Disabilities community finds new focus

The Mayor's Committee on Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities restarted in April after years without meeting.

"We're active, and we've got goals in mind," said Charlie Robinson, chair of the executive committee.

The executive committee, made up of 11 members, was appointed by the Williston City Commission.

The resolution governing the board states that "not less than six (members) shall be people with a disability, or have an individual with a disability in their immediate family."

General membership is available to anyone willing to volunteer their time. Currently, 39 people are general members of the committee.

Diana Read, a general member, recalls being a part of the Mayor's Committee for Employment of the Handicapped in the late 1980s, though there was probably activity earlier than that. "The main purpose was to find employers to hire people with disabilities," said Read.

But for whatever reason, the committee broke down through much of the 1990s. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed on the federal level in 1990, and the City of Williston received state funding to ensure that its public buildings were accessible to people with disabilities. However, there was no committee during this time. From 1995 through 2000, there was a committee, but there was really no focus, said Robinson.

Then in 2001, Mayor Ward Koeser agreed to have his keys taken away for a day as part of an exercise in handicapped accessibility, and in 2002, he agreed to wear an eyepatch for a day. This prompted Koeser to the importance of restarting the committee.

In October of 2003, a Community Visioning Forum was attended by area businessmen, human service organizations, and local citizens with disabilities.

"We got to a point where people could identify priorities for people with disabilities," said Read, who facilitated the event. These three priorities were the foundation for the three standing committees of the Committee on Employment and Advancement of People with Disabilities.

The Accessibility and Transportation Committee works to "keep people informed of all construction and renovation requirements for the ADA Act of 1990," said standing committee Chair John Buck. Currently, the committee is working to prioritize and identify things that can be improved. Accessibility to the Post Office is one of the first issues the committee has tackled.

"(The Employment Committee) hopes over time to put ourselves in front of people from the business community and educate them on the issues," said committee Chair Jerry Chapman. "In the end, the hope would be that we have more people with disabilities employed in the community satisfied with the job they have."

The Awareness Committee will work with publicity, the education of the citizens of Williston on laws relating to people with disabilities and encourage participation from the community.

Larry Armogost, committee chair, emphasized the importance of using People First language when referring to people with disabilities.

"People with disabilities do not want to be labeled," said Janelle Olson, a general member.

"It's demeaning," added Armogost. "Don't recognize the disability, recognize the person."

At their last meeting Sept. 15, the committee discussed ways to get involved in Disabilities Awareness Month, which is in October. Since the committee is so new, they don't have anything formal planned; however, the local People First group is putting on sessions at Williston State College on Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28. Most likely a committee member will speak during an Oct. 28 session.

"We will assist in any way we can," said Robinson.

Meetings are the third Wednesday of every month in the basement of the Job Service building. The building is accessible for people with disabilities, and anyone looking for transportation to the meetings is encouraged to call Elaine Sinness at the City Hall, 577-8115.

The meetings are open to the public, and anyone interested in volunteering may apply for general membership.