My name is Melissa DiVietri, a proud Floridian, and I am living proof of every individual's perseverance and will to live life to the fullest, despite being permanently disabled from birth. Yet, what becomes an everyday challenge is not my disability, but the unfair treatment and lack of facilities I encounter in my apartment complex - the place that is supposed to provide me with safety and comfort.

Ensuring that all buildings are accessible to people of all abilities is not only a matter of basic human rights, it's the law under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accessibility includes having push-button doors and wheelchair access. Unfortunately, there has been negligence and retaliation from the management of my apartment complex instead of attending to these necessary changes. This issue extends beyond myself; it is a matter of importance for all individuals with limited mobility, living in Florida and anywhere else.

Nationwide, 61 million adults in the United States live with a disability. In Florida, around 13.7% of the population have a disability. Yet, many buildings still lack accessible entrances (Disability Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). It's clear there's a disconnect between the law and its execution.

The introduction of a push-button operator is not a costly imposition; it's an inexpensive solution favoring equality and inclusion. It's about fairness, human rights, and adhering to existing laws pertaining to accessibility for all.

It's time to update the laws in Florida and require all buildings to be readily accessible via wheelchair and equipped with push-button doors.

Please, sign this petition to take a stand for disabled rights and to change the laws. Together, we can make a difference and create a more inclusive Florida. #disabledasfukk