Pasadena Accessibility Advocate Receives Robert Gorski Award

PASADENA, CA — Pasadena resident Donna Pomerantz was honored Monday as the first recipient of the Robert Gorski Access Award, a distinction named for the late Robert Gorski, a longtime city employee and disability advocate, city officials said.

Pomerantz was selected by the Accessibility and Disability Commission for her efforts that improved the quality of life for Pasadena residents with disabilities.

“The Accessibility and Disability Commission is honored to present Donna with the inaugural Robert Gorski Access Award," James Farr, accessibility and disability commission chair.

Among her accomplishments, helping pass an ordinance to ensure that people who use service animals or other mobility aids receive accessible and reliable taxi service, a project to install accessible pedestrian signals, and a successful campaign resulting in Pasadena receiving the Accessible America Award from the National Organization on Disability (2004).

As a former Chair of the Accessibility and Disability Commission, Pomerantz also has served on several committees, national and local boards, including the Los Angeles Metro Accessibility Advisory Committee and Access Services Paratransit Community Advisory Committee to ensure that transportation is accessible to people with disabilities.

Gorski was Pasadena's Accessibility Coordinator from 1989-2016, and continued his work as a disability-rights advocate into retirement until his passing in January 2020. This was the first year the Robert Gorski Access Award was presented.

"We look forward to annually recognizing advocates who are instrumental in improving accessibility and quality of life for Pasadena’s disability community,” Farr said.

The Robert Gorski Access Award was presented to Pomerantz at the Aug. 2 City Council meeting.

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