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Sarasota advisory board sets May awareness event, plans April planning meeting and requests modest funding
Summary
Sarasota City advisory board members agreed to plan an accessibility-awareness event tied to Global Accessibility Awareness Day (target May 21), set an April planning meeting, proposed partnering with local hospitals and nonprofits, and discussed reserving $5,000–$10,000 for materials.
The Chair of the Sarasota City advisory board on accessibility said the group will plan a public event for Global Accessibility Awareness Day, targeting May 21, and scheduled a planning meeting in April to finalize logistics and materials.
Board members argued the event is intended to raise awareness about local accessibility services after the Chair said few members of the public attend regular meetings. The board discussed hands-on demonstrations — such as wheelchairs people can try and low-vision simulation gear — and outreach formats including a pop-up at the farmer’s market, a booth at Payne Park, or a beach demonstration with an EcoRover vehicle.
Staff member reported several potential local partners who could supply equipment or expertise, including Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Suncoast Center for Independent Living, Southeast Guide Dogs, Lighthouse for the Blind and smaller nonprofit vendors. The board discussed transportation and storage for heavy equipment and suggested Parks & Rec or the hospital might help with logistics.
The board set a tentative planning meeting in mid-April (a special meeting to prepare materials and paperwork) so it can present a specific spending plan in May. The Chair proposed reserving a minimum of $5,000 and up to $10,000 from the board’s fund balance for promotional materials, brochures and small giveaways; staff said any purchase would be brought to the board for approval with cost details at the April meeting.
Members emphasized compliance with Sunshine laws when sharing draft materials by email and discussed delegating outreach tasks (e.g., contacts at the hospital, Lighthouse, farmer’s market organizers). Staff agreed to draft a brochure for review and to compile vendor/partner options for the April meeting.
The board’s next procedural step is the April planning meeting to finalize partners, logistics and an itemized spending request; the board will vote on any spending after reviewing a concrete proposal.
