Mayor Freddie O’Connell has signed Executive Order 52, which reestablishes the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities. This 12-member advisory committee will include individuals with disabilities, advocates, family members, business and professional representatives, interested citizens, and elected officials. The committee will advocate for policies, practices, and procedures aimed at promoting self-determination and independence for individuals with disabilities. Additionally, it will coordinate local activities and promote public education and awareness regarding the contributions, potentials, and needs of individuals with disabilities and their families.
Darren Jernigan, a former State Representative and the Mayor’s Manager of State and Federal Legislative Affairs, will serve as the liaison to the committee. Jernigan will work with the committee to make recommendations on pressing matters related to accessibility. “There are no defective people. There’s only defective environments, so when you make the environment accessible, that means you’re making home ownership, transportation and employment accessible,” Jernigan stated. “These are the things that need to be promoted, and that’s what this executive order helps us do.”
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Mayor O’Connell emphasized the importance of accessibility, noting improvements made to city hall since Jernigan joined the office. “If you want first-hand evidence of how important this is: since Darren has been working in our office, there have been great improvements to city hall itself. We have improved access throughout the building that shows the tangible benefits of this work.”
In addition to signing the executive order, Mayor O’Connell proclaimed July as National Disability Pride Month in Nashville. The announcement coincides with the 34th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a landmark piece of legislation that significantly improved equity for people with disabilities while opening doors to greater opportunity and independence.
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