City honored for disability efforts

The City of Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility has been selected as the second-place winner in the "Cities over 50,000" category in the National Organization on Disability's Community Awards Competition for outstanding disability programs. \n"We are proud of our efforts to make Bloomington accessible for all our citizens and visitors, and we appreciate the recognition and financial award from the National Organization on Disability," Bloomington Mayor John Fernandez said. "I want to especially thank the members of the Council for Community Accessibility for all their work in this important area."\nA panel of national disability community leaders reviewed many community program entries and picked Bloomington's as excellent.\nA total of $30,000 is being awarded in cash this year by the organization. The awards competition recognizes outstanding local programs that encourage the participation of citizens with disabilities in the community.\nBloomington received a cash grant of $2,000. In awarding the grant, the organization cited an education plan, support of citizen advocacy, development of a directory of resources and services and federal compliance workshops for business. \nIt also recognized emergency 911 outreach, installation of audible traffic signals and creation of a year-round sports division for people with disabilities.\nFernandez said he plans to put the grant to good use.\n"We hope to use the funds to continue to provide more workshops for businesses about the benefits and responsibilities of complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. We will also provide scholarships so people with disabilities who need financial assistance can participate in the Leadership Bloomington-Monroe County program."\nOther programs winning awards among cities with populations of more than 50,000 include first place -- North Providence/Cranston, R.I.; and third place -- Las Cruces, N.M. Additional winners include Boston, Mass. (first place overall); Sonoma County, Calif.; Pitt County, N.C.; Alachua County, Fla.; Oak Island, N.C.; El Cerrito, Calif.; and Southampton, N.Y.\nFor more information about the City of Bloomington's Council for Community Accessibility, contact Craig Brenner, special Projects Coordinator, at 349-3430 or by e-mail at brennerc@city.bloomington.in.us.