Disability advocate urges Human Rights Commission to press city for Disability Awareness Month proclamation; commission discussion ends with staff follow‑up

A disability‑rights advocate told the Human Rights Commission during public comment on July 17 that July is Disability Awareness Month and that the commission should consider formally recognizing the month and asking the city to issue a proclamation. The speaker referenced the Olmstead decision as the basis for celebrating choice of services and community integration for people with disabilities.

“Each July our community comes together to bring awareness to and the importance of continuing the fight for disability rights,” the commenter said, and asked the commission to consider a proclamation recognizing July as Disability Awareness Month.

A commission member proposed a motion to forward a proclamation request to the City Commission for formal consideration. Commission staff noted there is an existing mayoral proclamation request process on the mayor’s website and offered to connect the commission with that process. The commissioner who moved to forward the request withdrew the motion, and staff said they would follow up with the city administrators and the proclamation form so the commission could pursue the item.

The commission did not take a formal vote on a proclamation at the July meeting; staff said the mayoral office’s process could be used and that an item could be prepared for the City Commission if members choose to pursue it for a future year.