Walk, Talk, and Roll on June 9 with Athens City Commission on Disabilities
Ohio University students, faculty and staff are invited to take part in the Walk, Talk, and Roll event in Athens.
The Accessibility and Advocacy Committee of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities will hold the annual event on Friday, June 9, from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. to review accessibility in Uptown Athens.
Committee members Davey McNelly and Rob Delach will guide participants at 11:30 a.m., beginning at the Passion Works Studio, 20 West State Street, to OHIOs Howard Park at the corner of College and Union Streets. The Walk, Talk, and Roll event will provide an opportunity to show and report accessibility issues and areas in the Uptown Athens area. The walking/rolling activity will conclude at 12:15 with a short program and refreshments at Howard Park.
Dr. Micah McCarey, director of the Ohio University LGBT Center and member of the Disability Commission and Athens City Council, and Sarah Doherty, LGBT Center assistant director, will serve as masters of ceremonies. Additional speakers will include City Council President Chris Knisely, Commission Vice Chair Dianne Bouvier, Athens City Service-Safety Director Andy Stone, Athens Uptown Business Association member and Brenen’s Coffee Café co-owner Jessica Thompson, and McNelly.
All Athens residents are invited to attend. ASL interpreting will be provided. If additional accommodations are needed, or for more information about this event or accessibility in Athens, email disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us.
“The goal is to focus on parts of streetscaping that are done well, highlight businesses working to address accessibility, and look at ways to improve accessibility in upcoming City streetscaping projects,” McNelly said in a news release. “We hope that members of the community will participate in this event to learn what is being accomplished and to provide much needed input so that continuous improvements may be made.”
“The Walk, Talk and Roll project is one of many initiated by the Commission on Disabilities in which the Commission is engaged to ensure Athens is accessible to all individuals, to those who live here and to those who simply visit,” Mayor Steve Patterson said. “With a goal to improve accessibility city-wide, the City is pleased to work with the Commission on a new initiative to provide matching grant funds to local businesses.”
The fifth annual Walk, Talk, and Roll is sponsored by the Athens City Commission on Disabilities, City of Athens, Ohio University Division of Diversity and Inclusion, Sech-Kar Company, and Echoing Connections.