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Committee backs staffing and $140,000 in contract support to meet ADA needs for World Cup and Olympics
Summary
The Department of Disabilities outlined staffing and multi-year resource needs to meet ADA obligations for FIFA 2026 fan zones and the 2028 Olympics; the committee instructed the CAO to identify an analyst position and $140,000 for contracted services and approved the modification 4-0.
The Los Angeles City Civil Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disabilities Committee on an unspecified date heard a presentation from the Department of Disabilities outlining resource needs to ensure accessibility for major upcoming events, including fan zones for the FIFA World Cup 2026 and preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Steven Simon, executive director of the Department of Disabilities, said the department is coordinating with other city offices and LA28 organizers to identify accessibility needs across seven focus zones and that some services will support city-led fan zones and other municipal events rather than the official competition sites. Simon said the department anticipates a need for technical assistance, training and additional staff to respond rapidly to accessibility complaints during events.
Committee members asked whether accessibility expenses would be reimbursed by LA28 or FIFA; presenters said LA28 reimbursements were expected to be pursued but that FIFA reimbursements were not confirmed. Members also pressed for shared contracting across departments to reduce cost and for clarity on which departments would bear specific expenses.
A council member proposed modifying the department’s recommendations to instruct the Chief Administrative Officer to identify funding for an analyst and to identify $140,000 for contracted accessibility services to support city events; the motion also requested an accounting of expenses that could be reimbursed by LA28 once the plan master is finalized. The modification passed on a recorded 4-0 vote with one member absent.
The committee did not appropriate the funds at the meeting; it directed staff to identify sources and return with a budget recommendation and a reimbursement accounting.
