DISABILITIES

By Daniel J. Vance

In a recent column I featured U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin of Rhode Island, the lone U.S. House or Senate member regularly using a wheelchair.

In 1980, Langevin became paralyzed from the chest down when a police officer accidentally fired a handgun, and the bullet ricocheted into Langevin's neck. He was only 16 then and a police cadet working towards joining the FBI.

In 2000 he was elected to the U.S. House, and became its first quadriplegic member. Did the House make accommodations for him?

“Some, yes,” he said in a telephone interview from Capitol Hill. “First, workers had to remove two chairs on the House floor in order to give me a place to pull in with my wheelchair. It was the ultimate in handicapped parking. Also, when first starting, I used to have to speak from the side of one podium. They would clip a (small) microphone on me, and I would pull to the side. They have since changed that. Some very talented woodworkers have since redesigned the podium, and now they have two mounted permanently to the House floor, one on each side. They are height adjustable, and can be lowered for shorter people or for people using wheelchairs. Also, for when I am speaking on the House floor managing a bill, the workers have made a special table and insert on the aisle so I can go to where the floor manager would speak.”

Langevin has held elective office for 20 years, including six years as Rhode Island secretary of state. Campaigning has been particularly challenging.

“When first starting out, I had to go meet the voters,” he said. “But I didn't go up to doors (and knock). I had my friends go up the street either side for me. They would knock, and say they were campaigning with Jim. If you would love to meet him, he's coming down the street, they'd say.”

Another challenge was having voters feel comfortable with him. He had to speak at civic events, develop a platform, and tell voters what he would do if elected.

“This field isn't for the faint of heart,” he said. “You need courage, patience, and perseverance. People with disabilities are no different than anyone with their desire to serve. I've often said I may be the first quadriplegic in Congress, but I most certainly won't be the last.”

For more, see www.danieljvance.com or www.jimlangevin.com