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DRAFTING OF DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS PLAN IN OCTOBER 2023
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Meeting Date: April 12, 2023
Contact Person/Dept: Dani Cullens/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6471
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - Disabilities Awareness Committee (3/31/2023); (E-Mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department Updates (3/31/2023)
Department Approval: Dani Cullens, PRCS Manager (3/31/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) review previous activities from October 2022 to develop a draft of its plan for this year’s Disability Awareness Month events in October.
BACKGROUND
Culver City has traditionally celebrated Disability Awareness Month in the month of October each year. Culver City PRCS staff plans the month’s events with the assistance of the Disability Advisory Committee (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 featuring facts and information related to Disability Awareness Month at the Julian Dixon Library, and an Abilities and Resource Fair hosted at the Culver City Senior Center.
The Abilities and Resource Fair, also known as the Abilities Carnival, was historically an in-person event at the Culver City Senior Center where organizations of service to individuals with disabilities would attend to offer information to the community. In addition to organizations, a local Girl Scout Troop would volunteer at the event to run carnival games with City Staff. During the event, different areas of the center had separate activities such as a quiet space, craft area and additional game opportunities. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DAC & city staff coordinated the event as a drive-thru in 2021 and 2022 in the parking lot of the Culver City Senior Center to provide information and an opportunity for safe and socially distanced interactions with the community.
At the first City Council meeting of the month of October, the DAC is invited to attend to receive the proclamation from City Council declaring October as Disability Awareness Month. At this City Council meeting, individual and organization that were selected by the DAC to receive a commendation for their service to others in the community who have disabilities are recognized. 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 Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) members an opportunity to discuss and draft this year’s Disability Awareness Month events plan for the month of October 2023. A list of activities that occurred in October 2022 are listed below as a reference:
October 2022 Disability Awareness Month Activities
• Abilities & Resource Fair (Drive-Up)
• City Council Meeting - Proclamation & Commendation
• Regular DAC Meeting
• Dances for the Developmentally Disabled
• Boo! On Your Doorstep
• Wheelchair basketball demonstration at Culver City High School
• Disability Awareness Month display case at Julian Dixon Library
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this discussion.
ATTACHMENT
There is no attachment associated with this discussion.
MOTIONS
That the Disability Awareness Committee take any or all of the following actions, if desired:
1. Approve the draft of the Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2023 as discussed;