Mar 13, 2026 Mayor&#39;s Committee for People with Disabilities

THANKS, MELINDA.

AND SO YOU SAID IT WAS THE TWC AND WHO ELSE? UH, SO I, IT'S STILL ON, RIGHT? OKAY.

UM, YOU SHOULD, UH, GET AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH TO WORK WITH, UH, TWCS OIB PROGRAM.

UM, AND THROUGH THAT YOU CAN, UM, STRENGTHEN AWARENESS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

AND SO DID THEY HAVE ANYTHING IN PARTICULAR IN MIND WHEN THEY TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT OR JUST KIND OF GENERALLY? NO, THAT WAS ACTUALLY JUST AN EXAMPLE THAT, UH, MY DIRECTOR, RON LUCY GAVE.

BUT IF YOU, IF YOU REVIEW THE WHOLE VISION LOSS REPORT, THERE'S SEVERAL IDEAS IN THERE THAT COULD BE IMPLEMENTED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

OKAY, GREAT.

YEAH, IF YOU COULD SEND THAT TO US, THAT'D BE WONDERFUL.

LOVE TO.

ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? NO.

OKAY, GREAT.

MAGGIE, YOU'RE CONNECTED.

THANKS.

GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN.

GOOD TO SEE YOU.

DO WE HAVE ONE MORE PUBLIC COMMENT? UM, WE SHOULD HAVE A VIRTUAL CALLER, UH, MAGGIE MOORE, UH, ABOUT LONG COVID COLLECTIVE.

YES, IS AT LEAST ONE IN 19 ADULTS HAVE LONG COVID, WHICH TRANSLATES TO OVER 42,000 OFF AITE.

AT LEAST 20% OF THESE LONG HAULERS ARE UNABLE TO WORK ENTIRELY.

AND THOSE THAT KEEP WORKING MUST REQUEST ACCOMMODATIONS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE THEIR WORK HOURS ARE FACED GETTING EVEN SICKER AMONG GOVERNMENT MEMBERS EXPERIENCING WORK INSTABILITY AND DISABILITY ARE 25-YEAR-OLD MASON WHO HAD TO LEAVE HIS ORGANIC FARM TO MOVE BACK IN WITH HIS PARENTS IN AUSTIN.

CINDY LOST HER JOB AND HER HEALTH INSURANCE OVER A YEAR AGO.

DAVE'S FAMILY RAN HIS 100-YEAR-OLD RANCHING BUSINESS UNTIL LONG COVID TOOK THAT FROM HIM.

LISA LOST HER CAREER IN THE WAKE OF SEVERAL COVID INFECTIONS, AND HER FAMILY WAS FORCED INTO BANKRUPTCY.

LONG COVID

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FORCED 22-YEAR-OLD RACHEL TO ABANDON HER DREAMS OF MOVING ABROAD AND MOVE BACK IN WITH FAMILY.

I WAS AN ARCHEOLOGIST FOR 20 YEARS AFTER TWO BOUTS OF COVID IN 2022 AND 2023.

I HAD TO LEAVE A STATE JOB I LOVED AND NOW I CAN'T EVEN DIG A HOLE IN MY GARDEN.

I'M EXTREMELY LUCKY TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH MY HUSBAND'S JOB.

BUT LAYOFFS IN THIS INDUSTRY CONSTANTLY THREATEN THAT WE ONCE HEALTHY INDIVIDUALS FACE SIGNIFICANT BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION IN THE AUSTIN WORKFORCE AND ECONOMY.

THIS DISEASE BRINGS REAL SUFFERING.

IT BRINGS AN EVER SHIFTING ARRAY OF OVER 200 SYMPTOMS, MIND NUMBING, BRAIN FOG FOR MOST, CRUSHING FATIGUE FOR MANY, AND CONSTANT PAIN, NAUSEA, DIZZINESS, AND HEART PALPITATIONS FOR COUNTLESS OTHERS.

THE DAILY UNPREDICTABILITY OF THESE SYMPTOMS MAKES HOLDING A STEADY JOB IMPOSSIBLE.

YOU CAN'T GO TO WORK IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHICH DAYS YOU CAN GET OUT OF BED.

DELAY WITH THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION AND THE LACK OF MEDICAL RECOGNITION HAD MADE THE DISABILITY CLAIMS PROCESS A YEAR DEAD END.

AS COMMUNITY RESOURCES OFTEN USE SSA RULINGS AND AS THEIR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, WE LONG HAULERS CAN'T ACCESS THOSE LOCAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS EITHER AND HAVE BEEN LEFT WITHOUT ASSISTANCE AT A TIME WHEN WE ARE TOO SICK TO ADVOCATE FOR OURSELVES.

IN 2024, WE FOUNDED THE LONG COVID COLLECTIVE, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION COMMITTED TO FOSTERING COMMUNITY, SHARING WHAT RESOURCES WE FOUND FOR OURSELVES AND DISCOVERING PATHWAYS TO RECLAIM LIVES AND REBUILD FEATURES WHILE NAVIGATING THIS COMPLEX NEW CHRONIC ILLNESS.

THE WORK HAS BEEN EASY, BUT WE FOUND A WAY BECAUSE GIVING BACK TO THIS COMMUNITY IS WHAT WE LIVE FOR NOW.

WE THANK THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR AMPLIFYING THE VOICES OF AUSTIN.

I TOOK LIVED EXPERIENCE OF THIS DISEASE AND HOPE THAT THE CITY WILL CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE THE NEEDS OF THE LONG COVID COMMUNITY.

WE WOULD LOVE TO COLLABORATE ON HOW TO HELP MORE OPTIMIZE LONG COVID, BE FULLY INVOLVED MEMBERS OF THE OPTIC COMMUNITY, ECONOMY AND WORKFORCE.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANKS FOR YOUR COMMENT.

MAGGIE, DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR MAGGIE? I JUST HAVE A, A QUESTION.

UH, MAGGIE, I, THIS IS A, MY NAME'S, UH, COMMISSIONER SANMAR.

I JUST WANNA ASK, IS THERE ANYTHING THAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN DO TO HELP YOU ANY LIKE WAY? LIKE WE, WE HAVE BEEN COLLABORATING WITH CLEAR THE AIR A TX AND DR.

BROAD AT THE, UM, T UH, LONG COVID CLINIC, AND WE HAVE COME UP WITH MANY IDEAS THAT WE'D LOVE TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY ON.

THERE ARE, UM, LOTS OF THINGS LIKE, UH, EDUCATIONAL VIDEO PROGRAMS THAT WE COULD RELEASE TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO CAN'T ACCESS MEDICAL CARE.

UM, LOTS OF DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET AND DISCUSS THOSE POSSIBILITIES AT LENGTH.

JUST, YEAH, I, I WAS JUST, JUST JUST THINKING MAY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE THE CITY OF AUSTIN CAN HELP, CAN HELP OUT, UM, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE CAN TALK TO THE, YOU KNOW, CHAIR, UH, CONNOR TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING WE COULD MAYBE POSSIBLY DO.

THANKS FOR DROPPING IN, MAGGIE.

UM, WE'RE GONNA MOVE ON

[1. Approve the minutes of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities regular meeting on February 13, 2026.]

TO THE, UH, APPROVAL OF MINUTES.

NUMBER ONE, APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MAYOR'S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES REGULAR MEETING ON FEBRUARY 13TH, 2026.

I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE THOSE MINUTES.

COULD I GET A SECOND? I'LL SECOND.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

RAISE YOUR HAND.

AYE, AYE.

THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO STAFF BRIEFING ITEM.

TWO, UH, STAFF BRIEFING REGARDING AN UPDATE ON THE LEVERS OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

BUT DO WE HAVE, OKAY.

YEAH, WE'LL MOVE ON TO STAFF.

THE ITEM NUMBER

[2. Staff briefing regarding an update on the Levers of Economic Mobility. Presentation by Gary Aaron, Business Process Consultant Sr., Austin Equity and Inclusion, and Shivani Datar, Business Process Specialist, Austin Equity and Inclusion.]

UH, PRESENTING WILL BE GARY AARON, UM, AND SHIVANI DIAR, UH, FROM AUSTIN EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR ALL RIGHTY.

THANK YOU CHAIR AND TO THE REST OF THE COMMISSION FOR HAVING US.

UM, JUST A BRIEF INTRODUCTION.

MY NAME IS GARY AARON.

I'M THE BUSINESS PROCESS CONSULTANT SENIOR FOR AUSTIN EQUITY INCLUSION FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN.

AND I'M SHIVANI DAAR, A BUSINESS PROCESS SPECIALIST WITH AUSTIN EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

SO WE'RE HERE TO, UH, UPDATE YOU ALL AS A PART OF OUR EARLY BRIEFINGS, UM, FOR YOUR COMMISSION WAS BACK IN DECEMBER, WE INTRODUCED A VISION FOR A PLAY SPACE DATA INFORMED TOOL TO HELP THE CITY OF AUSTIN BETTER UNDERSTAND COMMUNITY CONDITIONS.

OUR CONTINUED WORK HAS CENTERED THAT EFFORT ON ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND HOW THOSE CONDITIONS CAN INFLUENCE OPPORTUNITY.

QUALITY OF LIFE STUDIES REVIEW, UH, SPECIFICS AROUND THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX THAT WE'VE DEVELOPED, AND THEN TALK ABOUT, UM, HOW TO OPERATIONALIZE THE INDEX.

SO, JUST AS A BRIEF AGENDA FOR OUR PRESENTATION, UM, FIRST WE WILL SORT OF LEVEL SET AROUND ECONOMIC MOBILITY, DISCUSS ITS CONNECTIONS TO THE

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SO TO LEVEL SET AROUND ECONOMIC MOBILITY, UM, WHEN YOU HEAR THE TERM WE WANT TO REMOVE, UH, MISCONCEPTIONS FOR WHAT THAT MAY MEAN.

AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSUME THAT ECONOMIC MOBILITY JUST CONCERNS ITSELF WITH WAGES, BUT IT IS MUCH MORE THAN THAT, IN FACT, CONCERNS ITSELF, MORE SO WITH SOMEONE'S QUALITY OF LIFE.

UM, WHICH OF COURSE INCLUDES EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, ACCESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CHILDCARE, AND STRONG SOCIAL CONDITIONS THAT ENABLE FAMILIES TO THRIVE.

UM, ALSO, UM, TO REMOVE ANY MISCONCEPTION AROUND ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

UM, IT'S NOT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL EFFORT.

IT'S ABOUT SYSTEMS AND HOW WE SHAPE THEM, OUR POLICIES AND INVESTMENTS, AND THAT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REMOVE THESE SYSTEMS OR SYSTEMIC BARRIERS TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO ADVANCE ALONG THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY CONTINUUM.

SO WITH THAT, OVER THE LAST THREE MONTHS, WE'VE MET WITH LEADERS FROM DEPARTMENTS, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, SUCH AS YOURSELVES AND REVIEWED REGIONAL EFFORTS FROM UNITED WAY TO THE COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT NETWORK AND EVEN THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES, ALL SHOWING HOW CITY AND COMMUNITY WORK DIRECTLY INFLUENCES ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

ACROSS ALL THESE CONVERSATIONS, A CONSISTENT MESSAGE EMERGED, AND OF COURSE, THAT WAS, ECONOMIC MOBILITY IS FAR MORE THAN JUST INCOME.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDIES REINFORCES MORE THAN 240 RECOMMENDATIONS SHOWING HOW MULTIDIMENSIONAL WELLBEING REALLY IS FROM AGING IN PLACE, CONSIDERATIONS TO THE SPECIFIC PRIORITIES OF WOMEN, SUCH AS ACCESS TO INSURANCE, CHILDCARE AND HEALTH SERVICES, TO THE CENTRAL ROLE OF AFFORDABILITY ACROSS HOUSING, ENERGY, AND DAILY LIVING COSTS.

THESE CONVERSATIONS, FEEDBACK HELP SHAPE THE FOUR THEMES OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY AS READ THEY ARE FINANCIAL PROGRESS AND ECONOMIC OUTCOMES, OPPORTUNITIES AND ACCESS, QUALITY OF LIFE AND WELLBEING AND FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND SYSTEMS. AND SO TO CAPTURE THESE FOUR THEMES AND TO GUIDE OUR WORK, THE CITY'S ESTABLISHED A SHARED DEFINITION OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

AGAIN, AS READ, ECONOMIC MOBILITY ADDRESSES SYSTEMS TO IMPROVE UNFAIR CONDITIONS THAT INFLUENCE WHETHER INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND COMMUNITIES CAN PROSPER OVER TIME AND ACROSS GENERATIONS.

