Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues
PO Box 8647
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Our vision: An Ann Arbor whose facilities, programs, businesses and organizations are accessible to persons of all abilities, and where inclusion and full-and-equitable participation in community life are available to everyone.
The City of Ann Arbor values all of its citizens, regardless of ability. Our mission statement reads, in part: "The City of Ann Arbor is committed to providing excellent municipal services that enhance the quality of life for all."
The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues has evolved from a commission created and convened by Mayor Robert Harris and City Council in 1969, and maintained through the years under various names. The city collaborated with and drew from its Disability Commission to create this resource page.
Commission Contact Information
Commission Email:
[email protected]
Commission Chair: Zach Damon, email: [email protected]Staff Liaison: Kennedi Blair Cummings, phone: 734.794.6291, extension 42901
Commission Meetings
Unless otherwise noted on the city meetings and events calendar, The monthly commission meeting will be broadcast live on CTN Cable Channel 16, ATT Channel 99. Online at a2gov.org/watchCTN. To speak at public comment call Toll Free: 877 853 5247 or 888 788 0099 Enter Meeting ID: 919 8673 1455
Watch the live meeting online or view public meetings at your convenience online via CTN's video on demand.
July Events
Council Chambers Artwork Display July 15-31
Please join the city's Office of Organizational Equity in recognizing artists from the Ann Arbor disability community who have been chosen to display artwork July 15-31 at Larcom City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd floor. Public members are welcome to enjoy and view the displays.
Tie Dye-namite Annual ADA Celebration July 26
All are invited to a free vibrant celebration of diversity, inclusion, and empowerment at the DNWML Annual Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) event on July 26 from 3-7 pm. This exciting event, hosted at the Disability Network's Washtenaw Office (3941 Research Park Dr. Ann Arbor) is free and open to the public. The event promises an afternoon filled with free food, engaging activities, insightful speakers, and opportunities to connect with community resources. View event highlights online.
CODI Out and About
On Saturday, June 15th,The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) attended The Ann Arbor Branch of The NAACP 30th Anniversary Juneteenth Celebration at Wheeler Park!!
The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) participated alongside the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission (HRC) and the Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC). Juneteenth National Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States. It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the ending of slavery in the United States.
From Left: Ann Arbor City Council Member Travis Radina, The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) Chairman Zach Damon, The Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission (HRC) Chair Leslie Krauz Stambaugh, Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor, and The Ann Arbor Independent Community Police Oversight Commission (ICPOC) Chair Stefani Carter.
On Wednesday June 5th, The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) attended The VISIONS Vendor Fair presented by the Ann Arbor District Library (which also serves as the Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled).
The VISIONS Vendor Fair features a variety of exhibitors who demonstrate the latest products and services for the blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled. Electronic readers, magnifiers, support services for the blind, Braille devices, library services, and transportation services are just a few of the many services and products that are annually on display. Presentations are also offered on topics related to vision health, services, and assistive technology.
Commissioner Elena Chambers (Left), Commissioner Rob Packard (Center), and Chairman of The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) Zach Damon (Right)
On Saturday May 25, The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) attended Ann Arbor’s 200th Birthday Celebration and Picnic at Liberty Plaza!!
Zach Damon, Chairman of The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) and Commissioner Debra Poster enjoy Ann Arbor’s 200th Birthday Celebration and Picnic.
On Sunday April 14th 2024, CODI attended the Ground Breaking ceremony on a six-story, 63-apartment affordable housing development officially being called Dunbar Tower. The newly announced name is a nod to the former Dunbar Center on Fourth Avenue — named for American poet Paul Laurence Dunbar — which several decades ago served as a community gathering space for the area’s Black residents.
Ann Arbor ADA Accessibility Coordinator Tracy LaFever Byrd (Left), and Chairman of The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues Zach Damon (Right) help break ground on the Dunbar Tower Affordable Housing Development.
Disability Commission Application
If you are interested in serving on the Commission for Disability Issues, please submit an
online application.
The Commission on Disability Issues meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month in the Larcom City Hall building, Council Chambers Second Floor, 301 E. Huron St. See the city's
meeting calendar for more information.
This page is a work in progress, and your questions and feedback are welcomed! Please email the city communications office at
[email protected] or call 734.794.6110, ext. 41511. Questions about the commission, specifically, may be directed to:
Staff Liaison: Kennedi Blair Cummings
Phone: 734.794.6291, extension 42901
Public Office Hours
The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability public office hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00pm-5:00pm and Wednesdays from 9:00am-12:00pm. Public Office Hours are intended for use by those wishing to talk to the commission’s Staff Liaison about Commission on Disability related matters
ONLY. Members of the public wishing to meet with the Staff Liaison during public office hours MUST make an appointment by contacting the Staff Liaison.
Kennedi Blair Cummings, Boards and Commission Office Manager
Downtown Development Authority Street Parking Map
Visit
https://www.a2dda.org/getting-around/drive/. The parking map will appear, and then select “on-street accessible parking,” and the icons will appear on the map where accessible parking is located.
In the News
Episode Ideas Wanted for CTN's Ann Arbor Inclusive
CTN's original program, Ann Arbor Inclusive, is seeking guests and topic ideas for upcoming episodes. Produced in conjunction with the City of Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues, Ann Arbor Inclusive explores topics of interest to community members with abilities of every level, focusing on awareness and education.
Check out past episodes to learn more about this series .
If you have an idea for a topic or guest to be featured on Ann Arbor Inclusive, please contact one of the show’s producers,
Linda Evans, or contact
CTN.
Ann Arbor City Council approves "Right to Sit" Ordinance - CBS Detroit Link
Ann Arbor standing up for the right to sit down at work Link
How Can the City Help?
To learn about public meetings that address issues concerning people with disabilities, please contact the Commission on Disability Issues:
Guy C. Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron Street, 2nd FloorAnn Arbor MI 48104
734.794.6291
[email protected]
or visit the following links:
Request accommodations for a Public Meeting
Members of the public requiring translation, captioning services, or other reasonable accommodations may contact the Ann Arbor City Clerk's office at 734.794.6140; via email to: [email protected]; or by written request addressed and mailed or delivered to:
City Clerk's Office
301 E. Huron St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
Requests made with less than two business days' notice may not be able to be accommodated.
Boards or commissions in the City of Ann Arbor working on disability issues
The Commission on Disability Issues meets once per month and works with the City of Ann Arbor to create an Ann Arbor whose facilities, programs, businesses and organizations are accessible to persons of all abilities, and where inclusion and full-and-equitable participation in community life are available to everyone.
The commission can be reached at:
Guy C. Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron Street, 2nd Floor
Ann Arbor MI 48104
734.794.6291
Contacting the Mayor
Call the office of the Ann Arbor Mayor at 734.794.6161 or email [email protected]. For more information visit the mayor and Council’s website.
Telephone number for TDD relay service
TDD relay service is available toll free from the Michigan Relay Center by calling 1.800.649.3777 or 711.
Sign up to receive telephone notification in case of emergencies
Registration is available through https://member.everbridge.net/454514914099298/notif.
Learn about city job opportunities
Visit the job postings section of the human resources website or call 734.794.6129.
Questions or Concerns?
The City of Ann Arbor is committed to improving the accessibility of this site. If you have any additional questions and/or cannot fully access the information on any Web page of this site, please email the city communications office at
[email protected] to describe the accessibility issue. We will try to provide the information to you in an alternate format or make the necessary improvements to make the information accessible.
