Today, Mayor Freddie O’Connell signed Executive Order 52 which reestablishes the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities.
The advisory committee of 12 members will include people with disabilities, advocates, family members, business and professional representatives, interested citizens, and elected officials. The committee will advocate for policies, practices, and procedures to promote self-determination and independence. It will coordinate local activities and help promote public education and awareness of the contributions, potentials, and needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
Darren Jernigan will serve as the Mayor’s Office liaison to the committee. Jernigan, a former State Representative and the Mayor’s Manager of State and Federal Legislative Affairs will work with the committee to make recommendations on pressing matters related to accessibility.
“There are no defective people. There’s only defective environments, so when you make the environment accessible, that means you’re making home ownership, transportation and employment accessible,” Jernigan said. “These are the things that need to be promoted, and that’s what this executive order helps us do.”
Mayor O’Connell added, “If you want first-hand evidence of how important this is: since Darren has been working in our office, there have been great improvements to city hall itself. We have improved access throughout the building that shows the tangible benefits of this work.”
Mayor O’Connell signed a proclamation as well Friday, declaring July to be National Disability Pride Month in Nashville.
Friday marks the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA was a landmark piece of legislation that improved equity for people with disabilities while opening doors to greater opportunity and independence.
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