Office of Disability Affairs

08/28/2026

08/21/2026

Join the City of Detroit Office of Disability Affairs for the monthly Community Listening Session!

Share your experiences, challenges, and ideas for creating a more accessible Detroit.

📅 Wednesday, August 26, 2026
⏰ 5:00–6:30 PM
📍 Northwest Activities Center
💻 Join in person or scan the QR code to participate virtually via Zoom.

Your voice matters. Help us build a more inclusive and accessible Detroit! ♿️

08/13/2026

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION MATTERS! 🚌

A special thank you to Brother Cunningham for the invitation to join him on Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) buses and hear directly from riders about their experiences with public transportation.
 
DDOT Director Robert Cramer joined us as we listened to riders and learned more about their daily experiences. One message came through clearly: the safety of riders must be our highest priority.
 
The Office of Disability Affairs will continue to advocate for greater accessibility and a transit system that works for everyone. At the same time, we will support efforts to ensure that public transportation is safe, reliable, accessible, and welcoming for every rider.
 
Positive change happens through listening and learning from the people we serve. The feedback we heard from riders will help inform our work and strengthen our commitment to making public transportation safer, more accessible, and more responsive to the needs of our community.

07/28/2026

📢 Your Voice. Your Community. Your Impact.

The City of Detroit Office of Disability Affairs is bringing Monthly Community Listening Sessions to neighborhoods across and we want to hear from you!

Share your experiences, challenges, and ideas to help create a more accessible and inclusive Detroit. Your feedback will help shape future initiatives, improve accessibility, and strengthen our community for everyone.

Sessions will be held from 5:00–6:30 PM at recreation centers across the city from July 2026 through May 2027.

🤟 ASL interpreters will be provided.
✅ Open and free to the public.

Check out the flyer for dates and locations, and join the conversation. Together, we can .

07/17/2026

JULY IS DISABILITY PRIDE MONTH ✨

Last Friday, The City of Detroit proudly hosted its 3rd Annual Disability Pride Celebration, bringing together community members, advocates, organizations, and leaders to honor disability pride, accessibility, and inclusion.

The event welcomed over 20 exhibitors, providing valuable resources, services, and opportunities for attendees to connect with organizations dedicated to supporting the disability community.
 
This year’s celebration also marked the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with a special cake-cutting ceremony, recognizing the landmark legislation and the continued work toward equity and accessibility for all.
 
Attendees were inspired by welcome remarks from Mayor Mary Sheffield, CRIO Director Jade Mathis Esq.,
Ms. Wheelchair Michigan 2026, Madison Reid, and Office of Disability Affairs Director Christopher Samp, who emphasized the importance of building a more inclusive Detroit where everyone can thrive.
 
A highlight of the event was an engaging panel discussion on Disability and Mental Health, featuring distinguished leaders and advocates:

🔸 Gary Horton, Interim Executive Director, Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired | GreaterDetroitAgencyBlind & VI
🔸Darlene Dorsette, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program Supervisor, Detroit Public Schools Community District | Detroit Public Schools Community District
🔸Tonya Nelson-Williams, Detroit Public Schools Community District | Detroit Public Schools Community District
🔸Dessa Cosma, Executive Director, Detroit Disability Power | Detroit Disability Power
🔸Emma Heisey, Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing Liaison, Michigan Department of Civil Rights | Michigan Dept. of Civil Rights

The thoughtful conversation highlighted the importance of accessible mental health services, representation, and community support while encouraging meaningful dialogue among attendees.
 
The Office of Disability Affairs extends its sincere appreciation to everyone who attended, exhibited, volunteered, and helped make this year’s celebration a tremendous success.

07/15/2026

07/07/2026

🌟 Detroit, we’re ready to celebrate Disability Pride! 🌟

Join us this Friday, July 10, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. as we come together to honor the strength, resilience, achievements, and diversity of the disability community. ♿

📍 Please Note: Due to the forecasted rain, our celebration has moved indoors!

Please join us at the new location:
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center | 13th Floor – Erma Henderson Auditorium
(Use the East Elevators – “City Side”)

Here’s what you can look forward to:
✨ Community resources & networking
🎤 Inspiring welcome remarks
💬 Engaging panel discussion
🩺 FREE health screenings from the DWIHN Community Outreach Clinic (located outside by the Spirit Statue)

Please allow a little extra time for parking and the required security screening before entering the building.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you and continue building a more inclusive Detroit! See you Friday!

06/26/2026

This year marks the 5th anniversary of the Office of Disability Affairs!! & last night we celebrated! 🥳✨

ODA’s impact is driven by the many residents, advocates, community organizations, advocates, and city partners who collaborate together to make Detroit more accessible and inclusive.

Over the past five years, this collective effort has helped shape important initiatives, including:

🔹Accessible affordable housing
🔹Accessible public transportation
🔹Disability employment
🔹Raising awareness on different disabilities, including mental health
 
Community partners and advocates have worked alongside city staff to strengthen communication and ensure disabled residents have a voice in decision-making.

“Residents have seen improvements in accessibility, from better access to parks and sidewalks to increased awareness of disability issues across City services, said Christopher Samp, ODA Director.

These accomplishments reflect the commitment and persistence of people throughout Detroit who continue to push for change. As we celebrate this milestone, we thank everyone who has contributed to this work. Together, we are helping build a city where people with disabilities can fully participate and thrive.

06/01/2026

Join the City of Detroit Ombudsman Office, Detroit Civil Rights, Inclusion and Opportunity Department, and the Michigan Department of Civil Rights for Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges, a community learning session for the deaf and hard of hearing community on Tuesday, June 2. Kenya Lowe, Director of the Division of Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard of Hearing, will be speaking on the panel.

The goal of this event is to address the systemic barriers that Detroit communities face and ensure that the needs of all residents are acknowledged and addressed.

📅 Tuesday, June 2, 2026
🕙 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.
📍 Wayne County Community College District, NW Campus, Downriver Room
🔗Register Here: https://ow.ly/j4Kt50Z69KO

05/29/2026

✨ Your voice matters, ! ✨

Join the City of Detroit Office of the Ombudsman | , Civil Rights, Inclusion & Opportunity Department and the Office of Disability Affairs | for an important community conversation focused on breaking barriers and building bridges for residents who are deaf, blind, and/or hard of hearing.

We’re proud to share that our very own CRIO Director, Jade E. Mathis | , will serve as co-moderator for this impactful discussion as we work together to improve access to information and communication across City government services. 

Join us: 
🔹Tuesday, June 2, 2026
🔹5 – 7 p.m.
🔹Wayne County Community College District – NW Campus
8200 W. Outer Drive, Detroit, MI

American Sign Language interpreter will be on-site