Athens City Commission on Disabilities

08/10/2026

If you haven’t been down West State Street in a while, come check out all the new and improved sidewalks, curb cuts and truncated domes that were installed in the last couple of years. Such a great improvement to the west side of town, all the way to the ball fields.

07/24/2026

It’s time to submit nominations for the 2026 Athena Award!

This award recognizes outstanding contributions and service toward people with disabilities in the greater Athens community.

Athena Award nominees should meet any or all the following criteria for assisting individuals with disabilities: Improves the quality of life; advocates for issues; volunteers to have a positive impact; develops new programs and services; offers exceptional customer service; and demonstrates innovation or entrepreneurship that has a positive impact.

If you know someone who deserves this honor, please submit a nomination for the annual award by using this link: https://bit.ly/AthenaAwardNomination2026.

A nomination form may also be requested from the Athens City Commission on Disabilities via email: [email protected].

Nominations will be accepted through Tuesday, Sept. 1. The award ceremony will be held on the evening of Wednesday Nov. 4th at the Athens Community Center.

07/17/2026

Last month we featured the newest members of our Commission. This month we'd like to show the faces of those who have served for several years and continue to do so (clockwise from top left): Allyson Hughes, Michelle Hahn, Dianne Bouvier, Joe Brumfield, Deb Burleigh, and Annah Korpi. In total, there are 11 members on our Commission. If you ever want to meet us or share your thoughts on an issue of accessibility or disability, please come to our public meetings -- the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm in the Athens Community Center. We can also be contacted at [email protected].

07/10/2026

DON'T STEAL THE BRICKS! We know it can be fun for college students or tourists to take a memorable souvenir home. There is nothing like our local bricks! But these types of situations can cause a lot of harm for our disability community when walking. This particular spot is from an alleyway in our city. We are really grateful to the city staff for addressing the problem and replacing the bricks.

06/23/2026

Last week people celebrated Autistic Pride Day. While Autism Awareness Month in April is intended to promote understanding of autism, Autistic Pride Day in June is meant to recognize the contributions of people with autism and to let them be proud of who they are. Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects the way people interact with others and perceive the world around them. The first Autistic Pride Day was held June 18th in 2005 by Aspies for Freedom (AFF), a self-advocacy group for people with autism

06/11/2026

Sensory Friendly Swim begins this Sunday June 14th! This program is sponsored by Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities!

06/10/2026

ACCESSIBILITY SPOTLIGHT. We want to highlight a new addition from the City of Athens that has improved the lives of people with disabilities. An adult-sized changing table was installed in the new restroom connected to the fire station, which is along the bike path. Typically a restroom only has a baby-sized changing table. But many people don't know that certain disabilities prevent people from being able to sit up and use a toilet. They need assistance lying down. Dirty bathroom floors of the back of a car in a public parking lot are often the only choices these people and their caregivers have. This lack of safe, clean and dignified toileting options leads to choosing to stay home instead of going out into the community. A simple addition like this universally-designed bathroom changes that. Members of our Commission have already used it and are very grateful! To access the bathroom, park in the visitor's section of the new fire station and walk or roll down to the bike path and you'll see it along the side of the building facing the river.

06/05/2026

We'd like to welcome the six new members who joined the Athens City Commission on Disabilities this year! Clockwise from upper left: Gabriel Scotto, Anna Heinrich, Katherine Franklin, Dale Ellis, John McCarthy, and Margaret Hutzel. Even if you are not a member, we'd love to see you at our meetings on the third Wednesday of every month at 5:30 pm at the Athens Community Center.

05/26/2026