Oxford Disability Commission To Present Access Oxford Awards

The Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues is honoring some businesses in the Oxford community with the Access Oxford award. The honor is for those who best comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the standards of the Commission.
Access Oxford is an initiative created by the Commission to encourage businesses to ensure all citizens can thoroughly access their businesses, said Commission Chairman Cameron Stubbs. They are launching Access Oxford in conjunction with the 28th anniversary of the ADA Tuesday, June 26.
“We as a commission want to recognize and actually promote businesses that are accessible to an individual under a variety of circumstances,” Stubbs said.
The Commission will recognize a business every quarter that complies with its three main parameters. These include an easy entrance without stairs—an accessible ramp if there are stairs—adequate space between aisles and tables, and an accessible restroom.
However, some areas like The Square do not have to comply with ADA regulations due to being constructed before the ADA was ratified, Stubbs said.
The Commission wants to be a resource for the Oxford community, especially businesses who might have questions or concerns regarding ADA regulations.
“We hope that with our presence and with more public exposure that other businesses will gravitate to us and lean on us for recommendations as to how they can be more accessible,” Stubbs said.
The Mayor’s Commission on Disability Issues holds public meetings on the second Monday of every other month at 1 p.m. in the basement conference room of City Hall. Visitors of the commission should first contact the Mayor’s office at (662)-232-2340 to confirm the meeting date.

By Talbert Toole, lifestyles editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com.