To the editor:

After the events of September 11, 2001 and Hurricane Katrina, it was realized that emergency response plans lacked insight into the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens, the disabled and senior citizens. The Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns is partnering with the Dearborn CERT Team in order to strengthen the city’s emergency plan to be more inclusive of these citizens. You are invited to be a part of this planning process by attending a Town Hall Forum that is being presented by the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns.

With the start of flu season and concern about the possible ramifications of the H1N1 virus, we will present what you need to do in order to be prepared to “shelter in place,” in the event that schools, businesses and other public places are forced to shut down for a period of time. This is a discussion that is important for all citizens to be participating in.

Some of the other items that we will be discussing will include parking issues, voting accessibility and encouraging small businesses to become more accessible. Commission members and Mayor O’Reilly will be among the participants in the forum and will be available to hear your concerns regarding disability issues.

Please join us on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Studio A of the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

For more information contact Susan Fitzmaurice at 313.943.2789 or email: sfitzmaurice@ci.dearborn.mi.us

Leah Shannon, Chairperson, Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns