Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities  

Barrier Awareness Day

Awards Banquet

Our motto: 

Bridging the Gap

What is the purpose of this Committee?

We were established in 1991as a committee of the Mayor's office in order to provide a place where issues of interest to people with various disabilities could be discussed and acted upon. 

We deal with any type of barrier, whether physical or attitudinal. 

What is our mission?  Our goals?

1.  We try to develop a favorable climate in our community for people with disabilities.

2.  We advocate for people in getting barriers removed or modified.  These barriers can be either physical ones or barriers of negative attitude toward people with disabilities. 

What services do we offer?

1.  Advocacy.  Our Committee advocates for people with disabilities.  This advocacy involves helping in many life areas:  employment, transportation, communications, housing, health and others.  We help people get in touch with agencies that can help them. 

2.  Disability awareness.  We work toward greater awareness of the problems faced by people with disabilities.  Our work extends to being at various health fairs and disability awareness events and other places where we are needed.  Some disabilities are physical (blindness, deafness, etc.) and visible and others are not visible (learning disabilities, mental retardation, etc.).

3.  Referral.  When necessary, we are able to refer people to agencies that can help them.  Many of these agencies send representatives to meetings of the Mayor's Committee. 

Who can be a member of the committee?

Anyone interested in the work of the Mayor's Committee may be appointed by the Mayor.  Contact the Mayor's Office if you are interested.  Call:             626-7025. 

When does the Committee meet?

Day: Second Tuesday of each month, September through May.

Time:  11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Place:  Ramkota Inn, 1400 8th Avenue, NW, where there are accessible entrances, parking, and restrooms. 

If you need assistance, alternative formats for reading, or accessible locations, please contact the Mayor's office (626-7025) at least one week prior to the meeting. 

If you need public transportation, call Ride Line at least the day before the meeting between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm.  Phone:  626-3333.  

Words that Empower

Positive language empowers.  When writing or speaking about people with disabilities, it is important to put the person first.  Catch-all phrases such as "the blind", "the deaf", or "the disabled" do not show the individuality, equality, or dignity of people with disabilities. 

Here is an example that may help:

Positive:  Person who is blind or visually impaired.

Negative:  The blind.   

Americans with Disabilities Act

The ADA became law on July 26, 1990.  It is a law which protects people with disabilities from discrimination. 

This law ensures equal access to...

*  Employment

*  Privately-owned businesses serving the public

*  Programs controlled by state and local governments

*  Telecommunication systems

The Americans with Disabilities Act applies to...

*  Employers with 15 or more employees

*  Private businesses of any size that operate facilities such as:  restaurants, hotels, theaters, convention centers, retail stores, shopping centers, laundromats, pharmacies, doctors' offices, hospitals, museums, libraries, parks, amusement parks, private schools, daycare centers, health spas, and bowling alleys. 

*  State and local government entities, including school districts and other units of state and local government and all programs, activities and other services they provide.