Welcome
The Town of Riverhead Committee for the Handicapped is committed to ensuring that all Town
residents and visitors share equal and ready access to all public buildings, retail
stores, restaurants, inns and motels, cultural and recreational events, parks, and
beaches. It is our firm belief that all persons, regardless of physical and/or mental
capabilities, are entitled to the highest quality of life and environment. Our mission is
to work continuously toward the full achievement of our vision.
If you have an issue regarding the rights and needs of the
handicapped, contact our Committee Liaisons
James Wooten at Town Hall ( 727-3200)
Mission
Statement
It is the purpose of this all-volunteer committee to promote and ensure a quality of life
for disabled residents and visitors that is equal to that enjoyed by all other Town
residents.
Members of the Committee meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 2pm in Town Hall and
address both specific and general issues facing our handicapped population.
Objectives
To work for the
benefit of Town of Riverhead residents with disabilities
To develop
programs in conjunction with other Town Departments and Committees that assist
people with
disabilities to become more self sufficient
To advocate at
Town Hall for changes to resolve issues facing the disabled
To create and
promote educational and informational materials
To raise
awareness of the needs and issues of the handicapped residents of Riverhead
To assist the
Town in ensuring compliance with all Town, State, and federal mandates and
regulations
Suggested Links
www.eed-a.org
www.co.suffolk.ny.us
www.vesid.nysed.gov
www.ed.gov
www.suffolkilc.org
Handicapped Committee
Mission Statement:
It is the purpose of the all volunteer Committee to ensure that all handicapped residents
of the Town of Riverhead as well as those who may visit the Town enjoy the same quality of
life as all other Town residents. Our purpose is met by determining needs and then
proposing ways to meet these needs.
Objectives:
Committee Members:
Councilman James Wooten, Town Board Liaison
Remy M. Bell, Chairperson
Vince Taldone
Karen Bocksel
Jude Petroski
Bill Andes
Eileen Benthal
Accomplishments:
Obtained
assistance for handicapped and seniors at Town yard waste facility
Created a
disabled equipment bank at senior center
Established
working partnerships with other Suffolk Towns for purpose of information and idea
exchange
Introduced
legislation to increase handicap parking space ticket violations ( LL 2-2004)
Improved parking
and building access at numerous locations throughout the Town
Purchased
listening devices for use at Town hall
Created the
“Wheelchair Challenge Day” at Town Hall to promote awareness
Purchased full
service mobile handicap restroom facility
Introduced beach
ready wheelchairs and walkers to Town residents
Installation of access ramp at Elks Lodge
Published and
distributed “ Just a Minute Flyers” to remind people not to park in handicap
parking spaces
Worked with Town
Departments to obtain curb cuts and curb improvements
Riverhead Town Handicapped Advisory Committee
Member and Chair Remy M. Bell
I have lived in Riverhead for over 20 years and simply want to give back to
the Community I call home. In the mid-eighties my mother started to have problems with leg
ulcers and had a hard time getting around with the pain; she began to use a four-legged
cane. Her condition continued to deteriorate, and she began to require first a walker,
then a wheelchair. My mother lived with me and I witnessed firsthand the difficulties a
person with a handicap has getting around and wanted to make changes for the better. That
is why I am on the Handicapped
Advisory Board- to make a difference. My mother passed on in 2002 and I do this in her
memory.
