On behalf of all people with disabilities, and in an advisory capacity to the Mayor, our mission is to raise the awareness of the Mayor, City Council, City Administration and the community at-large of the needs of persons with disabilities. We assist in formulating solutions to meet those needs, and provide advice on issues involving compliance with state and national legislation addressing their needs.
Goals:
The Virginia Beach Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities resolves to work toward:
- Community Education
Increasing awareness of disability issues and resources.
- Legislation
Develop laws and ordinances affecting citizens with disabilities and their rights.
- Accessibility
Assuring that all facilities and programs are totally accessible to citizens with disabilities.
- Employment
Promoting more employment opportunities for citizens with disabilities.
- Transportation
Acquiring a totally accessible public transportation system.
- Economics
Promoting opportunities for economic independence for citizens with disabilities.
Membership:
Members are appointed by the Mayor. Those eligible for appointment include:
- Virginia Beach residents with disabilities
- Family members of Virginia Beach residents with disabilities
- Representatives of organizations which provide services to Virginia Beach residents with disabilities.
- City employees are eligible for appointment in ex-officio status.
- Membership application forms are available through the Mayor's Office.
Meetings:
The meetings are open to the public and are held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For specific dates and locations see "Related Documents".
Awards:
The Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities presents awards to individuals, businesses and service organizations, which have demonstrated a commitment to improve the lives of the citizens of Virginia Beach with disabilities. The annual deadline for nominations is November 30th.
Helpful Agencies:
Virginia Beach Office
Voice: 683-8440
TDD: 683-8460
Voice: 1-800-552-5019
TTY: 1-800-464-9950
Voice/TTY: 1-800-552-3962
Voice/TTY: 1-800-622-2155 (within Virginia) Voice/TTY: (804) 371-3140
The Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Voice/TTY: 1-800-552-7917 (within Virginia) Voice/TTY: (804) 662-9502
ADA information line
Voice: 1-800-514-0301
TTY: 1-800-514-0383
The Police Department Parking Enforcement Specialist Team (PEST), uses trained civilians to enforce parking regulations in Virginia Beach for zones reserved for persons with disabilities. Voice: 757-385-4120
loans materials for citizens with disabilities, including books in large print or Braille, and audiocassettes and the playback equipment on which to play them. 757-385-2684
ADA Design Guide for Handicapped Parking created by the US Department of Justice, provides key information to Businesses and State and Local Governments, about how to create accessible car and van spaces when striping parking lots. For more information see U.S. Department of Justice - Civil Rights Division.
For information regarding tax exemption and relief for the disabled see Senior Citizen/Disabled Person Real Estate Tax Relief.
Information Services:
Call for information and numbers of other Human Services in Southeastern Virginia
Voice: 625-4543
The Mayor's Committee works to improve the awareness of every person's abilities rather than their disabilities. The Committee works to make Virginia Beach the most accessible city in the U.S.
For additional information, call the Office of the Mayor at 757-385-4581.