CNN Journalist Anderson Cooper Interviews Attorney Richard Bernstein

Attorney Richard Bernstein Earns National Recognition for Legal Victory on Behalf of Detroit Wheelchair Users

CNN Anderson Cooper 360 – December 31, 2006

News Anchor Anderson Cooper:

"As we ring in the New Year’s in Chicago and New Orleans and San Antonio and the Central Time Zones, on A.C. 360 we make a point of trying to cut through bureaucratic double-speak and hold elected officials accountable for their words and their actions."

"We call the segment ‘Keeping Them Honest.’ Well, last week our CNN.com website profiled four people who have been keeping them honest in their own communities. Ian Inaba founded the website ‘Video the Votes’ to make sure elections are conducted fairly. Tanya Harris has been instrumental in helping bring New Orleans devastated Ninth Ward back to life after Hurricane Katrina. Fourteen year old Sidney Mercer took on the Transportation Security Administration for putting diabetics’ lives in jeopardy by insisting on x-raying their insulin supplies, which made the insulin useless. She got a change in policy."

"And Richard Bernstein not only decided to fight Detroit City Hall - he won. He is a remarkable man. He is blind. You are about to meet him."

"Thousands of you watched their stories and voted on our website, and the winner of this year’s ‘Keeping them Honest’ award is Richard Bernstein. He joins me now."

"Richard, it’s so nice to have you here."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Anderson, it’s such a pleasure to be with you. Thank you for doing this segment that you do. It really has the potential to affect a lot of people and truly change lives."

News Anchor Anderson Cooper:

"Tell the folks who didn’t see the piece - and you can see it on our website - what was it that you did. What were you fighting for in your community? "

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Well, ultimately, the whole essence of the disability movement is to have independence and to have a sense of equality in life."

"So we had to take on the Mayor of the City of Detroit, because you had wheelchair users all throughout the city who were waiting 9 to 10 to 11 hours. It was often common that wheelchair users would spend entire evenings in bus shelters. Ultimately, Anderson, when they would plead with the city for help, the city would send them back these little comment cards saying: ‘Thank you so much for your interest in D-DOT.’ "

"So, ultimately, I’ve been blessed. There is an old adage that I have always believed in that says: ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ I have been blessed with the ability to take on this challenge."

"We were able to represent those people and fight for those folks, and, thankfully, what ultimately happened in this case is it went on for two and a half years. But I have tremendous appreciation and thanks for the U.S. Department of Justice, who intervened on our case. Now the City of Detroit Department of Transportation is under the supervision of the United States Department of Justice. That’s changed the lives of thousands and thousands of wheelchair users throughout our city."

News Anchor Anderson Cooper:

"And you continue to work for the benefit of the disabled in your community and communities throughout the United States and our viewers really so overwhelmed and moved. We got so many e-mails just thanking you for what you did and for what, frankly, all the other people did. You voted for all of the other folks in the ‘Keeping Them Honest’ poll, which shows the kind of guy you are. I just want to thank you for coming in and it’s a real honor to meet you."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Anderson, it’s a pleasure to be with you. I hope that your audience will always take from this that the blessing of life can often be adversity and challenge, because with adversity and challenge comes a sense of purpose, and with purpose comes passion, and with passion comes the ability to connect with people. That is what makes life such an incredible experience."

News Anchor Anderson Cooper:

"Well said. I know competing in the ‘Ironman’ competition coming up. Good luck. Maybe some day you can give me some running tips because I’m in awe that you can do that, that anyone can do that. It’s remarkable to meet you, it’s a real honor."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Thank you for this segment."

News Anchor Anderson Cooper:

"All the best. Have a great time in New York."

Attorney Richard Bernstein:

"Thank you."