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COBAC discusses charter edits to increase disability representation and support-member accommodations
Summary
COBAC members debated proposed charter language to better represent people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, whether to name specific organizations for liaison roles, and how support persons for members would be counted; no formal vote on charter language occurred and staff will revise language for further discussion.
COBAC members discussed proposed charter updates and membership recruitment intended to increase representation and accessibility for people with disabilities.
Cassandra summarized potential edits: adding formal alternate-member language, clarifying ex officio roles, and exploring explicit language to ensure representation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Committee members debated whether to single out IDD or keep broader disability-language; Amanda Hamer said she preferred broader "people experiencing disabilities" language to avoid singling out one group, while Carl Burnett and others proposed language to allow a member who requires a support person to attend and still count as one voting member. Liz Woodfin suggested creating a liaison role with the High Desert Self Advocates to foster two-way engagement rather than naming a single organization in the charter; another member cautioned against naming a specific organization in the charter in case circumstances change.
No formal charter vote was taken; members agreed to continue editing the language and to return with refined proposals at a future meeting. Cassandra asked members to share ideas and candidate contacts as the committee proceeds with recruitment; the staff noted applications are open through April 30.
