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Absecon proclaims July Disability Pride Month and honors advocate Jacob Hackett
Summary
At its July meeting the Absecon City Council adopted Resolution 110 proclaiming July as Disability Pride Month and honored local advocate Jacob Hackett; Congressman Jeff Andrew presented a congressional proclamation and public commenters urged broader business accessibility.
The Absecon City Council on Monday adopted Resolution 110 designating July as Disability Pride Month and formally recognized Jacob Hackett for his work promoting accessibility in the city and region.
Jacob Hackett, introduced as the meeting's honorary council president, thanked the council and urged continued outreach about accessibility programs and the South Jersey Field of Dreams, saying, “we just have to make sure that we get the word out there about these programs.”
Mayor Kimberly Horton read a proclamation declaring July Disability Pride Month in Absecon, noting the month was chosen to honor the 1990 enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Following the mayor, Congressman Jeff Andrew presented a congressional proclamation, presented Hackett with a challenge coin and said he will make a speech about Hackett part of the permanent congressional record, praising Hackett as an example of “American exceptionalism.”
During public comment, resident Lynn Caterson said state law does not require businesses to be accessible unless they undertake renovations and urged the city to encourage wider accessibility even where the law does not mandate it. Ann Baker and Rev. Dave Leford also praised Hackett’s work and called for universal access to public buildings and businesses.
The council moved and approved Resolution 110 by roll-call vote; the clerk recorded affirmative votes from Kane, Clark, D Ro, Light, Maron, Parker and Lund. Following the vote the council invited attendees to take photographs with Hackett and closed the recognition portion of the meeting.
The resolution text posted and read at the meeting specifically cites the Americans with Disabilities Act and names Hackett for his advocacy with the South Jersey Field of Dreams. The council did not attach new regulatory requirements to the proclamation; it is a formal recognition and expression of the council’s support for inclusion and accessibility.
