[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6645060,"mediaKeyId","3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a","parentId",3868954,"title","Mayor's Committee approves minutes and candidate-qualities guidance; sets follow-ups on police engagement, transit and accessibility","audioSeconds",38,"startMs",2695000,"endMs",2733000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a&start=2695&end=2733","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a/thumbnail_2695000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6645060/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Mayors-Committee-approves-minutes-and-candidate-qualities-guidance-sets-follow-ups-on-police-engagement-transit-and-accessibility","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645060-db20798589187de7bc5466259340b087/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437826&Signature=CikbEiSA24IwATlgYdbf4LTU2G1UMyH9HJJ8ebPe6w1g4wM3iOiq4szqTG36uEhnodGR7tue-cIrkrNyYJQTjbI33kIeqrIENVVGYUkVvo0xoe9M0y~E~9Et~NP30hHw3QStGF6RHTuyS6oHbUg6BOLOgqxDcc~Gt1OxPoisRnnObU7CqSRSeO4OIsaUj5IJ5XC24feep5kRCRdnVozTwZwfk-J7C7bf8k7rgKedfg3pe9uF2k73uOqlFmiRoWHE22rC3IZSWknT2bD0~gnkDtHkkfLEC-bgXKAUSac-PoR1FaQHlIqUKdFr-yZAfe1~8dQI5x~Bn~OXenAmc5pLjg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-06-13T00:00:00Z","article","The Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities met on Friday, June 13 and conducted routine business, approved meeting minutes with an amendment, adopted a list of candidate qualities to guide community participation in city hiring panels, and set several follow-up items for future meetings.

The committee approved the minutes from its May 9 meeting as amended to change two items to reference Commissioner Arellano instead of Commissioner Visayo. Chair Kelly moved to approve the minutes as amended; Commissioner Kristen Visal seconded. Vice Chair Elizabeth Meyer said she would abstain because she had not been present at the prior meeting; the committee then took the vote and the motion passed.

Later in the meeting the committee voted to approve a short list of candidate qualities and interview questions developed by a working group that the committee will provide to city hiring panels when committee members participate as community representatives. Commissioner Elizabeth Meyer moved to approve the list; Commissioner Kristen Visal seconded. The motion passed by voice vote.

The committee recorded several future agenda and follow-up items: staff were asked to accept contact information from Convo Communications regarding the Convo Access interpreter service and to place a discussion item on a future agenda; staff will pursue invitations to Capital Metro representatives or City Council members who sit on the Capital Metro board to discuss transit policing and community care specialists; committee members agreed to pursue further information on expanding therapeutic recreation services to South Austin with Parks and Recreation staff; and the ABILITY celebration working group will continue planning and consult staff about Texas Open Meetings Act posting requirements.

Motions and votes at a glance

- Approve minutes from May 9 as amended (change items 1 and 5 to Commissioner Arellano): Mover: Chair Kelly; Second: Kristen Visal; Abstentions: Elizabeth Meyer; Outcome: Passed.

- Approve candidate-qualities list for community interview panels: Mover: Elizabeth Meyer; Second: Kristen Visal; Outcome: Passed (voice vote).

No ordinances, resolutions or contracts were voted on during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities - Jun 13, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its June meeting the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities approved minutes as amended, adopted a candidate-qualities guidance list for interview panels, and agreed on several follow-up items including outreach on Convo Access, transit policing, therapeutic recreation and event planning.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645064,"Committee hears update on Capital Metro hires, community care specialists; questions about jurisdiction and training",105,1650000,1755000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a&start=1650&end=1755","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a/thumbnail_1650000.jpg","/articles/6645064/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Committee-hears-update-on-Capital-Metro-hires-community-care-specialists-questions-about-jurisdiction-and-training","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645064-c17579c0474c698ff187ed01795e2591/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437826&Signature=II1qcN2WPx-RlD4G~f-bg5Ivvbt1qqw8n0UOebYvOzOlJBxn8bf5GbjlBhib7JBcvYoZwD-w0zzOHrblN6Eib7oJbBvUxtl4w3Tw2LbPBJQT~v4UFWkUZxIHeqrNuB5YILIZIcZEtt6Cy~k~cXblb3PQBBlJ3rkW4Auoq9-1fTJcxCbDe~xmBCPFw36vxRhwDlOuwTqxQl4jnL3JULsXW9KoZnFfAhlbpY4s82yW33jibhfwKbN1Nw8IQXTOqj2lU~vOW20DFSkqFFK7Liip8vAe9dHSFnlXqR576OeCXIV~nNu34UuHw2UF8CXT91Ya0eDrGL-OW8I7X8x7gFaxEg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Elizabeth Meyer told the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Friday that the Austin Transit Partnership Community Advisory Committee learned Capital Metro has hired nine officers as it creates a transit police force, and that the agency is seeking to expand a small corps of community care specialists who provide outreach to people in the system.

