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Nonprofits urge MDC to prioritize accessible tourism, employment and adaptive recreation funding
Summary
Three nonprofits told the Mayor’s Disability Council to prioritize accessible tourism, protection of Dignity Fund allocations, sustained employment funding and expanded adaptive recreation in San Francisco; BORP urged city funding to match neighboring cities and asked for commitments for the Jean Friend gym as an adaptive hub.
Representatives from three local nonprofits presented recommendations to the Mayor’s Disability Council on priorities for the coming year, urging the council to champion accessible tourism, employment pathways and expanded adaptive recreation funding.
Fiona Hinze of the Independent Living Resource Center (ILRC) described early work on an accessible tourism concept in partnership with council member Bonville and the Pacific ADA Center and said ILRC hopes to develop a concept paper and return to the council for feedback and possible recommendations. She also asked MDC to help protect the Dignity Fund’s annual allocation amid the city’s budget shortfall.
Sarah Grossman of Tool Works described the agency’s employment programs (Tool Works marked its 50th anniversary) and recommended prioritizing a Housing First approach to homelessness for people with disabilities and securing stable funding for competitive employment programs, including existing OEWD grants that support placements.
Emily Seelenfreund of BORP (Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Programs) urged the council to increase San Francisco funding for adaptive sports and recreation. Seelenfreund said BORP receives roughly $75,000 from Berkeley and about $65,000 from Oakland to serve local residents but "we don't get any funding from the city of San Francisco to serve what is a larger population," and asked for city support to expand programs (cycling, wheelchair basketball, goalball) and to secure Jean Friend gym as an adaptive recreation hub.
Council members responded with support and follow‑up offers: staff said MTA and Rec & Park resources (Blue Zones map) can be shared and that ODA will continue to partner on possible program expansions; council members and ODA agreed to explore funding and departmental coordination despite current budget constraints.
Next steps: nonprofits will share materials and follow up with staff; the council signaled support for further conversations about funding, program partnerships and use of city facilities.
