My mother, a 54-year-old wheelchair-bound woman, confronts discrimination and inconvenience at the Owego NY post office daily. Despite her physical limitations, she is compelled to endure harsh weather conditions, trusting strangers with her credit card for transactions inside. Often met with rudeness from employees and left uninformed about charges, she faces significant challenges.

This plight extends beyond my mother; it affects all handicapped individuals encountering similar barriers due to the post office's inaccessible structure. Denying accessibility under the pretense of historical preservation is not only discriminatory but also violates their rights as citizens.

Moreover, a rusty sign on the side of the building, blending in with the brick, falsely states handicapped accessibility in the back. After calling the post office, I found out that this claim is untrue; they have no accessibility.

Data from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (2018) reveals that approximately 12.6% percent of New York State's population has disabilities. As per Lisa McCafferty, RS, MPH, 45.7% of Owego residents face some form of disability (2022-2024: Community Health Assessment, p. 16). These statistics underscore the magnitude of the issue and the urgent need for action.

We urge you to address this issue immediately by making the necessary modifications for handicap accessibility at the Owego NY Post Office while still preserving its historical integrity. Everyone deserves equal access and respectful treatment regardless of their physical abilities or limitations. Please sign this petition if you believe in equality and dignity for all citizens.