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A resolution urging the Metropolitan Government to conduct a disability audit, as requested by the Mayor’s Council for People with Disabilities, to evaluate the accessibility and inclusivity of facilities and accommodations for the disabilities community in Nashville and Davidson County.
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WHEREAS, it is crucial for Nashville and Davidson County to be fully and wholly accessible to individuals with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, per the CDC, one in 4 U.S. adults—61 million Americans—have a disability that impacts major life activities; and
WHEREAS, recent news accounts describe stories of disabled visitors not able to easily move around typical tourist locations within Nashville; and
WHEREAS, Nashville was recommended to host the 2034 Special Olympics; and
WHEREAS, Nashville and Davidson County should aim to make the necessary improvements for accessibility and visitor experience within the next nine years; and
WHEREAS, some Nashville businesses are not always aware of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and could certainly benefit from expanding their reach to include disabled residents and visitors by ensuring full accessibility; and
WHEREAS, Nashville and Davidson County should always strive to become more accessible and welcoming for all Nashvillians and visitors; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Advisory Council on People with Disabilities discussed and recommended a disability audit; and
WHEREAS, such an audit should be conducted to incorporate and align with the review and update of Nashville’s existing ADA Compliance Transition Plan; and
WHEREAS, such an audit should be conducted in close collaboration with city entities as needed and including, but not limited to, the Metropolitan Action Commission, the Department of General Services, the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, WeGo, the Metropolitan Planning Commission, Metro Parks and Recreation, and the Department of Codes Administration; and
WHEREAS, key private sector entities should also be included, including, but not limited to, Vanderbilt University, Our Place Nashville, the Tennessee Disability Coalition, the ARC of Davidson County, the Nashville Downtown Partnership, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp., the Tennessee Titans, and the Nashville Predators; and
WHEREAS, the audit would focus on evaluating the accessibility and inclusivity of Nashville's facilities and accommodations for the disabilities community in Nashville and for visitors with disabilities (including those with visual impairments, those with physical disabilities, and the neurodivergent community).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as urging that the Metropolitan Government conduct a disability audit to evaluate the accessibility and inclusivity of facilities and accommodations for the disabilities community in Nashville and Davidson County.
Section 2. The audit should be closely aligned with the updates and assessment of the existing ADA Compliance Transition Plan and include, but not be limited to, the following: physical infrastructure, digital, media, and communications accessibility, assessment of assistive technology, program and services accessibility, emergency planning and response, coordination of Metropolitan Government policies, collaboration and coordination with private sector entities, and assessment of accessibility and equity issues around employment and housing.
Section 3. The audit should be organized to achieve the following: identify barriers for people with disabilities, make recommendations for improvement, improve legal compliance, enhance user experience, increase inclusivity and equity for disabled Nashville residents, and visitors, boost Nashville’s brand and reputation, provide a roadmap for collaboration between the Metropolitan Government and the private sector, and highlight areas for improvement regarding housing and employment for people with disabilities.
Section 4. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.