The Commission on Disabilities delivered its annual report to the Athens City Council Committee of the Whole on Nov. 24, noting city-funded sidewalk work and curb cuts as significant progress but saying key Uptown crossings remain inaccessible.

Micah McCary, city council liaison to the commission, introduced the panel and Davy (Davey/Davie in the record) McNelly, the commission chair, who said the commission currently has 10 members and holds monthly meetings the third Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at the community center. McNelly and other commissioners highlighted the Walk, Talk and Roll events and the Union Street and West Union projects as examples of improvements, while also urging further work to ensure adjoining sidewalks, curb ramps and driveways connect to form an accessible continuum.

"Uptown is egregiously in violation of the ADA," McNelly said, pointing to a persistent pothole near State and Court Street and other curb-ramp problems that, he said, prevent many wheelchair users from accessing Uptown to vote early, park or use services.

Dr. Carolyn Lewis, who serves on the outreach and communications committee, summarized the commission's public-facing efforts including the 11th annual Athena Awards and media coverage; she said the commission drew about 80 attendees to the awards this year.

The commission asked council to approve funding for a high-quality ADA transition plan and for matching funds to complete consultant work and implementation. Commissioners also said they are facing turnover — four members are leaving this year — and urged help recruiting new volunteers to keep the commission fully staffed.

Council members asked clarifying questions about staggering terms and about Uptown project timelines. Administration and department staff said contractor shortages and prior bidding problems constrained large, single-package improvements in Uptown; work on some ramps is tied to an overhead-to-underground utility project planned for a future construction phase. Auditor remarks during the meeting noted the city must balance funding priorities while preserving reserve policy targets.

The committee thanked the commission and concluded the presentation; no formal council action on the commission's funding request occurred during the committee meeting.