December 02, 2008
MILTON - On the back of the powered wheelchair owned by Milton's Americans With Disabilities Act consultant Marie Latta, there is a placard that bears a personal quote she's copyrighted: "Survivors never quit. We just change our ways."
Obviously those are words she lives by.
Latta, who uses the chair because of muscular degeneration brought on by post polio syndrome, has dedicated herself to helping communities across Georgia and the nation become more accessible for all their citizens, regardless of ability level. Her latest project is Milton, and they're glad to have her.
"I truly believe Milton has an opportunity to become a model city for accessibility," she said. "There are not a lot of cities that have taken hold and said 'We're going to do this.'"
Latta said in the short time she's been in town - she lives in Sandy Springs and travels to City Hall to consult - she's truly felt a partner in the vision to make Milton a marquee community for people of all ability levels.
"I've been told, 'This is what Milton wants, not because we have to, but because it's what we want as a city,'" she said. "The bottom line is, it's a quality of life issue."
The idea of making Milton a fully accessible city for everyone, regardless of ability levels, began in earnest in April 2007 when then Councilman Neal O'Brien and Councilwoman Tina D'Aversa began ironing out the details of a citizens' advisory committee with local advocate Renee Catanzaro. The group, known as the Disability Awareness Committee (DAC), was formalized in May of this year.
Latta, who has been hired by the city to help Milton come into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, represents a major contribution of the committee to the local government's overall policy.
Anne Coggins is chairwoman of DAC. She worked with former City Manager Billy Beckett and committee member Marcia O'Shaughnessy - who knew Latta from working together on Fulton County's disability committee - and was thrilled to see her come on board.
"When the committee formed, we knew we were going to have to find someone who understood all the ADA laws - I mean, we're just not experts," she said.
Latta's amiable personality, positive attitude and personal perspective on the issues cemented the deal in her mind, said Coggins.
"She shares the perspective that we're not here to beat anybody into doing these things," she said. "I just knew she was going to be perfect for the position."
For Latta, her ADA consulting business was the culmination of a number of her passions. She founded Latta Enterprises in 1991 after a career in special education, hospitals and various human services and adults with disabilities capacities.
"I always had the belief that you should fight for people who were disenfranchised," she said. "It was just a natural part of me."
Latta said she gravitated to the work after overcoming polio at 8. When she was diagnosed with post polio syndrome in 1993, and later confined to a wheelchair in 1995, it did nothing to weaken her resolve to help others.
So now she finds herself in Milton, which has pledged to build a "culture of accessibility" from the ground up.
"Most people think it's adding wheelchair ramps and automatic doors, but that's just one little part," said Latta. "It's good to start as a culture early, because it's so hard to retrofit."
Already Latta has been poring over Milton's various policies, visiting municipal buildings and meeting with city leaders. Everyone has been very welcoming, she said.
"I'm just a team member who brings that expertise, and that's what we are, is a team," she said. "No one is an expert in everything."
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