Accessibility will be focus during upcoming session
December 2021
By Jane McClure
Accessibility on many levels and in many forms will again be a theme at the state capitol for Minnesotans with disabilities. Organizations are hammering out final details of bills and legislative agendas, as the clock ticks toward the January 31 start of session.
2022 may be another year where much work gets done virtually as the public health situation with COVID-19 remains fluid. Organizers are already planning for some of the usual rallies and focus events to again be virtual.
Notable virtual events include the annual Disability Day at the Capitol on February 22. The Minnesota Council on Disability plans a virtual legislative forum on January 13, providing a platform for various organizations to unveil their proposals to state legislators.
The Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (MNCCD) has outlined a comprehensive 2022 legislative agenda with over two dozen items, categorized into tiers based on the organization's involvement and support. MNCCD's top tier includes proposals related to service accessibility, an interactive process pilot program, and a study on obesity for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
One highlighted proposal in this tier addresses housing accessibility, led by The Arc Minnesota, focusing on incorporating physically accessible units in housing development and rehabilitation projects inspired by successful measures in Richfield.
Accessibility will be focus during upcoming session | Access Press