IT MEANS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES NEEDED FOR BASIC NEEDS, FINANCIAL SECURITY, AND A DIGNIFIED HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE REGARDLESS OF RACE, PLACE, GENDER, OR ABILITY.

AND SO I'D LIKE TO SET UP THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX BY INFORMING THAT WE HAVE MORE THAN JUST THE DEFINITION, WHAT THE CITY OF BOSTON NOW HAS AS AN ECONOMIC MOBILITY FRAMEWORK COMPRISED OF TWO HALVES.

HALF OF THE APPROACH IS THE DEFINITION AND SORT OF WHAT I LIKE TO CONCEPTUALIZE IS THE THEORETICAL APPROACH, THE SHARED LANGUAGE, UM, TO EXPLAIN HOW ECONOMIC MOBILITY IS MORE THAN JUST INCOME AND ABOUT SYSTEMS. THE OTHER HALF IS THE PRACTICAL APPROACH FOR HOW THIS DEFINITION AND SHARED VALUES WOULD BE MEASURED.

AND THAT IS THE INDEX.

SO WHAT WE'VE DEVELOPED IS A HUMAN-CENTERED PLACE-BASED TOOL FOR UNDERSTANDING CONDITIONS THAT SHAPE RESIDENT'S ABILITY TO THRIVE IN AUSTIN.

AND WHAT IT IS, IS A MAPPED COMPOSITE SCORE THAT VISUALIZES NEIGHBORHOOD LEVEL DISPARITIES FOCUSES ON UNDERLYING CONDITIONS TO GUIDE SERVICE DELIVERY AND DECISION MAKING USING DATA AND COMMUNITY INSIGHTS.

AND IT PROVIDES A COMMON LENS FOR COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND SHARED OUTCOMES WITHOUT REPLACING EXISTING TOOLS.

AND SO TO DESCRIBE OUR OVERALL PROCESS FOR HOW WE GOT DOWN TO OUR ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX, WE FIRST BEGAN BY ANALYZING NATIONAL FRAMEWORKS.

AND SO WE EVALUATED VERY COMMON AND FAMILIAR, UH, COMPOSITES.

THESE MADE BY THE CDC, SUCH AS THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX, THE OPPORTUNITY ATLAS, AND THE PLACES REPORT.

WE ANALYZED THE WHAT WAS ATTACHED TO JUSTICE 40 AS THE CLIMATE AND ECONOMIC JUSTICE SCREENING TOOL, OR C JS, UM, REFERENCE OLDER STUDIES FOR WHAT WOULD BECOME THE LANGUAGE OF ECONOMIC MOBILITY, SUCH AS DRIVERS OF POVERTY.

AND OF COURSE, LOOKED AT SEVERAL OF THE TOOLS ALREADY MADE FOR THE CITY OF AUSTIN BIAS DEPARTMENTS.

WE THEN LOOKED AT OTHER CITIES BECAUSE WHILE AN ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX OF THIS TYPE MAY BE NEW TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN, IT'S NOT NEW IN PRACTICE ELSEWHERE.

SO WE CA OUR NET FAR IN WINE, BUT REALLY TOOK A DEEP DIVE INTO ABOUT 10 CITIES, SIMILAR IN STATE SIZE, DEMOGRAPHIC, AND PRODUCTS, AND TOOK AN EVEN DEEPER DIVE INTO FOUR CITIES WHO I LIKE TO REFER TO AS THE FOUR TS BEING TEMPE, TUCSON, TULSA, AND TACOMA, WHO HAD THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE PRODUCTS IN TERMS OF HOW THEY SELECTED THE LEVERS AND A PLACE-BASED APPROACH TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

THEN TO NOTE WAS OUR HYBRID ENGAGEMENT PROCESS WHERE WE REALLY LEANED ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDIES AS OPPOSING TO STAFFING A TASK ADVISORY, SERVE TASK ADVISORY GROUP, OR, UM, INTENSIVE SURVEYING.

AND THAT WAS TO RESPECT THE, UM, INTENTIONAL, UH,

[00:15:01]

ENGAGEMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDIES AND TO NOT OVERBURDEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH THE SAME QUESTIONS.

HOWEVER, WE DID WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FINDINGS IN THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDIES WERE STILL GROUNDED IN, UM, CURRENT BARRIERS AND NEEDS.

AND SO WE HAD TOUCH POINTS WITH THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY COMMISSION SUCH AS YOURSELVES.

WE ALSO HAD INTENSIVE, UM, ENGAGEMENT WITH OUR INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS.

BY THIS TIME, WE'VE SPOKEN TO OVER A HUNDRED DATA SPOTS WITHIN OUR ORGANIZATION TO SEE HOW THEY COLLECTED DATA AND HOW THEY MEASURE PRIORITIES OR MOVING THE NEEDLE FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY, AS WELL AS HAD SEVERAL PUSHING EVENTS IN ORDER TO CAPTURE THE VOICE OF THOSE WHO WERE MAYBE NOT SO FAMILIAR ATTACHED TO BOARDS COMMISSIONS.

AND LASTLY WAS OUR UNIQUE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR VENDOR EVERY TEXAN.

THESE, AGAIN, ARE DATA SCIENTISTS AND BUILDING THIS ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX WITHIN ESRI AND OR RGIS.

THEY HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE BUILDING THESE FOR THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, DALLAS, AND ARE BACKED BY A RACIAL AND SOCIAL JUSTICE FOCUS.

THEY'RE A DATA AND POLICY, UH, RESEARCH CENTER OUT OF THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO.

AND SO WITH ALL THAT INFORMATION, WE GOT DOWN TO WHAT WE THOUGHT WOULD BE THE BEST TOOL IN ORDER TO MEASURE ECONOMIC MOBILITY BEING 18 EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED AND WEIGHTED LEVERS BY SIX SUB THEMES ACROSS THREE OVERARCHING THEMES.

AND AS WE REFINE OUR LEVERS, WE ANCHORED OUR DECISIONS AND INSIGHTS WE HEARD THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.

SO TO START, WE CONSISTENTLY HEARD CONCERNS ABOUT THE COST OF C CHILDCARE AND HOW EARLY CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES SET THE TONE FOR LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT THIS.

WE INCLUDED A LEVER THAT LOOKED AT THE PARTICIPATION IN EARLY PUBLIC CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

IT OFFERED A MEANINGFUL WAY TO UNDERSTAND HOW YOUNG CHILDREN ARE BEING CONNECTED TO EARLY LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS COMMUNITIES.

TWO, IN OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMISSION ON AGENT, YOUR COMMISSION, UM, EXCUSE ME AND YOUR COMMISSION, WE HEARD HOW COMMUNITY CONDITIONS SAFETY ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES HAVE A PROFOUND IMPACT ON HEALTH AND LONGEVITY.

SO WE ELEVATED LIFE EXPECTANCY AT THE CENSUS TRACT LEVEL AS AN INDICATOR.

THIRDLY, HOUSING STABILITY, UH, EMERGED AS A CONCERN ACROSS OUR DISCUSSIONS.

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ADVISORY COMMISSION HIGHLIGHTED TRANSIENT TEMPORARY HOUSING COMMISSION FOR WOMEN EMPHASIZED THAT SAFETY IS A CORE PART OF HOW PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THEIR LIVING ENVIRONMENTS.

AND PER THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY THAT'S ATTACHED TO YOUR COMMISSION, 11% REPORTED LIVING IN GROUPS OR RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITIES OR SAID THEY DIDN'T HAVE A PERMANENT PLACE OF RESIDENCE.

SO TO REFLECT THIS, WE INCLUDED AND INDICATED THAT LOOKED AT THE SHARE OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN GROUP QUARTERS, AND THIS ALLOWED US TO BETTER UNDERSTAND PATTERNS OF STABILITY, SUPPORT, AND SAFETY ACROSS THE POPULATION.

AND LASTLY, THE COMMISSION FOR WOMEN EMPHASIZE THAT HEAT EXPOSURE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS WOMEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE BALANCING CAREGIVING RESPONSIBILITIES.

OUTDOOR WORK ARE LIMITED ACCESS TO COOLING THE HISPANIC AND LATINO QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY CALL FOR SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMS, AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE STUDY FOR AWESOME FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN ALSO UNDERSCORE THE NEED FOR GRINNING AND BEAUTIFICATION INITIATIVES.

SO WE INCLUDE THE HEAT DISPARITY ACROSS NEIGHBORHOODS AS IT HELPS US UNDERSTAND WHERE HEAT RISK IS CONCENTRATED AND WHICH COMMUNITIES ARE FACING THE GREATEST CLIMATE RELATED BURDENS.

AND SO HERE ON THE SIDE, YOU CAN SEE OUR 18 EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED AND WEIGHTED LEVERS.

THEY REFLECT THE COLLECTIVE WORK OF OUR OFFICE AND OUR VENDOR TO TRANSLATE QUALITY OF LIFE INSIGHTS INTO MEASURES THAT ALIGN WITH DEPARTMENT PRIORITIES AND SHOW MINIMUM OVERLAP AMONG THEMSELVES.

OUR INTENTION IS THAT THE INDICATORS WILL SHOW AN IMPACT THAT CAN BE FELT AND VETTED BY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS CONCERNS, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPANDED ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

AND WHAT YOU SEE ON THE SCREEN HERE IS, UM, A SNAPSHOT OF THE TOOL AND HOW IT WOULD BE USED.

SO IT'S, UH, CONTAINERS ARE A STORY MAP, REPORT AND TECHNICAL DOCUMENT.

AND THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX ITSELF IS AN ART JAZZ LAYER MADE WITHIN ESRI, WHERE SOMEONE CAN GO IN, CLICK ON A CENSUS TRACT AND SEE HOW IT COMPARES TO OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS, FIVE PERCENTILE RANK, UM, AND THEN COMPARE THE OVERALL THEMATIC SCORES, SUB-THEMES DOWN TO THE INDIVIDUAL INDICATORS.

AND SO HOW DO ORGANIZATIONS PUT THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX INTO ACTION? SO PARTNERS LIKE SCHOOLS, CREDIT UNIONS, NONPROFITS, PHILANTHROPIC ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL AGENCIES CAN ALIGN THEIR PROGRAMS, WHETHER THAT'S HOUSING, HEALTH, AGING SERVICES, OR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT WITH SPECIFIC INDICATORS THAT MATTER MOST IN EACH NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE MAP ALSO SHOWS WHERE PRIORITY POPULATIONS LIVE, WHICH HELP ORGANIZATIONS, WHICH HELPS ORGANIZATIONS FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS WHERE THEY'LL HAVE THE GREATEST IMPACT.

USERS CAN IDENTIFY NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WOULD BENEFIT FROM SERVICE EXPANSION OR NEW INITIATIVES.

ANOTHER KEY USE OF THE INDEX IS THAT IT CAN GUIDE WHERE TO PLACE SKILL BUILDING PROGRAMS, WRAPAROUND SUPPORTS, AND OTHER RESOURCES.

THE INDEX PROVIDES A CONSISTENT FRAMEWORK, SET GOALS, TRACK PROGRESS OVER TIME AND REPORT OUTCOMES.

AND FINALLY, THE MAPPING REPORT WILL BE USED AS A CROSSWALK OF SORTS BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS THEMSELVES AND BETWEEN COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO EXECUTE ON PRIORITIES USING SHARED SUSTAINABLE

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LANGUAGE AND DATA.

ESSENTIALLY, THE COMMUNITY AND CITY WOULD BE ALIGNED FOR ADDRESSING GAPS FOR COMMUNITIES OF GRACE NEED.

AND SO OUR TAKEAWAY IS THIS, THAT EVERY PARTNER, EVERY POLICY, EVERY DEPARTMENT, AND EVERY DECISION TOGETHER, WE SHAPE ECONOMIC MOBILITY.

AND TO CONCLUDE, EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY BE SOME, UH, DIFFICULTIES WITH QUORUM, UM, WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ABLE TO ATTEND OUR 2026 FAIR HOUSING AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY CONFERENCE APRIL 29TH, UH, THE NORRIS CONFERENCE CENTER.

THANKS FOR ALL THAT INFO.

REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THAT BACK TO US TO TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT MORE.

UM, WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO START OFF WITH SOME QUESTIONS? I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT WHERE YOU CAN, UM, ACCESS THE MAP THAT WAS SHOWN.

I MAY HAVE MISSED IT.

SURE.

THE MAP WILL BE, UM, POSTED TO OUR CITY WEBSITE AS WELL AS I'M SURE THE, UH, TECHNICAL DOCUMENT AND, UH, RAW DATA AND THE CITY'S OPEN DATA PORTAL.

