2018-112 Committee on Persons with DisabilitiesDate: August 31, 2018 Report No. 2018-112
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
A request was made by Council Member Armintor regarding the potential establishment of a
Citizens’ Disabilities Committee.
BACKGROUND:
In the summer of 2007, John Bramblitt, a local advocate for people with disabilities, connected
with individuals employed at the University of North Texas (UNT), Texas Woman’s University
(TWU), Denton County, the City of Denton, and several non-profit agencies who were engaged
with the issue of people with disabilities. After several organizational meetings, the group
advocated then Denton Mayor, Perry McNeill, about creating a committee for persons with
disabilities.
The City Council endorsed the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities through the
passage of Resolution No. 2007-030. The Committee was an affiliate of the Texas Governor’s
Committee on People with Disabilities. The Committee was comprised of interested resients,
members were not appointed by the Mayor or the City Council. Barbara Ross and Gordon Meredith
with the Community Development Division were assigned as the staff liaisons to the Committee.
The Committee’s main principals were comprised of 8-10 individuals that met on a regular basis.
The group grew to about 40+ people and the need for more organization became evident. As a
result, the Committee adopted bylaws which comprised of seven objectives:
Promote better public and employer understanding concerning needs and contributions of
persons with disabilities
Promote increased employment of workers with disabilities on a year-round basis
Encourage retention and advancement of those workers presently employed
Develop better understanding by persons with disabilities of services available to them
Encourage persons with disabilities to use these services
Remove all architectural barriers
Promote participation in community life by persons with disabilities
The Committee was very active and sponsored White Cane Day which is an annual event that
educates the public about contributions made by the blind and visually impaired. The Committee
also worked closely with DCTA personnel to discuss public transportation issues affecting
disabled individuals. The Committee last met in October 2014, and no further meetings have been
scheduled for nearly four years by the Chair or other Committee members.
DISCUSSION:
There are a number of current City projects that could be of interest for those advocating for
disabled individuals. These projects include:
Construction of new sidewalks and ramps – Engineering/Capital Projects
Replacing and repairing of existing sidewalks and ramps – Engineering/Capital Projects
The creation of an ADA Transition Plan – Engineering/Capital Projects
Date: August 31, 2018 Report No. 2018-112
The planning and development of an adaptive/handicap accessible park – Parks
Based on the number of projects and activities initiated and being planned, Staff is seeking
direction from City Council as what group should be involved in evaluating the above listed
projects. The following options are requested that the City Council consider:
1. Utilize existing City Council appointed Boards and Commissions (i.e. Parks Board and
Mobility Committee)
2. Re-constitute the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
3. Establish a new City Council appointed Committee on People with Disabilities
4. Consider an alternative option
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution No. 2007-030
STAFF CONTACTS:
Barbara Ross, Community Development Division Manager
Mario Canizares, ACM