Charleston’s Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues Seeks More Members
The Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues in Charleston, a group dedicated to addressing various problems that citizens with disabilities encounter, is actively seeking more participants to continue its mission. The Commission provides a platform for people with disabilities to voice their difficulties and offers suggestions to relevant city authorities.
Participation Problem
Over the past three meetings, however, the Commission has faced challenges in ensuring enough attendee presence to represent a quorum. This issue arises due to certain extenuating circumstances. While these hitches have not deterred their commitment, Janet Schumacher, the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for the City of Charleston, insists that the city still has considerable strides to make. The Commission looks forward to welcoming new members to facilitate these improvements.
Welcoming Diversity
As Schumacher notes, the Commission aims to include individuals with all types of disabilities who reside in or frequently visit Charleston. They welcome anyone with any form of disability.
Pressing Issues
Some of the common challenges the Commission routinely tackles include sidewalk curbs absent of a “curb cut,” tree roots that disrupt sidewalk levelness, insufficient accessible parking, and construction work rendering paths inaccessible. Despite these hurdles, the Commission has made considerable progress in improving accessibility around public transportation and acting on direct requests from citizens with disabilities. Nevertheless, Schumacher and her team acknowledge that more work is still needed.
Importance of Representation
Schumacher emphasizes how influential Commission participation can be for the city’s disabled citizens, offering them direct contact with city officials. Even though membership does not require one to be disabled, firsthand experience remarkably enriches discussions and contributions. Schumacher maintains a hopeful vision that, eventually, the entire city will come together to understand and implement ADA requirements, making the Commission redundant. However, until then, they need additional members to push for necessary changes.
Next Steps
The Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues will conduct its next monthly gathering at the Gaillard Center at 2 George Street, Charleston. The meeting, which is open to everyone, will take place from 4 to 5 p.m on Friday. For those who cannot physically attend, a Zoom link is available. Schumacher expects one of their primary discussion points to be the arrangements for an ADA celebration scheduled for July at Park Circle.
Join the Commission
Schumacher earnestly invites individuals to join the Commission and, in doing so, amplify their voice within their community. As they often say in disability advocacy circles, ‘Nothing about us without us.’ Those interested in becoming part of the Commission are encouraged to apply online.
