RELEASE: Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Commission on Disabilities Celebrate 23rd Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Travis Tazelaar
443-842-2434
travis.tazelaar@baltimorecity.gov

Mayor Rawlings-Blake and Commission on Disabilities Celebrate 23rd Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act

Occasion marked with announcement of new website for the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities

BALTIMORE, Md. (July 24, 2013)—Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities held the commission’s annual Accomplishment Meeting to review its yearly accomplishments, recognize key contributions from members, and discuss continuing and new disability issues and concerns. The meeting coincides with the week of the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The mayor also took the opportunity to announce the launch of a new website for the commission.

“As we work to grow Baltimore, we need to do all we can to make our city a better place for everyone to live, work, and enjoy themselves,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “This new website will provide a portal for residents and visitors to access information, resources, and services that will improve the lives of people with disabilities and their families.”

The website will serve as an important resource for residents and visitors. Users will be able to submit information—including photographs and location information—about accessibility issues or complaints to the city in order to be addressed. In addition, the website will provide:

• Information about transportation resources that are available in and around Baltimore—from free bus service to mobility accessible scooter rentals.
• Directions to accessible housing.
• Resources and services for children and families with disabilities.
• Information about legislation that has been passed to ensure equal opportunity for housing, employment, etc.
• Suggestions for accessible fun, amusement, and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors.

In recognition of the 23rd anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, keynote speaker Marian Vessels, CHES, director of the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, spoke of the critical impact the ADA has had on the lives of people with disabilities. Mayor Rawlings-Blake presented Ms. Vessels an award for her technical assistance and advocacy on behalf of individuals with disabilities. Vessels stated, “As a former city employee, I am honored to be able to celebrate the successes of the ADA and to support the city’s ongoing work as the mayor and the commission continue their efforts to assure the implementation of the ADA.”

Additionally, Mayor Rawlings-Blake, Councilman Robert Curran, and Dr. Nollie Wood, Jr., Ph.D., MPH, PDF, executive director of the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities, noted the important contributions of past members Terese Brown, Esq., Kyle B. Leggs, Richard Smothers, Wayne Sherman, and 2013 Presidential Citizens Award Winner and founder of WEAN (Women Embracing Abilities Now) Janice Jackson. Mr. Dezmaloyd Moore of the Finance Department, received the Bonaventure Achinanya Award for Distinguished Service in the creation of the new website.

Today’s meeting was sponsored by the Hilton Baltimore, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, the League for People with Disabilities, Chimes International, Inc., and CSX Transportation.

The Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities works to ensure the accessibility of City services, facilities, programs, employment opportunities and communications and to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all associated laws and regulations. The commission assists city government, businesses, and nonprofit organizations with educational and instructional information about reasonable accommodation and universal design. The new website for the Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities can be found at www.baltimorecity.gov/disabilities.

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