In 1986 Waynesboro City Council established the Committee on Persons with Disabilities with the mission to match Waynesboro’s city theme of “Hospitality in the Valley.” So, the Committee’s mission was simply to make Waynesboro ‘hospitable for individuals with disabilities.’

After the Virginia General Assembly mandated statewide Disability Services Boards in 1992, the Waynesboro Committee focused on the city’s citizens with disabilities by expanding opportunities through allowing City Council to appoint members for four-year terms from businesses, consumers, and various disability-related agencies.

By 2009 the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services (DRS), facing deep economic cuts, declined to fund DSBs. Many throughout the state were dissolved or remain unfunded. The City of Waynesboro felt it necessary to continue services for citizens with disabilities and now City Council provides funds for an ongoing office offering information and referral assistance. Access is available to the public by having DSB as part of the office space with the city’s Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator in the Yancey Building; Room 101 at 503 West Main Street.

Public DSB Meetings are held at 12:30 PM in Conference Room 106 the first Monday of each month, unless it is a holiday or an advanced notice regarding the need to change the schedule. Interpreters for the hearing impaired can be scheduled with five days notice.  Any individual may request a copy of the DSB Minutes at any time.

Advocacy efforts center on having the city government, the community-at-large, and the general public become more aware of needs, problem issues, and options, as well as, opportunities which will enhance the independence and quality of life.

Examples of DSB and ADA initiatives include: a baseball league for youth with disabilities that allows for accommodations and is accessible at William Perry Elementary School; an accessible fishing pier for everyone at Ridgeview Park in collaboration with funding and volunteer help from Invista; a meals program for those with significant physical disabilities under the age of 60 in collaboration with Valley Program for Aging Services; a limited inventory of donated good, used medical equipment which is available for loan to Waynesboro residents; collaboration with Waynesboro’s police department to heighten awareness and enforcement of handicapped parking eligibility and privileges; and collaboration in the use of visible flags mounted to wheelchairs and scooters bringing to attention safety and awareness.

DSB and/or ADA representation to various disability and health-related groups include Augusta Health’s Community Foundation’s Health Forum, the Shenandoah Valley Disability Employment Awareness Committee which sets special recognition events during each October for National Disability Employment Awareness Month; the Virginia Voter Registrars Office to promote accessible voting; Valley Program for Aging Services; various group homes for adults with disabilities; the Miss Wheelchair Virginia pageant: Health Promotions for People with Disabilities for the VA Department of Health; and speakers to various organizations.

Monthly meetings always include a speaker to enlighten members about current disability-related programs and services.  Regular community announcements can be found on the City government access television channel number 14.

Walk-in visits are welcome, but we are part-time.  Therefore, telephone and email are the best means to make contact.  We look forward to serving our Waynesboro community.