to providing wheelchair accessible vehicles. I would also explore how public transportation options can be enhanced to serve persons with disabilities.
10 - TRANSIT: What will you do to expand transit service and improve reliability?
Accessible and reliable transportation is a growing need in the Puget Sound Region. The issue of improving the paratransit system is a great opportunity to work collaboratively with regional partners on how to make sure persons with disabilities have access to these systems at a comparable cost. Assuring accessible transit is key to assuring persons with disabilities have the ability to get to and from work, to travel to services when needed, and to lead independent lives.
