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RECEIVE AND FILE THE FINAL DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS PLAN FOR OCTOBER 2026 WITH AMENDMENTS IF ANY
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Meeting Date: September 9, 2026
Contact Person/Dept: Jill Thomsen/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6722
Fiscal Impact: No [X] General Fund: No [X]
Public Hearing: No [X] Action Item: Yes [X] Attachments: No [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Disability Advisory Committee (09/02/2026); (E-Mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department Updates (09/02/2026)
Department Approval: Tomás Herrera-Mishler (09/02/2026)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) receive and file the final Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2026 with amendments if any.
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 input from the DAC.
DAC began discussing the 2026 Disability Awareness Month events plan at the April 8, 2026, regular meeting. At that time, it was decided that the 22nd Annual Abilities Carnival and Resource Fair would be held Sunday, October 4, 2026, from 12 to 3 PM. At the August 12, 2026, regular meeting, the DAC selected an individual and business recipient for the Outstanding Service to Persons with Disabilities Commendations from City Council. Between regular meetings of the full DAC, the Disability Awareness Month Planning Ad Hoc Subcommittee has met multiple times with PRCS staff to provide input and discuss ideas for Disability Awareness Month, especially as it pertains to preparation for the Abilities Carnival.
Staff has prepared this report as an Agenda Item to give DAC members an opportunity to review and discuss the final plans and specific details of this year’s Disability Awareness Month for October 2026, including the Abilities Carnival and Resource Fair.
DISCUSSION
The Final October 2026 Disability Awareness Month events plan includes:
City Council Meeting, Proclamation, and Commendations
• Tuesday, October 13, 2026
• Proclamation - Disability Awareness Month
• Commendation - Individual: Paul Matazewski
• Commendation - Business: EC Kids Fitness & Nutrition (aka Everything Counts for Kids!)
Regular DAC Meeting
• Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at 6:30 PM
Disability Services Programming
• Adaptive Skate Workshop
o Saturday, October 10 from 12 to 1 PM at Culver City Skate Park
• Boo! On Your Doorstep
o Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 11 AM to 1 PM
o Tuesday, October 13, 2026, from 11 AM to 1 PM
• Community Groove
o Friday, October 9, 2026, from 7 to 9 PM
• Movie Night: Ghostbusters (1984)
o Friday, October 23, 2026, from 6 to 8:30 PM
• Wheelchair basketball demonstration by the Los Angeles Hotwheels at Culver City High School
• Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 12 to 1 PM
• Display case at Culver City Julian Dixon Library, commemorating Disability Awareness Month
o Disability Awareness Month Advisory Ad Hoc Subcommittee members in communication with Library Branch Manager to confirm dates for putting up and taking down the display.
Marketing & Publicity for Disability Awareness Month in October 2026
• Social media posts on Culver City PRCS website, Facebook and Instagram.
• Posters and flyers promoting upcoming events posted at Culver City parks, city buildings, and local businesses.
• Promotional flyers mailed to local disability services organizations and the Community Groove mailing list week of August 31, 2026.
• Sharing information with Culver City Crossroads, Culver City News, Culver City Observer, Culver City Unified School District, Eventbrite, Threads, Craigslist News, and other similar online groups and forums.
• “Save the Date” and Carnival promotional email blasts sent via GovDelivery.
Abilities Carnival and Resource Fair
• Sunday, October 4 from 12 PM to 3 PM
• Sponsorship
o Culver City Exchange Club
o Culver City Neighborhood Girl Scouts
o Culver City Senior Citizens Association
• Volunteers
o Culver City Exchange Club
o Culver City Neighborhood Girl Scouts
o DAC Volunteers
• Food
o Final RSVP number to Exchange Club on Monday, September 28, 2026.
• Live Entertainment Schedule
o Balloon Artist - 12-3 PM
o DJ from Jazz Hands for Autism - 12-1:30 PM
o Face Painting by Girl Scouts - 12-3 PM
o Straight Up Abilities - 1:30-3 PM
• Vendor Booth Participants ([new] = notes new participant for 2026)
o Communication Service for the Deaf Inc [new]
o Culver City Fire Department
o Culver City Mobile Crisis Team [new]
o Culver City Police Department
o Disability Community Resource Center
o Family Adult and Child Therapies (FACT) [new]
o Hank by Wider Circle [new]
o Hunger Action Los Angeles [new]
o Member Yu-Ngok Lo - “Ask Me About the ADA”
o Premiere Living Services [new]
o Special Flavours Community Kitchen [new]
• Carnival Games
§ Bean Bag Toss
§ Connect Four
§ Duck Pond
§ Duckie Squirt Racing
§ Go Go Gutter
§ Gone Fishing
§ Hoop! There It Is
§ Hot Wheels Track
§ Putt-Putt Skee-Ball
§ Ring Toss
§ What’s in the Box
• Additional Areas
o Quiet Room located in Room C71
o Activity for adults with disabilities located in Rooms B45 & B47
§ Drop-in event from 12 - 3 PM
§ Example: Karaoke or arts/crafts
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENTS
None
MOTION
That the Disability Awareness Committee:
Receive and file the final Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2026, with amendments if any.