LETTERS: Sherwood High School's ADA issues are real, but we're working on it

Responding to letters about Sherwood High disability accommodations

You are right the high school doesn't accommodate for disabled students or guests, but we are working on making changes.

Thirty years ago, I researched all the neighboring school districts, looking for the one that would mainstream and accommodate our disabled, wheelchair-bound son. Sherwood won.

Through his years in the district, they continued to make accommodations for all less-than-able-bodied students, staff and guests.

Unfortunately, when they built the new high school, the person in charge and the architecture firm paid little attention to accessibility in the school and outdoor facilities.

Teachers and others are volunteering their time and developing maps and signage to let people know where to park. Students have developed logos, poles and signs have been donated, to have five extra parking spaces for people that have mobility challenges.

I have been working with the Oregon Department of Transportation trying to get five more handicapped parking spaces near the stadium. I got three wheelchairs donated, and students are volunteering their time to provide those wheelchairs to take people with mobility challenges the quarter-mile from the parking lot to the bleachers and then back to their vehicles after the event. The district is also considering making some changes to parking that should help the problem.

I appreciate people letting us know of the problems. Since Sherwood School District was so good to our son back in the day, I am very determined to do what I can to make it good for others.

The important thing is that we work together as a community to make things better. Please email me if you are planning to attend an event at the stadium and need assistance: [email protected].

Dorene Steffeck

Sherwood

Senate should block insurance reform bills

The Oregon Legislature is currently considering many pieces of legislation that could impact our pocketbooks.

House Bills 3242 and 3243 should be easy no votes for legislators given the potential they have to increase insurance rates for all of us. That's why I was shocked to learn the House passed both of these bills.

If these bills also pass the Senate, they would have drastic implications for our insurance system, changing the way insurance claims are resolved from a proven model to one that incentivizes lawsuits.

While proponents of these bills claim they will bolster consumer protection by taking aim at insurance companies, the bills would actually undermine the existing strong protections we have for consumers and risk hiking premiums — as similar policies already have in other states.

When California, Washington, and Florida have tried similar policies, it has led to significantly more lawsuits and skyrocketed premiums because of them.

The reality is these bills would hurt Oregonians already struggling to afford the rising cost of living. It is an unneeded policy that the Legislature has rejected repeatedly over the past decade.

Our local senators will be key decision makers on whether this policy moves forward. Join me in urging them to oppose House Bills 3242 and 3243.

Ryan Ferrie

Beaverton