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.
Disability Commission Application
If you are interested in serving on the Disability Commission, please fill out a
Board and Commission application (PDF) or visit the
City Clerk's website for more information.
The Commission on Disability Issues meetings are held at 3:15 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month in the Larcom City Hall building, Council Chambers Second Floor, 301 E. Huron St.
This page is a work in progress, and your questions and feedback are welcomed! Please email the city communications office at
lwondrash@a2gov.org or call 734.794.6110, ext. 41511. Questions about the commission, specifically, may be directed to staff liaison Heather Koch via email at hkoch@a2gov.org or by calling 734.794.6120, ext. 41295.
In the News
Grand Opening of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Centennial Playground September 17 at Gallup Park
City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services, together with the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor, are inviting the community to the grand opening of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor Centennial Playground on Sunday, Sept. 17, 3–6 p.m. at Gallup Park, 3000 Fuller Road.
The Rotary Club of Ann Arbor celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2016 and chose to commemorate the milestone with a Centennial Playground Project at Gallup Park.
The Universal Access Playground (UAP) offers children with disabilities opportunities to gain self-confidence and greater independence. Children of all ages and abilities will be able to develop and play together. Additionally, caregivers with disabilities have the chance for their children to play, where they, too, can engage, supervise and interact together with them, as never before. The Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living (CIL) helped provide input for the design of the playground so that it is a safe and inclusive place.
View more information about the
event.
Michigan Flyer-Air Ride Announces Alternative Stops at DTW
Michigan Flyer-AirRide passengers now have a better choice of where to get on and off our coaches at Detroit Metro Airport’s McNamara Terminal.
Our “standard location” is still at the south end of the Ground Transportation Center (GTC) in the parking garage across the road from the terminal.
In addition, the airport recently set up new “alternative stops” closer to the terminal for people with disabilities—or anyone who needs extra time or assistance—along with their travel companions.
The new stops are a real plus for our passengers who fly airlines served by the McNamara Terminal—Delta, Air France and Virgin Atlantic:
Our “alternative stop” for picking up passengers from arriving flights is at Door 402 of the GTC indoor waiting area. That’s right near our customer service desk, where you’ll normally find an agent who’ll be happy to assist with luggage, baby strollers, etc.
Our “alternative stop” for dropping off passengers for departing flights is at the Departures Level curb near the Air France/Delta entrance to the ticket counters. Our buses stop here after dropping other passengers at our “standard location.”
You can use the closer bus stops for any reason, and without having to explain why. The airport only requires that you ask to use the “alternative stops” in advance. There are three easy ways to do so:
When purchasing your Michigan Flyer-AirRide tickets online, just write “alternative stop” in the Special Needs box on the Passenger Information webpage.
Or, just tell your driver that you wish to use an alternative stop.
Or, if you are in the GTC waiting area, just tell our agent at the customer service desk.
Of course, any passenger can board or de-board the bus at our “standard location” without advance notice. By the way, our coaches serve all of our stops at DTW, and drivers announce when their bus is approaching each stop.
Ann Arbor Inclusive Programs
The Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues hosts a talk show program on CTN, called
Ann Arbor Inclusive, which explores topics of interest to persons with abilities of every level, with a focus on awareness and education.
If you have an idea for a show, or want to be featured, please email
a2disabilityissues@gmail.com.
Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living Events
Better Together Community Garden
The gardening season at the Ann Arbor CIL, is going great! If you still want to be involved, there are many community plots that require upkeep. The community workdays are Wednesdays from 12pm-2pm, and Fridays from 3 -6 pm. If you want to get involved in the garden and attend a workday please RSVP the garden coordinator at
aacilgarden@gmail.com . All new garden participants need to complete a background check before they attend a workday and/or volunteer in the garden.
On the Job Talk Support Group
Getting a job isn’t easy; keeping your job can be even more challenging.
We know we can’t complain to our co-workers, and our families can tire
hearing about our dissatisfactions as well. On the Job Talk is a safe place to vent your frustrations and strategize work-life solutions. Whether you are an intern, new hire, mid-career, manager, executive or nearly retired, this group will provide support from others who share your struggles.
We Meet the Third Tuesday of the Month, 6-7:30 pm
For more information, or to contact us with accommodation requests, visit www.annarborcil.org or email careerservices@aacil.org.
Other CIL Events
General Support Group: Meets every Tuesday from 1-2 p.m.
Diversability: Theater, Poetry, Music, Food, Games Wednesdays 5-7 p.m.
Resources by Functional Impairment Category
The below functional impairment categories are derived from definitions included in the
International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, from the
World Health Organization.
-
Mental Function Impairment
Including cognitive, emotional, attention, etc. -
Visual Function Impairment
Including blindness, low vision, etc. -
Oral/aural Function Impairment
Including deafness and hearing, voice, speech, etc. -
Movement/mobility Function Impairment
Including muscular, skeletal, nervous system, etc. -
Other Function Impairment
Including chronic illness, chemical and other sensitivities, diet restrictions, endurance and pain issues, etc. -
Alphabetical List of Resources
City Services/Accommodations
Communication and Interface With City Government
Including voting, public meetings, city publications and information, notifications, media, ADA compliance issues, etc.
Public Safety
Including police, fire, emergency notification,
snow and ice removal, etc.
Public Services and Utilities
Including trash and recycling pick-up, utility service assistance, etc.
Recreation, Sports, and Leisure
Including parks, recreation programs, sports, arts, culture, etc.
Streets, Buildings and Parking
Including sidewalks, roads, city buildings, housing assistance, parking, etc.
Transportation
Including buses, trains, the Ann Arbor Airport, etc.
Alphabetical List of City Resources
Ann Arbor Commission on Disability Issues
PO Box 8647
Ann Arbor, MI 48107
Staff Liaison: Heather Koch
email:
hkoch@a2gov.org
phone: 734.794.6120, extension 41295
- Unless otherwise noted on the
city meetings and events calendar, meetings are held monthly on the third Wednesday of each month with public comment time available. The monthly meetings take place at 3:15 p.m. in City Council chambers, second floor, Larcom City Hall, 301 E. Huron St. Watch the
live meeting online or view public meetings at your convenience online via CTN's
video on demand.
Our vision is: 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.
Questions
Please visit our
Frequently Asked Questions page.
We are 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 e-mail the city communications office at
lwondrash@a2gov.org or
jesatterlee@a2gov.org 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.
