Patrick William Connally, a close friend of Ed Roberts and others during Berkeley’s Independent Living Movement, was a prolific painter based on the Bay Area. Connally was a well-known artist and activist within the disability rights community, serving as president of DREES (Disability Rights Enforcement, Education Services), an organization which he founded in 1997. Bright colors and imperfect lines were signature elements of Connally’s work, which captured the momentum and cast of characters behind the disability rights movement. He passed away in 2016.
Here, Connally describes his piece about Berkeley’s first curb cuts.
The First Curb Cuts
“Future archeologists will be able to determine when sidewalks were constructed by studying the style of curb cuts, though now we typically refer to them as curb ramps. In this instance, the good ‘ol days weren’t so good at all. Back in the day, when Wheelchairs of Berkeley was family-owned and located on University Avenue, I remember going there with Ed for chair repairs. I also recall that was the location of the first curb cut. It wasn’t placed on the corner in line with the path of most pedestrians; they put it up street a bit where the traffic was not so busy. Later, we learned how such placement was less visible to motorists, and so more dangerous. But at the time, the new cut sure beat rolling halfway around the block in search of a driveway. Of course, people without wheelchairs began using the ramps too. In fact, sidewalk ramps made our public spaces more livable for everyone– especially delivery persons.”