COMMISSIONER CHANG, I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT HOW WE CAME UP WITH THE FOUR TS AS THE CITIES TOOK.

UM, WHERE WE COMPARE OURSELVES BY.

THAT WAS, UM, SORT OF A, A JOKE KIND OF IN THE OFFICE OR AMONG MYSELF LABELING THEM THE FOUR TS.

I WILL SAY, HOWEVER, OUT OF THOSE 10 CITIES, WHICH INCLUDE THE FOUR TS BEING SIMILAR IN STATE, UH, SIMILAR IN STATE SIZE AND DEMOGRAPHIC, THAT TEMPE AND TACOMA WERE SIMILAR IN, UH, DEMOGRAPHIC, UM, PER SIZE, IT WAS CHARLOTTE AND SAN JOSE.

LASTLY, TULSA TACOMA, LIKE I SAID, HAD THAT EXTENSIVE PROCESS OF HOW THEY GOT DOWN TO OUR INDICATORS THAT WE REALLY LOOKED AT AS WELL AS OTHER PLACE-BASED INDICES TO SORT OF SEE WHAT OTHERS WERE DOING PER WAITING OR PER HOW TO, UH, MAP DATA IN THE FIRST PLACE.

UM, HOW THE LEVERAGE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX IS BEING USED PER LAUNCH AND AS DATA UPDATES SHARE WHAT INSIGHTS WE'RE SEEING.

COMMISSIONER SAN MARTIN.

UH, THANK, THANK YOU FOR STOPPING BY TO PRESENT THE INFORMATION.

I JUST HAD A QUESTION.

UM, WHAT ARE THE, THE GOALS THAT YOU HAVE FOR THE, THE CURRENT YEAR, I GUESS, OR LIKE, I GUESS PROJECTED GOALS, UM, FOR YOUR DEPARTMENT TO MEET SOME OF THE, UM, I GUESS ITEMS THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, HOW TO LIKE ACCOMPLISH THAT? YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

UM, SO PER KIND OF OUR TIMELINE, UM, WE ARE EXPECTED AT, UM, AN END OF APRIL LAUNCH FOR THIS RESOURCE THAT WOULD BE LAUNCHED AND THAT THERE WOULD BE, UM, SORT OF EXPLORATIVE SESSIONS AT THE FAIR HOUSING ECONOMIC MOBILITY CONFERENCE.

THE NEXT GOAL IS MAKING SURE THAT, UM, ALL OF OUR EXTERNAL PARTNERS AS WELL AS DEPARTMENTS CAN SEE THEMSELVES USING THIS TOOL AND KNOW HOW TO USE IT.

SO, UM, THERE WILL BE TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS AMONG THE ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME OF OUR EXTERNAL PARTNERS.

UM, WE'VE ALREADY STARTED TO HAVE SOME OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS LIKE WITH, UM, AUSTIN FUNDERS NETWORK, THE COMMUNITY ADVANCEMENT NETWORK, UM, AND A FEW OTHER NONPROFITS WHO ARE LOOKING AT ECONOMIC MOBILITY OR EXPRESS THAT THEY NEED A TOOL LIKE THIS IN ORDER TO PRIORITIZE FURTHER MISSIONS, UM, A LOT CLOSER THAN WHAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY DOING.

UM, LASTLY WOULD BE TO APPEND SCOPES OF WORK, UM, TO THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX.

UM, WE'RE THINKING OF HAVING AN UPDATE CYCLE EVERY TWO YEARS, UM, TO MATCH OUR FISCAL CYCLE.

UM, THE FIRST UPDATE WOULD BE SORT OF LIGHT, UM, AS MOST OF THE DATA SOURCES DON'T FULLY UPDATE UNTIL FIVE YEARS, OR WE GET A CLEAN SORT OF OVERLAP, OR EXCUSE ME, CLEAN DATA THAT DOES NOT OVERLAP ANY YEARS.

HOWEVER, WE WOULD WANT TO, UM, INFORM COMMUNITY MEMBERS OF WHAT PROGRAMS ARE ACTUALLY MOVING THESE LEVERS.

SO THAT WOULD BE OUR NEXT STEP GOING FORWARD FOR THIS YEAR.

I JUST HAVE LIKE ANOTHER QUICK QUESTION.

SO, UM, IS THERE A WAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE CAN, OR YOU CAN PRESENT THE DATA THAT YOU, I GUESS, I GUESS GET, I GUESS, YOU KNOW, I GUESS MAYBE LIKE ANNUALLY OR IS THERE LIKE A WAY WHERE YOU CAN MAYBE PRESENT THE INFORMATION, UM, MAYBE LIKE ON A, ON, YOU KNOW, LIKE AN ANNUAL BASIS OR MAYBE LIKE EVERY SIX MONTHS OR SOMETHING, JUST SO WE HAVE AN IDEA OR MAYBE OTHER COMMISSIONS HAVE AN IDEA OF LIKE, I GUESS YOUR PROGRESS.

GOT IT.

ANNUALLY IS DEFINITELY A POSSIBILITY.

UM, THE DATA THAT WE'RE USING IS COMING FROM CENSUS TRACK DATA, UM, FROM THE A CS.

AND SO WITH THOSE, UM, SOME OF THE INDICATORS THAT WE'VE PULLED IN DO HAVE, UM, ONE YEAR ESTIMATES AND UPDATES, HOWEVER, THREE ARE PART OF THE DECENNIAL CENSUS, UM, AS THEY'RE PART OF MUCH SMALLER SORT OF ESTIMATES THAT ARE ON THAT SCHEDULE OF UPDATES.

SO IT BE POSSIBLE FOR ANNUAL FOR THOSE.

UM, AND THE REST WOULD HAVE FIVE YEAR UPDATES.

SO IT WOULD, FOR 80% OF THE INDICATORS BE POSSIBLE TO, UM, GET AN UPDATE ANNUALLY AS WELL AS IN THE TECHNICAL DOCUMENT.

WE WILL BE, UM, SHARING THAT RAW DATA FOR SOMEBODY ELSE TO LOOK IN, SEE HOW THE DATA IS MOVING ANNUALLY WITHOUT NEEDING US NEEDING TO COME BACK AND UPDATE.

BUT WE'D BE HAPPY, OF COURSE, TO LET YOU KNOW,

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THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOUR, YOUR INFORMATION.

AND, UM, SO WHEN YOU WERE IDENTIFYING COMPARATOR CITIES, WAS THAT, WHEN YOU SAID THAT IT WAS BASED ON, IN PART ON DEMOGRAPHICS, WAS DISABILITY ONE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS CONSIDERED OR OR WAS IT UH, ANOTHER SET? IT WAS ANOTHER SET.

UM, AND SO I, I KNOW WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT THE LEVERS, IT DIDN'T LOOK LIKE DISABILITY IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT THAT WAS CONSIDERED.

IS THAT RIGHT? SO THIS MAP WON'T INDIVIDUALLY REFLECT ANYTHING ABOUT DISABILITIES.

IT'LL BE LIMITED TO THAT ONE SPECIFIC LEVER ABOUT, UM, WHICH INDIVIDUALS LIVE IN GROUP HOMES.

UM, NO SIR.

UM, CAN WE GO BACK TO SHOW THE INDICATOR SLIDE? THANKS.

SO OVER INDICATORS HERE THAT OUR, UM, YEAH, RESONATE PROBABLY MOSTLY WITH THIS COMMISSION WE ARE LOOKING AT PERCENT OF INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY.

OH, OKAY.

GREAT.

DOES NOT BREAK DOWN INTO TYPE OF DISABILITY.

AND I DO REMEMBER RESPONDING THAT QUESTION LAST TIME.

YEAH, YEAH.

WE ALSO HAVE, UM, SOME FOR OUR SENIORS, UM, AND CONCERNS OF AGING IN PLACE AND WALKABILITY PERCENT OF POPULATION AGE 65 AND UP WITH AN AMBULATORY DIFFICULTY.

AND THEN WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT INDIVIDUALS IN INSTITUTIONAL GROUP QUARTERS.

GREAT.

THANKS.

I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT.

AND IF WE WANNA, IF WE WANNA KIND OF LIKE, I HAVE A QUESTION.

AND THIS IS COMMISSIONER ARIANO.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

UM, MY FIRST QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DO YOUR OUTREACH TO THOSE VARYING POPULATIONS OF DISABILITY? DO YOU WANT THEM TO COME TO YOU OR ARE YOU GOING AND REACHING OUT TO THEM? OR ARE WE GONNA CONVERGE HALFWAY AND, AND DO SOMETHING WHERE WE MEET IN THE MIDDLE? I THINK RIGHT NOW IT'S DEFINITELY SCOPE FOR US TO GO TO THEM.

UM, WE DON'T WANNA PUT THE WORK ON COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND SAY, HEY, WE HAVE THIS RESOURCE.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK, YOU KNOW, AND NOT THINKING ABOUT LIMITED ACCESS TO DIFFERENT CHANNELS OF INFORMATION.

RIGHT NOW, UM, WE ARE BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT ORGANIZATIONS WE GO AND SPEAK TO AND SORT OF USING THEM AS NAVIGATION SERVICES IN ORDER TO GET THE MESSAGING OUT AROUND THE ECONOMIC MOBILITY INDEX.

SO WE CAN HEAR SOME MORE OF THOSE INSIGHTS, BUT WE'LL HAVE A MUCH MORE, UM, FIRMER CONFIRMED ENGAGEMENT PLAN AS WE, UH, RELEASE THE TOOL IN APRIL.

I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION.

THIS TOOL SEEMS REALLY IMPORTANT, BUT I THINK AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED TO HAVE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ECONOMIC STATUSES.

UM, I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE IMMEDIATE AUSTIN AREA, UM, ARE REALLY SUFFERING FROM THE GENTRIFICATION.

AND SO IS THIS TOOL ABLE TO PROTECT US IN THAT REGARD? IS THAT ONE OF YOUR GOALS WITH THIS? IT IS.

UM, WE ARE NOT, UM, TRYING TO MEASURE ANYTHING IN THE INDEX.

UM, AS I GUESS A SIGN OF GENTRIFICATION.

UM, WE ARE DISAGGREGATING THE DATA BY RACE ETHNICITY AS WELL AS AGE.

UM, AND SO WE DO HAVE THE LEVERS THAT WE WANT TO OF COURSE GO UP AND THOSE GO DOWN, BUT WE ARE BEING INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT THAT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE OR IF WE'RE SERVING COMMUNITIES OF GREATEST NEED, SHOULD THEY BE DISPLACED.

SO WITHIN THE INDEX YOU CAN SEE, UM, THE DEMOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION OF THAT CENSUS TRACK, AND WE KNOW THAT IF IT SHOULD CHANGE, UM, OVER THE UPDATES, WHETHER WE'VE HIT THE MARK AND, YOU KNOW, PREVENTED PEOPLE FROM BEING DISPLACED OR WHETHER WE'VE MISSED THE MARK AND THAT THOSE COMMUNITIES ARE ELSEWHERE.

BUT WE DO HAVE PROTECTIONS IN PLACE, UM, FOR PEOPLE BEING DISPLACED AS WE MOVE THESE LEVERS AS WELL AS THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE OF COURSE, ACTIVELY THINKING ABOUT IN A LOT OF, UM, THESE WORKSHOPS AND SORT OF, UH, UM, CASE BUILDING, UM, ACTIVITIES WITH SOME OF OUR DEPARTMENTS THAT WILL BE EXPANDED OF COURSE TO OUR PARTNERS.

COMMISSIONER SLATE.

THE DATA WILL BE UPDATED? RIGHT.

SORRY, I PUT THAT, UM, YEAH, I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT, UM, COORDINATION OR COLLABORATION YOU GUYS HAVE DONE OR PLANNING TO DO WITH AUSTIN ISD ALSO SINCE THIS MAP, UM, MIGHT BE REALLY PERTINENT.

YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN SCHOOL CLOSURES RECENTLY AND ALSO THERE ARE SEVERAL, UM, YOU KNOW, CD AND F RATED SCHOOLS, UM, THAT FALL ALONG SOME COLOR PATTERNS ON YOUR MAP I NOTICED.

SO I WAS CURIOUS, UM, IF YOU'VE TALKED WITH THEM OR WHAT THAT PLAN MIGHT LOOK LIKE.

YEAH, WE HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH AUSTIN ISD YET, BUT THEY ARE MOST CERTAINLY ON OUR LIST.

UM, THEY WILL VERY SHORTLY, UM, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, UM, RECEIVING AN INVITE TO OUR FAIR HOUSING ECONOMIC MOBILITY CONFERENCE AS SORT OF THE FIRST TOUCH POINT INTO THIS CONVERSATION.

