Home | Coordinators | Mayor's Committee | Activities

Austin Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities

On this page:

About the Committee

The committee was established by City Ordinance 870319-J, which states the AMCPD's purpose is "to carry on a program to encourage, assist and enable persons with disabilities to participate in the social and economic life of the City of Austin and achieve maximum personal independence; to become gainfully employed; and to enjoy fully and use all public and private facilities available within the community." In accordance with the Financial Oversight Ordinance approved on December 14, 1989, AMCPD submits an annual report and work plan to the City Council each year.

Employment Awards
October 2009

This year's theme for National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 'Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation' captures the idea that our citizens with disabilities hold the expectation of gainful employment, exercising the opportunity to utilize their known abilities while learning new skills. The final outcome is persons becoming productive, contributing and involved citizens; a win-win situation for everyone," said Chairman Norman Kieke.

Employee of the Year: Michelle Cameron
Employee of the Year: Steve Moore
Small Employer of the Year: Mental Health America of Texas
Medium Employer of the Year: Radisson Austin North
Public Employer: Texas State Capitol Senate/House Messengers
Martha Arbuckle Meritorious Award: Ron Lucey (photo to the right)
Media Award: Corrie MacLaggan
Entrepreneurship Award: Heather Davis
Distinguished Service Award: Bryson McCall Smith
2009 Scholarship Winner: Chelsea Mariah Dietzen
2009 Partnership Award: Bruce Elfant, Constable Precinct 5
2009 Partnership Award: Brown McCarroll, L.L.P.

Chairman’s Commendations:

• Stacey Heizer
• Betty Huffman- Schrauer
• Empowerment Worksource, Inc.
• Relief Enterprises
• Kewing Enterprises, Inc.

AMCPD operates within the geographic city limits of Austin in cooperation with the Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities. The AMCPD Members are seven local residents appointed by the Austin City Council. Other interested citizens, known as Associate Members, volunteer their unique skills and knowledge and work alongside Committee Members in pursuing AMCPD goals.

Follow this link to view the Minutes of the meetings of the Committee.

Follow this link to view the News Releases regarding the Mayor's Committee's events.

Part of the City of Austin's annual Boards and Commissions budget is set aside for AMCPD use.

AMCPD's Main Goals

• 2006-2007 Annual Report and 2007-2008 Work Plan - HTML version, PDF version (1.56 mb)
  
• 2005-2006 Annual Report and 2006-2007 Work Plan
• 2004-2005 Annual Report and 2006-2007 Work Plan

AMCPD's Sub-Committees

The Access Subcommittee deals with physical and social barriers. They are involved in social services, building access, proposed city ordinances and transportation issues.

• The nomination form - http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/ada/access_nomform.htm.
• Please use the attached accessibility checklist when nominating or reviewing businesses for access. Department of Justice Checklist for Readily Achievable Barrier Removal.
• History of the Access Award Recipients.

The Awards Subcommittee plans and conducts the annual Mayor´s award Program, held in October, to honor businesses, agencies, and individuals for outstanding support of Austin citizens with disabilities. Categories include: Employer of the Year, Employee of the Year, the Media Award, Distinguished Service Award, Special Recognition Award, various Chairperson Commendations and the Martha Arbuckle Meritorious Service Award.

• Nominate a person, employer or agency for an award at Nomination for Employment Award.
• For a listing of the awards given, please read History of Awards and Recognition Ceremonies.

The purpose of the Youth Initiatives Subcommittee is to expand opportunities and ensure inclusion of Austin's youth with disabilities in the Austin community. Recent activities include supporting the inclusion of Austin's youth with disabilities in the Austin-Travis County Summer Youth Employment Program and expanding respite care resources to strengthen families of children with disabilities.

The Employment Subcommittee actively promotes employment of persons with disabilities by:

• Enhancing public awareness of abilities people with disabilities have;
• Encouraging coordination between local, state and federal agencies in their employment initiatives;
• Informing people with disabilities of available social services related to employment;
• Working with employers to facilitate acceptance of people with disabilities;
• Promoting a favorable climate in the business community for employment of people with disabilities; and
• Hosting and supporting Job Fairs and Conferences which focus on people with disabilities. .

• AISD
• Arc of the Capital Area
• Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
• Community Action Network
• Easter Seals Central Texas
• Goodwill Industries of Central Texas
• Lower Colorado River Authority
• Mary Lee Foundation
• Social Security Administration
• Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services
• VSA Arts of Texas

How can you become involved?

AMCPD needs concerned people to be involved in order to make the program a success.

• If you would like to volunteer, become an Associate Member
• For more information about AMCPD, give us a call at (512) 974-3256 or fill out the Associate Membership Application.

Follow these links to other pages on the A.D.A. web site.

Home | City Coordinators | Mayor's Committee | Activities