The Mayor's Advisory Board for People with Disabilities spent part of its Jan. 14 meeting reviewing the resolution that defines the board's role and agreed to emphasize education rather than advocacy.

"We cannot advocate, that is not, within the scope. Educate, yes. Advocate, no," Leslie Andrews, director of parks and recreation and the board liaison, told members while reviewing the resolution's purpose clause. Andrews said the resolution directs the board "to serve as a point of contact and a voice for the residents of the city of Abilene to the city council concerning matters of accessibility, use, and the benefit to persons with disabilities" and to provide recommendations to city council.

Why it matters: board members raised concern that previous discussions had strayed beyond the board's charge, including talk of events and fundraising. The board agreed to focus on producing educational materials and outreach and to defer marketing and event planning specifics until a staff member (Maury) can present in March.

Key outcomes
- Scope reaffirmed: the board will focus on education, recommendations and acting as a liaison to city council and the city manager; it will not fundraise or operate as a standalone advocacy nonprofit.
- Marketing and outreach work: Maury will present draft marketing ideas in March; members asked staff to compile materials the board can use for community education and for event checklists that would help outside event planners improve accessibility.

Next steps: staff will bring the marketing packet in March; the board also discussed revisiting prior site reviews (e.g., City Hall accessibility follow-up) and scheduling future tours and topics including transit and the zoo bond when staff availability permits.