\"They have hired 9 officers,\" Meyer said, and committee members noted Capital Metro is also trying to increase the number of community care specialists — staffers Meyer described as social workers who go into the community, offer water, talk to people and connect them with resources.

Committee members asked whether the committee should invite Capital Metro or council members who sit on its board to brief the committee on how the new officers will be used and what training they will receive. Members also noted a jurisdictional limit: Capital Metro is not a city department, which constrains the committee’s formal authority over its policies.

The committee asked staff to pursue contacts and consider inviting Capital Metro representatives or city council members who serve on the Capital Metro board to a future meeting to discuss safety, accessibility and training for people with disabilities on transit.","Vice chair Elizabeth Meyer reported that Capital Metro has hired nine officers and is expanding community care specialists; committee members said they want follow-up from Capital Metro or local council members about roles and training.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645068,"Committee narrows plans for October \"ABILITY\" celebration at City Hall",376,2166000,2542000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a&start=2166&end=2542","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a/thumbnail_2166000.jpg","/articles/6645068/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Committee-narrows-plans-for-October-ABILITY-celebration-at-City-Hall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645068-eabe193f858bccc5b43f8a028b5adebd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437826&Signature=EjjocY6tz-CY9LBAn80WjCwh0xnIZDaDyBIH3B6Pd37R0Z36No1AKqu29InJDjtXM1Kd2MQjkrS7q4IEpQfvYKct2O4Tsxux8wSn56OYbt6bBEHW5i78T0L2ps3zRuA4KtnzaROReUaxCU5-3GPMIMvsWpBtA3GHIO4U6WfxLouSVRHjxXuREJlZdve3~wFra2RCBneakYWRqVTVAdY6uYS90y3UyHSXkxENXXDETUTrj2OLynVNrrRoHmlosbFhnseyvZGxSGPRDb2v47Ip8T~8wOTXjYtVk9mEOtmnFzXxE62V4JvXXtHV1zfnmgLb7tS38IA5xxYE15~iANFOFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioner Arellano told the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Friday that the October event working group, renamed the ABILITY celebration committee, is planning a small celebration for October 2025 and has identified City Hall as an available venue for several possible dates.

\"We have made decisions for this coming October 2025 to have a small celebration, and we have found City Hall to be available for that date,\" Commissioner Arellano said, listing date options including Oct. 10, Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 and saying the venue use would not incur a fee because it is city property. The working group is drafting outreach and partnership materials and has a Google sheet tracking budget and resources.

Committee members and staff discussed whether commissioners could all attend without creating a posted quorum under the Texas Open Meetings Act. Ryan Sperling, staff liaison filling in for Christie, said that if the event were a posted meeting it would require full compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, but that a celebratory event might instead be appropriate as a community interest announcement — and advised the committee to coordinate with City staff to determine whether the event should be posted.

Arellano said organizers expected an attendance of roughly 100 to 150 people for the small celebration and that the working group plans awards and nominations for National Disability Employment Month next year. The committee agreed to continue planning, maintain a document tracking outreach to potential partners to avoid duplicated contacts, and to coordinate with staff about TOMA posting requirements.","A working group has selected October dates and drafted partnership and outreach materials for an October disability awareness celebration; staff advised about Texas Open Meetings Act implications if commissioners attend in quorum.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645073,"Deaf-owned company pitches QR-based interpreter access for Austin",134,163000,297000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a&start=163&end=297","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a/thumbnail_163000.jpg","/articles/6645073/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Deaf-owned-company-pitches-QR-based-interpreter-access-for-Austin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645073-ee4e925a9972b1418bbd9b1418dd6f04/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437826&Signature=nVVj205cWaICe8fs19YVkII8a-uG6DKcJERLIu2vRSkChcP2gSxq-g4LjZQuJjR30fH~aQRVQ3f7u1lbVFxNHH8kR17iKn1t9MQt1zt-hA1ZYLfRifed80yQNGt4EE7RwWDOnvsaYE1W2O8HQy9ULYDpxb0jHGMIpQzqkpt-wsZh751dsnoYuKvYXsqFAUemeo24~gp3nedGd~3BHhJO-F-n2F4tEZOx2Xhp4XCCNso2TmQlSsb3D4llB1tLv6G5lynO8yz92L6oeTUhhx-F87aRIIJyemuIK3-1DHfYeOn7oFyA06623iff4-cMGUUYucl7gG1z-HLTYLebVTiXUA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Joseph Tsai, representing Convo Communications, told the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Friday that his deaf-owned company offers a QR-code product, Convo Access, that would allow people who are deaf or hard of hearing to summon an interpreter on-demand via a smartphone.