AND WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT OTHER NONPROFITS, UM, IN SCHOOLS AS WELL.

WE KNOW THEY'RE DOING THIS WORK COMMUNITIES AND SCHOOLS BEING ONE.

AND WE'VE ALSO SPOKEN WITH UNITED WAY, SO WE HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF, YOU KNOW, WHO'S INVOLVED IN, UM, K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION THAT WE NEED TO SPEAK WITH AND HAS THE CITY COMMITTED TO, UM, UPDATING THE DATA FOR THE MAP ONCE IT, ONCE THE ACTUAL TOOLS ROLLED OUT, LIKE WHAT, IS THERE A SPECIFIC CADENCE THAT

[00:30:01]

SO THAT'S WHERE I SAID WE WERE LOOKING AT THAT TWO YEAR UPDATE CYCLE.

I SEE, I SEE.

ITEM NUMBER THREE, STAFF BRIEFING REGARDING THE COMANCHO ACTIVITY CENTER'S ACCESSIBILITY AND GUIDED GROUP PROGRAMS. AH, EXCUSE ME.

DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? WELL, THANKS FOR COMING IN.

I'M REALLY, UH, EXCITED TO TEST IT OUT WHEN IT GOES LIVE.

UM, SO WE'LL, WE'LL, UH, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AND CERTAINLY TRY AND GET THE, GET THE WORD OUT TO, UH, YOU KNOW, OUR PARTNERS AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

SO I'M, I'M REALLY GLAD THAT YOU ALL DID THIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ABSOLUTELY.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

ALRIGHT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO

[3. Staff briefing regarding the Camancho Activity Center’s accessibility and guided group programs. Presentation by Ryan Eaker, Nature Based Programs Supervisor, Austin Parks and Recreation and Athan Bernal, Nature Based Program Manager, Austin Parks and Recreation.]

UH, THE LORRAINE GO CAMACHO ACTIVITY CENTER OPENED ON DACC IN THE YEAR 2000.

AND SINCE THAT POINT IN TIME, WE HAVE FOCUSED ENTIRELY ON OUTDOOR AND NATURE-BASED PROGRAMS, UM, FOR YOUTH, TEENS, ADULTS AND SENIORS.

UM, WE SPECIALIZE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS TRAIL BIKING, KAYAKING, HIKING, ROCK CLIMBING, FISHING, ARCHERY, FILMMAKING, AND MUCH MORE.

OUR PROGRAM STRUCTURE, UM, OUR PROGRAMS ARE GUIDED, UM, THEY'RE CENTERED AROUND OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES.

CAMACHO DOES NOT OFFER ANY RENTALS OF EQUIPMENT OR HOST VENDORS.

SO ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE GUIDED BY WELL-TRAINED STAFF AND EXPERIENCED, UM, AND WELL TRAINED IN ALL OF THE CATEGORIES OF PROGRAMS THAT WE TEACH.

UM, WE FOLLOW STRICT OPERATION OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES.

OUR KAYAK GUIDES ARE TRAINED LIFEGUARDS, EVERYONE HAS FIRST AID AND CPR.

UM, BIKE LEADERS HAVE BEEN TRAINED BY ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS NICA AND IMBA, AND WE ALSO OFFER A LOT OF ADAPTIVE AND INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING.

AND THOSE PROGRAMS HAVE INCREASED AND INTENSIFIED OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

IN 2016, UM, IN 2016, WE GOT A NEW DOC.

WE DIDN'T ACTUALLY HAVE A DOC BEFORE.

AND, UM, WITH THAT BECAME ACCE WITH THAT CAME ACCESSIBILITY FEATURES.

AND IT PROVIDED US THE OPPORTUNITIES TO START OFFERING OUR KAYAKING PROGRAMS TO PEOPLE OF ALL ABILITIES.

AND WITH THAT WE STARTED EXPANDING OUR OWN KNOWLEDGE.

AND IN THE TIME SINCE THEN, IN THE LAST DECADE, WE HAVE GROWN THOSE PROGRAMS, UM, TO EXPAND, TO INCLUDE, UH, WORK WITH TARGETED GROUPS SUCH AS LONE STAR PARALYSIS FOUNDATION.

WE WORK WITH A REHAB FACILITY.

UM, WE WORK WITH MANY GROUPS.

WE HAVE SENIOR POPULATIONS AND WE HAVE MEMBERS OF THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT ATTEND OUR REGULAR PROGRAMS. WE HAVE SPECIALIZED KAYAKING EQUIPMENT THAT ALLOWS US TO TAKE SOME OF THOSE PROGRAMS OUT INTO THE WILD.

WE HAVE A PORTABLE, UM, TRANSFER BENCH.

WE HAVE PORTABLE TRANSFER INFLATABLE WHEELS.

WE'RE ABLE TO TAKE PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS TO KAYAKING EXPERIENCES BEYOND OUR ACCESSIBLE DOCK.

UM, IN 2025, WE WON THE TEXAS RECREATION AND PARKS SOCIETY LONE STAR PROGRAMMING AWARD FOR CLASS ONE CITIES FOR THAT PROGRAM.

UM, THANK YOU.

UM, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE OFFER OUTREACH PROGRAMS FOR OUR INCLUSIVE, UH, CENTERS WITH AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATIONS SUCH AS PARQUET, ZARAGOZA, DOTTIE, JORDAN MACBETH RECREATION CENTER.

AND WITHIN THOSE WE OFFER BEYOND KAYAKING, WE TEACH

[00:35:01]

ARCHERY, HIKING, FISHING, AND BIKING.

UM, WE HAVE WEEKLY ATTENDANCE OF PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY NEEDS.

WE HAVE A NATURE IMMERSION PROGRAM THAT TOOK PLACE TODAY.

WE WORK WITH TWO DIFFERENT CAMPUSES WITH THEIR LIFE SKILLS, UM, CLASSES TO OFFER TACTILE, OUTDOOR BASED EDUCATION, UM, FOR THOSE STUDENTS OF VARYING ABILITIES.

UH, TODAY THEY WENT KAYAKING.

UM, ALL PROGRAMS, NOT JUST OURS, BUT ALL PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION ARE INCLUSIVE AND CAN BE ADAPTED.

AND WE DO HAVE AN INCLUSION SERVICES UNIT, UM, THAT CAN BE, UM, REQUESTED BY A PARTICIPANT'S FAMILY OR IT CAN BE, UH, ACTIVATED INTERNALLY OR BOTH.

UM, THEY PROVIDE SUPPORT SERVICES OF ALL TYPES AND HELP DETERMINE, UM, ACCOMMODATION, UH, TO GO INTO THE FACILITY.

THERE IS A PICTURE OF THE EXISTING DOCK.

UM, IT'S A FULLY A DA GRADE ENTRY.

UM, WE HAVE SEPARATE PARKING AREA AND THE HILLSIDE IS, UM, GRADED TO BELOW 5%.

UM, WE HAVE A TRANSFER BENCH, WHICH IS FEATURED IN THAT PHOTO THERE.

UM, BELOW THAT YOU SEE PHOTOS OF OUR ENTRYWAY AND OUR FRONT DESK.

UM, LET'S SEE.

THERE IS A LOWERED SECTION AROUND THE SIDE OF THE FRONT DESK FROM THE, THE FOYER THAT HAS A RECESS FOR SOMEONE IN A WHEELCHAIR.

UM, WE HAVE A RELATIVELY LOW GRADE LEADING UP TO THE ENTRANCE.

WE HAVE NOT HAD AUTOMATED FRONT DOORS, UM, BUT AS OF YESTERDAY, THERE IS NOW A, UM, QUOTE IN THE WORKS FOR REPLACEMENT OF THOSE FRONT DOORS.

SO THEY WILL BE AUTOMATED AND WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT, UH, WITHIN THIS FISCAL YEAR.

UM, IN THE MEANTIME, OUR CREWS HAVE COME OUT TO TEST THE WEIGHT PULL OF ALL OF THE DOORS AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO ENSURE THAT THOSE ARE UNDER A DA GUIDELINES.

UM, AND LIKE I SAID, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REPLACEMENT OF THOSE FRONT DOORS.

IT'S, WE'VE BEEN ASKING FOR IT FOR QUITE A LONG TIME AND IT'S COMING TOGETHER.

UM, LET'S SEE.

OKAY, WE'RE EXPECTING THAT QUOTE ON MONDAY.

UM, ACCESSIBILITY OF REGISTRATION FOR OUR PROGRAMS. THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL SITES AT AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION.

THIS JUST SHOWS SOME OF OUR HOURS THAT THE, UM, FRONT DESK ATTENDANT IS THERE.

UM, THE REST OF US ARE THERE ALL DAY FROM 8:00 AM TILL 6:00 PM.

UM, ALL OF OUR REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS ARE ANNOUNCED VIA NEWSLETTER.

THE WEBSITE, WE POST BROCHURES, WE HAVE QR CODES, UM, WE SEND OUT EMAILS, UM, WE POST ONLINE AND WHEN WE HAVE A A BIG PUSH FOR A LARGE PROGRAM, WE ACTIVATE THE MARKETING TEAM TO PROMOTE THOSE ACROSS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS. YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE, UM, THE SAME AS ANY OTHER PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAM.

YOU CAN REGISTER IN PERSON AT 35 ROBERT T. MARTINEZ, WHICH IS OUR ADDRESS.

YOU CAN CALL OUR PHONE NUMBER WHERE ANYONE THAT ANY FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBER THAT WORKS THERE CAN, UM, PROVIDE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ANYONE THAT'S HAVING ANY TYPE OF ISSUE WITH REGISTRATION AT ALL.

UM, IF ANYONE CAN SEE THAT, THAT'S JUST AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE ONLINE REGISTRATION LOOKS LIKE.

AND THIS IS TRUE FOR ALL PARKS AND RECREATION.

THAT'S ESSENTIALLY WHAT'S THE, THAT'S GONNA LOOK LIKE THIS EXAMPLE HIGHLIGHTS OUR LONE STAR ADAPTIVE KAYAKING, WHICH IS FOR ADULTS, UM, WITH, UH, MOBILITY NEEDS OR ACCOMMODATION NEEDS.

AND WE OPEN THAT TO THE PUBLIC IF ANYONE CAN READ THAT, THAT SHOWS UPCOMING DATES.

UM, WE WORK WITH LONE STAR PARALYSIS FOUNDATION AND ALSO HAVE SPOTS A AVAIL AVAILABLE FOR ANYONE IN THE PUBLIC THAT WANTS TO JOIN.

UM, WHILE WE HAVE TRAINED STAFF AVAILABLE SPECIFICALLY TO HELP PEOPLE THAT MAY NEED, UM, SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT OR TRANSFER ASSISTANCE.

THAT WAS REALLY INFORMATIVE.

I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER BEEN OUT THERE.

I'M GONNA HAVE TO CHECK IT OUT NOW.

YOU SHOULD.

WE HAVE FAMILY KAYAKING COMING UP.

DOES ANYBODY, HEY, WANNA START OFF WITH ANY QUESTIONS? JUST A GENERAL QUESTION.

I NEED STOP BY TWO.

YEAH, PLEASE.

YOU'LL HAVE SOME LIKE GREAT PROGRAMS. THANK YOU.

[00:40:01]

UM, LIKE ARE THE PROGRAMS, LIKE, SO YOU JUST REGISTER AND THEN YOU CAN PARTICIPATE? IS THAT HOW IT WORKS? LIKE, THAT'S CORRECT.

UM, IS IT LIKE FREE OR THEY'RE NOT, DO YOU, IS THERE LIKE, LIKE WHERE YOU HAVE TO PAY LIKE A FEE TO LIKE PARTICIPATE? CURRENTLY THE LONE STAR PARALYSIS, UH, KAYAKING, UH, ARE FREE FAMILY KAYAKING, I BELIEVE IS UH, THE TOP OF MY HEAD.

I BELIEVE IT'S $10 PER PERSON.

UM, MOST OF OUR PROGRAMS, UM, I DON'T KNOW IF I WENT INTO IT, BUT WE OFFER A TON OF YOUTH CYCLING PROGRAMS, UM, STARTING FROM THE AGE OF FOUR, TEACHING KIDS HOW TO RIDE.

WE'VE TAUGHT HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS OF KIDS HOW TO RIDE BIKES WITHOUT TRAINING WHEELS.

SO WE HAVE CLASSES, UM, THAT START AT THAT AGE AND PROGRESS UP THROUGH SKILL LEVELS, THROUGH DIFFERENT CYCLING CLASSES.

