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Athens Commission on Disabilities reviews 2025 work, urges funding and new members
Summary
The Commission on Disabilities presented a year‑end report highlighting sidewalk and Uptown accessibility improvements, the Walk, Talk and Roll event, the Athena Awards, and asked council for matching funds for an ADA transition plan and volunteers to fill upcoming vacancies.
The Commission on Disabilities told the Athens City Council Committee of the Whole on Monday that 2025 brought progress on citywide sidewalk work and outreach, but that Uptown remains markedly difficult for people with mobility impairments.
"Uptown is egregiously in violation of the ADA," said Davey McNelly, chair of the commission and an employee of the Southeastern Ohio Center for Independent Living, during the commission's year‑end presentation. McNelly and other commissioners praised recent curb‑cut and sidewalk projects on East State, Madison and West Union while warning that continuity of accessible paths remains incomplete.
The commission said it held monthly meetings and ran programs including the Walk, Talk and Roll event — which it used in a brief video to demonstrate how wheelchair users struggled to cross Court Street — and the 11th annual Athena Awards, which drew about 80 attendees and media coverage. Dr. Carolyn Lewis and other outreach leaders noted the commission’s accessibility matrix, which tracks issues reported by residents and city responses.
Why it matters: Commission members said continuous accessible sidewalks and curb ramps are essential for residents to reach Uptown services, early voting locations and businesses. They asked the council to approve matching funds to complete a high‑quality ADA transition plan and to help recruit new commissioners as several long‑serving members prepare to leave.
Council members raised procedural and scheduling questions and asked whether the city has a timeline for Uptown repairs. City administration acknowledged contractor availability and the complexity of Uptown projects and said larger utility projects that include ramp improvements may help in the coming year, but that some piecemeal fixes could be needed until bidding conditions improve.
The commission also encouraged residents to apply to fill vacancies and indicated the commission will work with the mayor’s office to stagger terms so leadership transitions do not leave the body without coverage.
The committee concluded the presentation with no public speakers and thanked commission members for their service. The commission’s materials and the commission liaison Micah McCary noted the ADA transition plan work is underway and requested council consideration of funding and recruitment in early 2026.
