Philip J. Wolfe for City of Portland Commissioner, Position No. 1
https://www.facebook.com/PhilipJWolfe4Portland/photos/pcb.2937229366356974/2937229299690314/?type=3&theater&ifg=1
Hello Portland,
I would like to share two pictures with you about what I witnessed yesterday after I took this guy, Rafael who is an immigrant and Deaf, to this site which opened yesterday. This site is reserved for BIPOC as a safe space while following CDC guidelines. Rafael was writing notes with this woman, who appears to be in the charge of the site, back and forth which escalated to a frustrating departure. This woman told Rafael that the site is full and suggested that he sign up a waiting list before a spot is available. He pointed out that because he is a houseless Deaf immigrant he had no access to information from TV, news, radio, wi-fi and computer to learn about these sites being opened. He felt that he was the last person and had to be rejected simply because he had no access to anything. He also pointed out that each sites should have reserved at least 2 - 3 spots for Deaf houseless due lack of access, especially during a global pandemic crisis. He argued that there are houseless people who are Deaf in Portland who are still struggling access for help. I can personally confirm after having personal interactions with houseless people who are Deaf and use ASL as their method of communication here in Portland that they are not getting the help they need.
I took him in for two nights at the risk of infection just to keep him off the streets, fed him and took him around downtown to access resources such as getting a tent, tarp and other essentials just in case the sites are still full tonight. I donated him a couple of blankets.
As your future City Commissioner, this, once again, is one of many example of accessibility barriers we face everyday, especially when facing a global pandemic crisis. Because of my personal interactions and am in a position in understanding this issue what needs to be done. Prioritizing accessibility and resources for people with disabilities, elders and people with poor health are lacking and inaccessible which concerns me to no end. We MUST do better.
Please stay tuned for more posts in the near future. Thank you.
Philip J. Wolfe
Portland City Commissioner
2020, Position 1., Candidate
Hello Portland,
I would like to share two pictures with you about what I witnessed yesterday after I took this guy, Rafael who is an immigrant and Deaf, to this site which opened yesterday. This site is reserved for BIPOC as a safe space while following CDC guidelines. Rafael was writing notes with this woman, who appears to be in the charge of the site, back and forth which escalated to a frustrating departure. This woman told Rafael that the site is full and suggested that he sign up a waiting list before a spot is available. He pointed out that because he is a houseless Deaf immigrant he had no access to information from TV, news, radio, wi-fi and computer to learn about these sites being opened. He felt that he was the last person and had to be rejected simply because he had no access to anything. He also pointed out that each sites should have reserved at least 2 - 3 spots for Deaf houseless due lack of access, especially during a global pandemic crisis. He argued that there are houseless people who are Deaf in Portland who are still struggling access for help. I can personally confirm after having personal interactions with houseless people who are Deaf and use ASL as their method of communication here in Portland that they are not getting the help they need.
I took him in for two nights at the risk of infection just to keep him off the streets, fed him and took him around downtown to access resources such as getting a tent, tarp and other essentials just in case the sites are still full tonight. I donated him a couple of blankets.
As your future City Commissioner, this, once again, is one of many example of accessibility barriers we face everyday, especially when facing a global pandemic crisis. Because of my personal interactions and am in a position in understanding this issue what needs to be done. Prioritizing accessibility and resources for people with disabilities, elders and people with poor health are lacking and inaccessible which concerns me to no end. We MUST do better.
Please stay tuned for more posts in the near future. Thank you.
Philip J. Wolfe
Portland City Commissioner
2020, Position 1., Candidate
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