Likely new member ushers in accessibility at Arizona House
PHOENIX (AP) — Prompted by the likelihood that its new members next year will include a lawmaker who uses a wheelchair, the Arizona House is making changes to its building to make it accessible.
The Arizona Capitol Times reports the list of improvements approved by Speaker J.D. Mesnard includes adding automatic security doors and a portable ramp that would make the speaker's desk accessible.
Jennifer Longdon, the presumptive Democratic member from Legislative District 24, uses a wheelchair. She was paralyzed in 2004 after a random, drive-by shooting.
Longdon will presumably join the House in January. She and fellow Democrat Amish Shah still have the November general election to get through against Republican David Alger Sr.