Greetings from the Director

The month of July always marks a new beginning in the state of Minnesota. It's a new fiscal year for the agency, new Council members are appointed by the governor, and we celebrate another year anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, too.

The Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD) has 17 Council members who are appointed by the governor. Council members come from all economic development regions of the state.

This year there were eight open seats on the Council. MCD is excited to announce the appointments made by Governor Walz.

Reappointed members (until 2022):

• Ted Stamp, Region 8
• Lauren Thompson, Region 11
• Brian Bonte, Region 6

New members:

• Myrna Peterson, Region 3
• Leigh Alice Lake, Region 4
• Denise Cory Martineau, Region 11
• Christy Marie Caez Claudio, Region 11
• Nancy Fitzsimons, Region 9, Council Chair

Pending members:

• Nichole Villavicencio, Region 11

Read the complete news release. Congratulations to everyone, and thank you to all of the past Council members as well!

- Joan Willshire, Executive Director

Greetings from the New Council Chair

It is an honor to have been selected by Governor Tim Walz to serve a 3-½ year term as Chair of the Minnesota Council on Disability (MCD).

For those of you who do not know me, I have served as the Region 9 representative since June of 2015, and as Vice Chair since January of 2019. My day job is Professor of social work at Minnesota State University, Mankato. I have been connected to the disability communities in Illinois and Minnesota, serving in a variety of professional and volunteer capacities, for over 30 years.

My goal as Chair is to support the great work of MCD and to help the organization expand its reach across the state of Minnesota in service to its mission: To serve people with disabilities in Minnesota through development of effective policy, training, technical resources and collaborations with public and private stakeholders. 

In order to achieve this goal, active Council member engagement is essential. Governor Tim Walz ran on a pledge to create “One Minnesota” - a more equitable and inclusive place for all Minnesotans. This pledge must include people with disabilities, across the spectrum of disability, throughout the entire State. I look forward to working with newly appointed, reappointed, and continuing Council members, along with State agency representatives, in support of the work of our MCD staff to advance the rights and interests of all Minnesotans with disabilities. 

- Nancy Fitzsimons, Council Chair

ADA Celebration

Join us for the 29th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act!

Our celebration will feature Gaelynn Lea, Violinist, songwriter, and 2016 NPR Tiny Desk Contest Winner. Registration is not required to attend the event. 

Event details:

• Date: July 26, 2019
• Time: 1:00-4:00 p.m.
• Location: Anderson Center at Hamline University
• Address: 774 Snelling Avenue North, St. Paul, MN 55104

Learn more about the ADA Celebration. We hope you can join us!

- Margot Imdieke Cross, Building Access Consultant

Barrier Removal and Building Codes

The ADA was passed on July 26, 1990 with the intention of making the built environment more accessible over time. In the intervening years, many businesses have let this ongoing obligation fall by the wayside. Now is the time to reinvigorate this process. Accessibility is something businesses are required to constantly be assessing in their buildings, and not just when a code official says to. The Minnesota Council on Disability's website has many resources for anyone looking to meet their continuing ADA obligations.

- David Fenley, ADA Director