Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities

Public Participation

The Committee is always seeking new members who want to be involved in the community. The Committee's meetings are open to everyone. For information about the Committee, call Cathey Ector in the Community Services Department at 919-996-6100. Questions and comments are welcome.

Purpose

The Committee helps people with disabilities to participate in the economic and social life of the community. To this end, the Committee promotes employment of people with disabilities and communicates their needs to local leaders and the public. The Committee also sponsors activities benefiting people with disabilities and their families.

Committee Goals

• Advise the mayor and city council on matters of concern to citizens with disabilities.
• Address environmental and attitudinal barriers preventing equal access by citizens with disabilities to education, recreation, employment, transportation and housing.
• Promote public awareness of the talents and abilities of persons with disabilities.
• Inform citizens with disabilities of programs, services and opportunities available to them within the public and private sectors.

Awards Banquet

At the annual Awards Banquet, the committee recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals or groups who have made a significant impact on the community of persons with disabilities. Awards include:

• Employer of the Year (Small, Medium and Large categories)
• Citizen Involvement Award
• Lockhart Follin-Mace Advocacy Award
• James E. Meekins Award for an individual with a disability
• Excellence in Transportation
• Excellence in Housing
• Excellence in Recreation
• Media Award (Television, Print, Radio categories)
• Supervisor of the Year

Committees

Awareness Committee

Awareness and education play a large role in the employment of persons with disabilities. For this reason, the committee presents seminars for personnel officers and other representatives of major employers in the Raleigh area. Presenters at the seminars speak with conviction, and from personal experience, about employing people with disabilities. Committee members also provide information to employers about adaptive equipment to enhance the working skills of people with disabilities.

Housing Committee

The Housing Committee acts as a liaison between the City and its citizens on issues related to the availability and accessibility of housing. The committee works closely with individuals and families seeking affordable, accessible housing.

Transportation Committee

The Transportation Committee acts a liaison between the City and its citizens on issues regarding the accessibility of transportation. The committee works with the City to ensure that the transportation needs of people with disabilities are being addressed.

Members