Georgia Congressional Rep. Doug Collins has written to the United States Postal Service in Washington requesting action on behalf of residents of Elberton concerning inaccessibility of the Elberton Post Office.
Collins’ office sent the original letter my email to The Elberton Star office last week.
Resident Mat Hunt, who found himself without access to the post office due to a foot injury, had asked Collins to look into the plight of the handicapped with access issues.
As a result of Hunt’s efforts, there is now handicap parking on the south side of the Elberton Post Office.
Rep. Collins, in his letter, said Elberton’s post office is inaccessible to residents with limited mobility, but the Postal Service has declined the community’s proposal to use local resources to make the facility handicap-accessible.
“As you may recall, I wrote to you on Oct. 3, 2017 regarding the Elberton, Georgia Post Office, after it was brought to my attention that no ramp, walkway, or elevator exists that permits traditional handicap access at that location,” said Rep. Collins in his letter to the U.S. Postal Service. “In that letter, I requested your assistance in reviewing the availability of proper handicap access at the Elberton facility, and I asked that the Postal Service make the necessary changes to facilitate appropriate, safe, and comfortable access to this post office for all whom it serves.”
Collins said “I am deeply concerned” that barriers to access at the Elberton Post Office persist a year after his office raised concerns on behalf of Elberton residents. He encouraged the Postal Service to prioritize the accessibility of its public facilities across the nation. Collins wrote that the City of Elberton and a number of local organizations are willing to donate the resources needed to make improvements.
Collins also said the community would fully implement proposed improvements in order to provide disability access without prompting potentially extensive and costly efforts.
“I believe working with community partners to make the facility more accessible to residents would be mutually beneficial,” said Collins. “While the existing policy may be well-intentioned, I encourage you to consider the impact that it may have by preventing the post office from improving its service to the community. I respectfully request that you provide my office with the reasoning behind this policy. I look forward to your reply.”