Proudly Accessible Dubuque Quaterly UpdateNSZE Memo
November 14, 2011
To: Dubuque City Council
From: Katrina Wilberding
Justin Thiltgen
Re: PAD - Quarterly Update.
Members of the Dubuque City Council:
In an effort to keep you informed on the community efforts of Proudly Accessible Dubuque (PAD) we are
providing you with this memo and will follow -up with quarterly updates.
Membership:
PAD currently has 259 certified & 17 in- progress businesses in the tri -state area. We continue to recruit,
award, and publicize the work of Dubuque businesses in their efforts to remove barriers of access to
goods, services, and amenities.
Partnerships:
In addition to our long - standing and continued partners, PAD has fostered additional partnerships.
Active Partnerships:
• Continued collaboration with City ADA Inspector, Gary Blosch. As Mr. Blosch continues to
verify area businesses as having passed his 3 -tier inspection, PAD actively reaches out to
these businesses to reward them for their efforts, share their success, and serve as an on-
going resource regarding issues of accessibility.
• Further development of partnership with Dubuque Main Street and its member investors;
with focus on outreach to and involvement of Main Street businesses and the Historic Cable
Car Square district.
• Growth of partnership with the Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau; with focus on
event accessibility and accessible transportation options to get to and from events.
• Growth of partnership with Gronen Restoration and the Historic Millwork District with
focus on the Millwork Community Campus.
• Growth of partnership with the Dubuque Regional Humane Society to inform the
community of how service dogs serve people with disabilities.
New Partnerships:
• New partnership with the Washington Neighborhood Development Corporation (WNDC) to
offer our outreach and assistance to the businesses and organizations of the Washington
Neighborhood.
• New partnership with Two by Two Education to inform students of how service dogs serve
people with disabilities.
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• Developed partnership with PAWS with a Cause to inform the community of how service
dogs serve people with disabilities.
Marketing & Outreach:
In support of PAD's mission to improve accessibility:
• Raise awareness:
Met with Dubuque Main Street to explore educational opportunities with Cable Car
Square businesses.
Addressed the Historic Millwork District stakeholders and architects on
consideration of accessibility in preliminary designs.
• Assist businesses:
Worked with the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce to recognize PAD - certified
businesses in the Chamber membership guide, online and in print.
On -site visit at request of Grand Opera llouse to assess expansion of seating options
for individual with a wheelchair.
• Educate the public:
Transit Opportunities - Met with ECIA transit staff to discuss certification of Jule
and discuss public & paid transit options for people with disabilities.
Visitors Guide - identify opportunities for increased access and independence for
individuals with disabilities, residents and visitors alike.
Organization:
PAD has successfully recruited and established a core Steering Committee and several Task Team
committees to assist with PAD's growth, development, and projects. These task teams are holding their
initial meetings and working to define their projects and timeline, all aimed at the common goal of PAD's
mission. Additionally, thanks to the support of our bridge funders, PAD has contracted with Justin
Thiltgen, to serve as the interim Director, working to revitalize PAD's organization, projects, and
fundraising.
Revenue:
'Co support the efforts and expanding projects of PAD, we continue to seek grant funding, secure
individual and corporate donations. As well, we are currently working with our Revenue Task Team to
identify the iuost valuable and diverse methods to establish financial sustainabilfty of PAD by 2014.
PAD has received payment of $10,000 by the City of Dubuque per a purchase of service. Thank you for
your support.
During this last quarter, PAD has applied for the following grants:
• Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque 1 Women's Giving Circle (Awarded .5,150 from an
anonymous donor's advised And to support an educational campaign: How Service Dogs .Serve.)
• Mediaconi's Arts & Culture Grant
•
Tlieisens More For You Community Grant
• Community Foundation o[ Greater Dubuque's Community Impact Grants
Thank you all for your suppor n ak a more proudly accessible Dubuque.