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APPROVE THE DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH EVENTS PLAN FOR OCTOBER 2023 WITH ADJUSTMENTS IF ANY
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Meeting Date: June 14, 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 (6/9/2023); (E-Mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Services Department Updates (6/9/2023)
Department Approval: Dani Cullens, PRCS Manager (6/9/2023)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Disability Advisory Committee (DAC) approve the Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2023 with adjustments if any.
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).
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 (Seasonal visits from PRCS Staff)
• Wheelchair basketball demonstration at Culver City High School
• Disability Awareness Month display case at Julian Dixon Library
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 review the draft of this year’s Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2023. This plan was prepared by the Disability Awareness Month Planning Ad Hoc Subcommittee which was created at the regular meeting of the DAC on April 12, 2023. At this meeting, the committee also voted to hold the Abilities Carnival indoors at the Culver City Senior Center on Sunday, October 8, 2023.
A draft of the October 2023 Disability Awareness Month events plan for this year includes:
• Abilities & Resource Carnival (indoor)
• City Council Meeting - Proclamation & Commendation with resource information material available
• Regular DAC Meeting
• Dances for the Developmentally Disabled
• Boo! On Your Doorstep
• Wheelchair basketball demonstration at Culver City High School
• Culver City High School Optional Art Project - Staff will contact
• Disability Awareness Month display case at Julian Dixon Library & Culver City High School with resource information material available
Marketing & Publicity for Disability Awareness Month in October 2023
• Social media posts with educational information for Disability Awareness Month
• Sharing information of events and resources available within the area with Culver City Crossroads, Culver City News, Culver City Observer
• Possible YMCA Assistance & Outreach - Dr. Hoult will contact
Commendation Process
• Review of Nomination Submissions earlier in August instead of at Special Meeting in September
o Timeline:
• Voting for Commendation at August 9th meeting
• Nomination forms close July 21st;
• Reminders on Social Media July 17th;
• Nomination form opens June 30th
• GovDelivery/Marketing out June 28th;
o Encourage Commendation recipients to share information about their efforts, promote community engagement and offer resources available to individuals with disabilities in the community.
Abilities & Resource Carnival
• Timeframe
o 11 AM - 2 PM
• Stage
o 2-3 Performances
o Karaoke
o CCHS performances - Heather Moses & Dr. Spano - Staff will contact
• Food
o Previously donated by the Exchange Club
§ Distributed pizza & crystal light drinks
§ Contributed goodies/prizes
§ Cotton Candy & Popcorn
• Layout
o B45 - Arts and crafts
o B47 - Stage
o Dining room - Food
o Lobby - Photo booth
o B Hallway - Resource booths
o Patio - Games
§ Member Sookne trains girl scouts to run the games in patio.
o C 77 - Quiet Area
o C71-C75 - Movie/Show
• Additional Areas Onsite
o CCFD - Fire Engine
o CCPD - PD Car
o Balloon Artist
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 Disability Awareness Month events plan for October 2023 with adjustments if any;