THOSE ARE ALL $5 PER SESSION.

UM, AND THOSE OCCUR ON A WEEKLY BASIS.

AND THE IDEA IS THAT YOU LEARN TO RIDE A BIKE, YOU GRADUATE TO LEARNING TO RIDE ON THE TRAIL, THEN YOU GROW UP A LITTLE BIT AND YOU START GOING A LITTLE BIT FARTHER.

AND THEN ONCE YOU'RE A TEENAGER, WE TEACH YOU HOW TO MOUNTAIN BIKE.

UM, SO MOST OF THOSE FAMILY PROGRAMS ARE BROKEN DOWN, UM, TO WHERE THEY'RE ABOUT $5 PER SESSION PER WEEK.

UM, THERE MAY BE A SLIGHT INCREASE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS UP TO $7 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT WE TRY TO KEEP THEM AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE.

AND, AND JUST LIKE ANOTHER QUESTION, UM, SO I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE, THE FRONT DOORS, DOORS, UM, IT'S NOT LIKE AUTOMATED.

UM, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE LIKE AT THE CAMACHO, YOU KNOW, RECREATION CENTER THAT, UM, THAT NEEDS MORE ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE DISABLED COMMUNITY? AND IF SO, MAYBE CAN LET US KNOW AND WE CAN MAYBE, UM, I GUESS HELP IN THAT REGARD? YEAH, LIKE THANK YOU.

JESSICA WILL TAKE THIS ONE.

YEAH, I'LL ANSWER THAT.

SO THE CITY OF AUSTIN HAS, UH, AND AUSTIN PARKS AND RECREATION HAS DONE AN ASSESSMENT ABOUT A DA ACCESSIBILITY AT OUR FACILITIES.

AND THERE IS A LIST OF ITEMS TO BE DONE, UM, THAT OUR TEAM PRIORITIZES.

AND I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DETERMINE WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE WITHIN, UH, AUSTIN PARKS AND REC IS TO REACH OUT TO OUR DIRECTOR AND, UH, OUR POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE A DA ASSESSMENT BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE A PRIORITY LIST BASED ON THE DIFFERENT NEEDS OF COMMUNITIES, UM, TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S EQUITABLE AND IT'S HOPEFULLY REACHING THE MOST PEOPLE.

UM, BUT THE BIG, THE, THE BIG THING THAT'S HAPPENING AT CAMACHO'S, OF COURSE THE DOORS, BUT ALSO RYAN MENTIONED YOU SAW THE, UH, IMAGE OF THE CURRENT DOCK.

UM, BUT WE ARE IN PERMITTING RIGHT NOW TO HAVE, UH, AN ADDITIONAL, A NEW DOCK INSTALLED THAT WILL BE ACCESSIBLE AND HAS SOME TEACHING SPACE AND STORAGE SPACE SO THAT IT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR STAFF AND PEOPLE, UH, TO GET, THEY'RE NOT GONNA HAVE TO CARRY BOATS DOWN FROM THE HILL.

SO IT ACTUALLY MAKES IT EVEN MORE ACCESSIBLE.

SO THAT'S ONE SOME BIG THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING AT CAMACHO RIGHT NOW.

AND WITH THAT NEW DOCK FACILITY, IT'S ALSO ESSENTIALLY, I MEAN ACTUALLY DOUBLING THE ADAPTIVE, UH, TRANSFER BENCHES.

SO WE'RE GOING FROM HAVING ONE TO TWO STATIONS AND THE NEW ONES HAVE OVERHAND PULL BARS, WHICH I'M REALLY EXCITED ABOUT.

UM, SO YEAH, WE'RE, WE'RE GOING TO BE DOUBLING THE ACCESSIBILITY WITH THAT NEW INFRASTRUCTURE.

YEAH, I JUST WANNA SAY THAT THAT'S REALLY GREAT NEWS.

SO , IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE CAN MAYBE HELP WITH JUST, YOU KNOW, JUST LET US KNOW.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO JUST FOLLOW UP ON AND ANSWER, RYAN TALKED ABOUT THE PRICING FOR PROGRAMS. UM, WE ALSO HAVE, FOR YOUTH PROGRAMS, WE HAVE FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIP.

SO FOR OUR PROGRAMMING, WE TRY TO MAKE IT AS AFFORDABLE FOR ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

UM, SO THOSE PEOPLE WHO MAYBE CAN'T, UH, OF COURSE THEY'RE ALREADY SUBSIDIZED AT A RATE THAT IS, UH, APPROPRIATE FOR THE DIFFERENT TYPE OF PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE.

BUT THEN IN ADDITION, THEY CAN GET, UH, FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS.

SO IT HELPS FURTHER REDUCE THOSE, UH, PROGRAMMING COSTS BECAUSE WE REALLY DO WANT AS MANY PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO OUR PROGRAMS. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

UM, THAT CLASS THAT YOU HOLD THAT IS GEARED TOWARDS INDIVIDUALS THAT MIGHT HAVE CHALLENGES KAYAKING, I KNOW YOU SAID, UH, IT'S ORGANIZED BY LONE STAR ADAPT.

IS THAT LIKE A MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION? UM, LONE STAR PARALYSIS FOUNDATION IS ONE OF THE ORGANIZATIONS.

IT'S A NONPROFIT THAT WE STARTED WORKING WITH A FEW YEARS AGO THAT'S REALLY HELPED US EXPAND OUR KNOWLEDGE AND OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE ADAPTIVE KAYAKING PROGRAMS. UM, THEY STARTED BRINGING OUT SOME OF THEIR PARTICIPANTS AND IT'S, IT'S A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD SPINAL CORD INJURIES, UM, THAT ARE, UM, EXPERIENCING PARALYSIS AND, AND

[00:45:01]

UM, AT VARIOUS LEVELS.

UM, SO WE'VE WORKED AT, UH, WITH PARTICIPANTS OF ALL DIFFERENT MOBILITY.

UM, AND NO, THAT'S, IT'S, IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE WITH THEM PRIVATELY FOR A FEW YEARS THAT THIS YEAR WE DECIDED TO OPEN UP TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL.

YEAH, I THINK, I THINK THAT'S GREAT.

AND SO FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE JUST PART OF THE PUBLIC AND, YOU KNOW, DIDN'T COME THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION, ARE THEY, DO THEY PAY THE FULL PRICE OR DO THEY, IS THERE ANY KIND OF SUBSIDY FOR THEM? UM, CURRENTLY THERE IS NOT A CHARGE FOR THAT PROGRAM AS THE EXPANSION IS NEW, BUT AS I SAID OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS, WE MAY HAVE, UH, SIMILAR TO THE OTHER PROGRAMS, SOMETHING IN THE, IN THE REALM OF $10 AND THAT WOULD BE FOR EVERYONE.

I GOT IT.

UM, YEAH, UM, DEFINITELY LET US KNOW IF THAT IS EVER, UH, ON THE TABLE JUST BECAUSE I THINK WE COULD PROBABLY HELP FIND ORGANIZATIONS TO, YOU KNOW, SPONSOR THAT COST AT LEAST TO TRY AND OFFSET IT.

'CAUSE UM, AS YOU'RE, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE, UH, VARIOUS KINDS OF DISABILITIES OR TEND TO BE UNDER-RESOURCED AS WELL.

SO, YOU KNOW, EVEN EVEN $10 CAN BE A LOT AND IT SEEMS LIKE A REALLY GREAT, GREAT PROGRAM AND I ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU.

HOPE, HOPEFULLY EVERYBODY CAN ENJOY IT.

AND I'LL ADD THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION, UH, AT LEAST RYAN, MYSELF AND OUR DIVISION MANAGER, AMANDA ROSS, UM, TALKING WITH SOME OF OUR SUPPORT SERVICES ABOUT THE IDEA OF HAVING, SIMILAR TO HOW WE HAVE PRICING FOR THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF PROGRAMS, THINKING ABOUT THOSE INCLUSION PROGRAMS AND DOES THE SUBSIDY NEED TO BE DIFFERENT, UM, SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO NEED ADDITIONAL SUPPORT GETTING TO PROGRAMS AND GETTING ENGAGED CAN'T AFFORD TO.

UM, AND AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME THING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE LONG TERM.

HOW DO WE FIND SPONSORSHIPS OR, OR DONORS TO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH OUR PROCESSES OF COURSE, TO FIND SUPPORT FOR THOSE PROGRAMS TO HAVE LIKE, UH, FINANCIAL AID OR SCHOLARSHIP FOR THOSE PROGRAMS. SO WE'RE AWARE OF THE NEED AND, AND ACTIVELY WORKING TO SOLVE THOSE.

THAT'S GREAT.

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? I DON'T HAVE A QUESTION, BUT I DID WANT TO ADD AND JUST THANK THE CAMACHO FOLKS, UM, THAT THEY ALSO PROVIDE INTERNSHIPS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BECAUSE MY STUDENTS HAVE INTERNED THERE.

WE, I'VE HAD SEVERAL STUDENTS WHO HAVE INTERNED THERE AND IT'S BEEN ONE OF THE BEST INTERNSHIP SITES THAT WE HAVE AS WELL.

SO I DID JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU TO YOU GUYS AND MENTION THAT YOU ALSO ARE HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN THAT WAY AS WELL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, OUR NEXT ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER FOUR, UH, PRESENTATION FROM THE CLEAR, THE AIR A TX REGARDING THE IMPACT OF LONG COVID ON THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY.

ALRIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

AND WE WILL GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO,

[4. Presentation from Clear the Air ATX regarding the impact of Long COVID on the disability community, and ways the Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities can support Long COVID awareness efforts. Presentation by Katie Drackert, Founder, Clear the Air ATX, Naveen Farrani, Member, Clear the Air ATX and Michael Brode, UT Post COVID Clinic Medical Director, University of Texas.]

HELLO.

UM, I WAS JUST WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT, UM, WE HAVE DR.

BROAD HERE, THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE UT POST COVID CLINIC, AND I WANTED TO ENSURE THAT HE COULD PRESENT, UM, BEFORE I DO AND, AND MY PRESENTATION WILL FOLLOW HIS.

SURE.

IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE HIM.

OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DO WE HAVE AUDIO FROM DR.

BROAD? HI EVERYONE, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? WE CAN HEAR YOU.

THANKS.

OH, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

YES.

UM, WELL, I DON'T THINK WEBEX IS ALLOWING VIDEO, BUT, UH, IT'S A REAL HONOR TO BE HERE TODAY AND ESPECIALLY FOLLOWING, UH, YESTERDAY'S PROCLAMATION BY COUNCIL MEMBERS FUENTES AND UCHIN, UH, RECOGNIZING, UH, LONG COVID AWARENESS DAY MARCH 15TH, AND ALSO REALLY STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF CLEAR THE AIR A TX AND THE LONG COVID COLLECTIVE, WHO WE'VE ALREADY HEARD FROM.

UM, BUT I'M MIKE BROAD.

I'M A PHYSICIAN AT DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL AND MEDICAL DIRECTOR OF THE POST COVID PROGRAM, AND I WANTED TO REALLY WORK THROUGH OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT LONG COVID IS AND

[00:50:01]

HOW IT AFFECTS PEOPLE, UH, HOW IT IS A DISABLING CONDITION AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, UM, IN THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO LOTS OF SLIDES, UH, I GUESS I CANNOT ADVANCE IT, BUT, UM, DO YOU WANNA NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

UH, THERE IS STILL, UH, NO, UM, AGREED UPON RESEARCH DEFINITION, DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA OR TEST FOR LONG, BUT WE ARE CALLING IT LONG COVID.

IT'S GONE BY MANY OTHER NAMES BEFOREHAND.

UH, BUT THAT IS WHAT PATIENTS AND THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY ARE CALLING IT.

UM, AND WE KNOW A LOT ABOUT THE ACUTE COVID-19 COURSE, BUT OF COURSE, UH, WHAT WE ARE REALLY WORRIED ABOUT IS WHAT HAPPENS IF THAT INFLAMMATORY PROCESS OF THE INITIAL COVID INFECTION DOES NOT END AND PEOPLE HAVE LINGERING SYMPTOMS. NEXT SLIDE.

UH, ACTUALLY LET'S JUST GO TO SLIDE 18.

I, I, SINCE I CAN'T ADVANCE IT, IT'S PRETTY LONG, BUT, UM, UH, A LITTLE BIT OF A SLUM SUMMARY SLIDE.

UM, AND I'LL JUST NARRATE.

UM, BUT YES, I, I THINK WHAT IS HARD ABOUT LONG COVID, THERE WE GO, IS THAT THERE'S THIS IDEA THAT IT IS EVERYTHING AND THEREFORE IT IS NOTHING.

