Council creates community engagement and accessibility coordinator; disability commission asks for ADA certification in job description

Athens City Council on June 16 adopted Ordinance 64-25, amending the city’s 2025 staffing ordinance to replace the DEIA/training coordinator position with a community engagement and accessibility coordinator in the mayor’s office.

Michelle Hahn, who identified herself as a member of the disabled community, a member of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities and co-chair of its outreach and communications committee, addressed council during the ordinance discussion. Hahn asked that the city require the new position’s job description to include completion of the ADA coordinator certification program offered by the Great Plains ADA Center and requested that the city cover the cost if the appointee does not already hold the certification. “The job description should include an expectation to complete the ADA coordinator certification program provided by the Great Plains ADA Center,” Hahn said.

Hahn also said the commission learned of the job change “through the grapevine” and asked the administration and council to improve communication with the commission and to involve its members when city policy or positions affect disabled residents. “If this is something that's going to be involving us, then we should probably be involved in knowing at least knowing about it,” she said.

Council members had no further discussion after Hahn’s remarks and moved to a vote. The ordinance was adopted by voice vote.

The change renames and refocuses an existing position toward community engagement and accessibility; the council record shows no amendment to funding levels discussed at the June 16 meeting. Hahn’s request places a specific training expectation into the public record for council and administration to consider when finalizing the position description and hiring process.