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Alameda commissioners plan outreach push: booths, ambassadors, liaisons and Disability Pride events
Summary
Commissioners proposed stepped outreach for 2026 including staffed/un-staffed booths at city events, 'ask me' pins or QR-coded flyers linking to a newsletter, liaison relationships with other boards (library, ARPD, transportation) and a Disability Pride Month screening or event in July.
Commissioners used the Jan. 14 planning session to sketch a 2026 outreach and engagement plan for the Commission on Persons with Disabilities. Ideas included staffing booths at city-sponsored events (Fourth of July parade, Alameda Pride and neighborhood events), recruiting ambassadors who could attend events informally, creating a short elevator pitch and printed flyers or QR codes that link to the commission newsletter.
Members emphasized a low-lift operating model so participation does not trigger Brown Act restrictions: staff explained that when three or more commissioners attend the same event together a special meeting/agenda may need to be published to remain Brown Act–compliant. Commissioners proposed a tiered approach—tier one for a simple ‘ask me about the commission’ ambassador, and tier two for a staffed booth requiring more planning and possibly city resources.
The group discussed building relationships with other city boards and agencies (library board, recreation and park commission/ARPD, transportation and planning boards) and inviting targeted presentations about upcoming projects that intersect with accessibility. Several commissioners also suggested benchmarking work by neighboring East Bay jurisdictions and re-inviting past transportation presenters (including AC Transit and the city’s transportation staff) for updates on paratransit pilots.
For community events, the commission discussed practical outreach items including pins, QR-coded flyers to the newsletter, simple engagement activities or adapted games to draw people to booths, and collaborating with the library to post flyers and displays. Commissioners also floated programming for Disability Pride Month (July) such as a community screening and a library partnership to showcase relevant materials.
Commissioners asked staff to research event calendars, permitting and available city materials, and to clarify logistical questions (budget, liability for giveaways, how to request ARPD or city support). No formal budget or policy was decided at the meeting; staff were asked to return with more implementation details at a future date.
