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TextCommunity Engagement Town Hall to Focus on Neighbors with Disabilities
Supervisor Cook is extending the reach of his on-going Community
Engagement Initiative. Emphasizing the themes of citizen participation,
leadership training and outreach that made the Community Engagement
Initiative so successful, this expanded effort, “Engaging People with
Disabilities,” will focus on connecting community leaders with our
neighbors with disabilities, so that they can participate more fully in
community life.
To increase awareness and offer opportunities for people to get involved
in the important work of this effort, Supervisor Cook will host a Town
Hall meeting on Monday November 15th at 7:30 p.m. in the Kings Park
Library. A reception will precede the program beginning at 7:00
p.m.
All too often, people think of those with disabilities as needing
services. They fail to realize that these same people have a lot to offer
their communities. The essence of Supervisor Cook’s Community Engagement
Initiative is that all of our neighbors have something to offer the
community. This initiative will make clear the value our neighbors with
disabilities have and the benefits their engagement can bring to
their neighborhoods. It will also provide those with disabilities
information on how to become more active community members.
In partnership with County government, the Town Hall will feature Nancy
Mercer and Jill Egle from the Arc of Northern Virginia, an expert on
disability technologies, and Donna Goldbranson of Specially Adapted
Resource Centers (SPARC). Donna and Nancy are both Braddock District
residents. The Town Hall will discuss the positive contributions people
with physical, sensory and intellectual disabilities can make in their
communities. It will inform community leaders of the technology available
to them to help make meetings and events more welcoming to those with
disabilities, and it will offer suggestions on how community leaders can
reach out to people with disabilities.
Next Spring, a follow-on program will focus on encouraging people with
disabilities to become more active in their communities and provide them
with the techniques, connections to services, and inspiration to do
so.
Last year’s inaugural Community Engagement Initiative Town Hall had more
than 150 participants from across the district and encouraged people to
get to know their neighbors, including those of diverse backgrounds. The
Initiative was designed to increase outreach within community
organizations, provide leadership training for community leaders, and
strengthen Braddock District neighborhoods. Additional follow-on programs
for the Initiative are planned for the Spring, and, by popular demand, an
expanded Leadership Institute is being developed to provide more detailed
training to community leaders.
In designing the Community Engagement Initiative, Supervisor Cook drew
upon his experience as President of the Kings Park Civic Association,
vice-president of the Kings Park/Kings Glen PTA, and as a girls softball
coach for Braddock Road Youth Club. Supervisor Cook has repeatedly stated
that providing training, resources, direction and inspiration to
community leaders and volunteers is his primary goal as Braddock District
Supervisor.
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