DEPARTMENT: Central Operations Administration
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Review And Approval Of Disability Advisory Council Priorities
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Review and approve the Disability Advisory Council priorities.
SUMMARY
By Resolution No. 24-038 (January 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the formation of the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council (Council). The purpose of the Council is:
• Providing technical expertise on issues that affect people with disabilities.
• Acting as an independent sounding board for issues, ideas, and policy matters impacting disabled individuals.
• Seeking advice from members and the public in the county decision-making processes.
• Reflect the diverse interests of county clientele and residents.
• Meet requirements of state law.
• Providing annual recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners.
The Council convened for the first time in September 2024 and has met monthly since. Over the past several months, members have worked collaboratively to identify key focus areas to guide their efforts in advocating for people with disabilities in the county. On May 14, 2025, the Council formally adopted the following four priorities, listed in order of importance as determined by the group.
• Priority 1: Improve Access to Disability Support Services
o Identify challenges navigating services and other essential benefits available to residents with disabilities and disabled residents.
§ Examples: benefits programs, affordable housing, employment opportunities, public health and safety, etc.
o Advocate to ensure these services are accessible, adequately funded, and effectively communicated to those in need.
• Priority 2: Improve Transportation Accessibility and Safety for Individuals with Disabilities and Disabled Individuals
o Identify barriers to accessible public and private transportation options
§ Advocate for expanded transportation options that are affordable, reliable, and meet the diverse and intersecting needs of individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals.
o Promote inclusive design standards for streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, roundabouts, and transit stops to enhance mobility and safety.
§ Collaborate with county departments to identify and eliminate obstacles.
o Encourage community input to ensure that the voices of individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals are considered in transportation planning and decision-making.
§ Include individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals in follow-up evaluations of projects to ensure accessibility.
• Priority 3: Support Public Outreach and Awareness of County Disability Initiatives
o Provide recommendations on effective outreach methods to inform residents about disability-related services and initiatives.
o Advocate for the use of diverse communications channels to reach all segments of the community and recommend strategies to engage diverse and underrepresented disability communities.
o Promote awareness of county disability programs: Act as ambassadors by sharing information with community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders.
o Assist in identifying community stories and testimonials that show the impact of county programs and services.
o Recommend improvements based on public feedback to enhance the effectiveness of county outreach efforts.
• Priority 4: Promote Inclusive and Equitable County Services and Facilities
o Support the enhancement of county services and facilities to improve accessibility across physical, auditory, sensory, cognitive, technological, and communication needs, including support for service animals and interpretation services.
o Identify barriers and recommend solutions to promote access to all disabled individuals and individuals with disabilities, apparent and non-apparent, allowing every person to contribute, productively engage, and have positive experiences in all facets of the community.
The Council will utilize these priorities to develop its work plan, which will be presented to the Dakota County Board later in 2025.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval of the Disability Advisory Council priorities.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-038 (January 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized the formation of the Dakota County Disability Advisory Council (Council); and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Council is:
• Providing technical expertise on issues that affect people with disabilities.
• Acting as an independent sounding board for issues, ideas, and policy matters impacting disabled individuals.
• Seeking advice from members and the public in the county decision-making processes.
• Reflect the diverse interests of county clientele and residents.
• Meet requirements of state law.
• Providing annual recommendations to the County Board of Commissioners
; and
WHEREAS, the Council convened for the first time in September 2024, and over the past several months, members have worked collaboratively to identify key focus areas to guide their efforts in advocating for people with disabilities in the county; and
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2025, the Council formally adopted the following four priorities, listed in order of importance as determined by the group:
• Priority 1: Improve Access to Disability Support Services
o Identify challenges navigating services and other essential benefits available to residents with disabilities and disabled residents.
§ Examples: benefits programs, affordable housing, employment opportunities, public health and safety, etc.
o Advocate to ensure these services are accessible, adequately funded, and effectively communicated to those in need.
• Priority 2: Improve Transportation Accessibility and Safety for Individuals with Disabilities and Disabled Individuals
o Identify barriers to accessible public and private transportation options
§ Advocate for expanded transportation options that are affordable, reliable, and meet the diverse and intersecting needs of individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals.
o Promote inclusive design standards for streets, sidewalks, crosswalks, roundabouts, and transit stops to enhance mobility and safety.
§ Collaborate with county departments to identify and eliminate obstacles.
o Encourage community input to ensure that the voices of individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals are considered in transportation planning and decision-making.
§ Include individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals in follow-up evaluations of projects to ensure accessibility.
• Priority 3: Support Public Outreach and Awareness of County Disability Initiatives
o Provide recommendations on effective outreach methods to inform residents about disability-related services and initiatives.
o Advocate for the use of diverse communications channels to reach all segments of the community and recommend strategies to engage diverse and underrepresented disability communities.
o Promote awareness of county disability programs: Act as ambassadors by sharing information with community organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders.
o Assist in identifying community stories and testimonials that show the impact of county programs and services.
o Recommend improvements based on public feedback to enhance the effectiveness of county outreach efforts.
• Priority 4: Promote Inclusive and Equitable County Services and Facilities
o Support the enhancement of county services and facilities to improve accessibility across physical, auditory, sensory, cognitive, technological, and communication needs, including support for service animals and interpretation services.
o Identify barriers and recommend solutions to promote access to all disabled individuals and individuals with disabilities, apparent and non-apparent, allowing every person to contribute, productively engage, and have positive experiences in all facets of the community.
; and
WHEREAS, the Council will utilize these priorities to develop its work plan, which will be presented to the Dakota County Board later in 2025.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board approves the Disability Advisory Council priorities.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
24-038; 1/23/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☐ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Jessie Parker Carlson
Author: Jessica Johnson