Diane Bayer: Disabilities tourist guide eliminated by GA

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This federal mandate ensures equal opportunities and removes barriers to accessibility for people with disabilities.

So how did the North Carolina General Assembly celebrate?

During the long session, which cost taxpayers an estimated $2 million for extended weeks to agree on a budget, people with disabilities were given the shaft.

No cost-cutting strategies were overlooked. Our elected officials found a savings of about $43,000, or one person’s salary, in the elimination of ACCESS North Carolina, a guide on how people with disabilities can access tourist destinations in North Carolina.

What sort of message does this send to the public, to visitors of our state, and to all the constituents who have disabilities and their families?

This story was originally published October 22, 2015 at 4:34 PM with the headline "Diane Bayer: Disabilities tourist guide eliminated by GA."