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Residents press council for ASL access, translation and clearer meeting language
Summary
Several callers urged the council to provide American Sign Language interpretation and clearer, plain-language communications for meetings and public comments, saying current accommodations are insufficient.
Multiple callers during the May 15 public comment period urged Detroit council members to improve access for Deaf and hard-of-hearing residents and to use plainer language in public hearings.
“We should always have an ASL translator in person and online at all sessions,” Melissa Love said during public comment, and added: “They have a right to a public comment and they deserve fair treatment.”
Other callers reiterated the request. One speaker identified as not-that-Karen said, “ASL is real. We do need to make sure that everyone can benefit from the council meetings and everybody understands that we need to concentrate on plain language.” Melissa Love and subsequent callers also raised concerns about closed-captioning camera feeds and accessibility for online participants.
Council president pro tem James Tate responded that closed captions are available and staff work with disability constituents; the meeting record shows officials said they will follow up on outreach and materials. During the committee discussion on CDBG-DR funds, HRD and the Department of Neighborhoods committed to produce homeowner education materials and infographics, and Josh Roberson (Department of Neighborhoods) pledged outreach beginning in early June to distribute information in community meetings.
Speakers also flagged broader accessibility concerns and legal protections. The committee did not take an immediate procedural vote on meeting access; the public comment requests were recorded, and staff commitments for outreach and educational materials were made during the subsequent agenda discussion.
Speakers: Melissa Love, identified herself during public comment as an advocate for Deaf residents; other callers who raised the issue identified themselves as public commenters but did not provide organizational affiliations in the record.
Next steps: Council staff committed to produce and circulate educational infographics and begin outreach in early June, and officials said they would coordinate distribution through the Department of Neighborhoods and other channels.
