Athens City Commission on Disabiliities
NEWS RELEASE
May 23, 2023
Contact: Dr. Dianne Bouvier, dianne.bouvier3@gmail.com
Walk, Talk, and Roll June 9th with the
Athens City Commission on Disabilities
Live consultation will evaluate accessibility of Uptown Athens
and celebrate progress
ATHENS, OH – The Accessibility and Advocacy Committee of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities will have its annual “Walk, Talk, and Roll” event on Friday, June 9, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. to review accessibility in Uptown Athens.
Committee members Davey McNelly, also chairperson of the Commission, and Rob Delach will guide participants at 11:30 am from Passion Works Studio, 20 West State Street to Howard Park, corner of College and Union Streets to show and report accessibility issues and areas in the Uptown area. The walking/rolling activity will conclude at 12:15 with a short program and refreshments at Howard Park. Dr. Micah McCarey, director of the Ohio University LGBT Center, Disability Commission member, and Athens City Council member; and Sarah Doherty, LGBT Center assistant director, will serve as masters of ceremonies. Speakers include City Council President Chris Knisely; Commission Vice Chair Dianne Bouvier; Athens City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone; Athens Uptown Business Association member and Brenen’s Coffee Café co-owner, Jessica Thompson; and McNelly.
All City residents of any ability are welcome to attend. ASL interpreting will be provided. If additional accommodations are needed, or for more information about this event or accessibility in Athens, email disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us.
“The goal is to focus on parts of streetscaping that are done well, highlight businesses working to address accessibility, and look at ways to improve accessibility in upcoming City streetscaping projects,” says McNelly. “We hope that members of the community will participate in this event to learn what is being accomplished and to provide much needed input so that continuous improvements may be made.”
“The Walk, Talk and Roll project is one of many initiated by the Commission on Disabilities in which the Commission is engaged to ensure Athens is accessible to all individuals, to those who live here and to those who simply visit,” adds Mayor Patterson, “With a goal to improve accessibility city-wide, the City is pleased to work with the Commission on a new initiative to provide matching grant funds to local businesses.”
The fifth annual Walk, Talk, and Roll is sponsored by the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, City of Athens, Ohio University Division of Diversity and Inclusion, Sech-Kar Company, and Echoing Connections.
The Athens City Commission on Disabilities is a committee of City government whose commitment is to provide a means for the concerns of people with disabilities to be heard; to advocate for public policy change; to provide expertise to the community on disabilities; and to tell the community about the strengths and limitations of people with disabilities, as well as how the community can help them improve their quality of life, thereby ensuring equality of opportunity and full participation in community life for everyone.