UH, BUT MY CLINICAL EXPERIENCE TAKING CARE OF THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS HAS REALLY, UH, TOLD ME THAT, NO, THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

BUT IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT THE COVID TO 19 INFECTION CAN CAUSE, UH, A COUPLE CATEGORIES OF PROBLEMS. THE FIRST IS THE GROUP WHO WAS MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED, UH, IN HOSPITALIZED.

AND THAT CAN CAUSE LUNG SCARRING, KIDNEY DAMAGE, PTSD FROM BEING ON A VENTILATOR.

UH, BUT WE CAN DETECT A LOT OF THOSE PROBLEMS WITH OUR TRADITIONAL MEDICAL TESTS.

THE NEXT CATEGORY IS THAT IT'S VERY CLEAR THAT A COVID TO 19 INFECTION CAN CAUSE A NEW CHRONIC CONDITION LIKE TYPE TWO DIABETES, UH, HEART ATTACK BLOOD CLOTS, OR MAKE EXISTING PRE UH, CONDITIONS LIKE AUTOIMMUNE DISORDERS WORSE.

BUT ONCE AGAIN, WE CAN DETECT THAT WITH OUR TRADITIONAL MEDICAL TESTS.

THE LAST CATEGORY IS REALLY WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER LONG COVID ITSELF, WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE A TEST FOR.

AND IT REALLY TENDS TO BE A CLUSTER OF INTERRELATED SYMPTOMS THAT ARE PROFOUNDLY DISABLING.

AND FOR THAT IT IS USUALLY A COMBINATION OF FATIGUE, BRAIN FOG, AND THIS TERM CALLED POST EXERTIONAL MALAISE, WHERE SOMEONE DOES AN ACTIVITY GROCERY SHOPPING, UM, WRITING EMAILS, AND IT JUST KNOCKS THEM OUT AND MAKES EVERY SINGLE SYMPTOM THEY HAVE WORSE.

AND THEN A LOT OF THE OTHER PARTS OF THAT, THAT'S ALMOST THE BASELINE, BUT THEN THE MOST SEVERELY AFFECTED INDIVIDUALS HAVE THIS NEUROINFLAMMATORY SYNDROME, LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THEIR AUTONOMIC NERVOUS SYSTEM, NEW ALLERGIES, THEY'VE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR GUT MOTILITY.

THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.

BUT, UM, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE CAN HAVE ASPECTS OF ALL OF THESE THINGS.

UM, THEY'RE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO ONE ANOTHER, BUT A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WE SAY LONG COVID, THE WAY I SEE IT, IT TENDS TO BE A POSTVIRAL, CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME AND A NEURO AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER THAT AFFECTS THE WHOLE BODY.

IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING, YOU KNOW, IT HAS COVID IN THE NAME, BUT, UH, WE'VE KNOWN FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS THAT VIRUSES CAN CAUSE LINGERING SYMPTOMS. AND SO IT'S REALLY INCREASINGLY BEING RECOGNIZED AS AN INFECTION ASSOCIATED CHRONIC CONDITION, WHICH MOST OF THOSE ARE ALSO HAVE THE SAME FEATURES, FATIGUE, BRAIN FOG, DIFFUSE PAIN, AND OF COURSE THAT EXERTIONAL INTOLERANCE, WHICH GETS CALLED POST EXERTIONAL MALAISE.

UM, AND I WISH I HAD BETTER NEWS, BUT WE KNOW THAT ABOUT 10% OF PEOPLE FOLLOWING COVID-19 INFECTION WILL DEVELOP LONG COVID VACCINATION, REDUCES THAT RISK BY ABOUT 50%.

UM, BUT YOU KNOW, THE RISK IS CUMULATIVE.

AND SO EVERY TIME YOU GET COVID, MAYBE THE RISK OF DEVELOPING LONG COVID IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN THREE TO 11%.

AND IF I'M NOW ASSUMING PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD FOUR INFECTIONS, SO MULTIPLY THAT AND YOU'RE TALKING SOMEWHERE BETWEEN A 12 TO 40% CHANCE OF DEVELOPING IT, UM, THIS IS NOT JUST GOING AWAY, EVEN THOUGH VACCINATION REMAINS OUR BEST TOOL TO PREVENT IT.

THAT'S 14 MILLION PEOPLE.

AND JUST PUTTING THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, THE CDC, UM, HAS CLOSED THIS WEBSITE, BUT, UM, WHILE THEY WERE STILL REPORTING IT, THEY THOUGHT ABOUT 18% HAD EVER EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID MORE THAN THREE MONTHS.

AND, UH, 5% WERE STILL EXPERIENCING IT.

AND THE CDC IN TEXAS THOUGHT, UH, THAT WOULD BE ABOUT 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN TEXAS EXPERIENCING

[00:55:01]

LONG COVID COVID.

AND HERE NEXT SLIDE IN AUSTIN PROPER, THAT REALLY TRANSLATES TO ABOUT 42,000 PEOPLE.

AND SO THIS IS A, A HUGE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.

UM, THIS IS MORE THAN NEW CANCER DIAGNOSES PER YEAR.

UM, AND WHAT WE UNFORTUNATELY KNOW, UH, IS THAT ABOUT HALF THE PEOPLE ARE NOT HAVING SIGNIFICANT RECOVERY.

IT IS, UH, A CHRONIC DISABLING ILLNESS IN THIS GROUP.

AND IN THE LARGE STUDIES, UM, PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCED SYMPTOMS AT THREE MONTHS WOULD STILL EXPERIENCING SYMPTOMS, UH, OVER A YEAR LATER.

UM, AND, AND WE KNOW, UH, I THINK WE'VE HEARD FROM IT, AND WE'LL HEAR FROM KATIE'S STORY FROM CLEAR THE AIR, BUT, UH, THIS IS DISPROPORTIONATELY, UH, AFFECTING AT-RISK COMMUNITIES.

AND UNFORTUNATELY IT'S THE SAME ONES, UH, WHO ARE AFFECTED OVER AND OVER WOMEN.

UH, ABOUT 60% OF, UH, PATIENTS ALONG COVID ARE WOMEN, AND IT'S AFFECTING BLACK AND HISPANIC PERSONS DISPROPORTIONATELY AND, UH, ESPECIALLY PEOPLE OF LOW INCOME AND RURAL INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TROUBLE ACCESS TO CARE.

AND WE THINK THIS IS COSTING THE GLOBAL ECONOMY ABOUT A TRILLION DOLLARS GLOBALLY.

AND THEN FOR DISABILITY, I, I KNOW FOR THIS COMMISSION, UM, FOR PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID ARE 10% LESS LIKELY TO BE EMPLOYED AND MOST ARE WORKING FEWER HOURS BECAUSE THAT FATIGUE AND EXERTIONAL INTOLERANCE IS SIMPLY DISABLING.

AND WE DO, YOU KNOW, OUR JOB AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS TO GET GOOD DATA TO STUDY AND FIND CURES, BUT WE KNOW FROM OUR OWN CLINIC, WE ARE STILL GETTING 35 TO 45 REFERRALS PER MONTH.

IT HAS NOT SLOWED DOWN.

UH, OUR PATIENTS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS AS A CHRONIC MULTISYSTEM DISEASE, UH, WITH A MEDIAN OF 18 NEW SYMPTOMS WHEN THEY COME TO US.

AND THEY'VE USUALLY SEEN SIX DOCTORS, UH, BEFORE THEY'RE EVEN REFERRED.

AND LASTLY, UH, YOU KNOW, WHEN THEY COME TO SEE US, OUR OWN DATA, UH, REALLY SHOWS THAT THREE QUARTERS HAVE POOR HEALTH.

UH, THREE QUARTERS ARE NOT ABLE TO WORK IN THE SAME CAPACITY AS PREVIOUSLY.

AND A LOT OF THAT'S DUE TO THE, UH, BRAIN FOG, COGNITIVE DYSFUNCTION.

UM, AND ON TOP OF THAT, UH, THE SNOWBALLS, UH, PEOPLE LOSING JOBS THEN HAVING UNMET HEALTH RELATED SOCIAL NEEDS.

UM, I THINK THIS NUMBER IS PROBABLY GROWING OVER TIME, BUT WHAT ABOUT A YEAR AGO? UM, WHEN WE REPORTED IT ABOUT 10 PER 12% ACTUALLY AT HOUSING INSTABILITY DUE TO THE ILLNESS.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO, TO BRING SUCH A, A IMPORTANT ILLNESS, UM, SOME CONTEXT FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR.

THAT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE.

UM, DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRESENTATION OR LONG COVID GENERALLY? COMMISSIONER SAN MARTIN? UH, I JUST HAD A A A QUICK QUESTION.

UM, UH, THIS IS JUST LIKE A GENERAL QUESTION.

SO, UM, CAN LIKE LONG COVID, I MEAN, IF SOMEONE HAS IT, CAN THAT TURN INTO LIKE A LONG TERM DISABILITY? I, I DON'T KNOW.

I'M JUST LIKE, JUST ASKING JUST IN GENERAL.

IT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

YES.

THE, UH, HHS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, UH, HAS PUT OUT GUIDANCE THAT LONG COVID, UH, CAN BE CONSIDERED A DISABILITY UNDER TO BE ADULTS WITH DISABILITY ACT IF IT IS, UH, SEVERE AND FUNCTIONALLY IMPAIRING LIKE OTHER ILLNESSES.

AND I THINK, YOU KNOW, AFFECTING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS, THIS IS A, A HUGE DISEASE BURDEN.

UM, I THINK THE PRACTICAL, SO THE ANSWER IS ABSOLUTELY YES.

UH, I THINK IS KATIE AND OTHERS MAY TALK ABOUT THE PRACTICALITY OF IT AS BEING NEW.

UM, AND THE CASE LAW BEHIND THAT NOT BEING WELL ESTABLISHED, UH, IS THAT IT IS DIFFICULT, UM, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A TEST FOR IT.

HOW DO YOU PROVE IT'S LONG COVID, UH, THERE'S NOT A LOT OF MEDICAL EXAMINERS OR PHYSICIANS WHO ARE VERY WELL EQUIPPED TO UNDERSTAND OR DIAGNOSE IT.

UM, AND THEN IF, UH, YOU ARE A PRIVATE INSURANCE COMPANY, UM, AND THE CASE LAW IS NOT ESTABLISHED, THERE IS LEEWAY TO INTERPRET, UH, THE ILLNESS BY YOURSELF TYPICALLY IN YOUR OWN FAVOR, UH, IS THE KIND WAY I'LL SAY THAT.

IT SAYS I HAVE LIKE ANOTHER QUESTION.

I KNOW THERE'S LIKE THE COVID VACCINE, RIGHT? SO, UM, DOES THE VACCINE HELP, I GUESS, I GUESS SHORTEN THE LONG COVID? IS THAT I'M JUST LIKE ASKING LIKE, YEAH, YOU READ THROUGH THOSE SLIDES REAL QUICK.

UH, IT REDUCES THE RISK OF DEVELOPING LONG COVID BY ABOUT HALF, UM,

[01:00:01]

IN THE BEST STUDIES.

THAT'S FROM 10% TO 5%.

UH, AND SO IT IS VERY HELPFUL AND IMPORTANT, BUT I THINK 98% OF PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID HAVE A VERY MILD ILLNESS.

AND THEN BASICALLY THE BODY, THE VIRUS MAKES THEIR IMMUNE SYSTEM GO HAYWIRE AND IT NEVER TURNS OFF.

UM, AND SO THEY EXPERIENCE IT EVEN BEING VACCINATED.

98% OF OUR PATIENTS HAVE RECEIVED A VACCINE, UM, EXPERIENCING IT CHRONICALLY.

SO ESSENTIALLY THERE'S NO CURE FOR IT, IS THAT CORRECT? I MEAN, NOT YET NOT YET.

UH, IT HAS BEEN A LONG PROCESS THAT OUR EYES ARE ON THE PRIZE, WE WANT TO CURE THIS, BUT I, I THINK THAT'S GONNA TAKE, UH, PRIVATE PUBLIC PATIENT ADVOCATE, UH, AND SCIENTIST COLLABORATION.

UH, THAT'S THE ABSOLUTE GOAL.

AND DR.

BROAD, I KNOW YOU MENTIONED THE A DA AND THEN YOU ALSO HAD THAT STATISTIC THAT 72% OF INDIVIDUALS WITH LONG COVID HAVE TROUBLE WORKING.

IS THAT, IS THAT THE STATISTIC THAT YOU WOULD SAY WHERE THE PERSON HAS A DISABILITY OR IS IT SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ZERO AND 72%? I'M JUST TRYING TO QUANTIFY THAT IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE LONG COVID IN IN AUSTIN.

