In the last two months of a one year contract with the City of Republic, Missouri, alum Jerry Kendall is in the final stages of completing a city-wide Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan for the removal of existing architectural barriers to disabled citizens in city-owned spaces. In addition to conducting physical inspections of all public buildings, sidewalks and city parks, the process has included educating City Council members and staff on the many requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, making recommendations for personnel policy changes, writing all new procedural documents for receiving public requests for service, creating a 16 year timeline for the Transition Plan, and conducting a system-wide review of policies and practices. A lot has been accomplished in a very short time.
I feel very fortunate to have been able to make the impact that I have in the first year since graduating from the MPA program. During my time in the MPA Program at Missouri State, my studies and assignments honed my interest in local government, disability law and policy, allowing me to dig deeper into the subject than I ever knew possible. By the time I graduated, I had a job doing exactly what I had wanted to do for years. I have since gone on to become a certified ADA Coordinator and have made many professional contacts in my field of interest (gotta love the networking!).
With the final draft of the City’s first-ever ADA Transition Plan due to completed and ready for City Council approval in early December, I will be ready for my next challenge by the start of 2017. I am excited by the possibilities that lie before me and have begun talking with new municipalities about their needs. With the disability community growing each year, people with my skillset are needed all across the country to stay up-to-date with federal regulations. It’s an exciting time of life, and it’s only the beginning!