Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Present Award

Name: Amy Mehaffey
Title: Communications & Main Street Director
Phone: 936-559-2573
Email address: mehaffeya@ci.nacogdoches.tx.us

On March 15, 2016 the Nacogdoches Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities presented its 5th annual Accessibility Awards to well deserved members of the community who displayed exemplary service and awareness for accessibility. This year’s winners were Dolli’s Diner and The Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau. The awards were presented at the City Council Meeting on March 15, 2016.

“The City of Nacogdoches is always proud of this committee for bringing awareness to accessibility issues,” Mayor Roger Van Horn said. “Although the city upholds and enforces ADA standards, these businesses deserve recognition for going above and beyond the basics.”

One of this year’s winners, Dolli’s Diner, is located on Pecan Street on the downtown square. Dolli’s Diner, which opened last year, has renovated the building to make it very accessible and functional. Amenities include space between the tables and elevated tables, so a person using a wheelchair can easily dine without further accommodation. The restrooms are also stylish and roomy for ease of access. Although this establishment was an existing facility, its compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines is exemplary.

Additionally, the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, also on the Downtown Square, fully complies with the accessibility standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. This historic building is another example of the efforts of the City of Nacogdoches to make events and buildings accessible to people with disabilities.

To identify this year’s awardees, Dr. Yuleinys Castillo’s rehabilitation course at SFASU conducted surveys of local businesses and the finalists were chosen by the committee. Nominations are encouraged from the public, including self-nominations for 2017. Anyone wishing to nominate a business by contacting: Dr. Yuleinys Castillo, castilloya@sfasu.edu, 936-468-1147.