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Drafting of an Events Plan for Disability Awareness Month in October 2025
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Meeting Date: April 9, 2025
Contact Person/Dept: Mike Odunze/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6716
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Disability Advisory Committee (04/02/2025); (E-Mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department Updates (04/02/2025)
Department Approval: Ted Stevens, PRCS Director (04/02/2025)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) draft an events plan for Disability Awareness Month in October 2025.
BACKGROUND
Culver City traditionally celebrates Disability Awareness Month every October. Culver City Parks, Recreation, and Community Services (PRCS) staff plans the month’s events with the assistance of the DAC.
In past years, the DAC has voted to offer various activities such as a wheelchair basketball demonstration in partnership with the Culver City High School; a display case at the Julian Dixon Library featuring facts and information related to Disability Awareness Month; and an Abilities Carnival and Resource Fair hosted at the Culver City Senior Center.
Also known as the Abilities Carnival, the Abilities Carnival and Resource Fair is a chance for organizations of service to individuals with disabilities to offer information to the community. In addition to information booths, different areas of the Senior Center are set up to offer activities such as crafts, carnival games, and a quiet space. A local Girl Scout Troop volunteers at the event to run the carnival games with City Staff. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DAC and PRCS staff coordinated to shift the Abilities Carnival to a drive-through model to keep staff, volunteers, and community members safe. The event returned to being an in-person event in 2023. The 21st Annual Abilities Carnival, held in October 2024, drew over 300 attendees and featured live performances by Jazz Hands for Autism and Straight Up Abilities.
At the first City Council meeting in October, the DAC is invited to attend and receive a proclamation from City Council declaring October as Disability Awareness Month. During this meeting, an individual and an organization selected by the DAC to receive commendations for their services to persons with disabilities in the community, are also recognized by the Council. The individual and organization commendation recipients are chosen by the DAC from nominations submitted by the community.
DISCUSSION
Staff has prepared this report as an Agenda Item to give the DAC members an opportunity to discuss and draft this year’s Disability Awareness Month events plan for the month of October 2025. A list of activities that occurred in October 2024 are listed below as a reference:
October 2024 Disability Awareness Month Activities
• Abilities Carnival & Resource Fair
• Boo! On Your Doorstep
• City Council Meeting - Proclamation & Commendation
• Dances for the Developmentally Disabled Halloween Boo-gie
• Disability Awareness Month display case at Julian Dixon Library
• Halloween Party at the Culver City Senior Center
• Los Angeles Hot Wheels wheelchair basketball demonstration at Culver City High School
• Regular DAC Meeting
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTIONS
That the Disability Awareness Committee:
1. Draft an events plan for Disability Awareness Month in October 2025; and
2. Approve the draft of the Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2025 as discussed, if so desired.