Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities
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.
Meetings
The Committee meets from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. Meetings are held in Room 305 of the Avery C. Upchurch Government Complex at the corner of W. Hargett and Dawson streets in downtown Raleigh.
We want to hear from you!
The Committee is always seeking new members who want to be involved in the community. The Committee’s meetings are open to everyone. For a brochure or other information about the Committee, call the Community Services Department at (919) 996-6100. Questions and comments are welcome.
Activities
- 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.
Special events
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:
- Citizen of the Year
- Small Private Employer of the Year (< 100 employees)
- Medium Private Employer of the Year (100-999 employees)
- Large Private Employer of the Year (> 1,000 employees)
- Supervisor of the Year
- Media Award
Resource Day
Each spring the committee sponsors a Job Fair to connect people with disabilities to local companies. Job-seekers' qualifications are matched with the needs of local companies, and interviews are scheduled. Employers interview a number of qualified candidates, while job-seekers gain valuable interviewing experience, information about the job market and an opportunity to begin a career.
Mayor’s Committee Scholarships
The Mayor’s Committee for Persons with Disabilities annually awards two $1,000 scholarships to assist persons with documented disabilities in their pursuit of academic and vocational endeavors.
The first scholarship is for a person with a disability who is pursuing an educational goal. This scholarship is designed to assist with tuition, books, fees, and/or special equipment for undergraduate course work.
The second scholarship is to assist an individual with a disability to pursue a vocational education. This money may be used for items such as tools, work shoes or special equipment or tuition and fees to enhance and sustain employment opportunities.
Applicants must be residents of the City of Raleigh and must be enrolled in or have been accepted by an accredited undergraduate, post-secondary school, college, trade school or other institution of higher learning.
The selection of scholarship recipients is based upon the applicants’ academic performance, financial need, character, school and community activities, ability to express themselves in writing, personal motivation and/or leadership potential. An application is available here.
Members
For More Information Contact:
Linda Graham
Youth Services Coordinator
Community Services Department
310 W. Martin Street, Suite 201
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-996-5730
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