The Accessibility Committee has had great success in increasing accessibility for disabled citizens in our community.  Our main goal is to realize a “barrier-free” City in which everyone can enjoy living and working.  Although we have had success in eliminating barriers in the community, we still have a considerable amount of work to do.  

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The Committee is composed of community members and professionals, both disabled and able-bodied, who devote their time and efforts into making the City of Whittier a “barrier-free” community.  The Committee is made up of nine official members and many part-time volunteers.  Committee members or community volunteers also have the option of serving on Subcommittees or task forces to respond to more specific access issues.

Our goals include eliminating physical barriers throughout our community to improve access; continuing to make recommendations to improve City services and programs; and promoting understanding of individual differences through public awareness and education.  It is our feeling that achieving access within our community will benefit both disabled and able-bodied citizens, as they will be able to live and work side by side.

How the Committee was Formed:

The Accessibility Committee had its beginnings in May of 1988, when three citizens expressed their concerns and difficulties in accessing our community.  City officials began meeting with them on an informal basis to discuss the barriers facing people with disabilities. This informal group evolved into a volunteer group that began a survey of those barriers in Whittier. The survey process took an entire year to complete, with the results compiled into an 80-page report, made available to the public.  The report was sent to the City Council through the Social Services Commission and the Council adopted its four main recommendations.  One of these recommendations resulted in the creation of the Accessibility Committee to advise other City boards and commissions.  The Committee held its first meeting in February 1991.

How You Can Help:

If you see access barriers in the community, your recommendations can help us make changes. Please call us with your ideas and suggestions, for we always invite outside comments and assistance. You can get involved with our Committee by attending one of our monthly meetings or Subcommittee meetings.  Everyone can write letters to their local and state officials supporting current legislation on access problems.

We currently have vacancies on the Accessibility Committee.  If you are interested, please download the application here return the attached response card and contact the Accessibility Coordinator, Martin Browne for more information.

When We Meet:

The Whittier Accessibility Committee meets monthly on the fourth Tuesday.

The meetings are usually held at the Whittier Senior Center located at 13225 Walnut St., Whittier, CA 90602 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For further information, please view and download the Accessibility flier here and contact Martin Browne, Accessibility Coordinator at the Whittier Historic Depot.
The telephone number is:  (562) 567-9480.