Brandon Twp.- Roger McCarville has dedicated the past 26 years of his life championing the disabled.
Now, the host of the PBS show ‘Disabilities Today,? who became disabled in 1975 when he fell from a boat and his legs were severed, will continue his advocating efforts as a member of the Michigan Statewide Independent Living Council.
‘It feels great to be on the council,? said McCarville, a township resident. ‘It’s an opportunity to do more.?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s office named McCarville to the position, a 2-year term, on Feb. 27. As a councilmember, McCarville will look into programs in the state and how they represent disabled people. He will make sure buildings are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, help various organizations for the disabled, and advocated for the disabled at municipal meetings.
He notes it will be easier to explain how to make things accessible rather than sue, and why they should hire the disabled, 70 percent of whom he says are still unemployed even after 17 years of ADA taking effect. There are 55 million disabled Americans, 35 million seniors, and 30 million caregivers in the United States, McCarville said.
‘Under the ADA, we’re all under one umbrella,? McCarville said. ‘We’re all together, the blind, deaf, and physically disabled. We want to experience everything that everyone else does.?
‘Disabilities Today? airs at 5:30 p.m., every Tuesday, on PBS.