\"It's called Convo Access, and it's a special program that means all deaf people who live in the Austin area, they can access an interpreter through our services instantly when they need to talk with, let's say, a city employee, for example, or at the library, or with a police officer, a firefighter,\" Tsai said. He said the system is already used in New York City subway stations.

Chair Kelly asked Tsai to send contact information to committee staff so the city could follow up. Later in the meeting, Commissioner Gabriel (spoken as Gabriel in the transcript) asked that the committee consider recommending the service more broadly: \"I would really like to move to have that service available throughout the city of Austin. It's a very great service and would be beneficial for us,\" he said, requesting the item be placed on a future agenda.

Committee staff indicated they would work with Convo Communications to collect materials and explore next steps with the appropriate city offices. The committee did not take a formal vote on adopting the service during the meeting.","Joseph Tsai of Convo Communications described Convo Access, a QR-code system to provide on-demand interpreters, and committee members agreed to explore follow-up with city staff.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6645076,"Parents and Parks Staff Push for Adult Therapeutic Recreation in South Austin",613,993000,1606000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a&start=993&end=1606","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868954-dfaf05de4fc22404bcd0fbc16000925a/thumbnail_993000.jpg","/articles/6645076/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Parents-and-Parks-Staff-Push-for-Adult-Therapeutic-Recreation-in-South-Austin","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6645076-56d453bfd2f8a9bf1740a24af4f2154b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770437826&Signature=EmdYS9CZ9-MJ4OtwrkOacKb-iqy~Bk6j2oAqvNkKop-kBgo0U1VCTzSF009LP4PSrun44fQpAsuA~IYUCCKvqUbLZtt2XTcPnijC1YC63cruEQY-eiMLfDKkJPh6ddl68tbODmXexLI0QjBZYq0ySYUjFYeSnyUpfdraOkxnBklp9W4NGQoRql1GqEDYQQn1B1W3GeANiFfSNAyjihZbBmRT~vlPz-CfZ-3-QZGYUtip1cnb6pij6-Oy2z4VgWog-0vAEqtcxs8U5eOqTBewIwl4-wKIIzs1j7jfRz8d4dkoYToCeufIn1kzDZsMvRqVQmUy2FuVZSWI5sP35ut-gA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At a meeting of the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities on Friday, June 13, a parent and Parks and Recreation staff discussed plans and funding needs for creating an adult therapeutic recreation program in South Austin.

The proposal was presented by Yvette Gonzalez, who said the city’s current adult therapeutic recreation programs are concentrated in Central and East Austin and together serve roughly 129 individuals through programs such as Healthy Aging and The Hangout. “South Austin currently lacks a dedicated therapeutic recreation program, leaving residents without equitable access and having to travel long distance to attend these programs,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez asked the committee to request development and funding for a new adult program at existing South Austin recreation centers, naming Dittmar and Dove Springs as potential sites. She estimated that operating budgets for therapeutic recreation programs in Austin range from about $60,000 to $180,000 annually depending on scope and staffing, and said a year-round adult program would be roughly in line with the larger end of that range.

Sarah Carlson, recreation program manager for Therapeutic Recreation Services in Austin Parks and Recreation Department, and Evan Kessler, recreation programs supervisor, described current services. Carlson said the department runs year-round adult day programs at centers including a center inside Zilker Park that serves 58 unique individuals, Alamo Recreation Center near the University of Texas, Dottie Jordan Recreation Center in Northeast Austin and Parkes Zaragoza Recreation Center in Central East Austin, where enrollment varies by site. Carlson said current staffing includes certified therapeutic recreation specialists and temporary staff.

When asked whether Parks and Recreation had explored expanding services to South Austin, Carlson said department staff had explored options but would need additional funding and space to run an adult day program there. “A year-round adult program is around a $175,000 to run. It depends on how large it is and what kind of services are provided,” she told the committee.

Committee members agreed to follow up. Commissioner Kristen Visal and others expressed interest in forming a working group to better understand waiting lists, staffing and specific funding needs so the committee could make recommendations to City Council or other bodies.

The committee did not take a formal vote on funding during the meeting; Parks staff encouraged interested committee members to coordinate with the department to explore options and to request support through the council process if the proposal advances.","Speakers at the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities asked the city to fund a new adult therapeutic recreation program in South Austin, citing current geographic gaps and estimated operating budgets.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor's Committee approves minutes and candidate-qualities guidance; sets follow-ups on police engagement, transit and accessibility

Committee hears update on Capital Metro hires, community care specialists; questions about jurisdiction and training

Committee narrows plans for October "ABILITY" celebration at City Hall

Deaf-owned company pitches QR-based interpreter access for Austin

Parents and Parks Staff Push for Adult Therapeutic Recreation in South Austin