10/26/2016
As we celebrate the 26th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) this year, I am proud to uplift what our local commission has done to advance the rights of individuals living with disabilities. I want to offer special recognition and thanks to Commission Chairwoman Lou Ann Blake for your leadership and members of my cabinet, agencies, City Council and volunteers, advocates, and providers who have been supportive and collaborative of our work to reduce barriers and create opportunities for independence for our impaired residents.
Baltimore is a stronger, more diverse and more inclusive city because of you. 14.6% of our population identifies as disabled and that percentage of our population serves an integral role within our communities, workforce and society. My administration continues to enhance services for the impaired, to ensure access to employment, transportation, local government programs and services, access to business, and accessible telecommunications.
This year’s accomplishments range from:
-Enhancing accessibility at 21 public school election polling sites through additional accessible entrances and directional signage.
-Partnering with State government, the Mid-Atlantic ADA Center, and the National Federation of the Blind to host a Transportation Summit on the current state of accessibility, best practices, needs, and updates to the Maryland transportation system.
-Increasing the number of disability organizations listed in the Baltimore Emergency Communications Network (BECON) private- public emergency alert database.
-Developing a multi-agency five year employment hiring plan to enhance the recruitment, interviewing, and hiring of persons with a disability and veterans with a disability.
-Expanding Project Space, a program to increase accessible metered street parking to over 200 spaces reserved for people with disabilities.
For as much progress as we have made, I know much more can be done to improve access to improve the services we offer across our city and throughout the region. As our work continues, I want to say thank you.