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Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities

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About the Committee

The committee was established by City Ordinance 870319-J, which states the AMCPD's purpose is "to carry on a program to encourage, assist and enable persons with disabilities to participate in the social and economic life of the City of Austin and achieve maximum personal independence; to become gainfully employed; and to enjoy fully and use all public and private facilities available within the community." In accordance with the Financial Oversight Ordinance approved on December 14, 1989, AMCPD submits an annual report and work plan to the City Council each year.

Current Events

Access Awards

The Austin City Council commemorated the 21st anniversary of this civil rights milestone on Thursday, July 28th, by presenting a proclamation to the Austin Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities and recognizing nine local businesses for their accessibility, welcoming attitude, and for upholding the spirit of the ADA.

Those nine businesses were:

• BJ’s Mopac
• Dick’s Sporting Goods
• Golden Corral North Lamar
• Meltzer Uptown Pub
• Progressive Insurance North Lamar
• Randall’s Braker Lane
• Target Tech Ridge
• Whole Foods North Lamar
• Zed’s Restaurant

Honorable Mentions with substantial compliance include Brake Specialists Plus at Parmer Lane, and Texas Rowing Center. Information on past winners may be viewed at the Mayor’s Committee Web site - www.cityofaustin.org/ada/accessaward_history.htm.

Employment Awards
October 2010

The awards program is part of Austin’s celebration of National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This year’s theme is "Talent has no boundaries: Workforce Diversity includes Workers with Disabilities."

"No artificial barriers should prevent individuals from reaching their potential in the workplace and contributing their skills to our nation," Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said.

"We are pleased to recognize accomplishments in employing individuals with disabilities through our annual Employment Awards program, AMCPD Chair Norman Kieke said. "This year's theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month captures the idea that our citizens with disabilities hold the expectation of gainful employment, exercising the opportunity to utilize their known abilities while learning new skills. The final outcome is persons becoming productive, contributing and involved citizens; a win-win situation for everyone."

Employee of the Year: Jake Williams
Small Employer of the Year: Taco Cabana #278
Medium Employer of the Year: Chili’s Stassney Lane
Large Employer of the Year: Project Search, Seton Family of Hospitals
Public Employer: Austin Independent School District Police Department
Martha Arbuckle Meritorious Award: Bob Kafka and Stephanie Thomas
Media Award: Heidi Zhou-Castro, News8Austin
Media Award: Gene and Dave Show
Entrepreneurship Award:Pierre Dossa
Distinguished Service Award: Texas Rowing For All
2009 Partnership Award: Amerigroup Community Care
2009 Partnership Award: Knowbility, Inc.

Chairman’s Commendations:

• Doubletree Hotel Austin
• Planet Fitness, Slaughter Lane
• Robyn Farris
• Savers #1094

AMCPD operates within the geographic city limits of Austin in cooperation with the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. The AMCPD Members are seven local residents appointed by the Austin City Council. Other interested citizens, known as Associate Members, volunteer their unique skills and knowledge and work alongside Committee Members in pursuing AMCPD goals.

Follow this link to view the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee.

Follow this link to view the News Releases regarding the Mayor's Committee's events.

Part of the City of Austin's annual Boards and Commissions budget is set aside for AMCPD use.

AMCPD's Main Goals

• 2006-2007 Annual Report and 2007-2008 Work Plan - HTML version, PDF version (1.56 mb)
• 2005-2006 Annual Report and 2006-2007 Work Plan
• 2004-2005 Annual Report and 2006-2007 Work Plan

AMCPD's Sub-Committees

The Access and Youth Committee focuses on accessibility and barrier removal throughout the community, providing citizen input on accessibility projects, promoting ADA compliance and providing information and policy recommendations on accessibility of City of Austin services and facilities. This subcommittee also conducts projects and provides policy recommendations to improve the inclusion of youth with disabilities in our community, strengthen families and support more successful vocational outcomes.

• The nomination form - http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ada/access_nomform.htm.
• Please use the attached accessibility checklist when nominating or reviewing businesses for access. Department of Justice Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal.
• History of the Access Award Recipients.

The Employment and Awards Committee plans and conducts the annual Mayor's Awards Program, held in October to honor businesses, agencies, and individuals for outstanding support of Austin citizens with disabilities. This subcommittee also promotes the successful employment of qualified individuals with disabilities and supports related initiatives by employers and service- providers in the greater Austin area.

• Register for Business of Work
• Nominate a person, employer or agency for an award at Nomination for Employment Award.
• For a listing of the awards given, please read History of Awards and Recognition Ceremonies.

Activities

• Enhancing public awareness of abilities people with disabilities have;
• Encouraging coordination between local, state and federal agencies in their employment initiatives;
• Informing people with disabilities of available social services related to employment;
• Working with employers to facilitate acceptance of people with disabilities;
• Promoting a favorable climate in the business community for employment of people with disabilities; and
• Hosting and supporting Job Fairs and Conferences which focus on people with disabilities.

AMCPD Community Partners

• AISD
• Arc of the Capital Area
• Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
• Community Action Network
• Easter Seals Central Texas
• Goodwill Industries of Central Texas
• Lower Colorado River Authority
• Mary Lee Foundation
• Social Security Administration
• Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
• VSA Texas
• Workforce Solutions - Capital Area

How can you become involved?

AMCPD needs concerned people to be involved in order to make the program a success.

• If you would like to volunteer, become a Community Partner Representative
• For more information about AMCPD, give us a call at (512) 974-3256 or fill out the Community Partner Representative Application.

Follow these links to other pages on the A.D.A. web site.

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