Long-term vision of the city leaves out those with disabilities
The Columbia Vision Commission will meet with the Disabilities Commission and seek feedback regarding the tracking and addressing of concerns brought up at a Vision Commission meeting Monday.
The Disabilities Commission submitted their analysis of the latest Vision Commission Report and how issues facing people with disabilities were underrepresented in the report.
“The main concern is people with disabilities are just forgotten about in the long-term planning for the city,” said Lee Henson, a member of the Vision Commission and the Columbia Disabilities Commission.
Vision Commission Vice Chair Tracy Greever-Rice said the decision to work more closely with the Disabilities Commission was a good example of how the Vision Commission can collaborate with other policymaking bodies.
“They’ll be able to offer us some insight for measurements that fully address their concerns,” Greever-Rice said.
Greever-Rice was also a candidate in the April 6 election for Fourth Ward councilman, which she lost in a close race to Daryl Dudley. The new councilman and mayor were the first candidates backed by the Chamber of Commerce in 105 years and were perceived as being pro-business in the election according to Maneater articles.
Vision Commission Chairwoman Jan Weaver and Greever-Rice both said they do not expect the election to change any of their goals or functions and look forward to working with the new council.
“I anticipate at some point they will voice some direction, and we want them to,” Greever-Rice said.