YEAH, THIS IS, SO, UM, I PRESENTED ABOUT 5% AND I THINK WE JUST 42,000 PEOPLE JUST STATISTICALLY LET'S TAKE HALF OF THEM.

AND I THINK HALF ARE EXPERIENCING THIS AS A CHRONIC DISABLING ILLNESS.

SO AT LEAST 20,000 PEOPLE, UH, I'LL JUST EDITORIALIZE HERE.

I THINK THE, WHAT IS HARDEST ABOUT THIS DISEASE, UH, FOR THE DISABILITY COMMUNITY IS THAT POST EXERTIONAL MALAISE, I THINK LIKE TEXANS SIZED, THEY'RE JUST WIRED.

LIKE, WE'RE GONNA FIGHT THIS, WE'RE GONNA PUSH THROUGH, WE'RE GONNA GO HARDER, AND THAT MAKES THEM WORSE.

AND SO I DO SO MUCH COUNSELING AND TALKING ABOUT LIKE, YOU HAVE TO LIMIT YOUR ACTIVITIES, YOU HAVE TO LIVE WITH THAT.

AND IF YOU HAVE A JOB THAT DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO TAKE BREAKS OR ALLOW YOU TO MANAGE YOUR ENERGY, UH, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT ENERGY CAN BE UNPREDICTABLE, UM, MAYBE IN A GOOD DAY YOU CAN DO YOUR JOB, BUT MOST DAYS ARE NOT GOOD DAYS FOR THESE FOLKS.

UM, AND THAT CAN BE REALLY DISABLING AND HARD TO TALK TO AN EMPLOYER BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE AREN'T WEARING A CAST.

UM, IT'S AN INVISIBLE ILLNESS.

UM, AND TELLING PEOPLE, UH, TO JUST KEEP WORKING HARDER IS THE WORST THING THAT THEY CAN DO FOR THEIR HEALTH, AND THAT'S HARD TO EXPLAIN TO EMPLOYERS.

YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

UH, THANK YOU DR.

UH, THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS.

UM, LET'S GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON TO KATIE'S PRESENTATION SO WE HAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR HER TO TELL US ABOUT, UM, CLEAR THE AIR A TX.

HI.

YEAH, THANK YOU SO MUCH DR.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU EVERYBODY, UM, ON THE, UH, COMMITTEE TODAY.

I'M REALLY GRATEFUL TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOU.

SO MY PRESENTATION, LONG COVID DISABILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN AUSTIN.

JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME.

MY NAME IS KATIE DRER AND I AM THE FOUNDER OF CLEAR THE AIR A TX.

UM, WE STRIVE TO MAKE EVENTS AND PUBLIC SPACES IN AUSTIN MORE ACCESSIBLE BY MITIGATING THE SPREAD OF AIRBORNE PATHOGENS SUCH AS COVID-19.

AND WE WORK TO ACHIEVE THIS THROUGH OUR LENDING LIBRARY OF COMPLETELY FREE AND ACCESSIBLE HEPA GRADE AIR PURIFIERS, COMMUNITY-FOCUSED EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, MUTUAL AID INITIATIVES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I'M ALSO HONORED TO SHARE THAT I WAS NAMED, UM, BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AS ONE OF TWO RECIPIENTS OF THE 2026 PAUL G HEARN EMERGING LEADER AWARD FOR MY WORK WITH CLEAR THE AIR A TX.

AND, UM, WITH, AS A LONG COVID ADVOCATE, I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF PATIENT-LED RESEARCH COLLABORATIVE, WHICH IS A GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID I THAT WORK TO CREATE RESEARCH AND ADVOCATE FOR THIS ILLNESS.

AND THEN I AM PART OF THE QUEER COMMUNITY HERE, AND I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF AUSTIN D**E MARCH AND PARTICULARLY WORK TO HELP MAKE D**E MARCH MORE ACCESSIBLE.

SO THIS QUOTE, I'M SURE WE CAN ALL, UH, AGREE WITH THE SENTIMENT HERE.

THIS IS FROM A STUDY ON PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID AND WE MUST CENTER THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO CREATE EQUITABLE POLICIES AND RESPONSES THAT RESULT IN BETTER HEALTH OUTCOMES FOR THIS HEALTH DISPARITY POPULATION IN REGARDS TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH LONG COVID.

SO, DISABILITY IN TEXAS, AS DR.

NOW I'M JUST GONNA BE DOING A QUICK OVERVIEW BEFORE I GET INTO THE NITTY GRITTY OF, UM, MY PRESENTATION.

[01:05:01]

BRO BRIEFLY MENTIONED, ABOUT 29% OF PEOPLE IN TEXAS HAVE A DISABILITY.

UM, AND THEN 17.9% OF RESIDENTS SEEMINGLY HAVE LONG COVID.

AND IT ALSO FELT IMPORTANT FOR ME TO MENTION THAT TEXAS HAS THE LOWEST HEALTH INSURANCE RATE IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY, UM, WITH 13.6% OF KIDS AND 21.6% OF ADULTS JUST NOT HAVING HEALTHCARE.

SO OF COURSE THAT'S GONNA LEAD TO WORSE HEALTH OUTCOMES AND ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE DISABLED.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO LONG COVID AND DISABILITY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS MORE LIKELY TO FACE COMPLICATIONS AND, UM, CONTRACT LONG COVID.

ONE STUDY FOUND IN COMPARISON TO PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT DISABLED, IT WAS ABOUT 18.9% OF THE GENERAL POPULATION, WHEREAS WITH DISABLED PEOPLE IT WAS 40.6%.

UM, AND THEN AGAIN, THOSE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS, HEALTHCARE ACCESS, HIGHER EXPOSURE, RISK, DISPARITIES IN TREATMENT AND DIAGNOSES, DISCRIMINATION, UM, ALL OF THAT VERY UNFORTUNATE STUFF.

AND SO WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO TOUCH ON TODAY IS NOW THAT WE HAVE A BIT OF AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE SEVERITY OF LONG COVID, HOW IT IMPACTS DISABLED PEOPLE, WHAT ARE WE DOING IN AUSTIN IN ORDER TO BUILD, UM, LOCAL HEALTHCARE RESOURCES AND PUBLIC HEALTH AWARENESS? AND SO, YOU KNOW, WE DO BENEFIT FROM HAVING THE UT AUSTIN DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL.

UH, WE HAVE THE POST COVID CLINICAL SERVICES, NATIONAL RESEARCH PARTICIPATION, AND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH DOES HAVE, UM, LONG COVID INFORMATION.

HOWEVER, UM, THE AVAILABLE MATERIALS APPEAR LIMITED.

THEY'RE VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY UPDATED SINCE 2023.

NOW FOR MY, UM, RESEARCH, THIS WAS THE ONLY RESOURCE THAT I COULD FIND FROM AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH REGARDING LONG COVID.

UM, AND I WANT TO SAY THAT IT LACKS, UH, CRITICAL EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION AND THERE'S SIGNIFICANT ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT HERE.

AND WE COULD BE INCLUDING RESOURCES THAT BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY.

UH, FOR EXAMPLE, LONG COVID HAS A VAST AMOUNT OF SYMPTOMS AS WE'VE LEARNED OVER 200 SYMPTOMS. HOWEVER, THE FLYER DOES NOT DISCLOSE THAT.

UM, IT ONLY SHOWS EIGHT.

AND WHILE I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WE COULDN'T LIST 200 SYMPTOMS ON ONE, ONE PAGER, UM, INCLUDING A BIT MORE SYMPTOMS THAN THE EIGHT.

AND, AND PRE LOOTING TO THE FACT THAT, HEY, HERE'S A PLACE WHERE YOU COULD GO LEARN ABOUT THESE OTHER SYMPTOMS THAT ARE NOT LISTED HERE.

UM, THERE'S NO EDUCATION ON THIS ONE PAGER DISCUSSING THE CUMULATIVE RISK OF, YOU KNOW, WITH EACH INFECTION, YOU BECOME MORE LIKELY TO DEVELOP LONG COVID.

AND THEN AGAIN, UM, ABSENCE OF RESOURCES LISTED, NO, HERE'S LONG COVID COLLECTIVE TO PROVIDE SOCIAL EMOTIONAL SUPPORT.

HERE'S THE POST COVID CLINIC.

UM, THAT IS JUST NOT EXISTENT ON THIS ONE PAGER.

AND SO, AS OF 20 25, 1 THIRD OF PEOPLE IN THE US DO NOT KNOW WHAT LONG COVID IS.

AND I MADE THIS WORD PROBLEM.

I DO NOT HAVE THE ANSWER.

I AM NOT GOOD AT MATH.

BUT IF ONE THIRD OF PEOPLE IN THE US DO NOT KNOW WHAT LONG COVID IS, AND ONE IN FOUR ADULTS IN THE US ARE DISABLED, HOW MANY DISABLED PEOPLE OR THEIR CAREGIVERS ARE UNAWARE OF THE THREAT LONG COVID POSES TO THEIR LONG-TERM HEALTH? AND I THINK THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO SIT WITH.

AND SO, UM, WHAT THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES I HAVE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH MESSAGING THAT I'VE SEEN IN OTHER METROPOLITAN CITIES THAT, UM, I FOUND REALLY EXCITING.

OKAY, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

SO THESE ARE INSTAGRAM, UH, POSTS FROM DURHAM HEALTH NORTH CAROLINA.

AND UM, YOU'LL SEE ON THE LEFT THEY HAVE A GRAPHIC HERE THAT DISCUSS CUMULATIVE RISK, THE ORGAN DAMAGE DISABILITY.

AND THEN THEY ALSO HAD THIS REALLY AWESOME VIDEO DISCUSSING LIKE WHAT IS THE AIRBORNE VIRUS, ALL THAT, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF.

UH, NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

AND THEN THIS IS FROM KING COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IN WASHINGTON.

ON THE LEFT IS A SCREENSHOT, UM, OF A COMMENT THAT THEY LEFT ON A VIDEO THEY CREATED ABOUT PEOPLE IN KING COUNTY THAT LIVE WITH LONG COVID AND HOW IT HAS IMPACTED THEIR LIVES.

AND THEN ON THE RIGHT IS A VERY LIKE, TRENDY WAY TO COMMUNICATE, YOU KNOW, HEY, WE GOT THESE VIRUSES PUT ON AN N95 FOR PROTECTION.

UM, AND I JUST THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY LIKE FUN AND, AND A WITTY WAY TO COMMUNICATE ABOUT SOMETHING THAT'S PARTICULARLY HEAVY.

AND THEN IF YOU GOOGLE NEW YORK PUBLIC HEALTH LONG COVID, YOU GET THIS WONDERFUL WEBSITE, UM, WHERE THEY HAVE ALL THIS INFORMATION, EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, REALLY GREAT STUFF.

SCREENSHOT FOR THE PRESENTATION.

AND THEN CHICAGO IN 2023, UH, DID SOME DATA REGARDING LONG COVID I'S IMPACT ON PEOPLE IN CHICAGO.

IT'S A VERY LONG REPORT.

I JUST PULLED THIS

[01:10:01]

UM, BUT I THOUGHT THIS WAS A WONDERFUL MODEL THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE IN AUSTIN.

UH, NEXT SLIDE.

AND SO THAT BRINGS US TO CLEAN INDOOR AIR, DISABILITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH.

UM, COVID ALONG WITH OTHER POLLUTANTS CAN LEAD TO NEWER WORSENING HEALTH CONDITIONS.

AND SO ONE WAY WE CAN DO THIS THAT I THINK REALLY HELPS, UM, IN TERMS OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LACK OF VACCINE ACCESS.

MASKS ARE, WHILE MASKS ARE AN INCREDIBLE TOOL, THEY'RE VERY STIGMATIZED.

ALSO, THEY'RE, THEY CAN BE ANOTHER COST THAT PERHAPS DISABLED PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD.

WHEREAS WHEN WE IMPROVE, UM, CLEAN INDOOR AIR QUALITY, THAT'S PASSIVE AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE SYSTEMS CAN SUPPORT WITH VENTILATION, CEILING FAN OPENING, A DOOR, HEPA, AIR PURIFIERS, ALL OF THESE WILL BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITY AND PEOP INCLUDING PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID.

AND SO THE VACCINE, WHILE IT ABSOLUTELY IS PHENOMENAL WHAT WE WITNESSED AND CONTINUE TO WITNESS WITH VACCINES, UM, I DID WANT TO QUOTE DR.

