Residents urge La Habra to create disability services and sensory‑friendly playgrounds; council asks staff for report

Chloe Medina, a lifelong La Habra resident and volunteer with multiple special‑needs organizations, asked the council on Oct. 20 to create a dedicated city disability department to plan inclusive events and programs for children, teens and adults with disabilities.

"I'm respectfully request the creation of a dedicated disability department in our city," Medina said, noting that the La Habra City School District “currently serves 812 children with IEPs” and that the city’s existing events are limited in accessibility. She described a recent city egg‑hunt she attended as “far from inclusive” for her nonverbal son and urged a more intentional approach.

Giselle Veil delivered a petition requesting a sensory‑friendly and inclusive playground and said parents would continue to support the project.

Council members responded with interest. Councilmember Darren Nixarian proposed — and multiple colleagues seconded — that staff produce a report outlining current offerings, possible sensory‑friendly amenities and budget estimates. Council members noted existing programs run by the Children’s Museum and suggested exploring outside funding opportunities such as KaBOOM or grant partnerships, but they also asked for city staff to assess feasibility and costs.

No ordinance or budget appropriation was made at the meeting; the action taken was direction to staff to return with more information and a budgetary assessment.