Op-Ed: New mayor, City Council must serve disabled Detroiters
- Detroit Disability Power
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
by Teddy Dorsette III, Dale Moore, Kaci Pellar, Eric Welsby, Lisa Franklin and Tameka Citchen-Spruce
Earlier this month, Detroit had a historic election with the people electing Mary Sheffield, the first Black woman to serve as Mayor, along with new and experienced members of the City Council. This mayor and council will be serving a city where more than one in four adults has a disability.
Nearly 30% of the voters who cast votes in this election had one or more disabilities. Despite this, many of the candidates had little to say about how their plans and policies would benefit disabled Detroiters and how they would include disabled people in shaping the future of Detroit.
Detroit’s future must be a future for all. That includes disabled folks. The issues that matter most to us — accessible public transportation, affordable housing, quality healthcare, and employment opportunities — are the same issues that strengthen communities for everyone. A city that works for people with disabilities works better for parents with strollers, seniors with mobility assistance needs and anyone who relies on a truly functional infrastructure.
The new mayor and council members have an opportunity now, before they are sworn in, to make concrete commitments: ensuring their plans for transportation, housing, healthcare and employment specifically address how they will serve and create opportunity for disabled Detroiters. Disabled people represent every race, age, economic status and neighborhood in Detroit. Their concerns are Detroit’s concerns and those concerns should be addressed by those who will be serving the people of Detroit.
Elected officials in this city have historically overlooked and underserved Detroit’s disabled residents, workers and visitors. From physical infrastructure barriers, to accessible communications, to disability-informed customer service, the city plays an essential role in ensuring everyone has access to the services, information and support they need. The city has the ability to set the standard for what disabled folks experience when they are in their neighborhood, going to the grocery store or bank, or coming into town to watch the Lions, Tigers, Pistons and Red Wings games.
Detroit’s new Mayor and City Council can help lead in making Detroit a more accessible city for all. They will have the ability during their time in office to create policy, set standards and fund improvements that address some of the biggest barriers disabled people experience in Detroit. They can make sure that all public meetings, city events, and services have support that ensures people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind are able to participate in and have their voices heard. They can
Implement policies and programs to address a lack of reliable and accessible transportation, inaccessible bus stops, broken sidewalks and missing curb cuts.
Ensure there is adequate, accessible and affordable housing for those who require specific home accommodations.
Prioritize access to healthcare for all because any Detroiter could become ill or disabled tomorrow, and the best way to protect everyone is by ensuring everyone has healthcare before they need it.
Put protections in place that ensure those with cognitive and developmental disabilities are provided fair pay and are able to work free of exploitation, regardless of whether they are public or private employees.
While the Mayor and Council should do all of these things because they are the right thing to do, there is also a compelling economic argument for making disability policies a priority. Disabled Detroiters want to work, contribute and participate fully in our city’s resurgence. When the Mayor and Council prioritize disabled people while developing accessible job training programs, inclusive hiring practices and support for small businesses, they’re investing in economic growth for every Detroiter. The disability community has spending power and entrepreneurial energy that remains largely untapped due to the unaddressed barriers across this city.
To disabled Detroiters: Your voice matters. The challenges you face in navigating daily life are not inevitable, and our elected leaders can create a more accessible city. Contact them now and throughout their time in office, asking them how they will make sure Detroit is a city that welcomes, appreciates and includes its disabled residents.
