March is Disability Awareness Month

Creating equitable inclusive environments is a shared responsibility of everyone. In March, we take extra steps to raise awareness about people with disabilities and to celebrate their contributions to our community and society as a whole.

On March 4, 2025, City Council proclaimed March as Disability Awareness Month. 

What is a Disability?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a person with a disability as a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, a person who has a history or record of such an impairment, or a person who is perceived by others as having such an impairment.

Review the City's Annual ADA Progress Report!

This month, the City is releasing its second annual ADA Progress Report. The 2024 report spotlights the City's endeavors in implementing the ADA Transition Plan across all departments to accommodate individuals with disabilities, and to document innovative programs, notable accessibility projects, and outreach initiatives over the last year. Review the report.

Did you know?

More than one in four adults in the US lives with a disability. People with disabilities represent the nation’s largest minority group, as well as the only group that any of us can become a member of at any time.

Not all disabilities are the same, nor are they visible. A disability is or can be:

• A condition that substantially limits one or more major life activities
• A mental health or physical condition
• Visible or hidden

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Leading causes of a disability:

• Arthritis & Musculoskeletal
• Diabetes
• Depression and Mental Health Conditions
• Back Pain
• Cancer
• Heart Disease and Stroke

How can I be an ALLY for Disability Inclusion?

Join your City Council and community members in becoming a Disability ALLY and promoting inclusion for all:

• Acknowledge and respect individual experience and abilities.
• Learn about different disability types.
• Leverage your influence to promote accessibility and inclusion.
• Yield the floor to people with disabilities to help identify and eliminate barriers.

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What else can I do?

• Educate yourself
  • Check out the statistics in this infographic to learn more. 
  • Know not all disabilities are apparent and there are many disabilities. 
• Actively listen and don't be afraid to ask questions.
• Treat people with disabilities with respect. Avoid giving advice or saying "you're inspiring."
• Avoid making assumptions about someone’s disability. Realize every disability is on a spectrum.
• Don’t be afraid to intervene if you observe discriminatory behavior. Be an advocate. Support accessibility. 
• Be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them. Be open to changing your behavior.
• Ask before helping. Talk to a person with a disability like anyone else.