Dallas Commission on Disabilities approves staff to seek resolution to fly Disability Pride Flag; creates printed resource list and skips July meeting

The Dallas Commission on Disabilities voted on multiple procedural and policy motions at its March 25 meeting, including a recommendation that city staff seek approvals to develop a resolution to allow the City of Dallas to fly a Disability Pride Flag and a separate motion to create a simplified, printable resource list for people with disabilities.

Commissioners said the actions aim to increase visibility and improve practical support for residents with disabilities. After a presentation from Human Rights Officer Chris Graves about the flag's history and the approvals required, Chairman John Calconley moved that the commission recommend staff seek approvals to develop a resolution directing the city manager to fly the Disability Pride Flag at City Hall and other city facilities in July 2025 and annually thereafter on July 26, the ADA anniversary. Chris Graves told the commission that "a simple majority" would be required for the recommendation to proceed through the city's review process.

The vote to send staff to seek those approvals passed. Vice Chair Reedy, Commissioner Townsville and several other commissioners voted in favor during a rollcall called by the chair; at the recorded tally commissioners stated five yes votes and four no votes during the final count and the chair declared that the yeses carried the motion. The commission discussion included concerns about timing, political context and budget; the record notes the commission itself has no operating budget and that flag purchase/funding would be handled by the Human Rights Division.

Separately, Commissioner Beverly White moved that the commission create a simplified, written document of disability resources, "separate from the Internet that can be accessed easily and handed out to our constituents." The motion passed after commissioners confirmed the item should be a printable, written resource (with Braille and other accessible formats considered). Human Rights Officer Chris Graves said staff could export stakeholder information to a printable document and work with the commission on distribution.

The body also approved two procedural motions. Vice Chair Reedy moved to add a recurring "new business" item to the commission agenda (placed after the chair's report and before commissioner reports); the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Reedy also moved that the commission not hold its regular meeting in July 2025; that motion passed and the chair announced, "There will be no Commission on Disabilities meeting in the month of July." Commissioners discussed using the July recess to hold a community event if the flag resolution proceeds.

Votes at a glance (motions recorded in the meeting minutes): - Insert "New Business" as agenda item 6 (mover: Vice Chair Reedy; second: Commissioner Beverly White). Outcome: approved (voice vote). - Do not meet in July 2025 (mover: Vice Chair Reedy; second: Chair John Calconley). Outcome: approved (voice vote). Quote from the chair at the vote: "There will be no Commission on Disabilities meeting in the month of July." - Create a simplified, printable resource list of disability resources (mover: Commissioner Beverly White; second: not specified in audio). Outcome: approved. Clarification: commissioners specified the list should be printable and accessible (including Braille) and not solely web-based. - Recommend staff seek approvals to develop a resolution directing the city manager to fly a Disability Pride Flag (mover: Chairman John Calconley; second: Commissioner Townsville). Outcome: approved (final stated tally in meeting: five yes, four no); staff to pursue approvals through the Office of Equity and Inclusion, assistant city manager, Workforce Education & Equity Committee and then City Council as outlined by staff.

Discussion, limitations and next steps: Commissioners repeatedly emphasized that the commission itself lacks an independent budget for purchases; Human Rights staff said funding for the flag would be handled through Human Rights Division processes. Staff also cautioned that national political context and executive guidance might affect the approvals process; commissioners asked staff to account for that risk when drafting language for Council review. Chris Graves said staff would return with updates as they work through the review chain and that a separate vote on a public event to mark any flag raising should occur only after the council-resolution process is complete.

Because these motions were procedural or recommendations to staff, no ordinances or binding city code changes were adopted at the meeting. The commission recorded the votes and directed staff to pursue the administrative approvals needed to present a resolution to City Council.