Disability Awareness Committee | Phoenix Sister Cities

Committee Information

The Phoenix Sister Cities Disability Awareness Committee (DAC) was the first of its kind developed in the United States. To this day, the Phoenix Sister Cities remains the only local program with a committee that focuses on promoting disability awareness.

The DAC has won numerous awards for excellence recognizing exchange programs organized with the Sister Cities of Phoenix. Current programs include:

Also:

Adaptive recreation exchanges
Training workshops
Exchange of information on mobility and accessibility
Holiday Teddy Bear and Book Event to benefit children with special needs and pediatric cancer patients

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Mission Statement

To provide Phoenix Sister Cities Commission (PSCC) with the opportunity to increase disability awareness in the City of Phoenix and its member sister cities for the purpose of promoting the equalization of opportunities within society on behalf of all world citizens, by incorporating individuals with disabilities into all aspects of PSC programming.

International Competition for Artists with Disabilities

International Competition for Writers with Disabilities

How Can I Get Involved?

You don’t have to formally work in the disability field and/or have a disability to be part of this team. We are always looking for dedicated people who can offer fresh ideas. Sharing ideas, resources and energy help make a successful committee. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact Emily Smolenski at (602) 534-3751.

Resources:
ABIL: http://ability360.org
AZ spinal Cord Injury Association: www.azspinal.org
ADD/ADHD Attention Deficit Disorder: www.helpguide.org
Alport Syndrome: www.alportsyndrome.org
Angelman Syndrome: www.angelman.org
Arizona Autism Coalition: www.azautism.org
Arizona Center for Disability Law: www.azdisabilitylaw.org
Arthritis: www.arthritisfoundation.com
Asperger Syndrome: www.aspergers.com
Autism: www.autism.com
The Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center/SARRC: www.autismcenter.org
Autism Speaks: www.autismspeaks.org
Bilateral perilymph fistulas: www.american-hearing.org
Blind: www.nfb.org
Brain Injury: www.biausa.org
Center for Disease Control & Prevention: www.cdc.gov
Cerebral Palsy: www.cpco.org
Challenging Behavior: www.challengingbehavior.org
Down Syndrome: www.downsyndrome.com
Epilepsy: www.epilepsy.com
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome: www.nofas.org
Fragile X Syndrome: www.fragilexsyndrome.org
Institute for Human Development: www.nau.edu
Mental Health: www.mbcd.org
NADD an association for persons with developmental disabilities and Mental Health Needs: www.thenadd.org
PAL Experiences: www.palexperience.org
Raising Special Kids: www.raisingspecialkids.org
Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome: www.smithleliopitz.org
Smith-Magenis Syndrome: www.smithmagenissyndrome.com
Special Olympics: www.specialolympics.org or www.specialolympicsarizona.org
Tourette syndrome: www.tourettesyndrome.net
Spina Bifida: www.spinabiffidaassociation.org
The Division of Developmental Disabilities: www.azdes.gov
Transverse Myelitis: www.myelitis.org
Williams Syndrome: www.williams-syndrome.org

Committee Meetings

DAC Committee Contact Information

Chairperson: Mary Jane Trunzomaryjane.trunzo@gmail.com
Staff Liaison: Emily Smolenski emily.smolenski@phoenix.gov

The committee meets the first Tuesday of the month, except July and December.

Meetings begin at 5:00pm and are held via teleconference.
Please dial 602-744-5850 and type in the meeting ID: 23646#

If you are looking for previous years agendas or minutes please contact the office directly for information.

Events & Activities

2018’s International Competition for Artists with Disabilities (6/6/2018) - ...
Arizona State Fair – Phoenix Sister Cities WorldFEST Event (11/29/2017) - On October 21st, 2017, Phoenix Sister Cities hosted WorldFEST at the Arizona State Fair. Phoenix Sister Cities had ten informational booths, nine of our sister cities committees and one for the Youth Ambassador Exchange Program. The event lasted from 11am to 6pm, drawing a diverse crowd to each booth. Many families learned about Phoenix Sister… ...
International Competition for Artists with Disabilities 2017 (11/29/2017) - The Phoenix Sister Cities Disability Awareness Committee held its 12th Annual International Competition for Artists with Disabilities Awards Reception on November 3, 2017. The International Competition for Artists with Disabilities is a competition open to all artists 19 years or older who reside in either Arizona or one of Phoenix’s Sisters cities. It is an… ...
Grenoble DAC Delegation Trip 2017 (2/17/2017) - ...

Exchanges

Phoenix Sister Cities DAC-Grenoble Delegation Trip

The PSC Grenoble and Disabilities Awareness Committees’ delegation traveled to our sister city of Grenoble, France for a Europe-wide accessibility conference. Members of the delegation included: PSC Disabilities Awareness Committee (DAC) Chair Michael Sleeseman, DAC Vice-Chair Mary Jane Trunzo, ADA Coordinator/ Disabilities Service Manager Nanette Odell, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist Jay Whipple and PSC Grenoble Committee Vice-Chair Janine Bobin.
The six-day intensive program involved presentations from both the Grenoble/DAC Committee and various Grenoble disabilities-focused organizations within the business, medical, educational, and public/ nonprofits fields. Mary Jane Trunzo gave a presentation about Phoenix Sister Cities and the Disabilities Awareness Committee’s award-winning activities and initiatives.
Nanette Odell had the opportunity to present to the students of the University of Grenoble, College of Urban Planning who were preparing for a trip to help improve access to another part of the world. The presentation covered Facility Access, Program Access, and Training and universal design. The emphasis was applying the practices of universal design from the concept stage all the way through the approved final. Students were engaged in the conversation and shared ideas on how to creatively modify existing spaces in a cost-efficient manner.
Nanette Odell had the opportunity to present to the students of the University of Grenoble, College of Urban Planning who were preparing for a trip to help improve access to another part of the world. The presentation covered Facility Access, Program Access, and Training and universal design. The emphasis was applying the practices of universal design from the concept stage all the way through the approved final. Students were engaged in the conversation and shared ideas on how to creatively modify existing spaces in a cost-efficient manner.
Jay Whipple, presented on accessibility for individuals who are blind or visually impaired to the innovate research and development staff of the CEA Tech, Minatec Campus. Jay Whipple’s presentation analyzed the Roots of Orientation and Mobility (M & O) which go back hundreds of years. The overview included a look at the systematic and technique based training that began shortly after World War I that has evolved and still used today.