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Candidate Name: Maria Matos

Candidate for: Civil Court, Countywide, Bronx

Campaign Name: MATOS 2008

Campaign Address: 1369 Blondell Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461

If you have a campaign office, is it wheelchair accessible? Yes

Phone: 718 - 301 - 3119

Website: Matos2008.com

Previous appointed offices held: Assistant Attorney General, Principal Law Clerk, Court Attorney

Key endorsements: Hispanic Transit; Hispanic Court Officers

Political leaders:

• Hon. Jose Rivera
• Hon. Carmen E. Arroyo
• Hon. Naomi Rivera
• Hon. Peter M. Rivera
• Hon. Oliver G. Koppell
• Hon. Maria Baez
• Hon. Jose Serrano (Congressman)

1. Please describe any experience with disability you have had in your life or career.

   My grandmother, who was instrumental in raising me, was unable to ambulate for the last several years of her life. I have represented Mentally incapacitated individuals in hospital release hearings and Article 81 hearings both in my private practice and working for the Mental Hygiene Legal Service.

    

2. How will you incorporate people with disabilities into your campaign?

   I welcome all volunteers to assist my campaign. My best friend's son is deaf and is volunteering to circulate flyers.

    

3. If you are in private practice, is your office accessible to people with disabilities? If not, what have you done to ensure access?

   Not Applicable

4. Is the courthouse in which you work accessible to people with all kinds of disabilities? If not, what have you done to ensure access?

   Yes, there is a ramp in the main entrance and elevators throughout the building.

    

5. Has a person with a disability appeared before your court as a juror or litigant? If so, please indicate what, if any, challenges arose? And how were they handled?

   Yes, several times. We have had persons with multiple disabilities appear in court. Prior to the recent expansion of space for the Civil Court, the basement court room did not have a ramp to allow ingress and egress. I would go upstairs and call all parties to walk to where the incapacitated person was waiting to listen to all parties.

    

6. Do you believe that person who is deaf /hard of hearing or person who blind can serve as a juror? Why or why not?

   Yes, absolutely. Governor Patterson, Beethoven and other artists and leaders have demonstrated that disabilities are not an impediment to make great contributions to society.

    

7. Are you willing to hire either on a job share or full time basis, a qualified law clerk/secretary with a disability?

   Yes.

    

8. How will you work within the court structure to assure the accessibility of all facilities of the courts? For example, will you participate in the Committee for People with Disabilities, relevant training opportunities?

   I would participate in projects that will ensure that litigants have equal access to the courts.

    

Date: July 24, 2008

Printer-friendly version of this questionnaire
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For other candidates running for Judicial positions, go to the Questionnaires section