The Buellton City Council on July 24 presented a proclamation recognizing July 26, 2025, as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Day and highlighted a new communication board to be installed at a Buellton park.

Mayor David Silva read the proclamation, noting the ADA’s passage in 1990 and the city’s commitment to “equality and inclusion for persons with disabilities.” Representatives from local nonprofits praised the city’s step. Shannon Sadecki, a parent and advocate, said the communication board is “access to connection and community” for non-speaking children and families. Sharon McDonald, executive director of Mosaic Therapy Collective and a speech and language pathologist, described the board as “more than the placement of a sign,” calling it a “proclamation that every child, regardless of their abilities, deserves access to connection, expression, and belonging.”

Speakers said the board—described by presenters as the first communication board installed in a public park in Santa Barbara County—will be supplemented by a ribbon-cutting and outreach to encourage neighboring cities to adopt similar accessible elements. Jillian Knight of Santa Ynez Valley Therapeutic Riding Program described the board as part of a broader effort to make recreation and programs accessible to families, caregivers and volunteers, and said the board signals that “accessibility is not just a courtesy, but a cornerstone.”

City staff said a ribbon-cutting will be scheduled and more information would be published when the date is set. Presenters and council members framed the installation as one practical, low-cost step toward more inclusive parks and programs.