Mayor Freddie O'Connell of Nashville has officially re-established the Mayor’s Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities through Executive Order 52, drawing attention to the ongoing commitment to the city's disabled residents. The reformed committee will be composed of a diverse group of 12 members including individuals with disabilities, advocates, family members, and professionals across various sectors, tasked with pushing for policies that foster self-reliance and independence in the community.
In a move aimed to galvanize the city's efforts in promoting accessibility, Darren Jernigan has been designated as the Mayor’s Office liaison for the committee. Jernigan, a known figure in advocacy with a history as a State Representative, will tackle the pressing matters pertaining to accessibility. Darren emphasized, "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," in an interview obtained by the Nashville government's news release.
Mayor O'Connell heralded these efforts as being not just structural, but deeply impactful. He pointed out the improvements witnessed firsthand within the very chambers of city governance, mentioning, "since Darren has been working in our office, there have been great improvements to city hall itself." In a visible nod to these efforts, the city hall can now boast bettered access throughout its premises, signaling Nashville's intent to be a city inclusive of all its citizens.
Highlighting the historical context, Mayor O'Connell also declared July as National Disability Pride Month in Nashville, aligning with the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a watershed moment in history, ADA has been pivotal in pushing the boundary for equitability and setting the stage for opportunities that cater to the dynamism of every citizen, with and without disabilities.
