Westport Selects Members for New Commission on People with Disabilities

WESTPORT, CT — The town has selected the seven members of the newly formed Commission on People with Disabilities, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe announced Wednesday.

James Ross, the former chair for the Citizen’s Transit Committee, will serve as Chair of the commission. In addition to Ross, the other six Westport residents include persons with disabilities, advocates, caregivers and professionals:

• Marina Derman
• Diane Johnson
• Stacie Curran
• LuAnn Giunta
• Tom Holleman
• Evan Levinson

The Human Services Department will provide staff support for the Commission.

In July, 2016, the Representative Town Meeting passed the ordinance establishing the Commission on People with Disabilities. The Commission’s Mission is to ensure that Westport is a town where people with disabilities have the opportunity and support to enjoy full and equal access to lives of independence, productivity, inclusion and self-determination.

“I’m truly excited by the launching of Westport’s Commission on People with Disabilities," said Marpe in a statement. "With approximately 20 percent of our Town’s population directly affected by their own or a family member’s disability, the Commission will serve as a resource to raise community awareness and to serve as a forum for community discussion on issues affecting people with disabilities and their families. It will also be a source for identifying barriers and advocating change where there are opportunities to improve access and participation in the life of our community. I want to thank the commissioners for their important service as well as thanking the many other Westporters who indicated their interest in serving on the Commission. I look forward to many positive outcomes from the work of the Commission.”

The commission's first meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 19 in Town Hall Room 201. Thereafter, the Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meetings on the third Thursday of each month at 8:30 a,m.

All meetings are open to the public and interested citizens are encouraged to attend.

Photo credit: Town of Westport