Billboard Alert!

The billboard depicted here (which reads, "Think seatbelts are confining? Try a wheelchair. Buckle up") was erected by the Ravalli County DUI Task Force in Montana. The Task Force reports to the Ravalli County Board of Commissioners.

We are told that in general, the Task Force does good work, however, this billboard demonstrates that they could take stand some lessons on disability culture and etiquette.

REACT!

Advocates interested in sharing their opinions can do so in a number of ways:

• Email the commissioner of Ravalli County and tell him that while perhaps well-intended, the billboard is an insult to people with disabilities.
• Write a letter to the editor of the local newspapers. Send letters to the Ravalli Republic  Managing Editor, Perry Backus and to Missoulian using their online form.
• Post a reaction on the JFActivist blog.

Have you seen or heard an ad lately that you find shocking? Share it with the JFA Moderator.

Comments

[Kara Sheridan]

I blogged about it here and sent letters to the Commissioneer and Editor...hope to hear of changes and would love to see others join me.
Here's the link:

http://www.disaboom.com/Blogs/karaswims/archive/2008/05/23/join-me-in-advocating-for-the-removal-of-this-ridiculous-and-insulting-billboard.aspx

[Dr. Linda Lake]

Some may view this as demeaning; I view it as a warning. I was in a severe auto accident and was wearing my seatbelt, which saved my life. Prior to the accident, I was a wheelchair user, and continue to use a wheelchair. Using seatbelts saved my life, if not my limbs.

[Terri]

This is a tough situation because very few people will understand that along with a much needed safety reminder, the billboard co-markets the message that people with disabilites are pitiable and confined. People with disabilities have to overcome these very prevalent attitudes every day.

Without wheelchairs people with mobility disabilities would have to stay home--far from confining, wheelchairs mean freedom.

That disability=horror is so commonly believed that most people have no idea that there could even be another perspective. And when the disability community points out that this ad is disrespectful and increases the debilitating stima that they must contend with every day just to live, people will respond with shock and hurt. They will say, "We were just trying to save some lives--what do you people want?" The fact that these stigmas are the most handicapping part of disability will be totally lost on them.

We need safety and respect, but that message will not be understood. We have an image problem in the disabilitiy community that this billboard does not help. The question is, what will?

[Terri]

I don't think people who have died would be offended if the billboard had a casket instead of a wheelchair! Just a thought!

[Will Hull]

I took the liberty of creating an action on Change.org with your language. I would welcome any participants to use this as a one button send to the county commissioners.

http://www.change.org/actions?event_id=18240

Thanks.

[Theresa]

I thought I'd post the response we received from Ravalli County Buckle Up campaign. I'll let you draw your own conclusions regarding the tone of the response.

Thank you for your emails concerning the DUI Task Force bill board that addresses ʽBuckling Upʼ.

While I am the Administrative Assistant to the Ravalli County Commissioners, I am also the DUI Task Fore Coordinator for Ravalli County and the author of the bill board. We have received numerous positive comments about the bill board over the past year and a half and are still in our ʽbuckle upʼ campaign for our county which will include the continued use of this bill board.

I did address your concerns with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force Members, Ravalli County Civil Counsel, the Montana Association of Counties Counsel, the Ravalli County Commissioners and the Rocky Mountain ADA Regional Center. While everyone appreciates your concerns, we find there is nothing illegal, nor is the county non-complaint with the ADA in posting this bill board.

Our mission is to promote a healthier and safer environment for Ravalli County Residents by reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes and ʽbuckling upʼ through public education, awareness, legislative and enforcement strategies.

Sincerely,

Glenda M. Wiles
Ravalli County DUI Task Force Coordinator

[Theresa]

I thought I'd post the response we received from Ravalli County Buckle Up campaign. I'll let you draw your own conclusions regarding the tone of the response.

Thank you for your emails concerning the DUI Task Force bill board that addresses ʽBuckling Upʼ.

While I am the Administrative Assistant to the Ravalli County Commissioners, I am also the DUI Task Fore Coordinator for Ravalli County and the author of the bill board. We have received numerous positive comments about the bill board over the past year and a half and are still in our ʽbuckle upʼ campaign for our county which will include the continued use of this bill board.

I did address your concerns with the Ravalli County DUI Task Force Members, Ravalli County Civil Counsel, the Montana Association of Counties Counsel, the Ravalli County Commissioners and the Rocky Mountain ADA Regional Center. While everyone appreciates your concerns, we find there is nothing illegal, nor is the county non-complaint with the ADA in posting this bill board.

Our mission is to promote a healthier and safer environment for Ravalli County Residents by reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic crashes and ʽbuckling upʼ through public education, awareness, legislative and enforcement strategies.

Sincerely,

Glenda M. Wiles
Ravalli County DUI Task Force Coordinator