Commissioner Mike Daly will participate in the Central Oregon Coalition for Access (COCA) Disability for a Day event today. The Commissioner will attend disability sensitivity training and will spend approximately five hours in the downtown area and at work in a wheelchair.

"I’m looking forward to participating in this adventure. I’m sure when we’re finished, I’ll have a much greater appreciation for what people with disabilities experience on a daily basis," said Commissioner Mike Daly.

Each year at this time, COCA plans an awareness-building event to educate the public about disability challenges in Central Oregon. This year, the group is offering government decision makers and other community leaders the chance to experience the obstacles people with disabilities face each day.

Last week officials from the Cities of Bend and Redmond, and Commute Options participated in Disability for a Day. Tomorrow, Central Oregon Builder’s Association members, the City of Bend (different participants than last week) and Deschutes County will participate in the exercise.

"COCA is very pleased to have Mike Daly volunteer to participate in the Disability for a Day event. It is important for our civic leaders to experience first-hand the challenges that people with disabilities encounter as they live, work and recreate in this area. The experience will be a great tool for Mike as he and other County Commissioners consider plans for infrastructure and programs," said COCA Executive Committee Member Carol Fulkerson.

Fulkerson says accessibility is crucial for disabled citizens. She reminds us that good access is also important to people without disabilities such as parents with strollers, delivery people, and cyclists.

THE PLAN FOR THE DAY:

10:00 a.m. Half-hour discussion about sensitivity awareness at Bend City Hall

10:30 a.m. to Noon Participants will be assigned to their chairs, will be taken to different locations with disability challenges via the City’s Dial a Ride bus

Noon to 3:00 p.m. All participants will be transported back to Bend City Hall and will disperse in their wheelchairs. Commissioner Daly will return to the Deschutes County Services Center.

For more information about the Central Oregon Coalition for Access (COCA), please visit http://www.ci.bend.or.us/accessibility/coca.html or call 693-2141.