Named precisely after the Sonoran state law focusing on persons with disabilities, the newly formed Ley 186 Puerto Peñasco Civil Association seeks to protect and provide support for persons with disabilities in the community.
The association, presided over by Francisco Bercovich, hopes to raise awareness as to the rights of the more than 1000 individuals of all ages with disabilities that live in Puerto Peñasco.
The association, which also includes Ramón Carvajal as Secretary, Jose Manuel Barrera Sánchez as Treasurer, Mark Olszewski, Claudia Lugo, and Perla Ibarra, has been working for months on their formal status and now aim to raise awareness as to the rights of those with disabilities with respect to the law, education, employment, and access, among other topics.
Though Bercovich presented numbers as to people in Puerto Peñasco with disabilities who are registered as such with the State, which include 111 people under 18 and 867 adults, he noted there are definitely many more “in the shadows” across the community. He indicated there is a tremendous number of people with disabilities, however they have not been registered on any rolls due to being marginalized by their own families, among other factors.
The newly formed association seeks to raise funds and donations in order to help those with disabilities who are most in need, much as many of the board members have been doing for quite some time in assisting a number of families.
In fact, the group is already planning the upcoming fundraising activities:
- Raffle to be held Feb. 19th for condo and hotel stays Tickets $10 US
- February 27th “Charity Sock Hop” at Latitude 31 to include silent auction and other FUN-draising activities
During the inaugural event of the Ley 186 Puerto Peñasco, A.C., various people in attendance expressed appreciation for support they have already received through specialized equipment, or even medication for family members. Others lauded the goals of the association, and the dedication of those who have brought the association together.
Ramón León, Liaison Coordinator for the Secretary of Public Safety, made a commitment to publicize fines that should be imposed on those who fail to heed parking spaces for those with disabilities. He also offered to disseminate information as to the rights of people with disabilities and made reference to the need concerning access to public buildings and businesses, along with safety measures to facilitate movement of people with disabilities.
To conclude the evening, Bercovich emphasized to all the appropriate terminology of people with disabilities. He noted, “while some say people with special abilities, that speaks to everyone as we all have special or different abilities. However, we are people with disabilities.”