Olympia proclaims March as Disability Awareness Month

The Olympia City Council endorsed a proclamation designating March 2026 as Disability Awareness Month.

The proclamation, which was brought forward at the city council meeting on Tuesday, March 3, recognizes people with disabilities as “a valued and vital part of our community,” while noting many barriers they face are shaped by social systems and overlapping identities.

Joslyn Nelson, Program Manager for the Disability Justice Task Force, said disability is not experienced in isolation but is influenced by systems, such as housing, health care, education and employment.

“For many people with disabilities — particularly those who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, low-income, LGBTQ, immigrants and otherwise systematically excluded — barriers compound across multiple systems,” Nelson said.

“Meaningful access to justice is often limited, not because of the individual need, but because systems that determine rights and outcomes were not designed to be accessible or equitable for disabled people, especially those with intersecting identities,” Nelson added.

She urged Olympia leaders to consider the long-term impact of accessibility decisions.

“Disability justice requires us to think about intergenerational justice. The barriers we tolerate today shape the opportunities available to future generations of disabled people and families. When systems exclude, the exclusion is passed down," Nelson said.

Council members discussed ongoing efforts related to accessibility.

Council member Robert Vanderpool pointed to an upcoming review of the city’s sidewalk repair study, which will be discussed by the Land Use and Environment Committee in May. The study will include opportunities for public feedback on improving sidewalk accessibility across neighborhoods.

Council member Clark Gilman also emphasized the importance of walkable neighborhoods and accessible urban design, noting mobility considerations extend beyond people who drive.

Council member Dani Madrone noted the city remains committed to inclusive governance, citing the council’s decision to retain the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator position during a difficult budget process.

Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo, President of the Olympia School District Board, welcomed the proclamation.

“It goes a long way toward helping people with disabilities in Olympia feel seen, heard and respected," Tourtellotte-Palumbo said.

She encouraged Olympia leaders to consider disability when making policy decisions.

The proclamation commits Olympia to promoting accessibility and upholding the rights of people with disabilities, while encouraging the community to support education and advocacy for disability inclusion.