Boulder Arts Commission adopts Statement of Disability Access with agreed edits

The Boulder Arts Commission voted May 27 to approve a Statement of Disability Access, instructing staff to refine language so the statement focuses on disability access while placing broader access examples (financial, cultural, linguistic) on a linked webpage.

The Accessibility Workgroup presented the draft statement, which affirms that accessibility extends beyond baseline Americans with Disabilities Act compliance and commits the commission to remove physical, financial, cultural and linguistic barriers where appropriate. Commissioners debated whether the statement’s title and wording should emphasize disability-specific access or include broader accessibility concerns. Several commissioners said keeping a focused, disability-specific statement would avoid conceptual confusion while retaining broader examples on an accompanying webpage.

A motion to approve the Statement of Disability Access (with edits to clarify scope and wording) was made, seconded by commissioner gaya, and passed. Staff confirmed they understood the proposed edits and will publish the statement on the Arts Commission webpage with supplemental self-assessments and examples linked.

Commissioners also noted the statement will be used to guide grant processes and internal policies and that staff will continue to solicit feedback from disability-community partners; staff reported the draft had already been shared with a contact at the Center for People with Disabilities for review. The vote in the meeting record is affirmative; the transcript shows voice and online assent but does not list a numerical roll-call tally.

Next steps: staff will finalize edits, publish the statement and related self-assessment materials to the commission webpage, and integrate the statement’s principles into grant guidance and review materials ahead of the next grant cycle.