ALI WHO RAN A STUDY, UM, SHOWCASING HOW YES, WHILE VACCINES ABSOLUTELY CAN HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF LONG COVID, THEY ARE NOT THE SOLE ANSWER.

AND EVEN WITH THE OVERALL DECLINE, THE RISK REMAINS SUBSTANTIAL.

UM, HERE HE SAYS, MULTIPLIED BY THE LARGE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO CONTINUE TO GET INFECTED AND REINFECTED, IT'S A LOT OF PEOPLE.

AND THIS REMAINING RISK IS NOT TRIVIAL IN TERMS OF DEVELOPING LONG COVID EVEN WITH THE VACCINE.

AND THEN, UH, JUST TO SHOW THAT CLEAN INDOOR AIR IS GETTING A GLOBAL STAGE.

LAST YEAR, UM, THE UN HELD A HEALTHY INDOOR AIR GLOBAL CALL TO ACTION PANEL, UM, WHERE THEY REALLY DISCUSSED THE INTERSECTIONALITY OF CLEAN AIR.

AND NATURALLY THAT INTERSECTIONALITY IS GONNA INCLUDE THE DISABLED COMMUNITY, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DECLARED CLEAN INDOOR AIR TO BE JUST A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT.

UM, THE WORLD HEART FEDERATION SHARED THAT IN 2019, UM, HOUSEHOLD AIR POLLUTION CONTRIBUTED TO 3.2 MILLION DEATHS.

AND THAT THOSE DEATHS, I DIDN'T INCLUDE THIS ON THE SLIDE, BUT UM, WERE PARTICULARLY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES.

SO IF WE HAVE DISABLED PEOPLE THAT ALREADY HAVE CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES, UM, POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY IS GOING TO HARM THEIR LONG-TERM HEALTH.

AND THEN THE INTERNATIONAL LABOR ORGANIZATION ESSENTIALLY DECLARED CLEAN INDOOR AIR AS A WORKER'S, RIGHT? PE WORKERS HAVE A RIGHT TO GO TO WORK AND BREATHE AIR THAT IS NOT GOING TO HARM THEIR HEALTH.

UM, NEXT SLIDE.

AND FINALLY WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THIS QUOTE, UM, FROM ANOTHER PERSON WITH LONG COVID STATING THAT IF THE ACT OF BREATHING IN A SPACE MAKES SOMEONE SICK, ACCESS ISN'T EQUITABLE.

AND THIS IS FROM THE SAFER AIR PROJECT AT THE UNITED NATIONS HEALTHY INDOOR AIR PANEL IN 2025.

AND SO WITH THAT, UM, WANTED TO PRESENT SOME OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUSTIN.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A STRONG HISTORY OF PUBLIC HEALTH LEADERSHIP.

SO SOME THINGS, SOME OPPORTUNITIES WOULD BE IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS, IMPROVING ACCESS TO RELIABLE INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS.

AND ALL OF THESE THINGS CAN BE PURSUED, UM, WITHIN THE CITY'S EXISTING RESOURCES AND STAFFING.

SO I HAVE A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS.

I AM REQUESTING THE BOARD, UM, OR THE COMMITTEE MAKE VERY HUMBLY AND KINDLY.

UM, SO RECOMMENDATION ONE, UH, EXPAND AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH COMMUNICATION REGARDING LONG COVID AWARENESS AND SHARING NEW INFORMATION REGARDING LONG COVID AS IT'S AVAILABLE PERHAPS ON A QUARTERLY OR TWICE A YEAR BASIS, WHATEVER PEOPLE LAND ON.

UM, SHOWCASING AND HIGHLIGHTING COMMUNICATIONS AROUND INTERNATIONAL LONG COVID AWARENESS DAY, WHICH IS THIS SUNDAY.

UM, VOLUNTARY PREVENTION STRATEGIES SUCH AS MASKING AND CLEAN INDOOR AIR AND USING EXISTING CITY COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR THESE COMMUNICATION, UM, EFFORTS.

STRUGGLED WITH HOUSING SECURITY AND ALL SORTS OF THINGS.

RECOMMENDATION NUMBER TWO IS ENCOURAGING COLLABORATION BETWEEN AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH CLINICIANS SPECIALIZING IN POST COVID CARE AND THEN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND PATIENT ADVOCATES TO DEVELOP UPDATED LONG COVID RESOURCES FOR AUSTIN RESIDENTS.

AND I REALLY, REALLY WANT TO BRING HOME THAT IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THIS WORK IS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH AND WITH APPROVAL BY PEOPLE LIVING WITH LONG COVID.

UM, YOU KNOW, OUR PAT PATIENTS LIKE MYSELF, I'VE BEEN LIVING WITH LONG COVID FOR FOUR YEARS, UM, AND OUR ALLIES AND ENGAGED CLINICIANS AND I DIDN'T TOUCH ON IT, BUT YEAH, I GOT ONE COVID INFECTION AND, UM, I NEVER GOT BETTER AND IT'S COMPLETELY UPENDED MY LIFE AND I'VE

[01:15:01]

UM, OKAY, NEXT SLIDE.

AND THEN RECOMMENDATION NUMBER THREE IS EXPLORE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCORPORATE LONG COVID INDICATORS INTO EXISTING PUBLIC HEALTH DATA PARTNERSHIPS.

SO POTENTIALLY PARTNERING, PARTNERING WITH UT AUSTIN, DELL MEDICAL SCHOOL, UM, FEDERAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES LIKE NIH RECOVER, UM, WHICH IS THE FEDERAL LONG COVID INITIATIVE.

AND SO, UH, THAT IS THE LAST RECOMMENDATION.

AND IN CONCLUSION, WE KNOW PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO GET COVID AND THEREFORE EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS FROM LONG COVID.

AND WE KNOW INEQUITABLE ACCESS TO VACCINES ONLY MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE.

AND THOSE WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE WITHOUT INSURANCE CAN'T GET THE CARE THEY NEED.

AND SO THEIR LONG COVID CAN GET WORSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CONSIDER PEOPLE WITH LONG COVID NEED A LOT OF REST DUE TO PEM.

SO IF PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO AMPLE REST OR WORK FROM HOME JOBS, THAT BECOMES A PROBLEM.

AND WE KNOW THAT ONCE SOMEONE BEGINS TO EXPERIENCE SYMPTOMS OF LONG COVID, THEY'RE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE COMPLICATIONS IN OTHER AREAS OF THEIR LIFE AND IN THEIR HEALTH.

I KNOW I WAS CHRONICALLY ILL AND DISABLED BEFORE I GOT LONG COVID, AND MY PREEXISTING CONDITIONS GOT SO MUCH WORSE ON TOP OF DEVELOPING A BUNCH OF NEW ISSUES.

BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THROUGH PRACTICAL STEPS FOCUSED ON INFORMATION PARTNERSHIPS, ACCESSIBILITY AND TECHNOLOGY THAT ALREADY EXISTS, LIKE AIR PURIFIERS, AUSTIN CAN STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS EXPERIENCING LONG COVID AND AT THE DISABLED COMMUNITY AT LARGE AGAIN, 'CAUSE THIS AFFECTS ALL OF US WHILE REMAINING MINDFUL OF THE FISCAL CONSTRAINTS.

AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR YOU TODAY.

THANK YOU SO, SO, SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL.

THAT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE AND I THINK, UM, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE A LOT OF FAIRLY BASIC STRATEGIES THAT, THAT, UH, THE CITY OF AUSTIN COULD, COULD TAKE.

UM, HAVE YOU BEEN IN ANY KIND OF COMMUNICATION WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH SO FAR? UM, NO, NOT DIRECTLY.

I, UM, WORKED WITH COUNCIL MEMBER FUENTES AND UCHIN, UH, FOR THE LONG COVID PROCLAMATION THAT TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY, BUT I HAVE NOT BEEN IN, UH, DIRECT CONTACT WITH AUSTIN PUBLIC HEALTH.

GOT IT.

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR KATIE ABOUT HER PRESENTATION OR RECOMMENDATIONS AS FAR AS WHAT, UM, THE COMMITTEE OR THE CITY COULD DO IS TO ADVANCE AWARENESS AND TREATMENT FOR LONG COVID? I I JUST HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

UM, OUT OF THE, THE THREE OR FOUR RECOMMENDATIONS, UM, THAT YOU PRESENTED, WHICH ONE IS MAYBE LIKE THE MOST IMPORTANT OR MAYBE TOP TWO? 'CAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN RECOMMEND LIKE, EVERYTHING.

SO MAYBE, MAYBE LIKE ONE OR TWO.

WHAT, WHAT DO THINK WOULD LIKE WORK MAYBE, OR, YEAH, I THINK THE TOP TWO RECOMMENDATIONS, LET ME HAVE MY, MY LITTLE PRESENTATION ON.

ANOTHER THING FOR, FOR ME, I THINK, UM, COMMUNICATION.

SO DOING, YOU KNOW, CREATING CAMPAIGNS IN COLLABORATION WITH, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND DR.

SO, UM, EXPANDING THE COMMUNICATION SO THAT THERE'S ENOUGH AWARENESS TO THEN BUILD PUBLIC HEALTH DATA.

SO THOSE WOULD BE THE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I WOULD PUT AS LIKE MY TOP, TOP PRIORITIES.

SO IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE PRESENTATION, THAT WOULD BE RECOMMENDATION, RECOMMENDATION ONE AND RECOMMENDATION THREE.

I HOPE THAT WAS, UM, SUCCINCT.

I KNOW IT'S A LOT, A LOT OF INFORMATION .

THANK YOU FOR YOUR, YEAH, FOR THE INFORMATION AND FOR YEAH, PRIORITIZING WHICH, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS YOU THINK IS LIKE MOST IMPORTANT.

FIVE, UPDATE FROM THE JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE.

WOULD YOU MIND SHARING THAT PRESENTATION WITH US? IF YOU COULD SEND THAT TO NICK? OH, YOU HAVE IT IKAY.

DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY FINAL QUESTIONS FOR KATIE BEFORE, UM, WE MOVE ON? I, WELL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

UM, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE, THERE ARE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE AND A LOT MORE PEOPLE THAN I THOUGHT THAT, THAT HAVE, YOU KNOW, SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS FROM LONG COVID LIVING IN THE AUSTIN AREA.

SO I THINK IT'S DEFINITELY SOMETHING WE SHOULD LOOK AT.

WE'LL TRY AND MOVE QUICKLY SINCE WE, UH, ONLY WELL, WE'LL TRY TO END CLOSE TO SEVEN.

UM, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER

[5. Update from the Joint Inclusion Committee representative regarding the budget priorities that the commission could consider. ]

COMMISSIONER CHANG.

I'M SORRY, I JUST MOMENTARILY LOST CONNECTION, SO, OH NO.

UM, MADE IT BACK ONLINE.

UM, ALWAYS AT THE WORST TIME.

UM, CAN, CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME? SORRY.

YEP.

OH, OKAY, GREAT.

SORRY, I'VE LOST EVERYONE ON VIDEO ON, ON MY END.

UM, SO, UH, NIKA WHILE JUST, UM, SENT AN EMAIL TO

[01:20:04]

THE, UH, JOINT INCLUSION COMMITTEE, UM, BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL OF THE, UH, HOME COMMISSIONS, UM, THAT ARE PART OF THE GIC AND THE ONES THAT ARE PARTICIPATING ANYWAY, SOME OF THEM ARE CURRENTLY IN DRAFT FORM, SO THEY HAVE UNTIL, UH, MONDAY, MARCH 16TH TO, UM, PASS THEIR, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS IN THEIR HOME COMMISSIONS.

AND THEN, UM, UH, SUBMIT IT FOR, UH, THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT UPCOMING, UM, UH, JIC MEETING, WHICH IS ON THE 25TH THIS MONTH.

UM, SO, UH, LAST MONTH WE PASSED, AS YOU KNOW, THE, UM, RECOMMENDATION TO SUPPORT CONSTRUCTION OF AN A DA ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM FOR THE ELIZABETH NAME MUSEUM AND THE ABILITY FESTIVAL, UM, AND THE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PROGRAM AT, UM, AND RECREATION DISTRICT TO PROVIDE ACTIVITY BASED INTERVENTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

AND THEN, UM, WE HAD ONE THAT, UM, HAD, DID HAVE A REVISION FOR AMENDMENT, WHICH WILL, UH, BE AN ITEM THAT WE DISCUSSED AFTER, UM, MY UPDATE FROM THE JIC.

SO, UM, THOSE ALL SUCCESSFULLY PASSED AND WILL BE, UM, SUBMITTED AS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM JIC.

UM, THE ONLY OTHER, UH, ITEM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THAT HAS PASSED CURRENTLY, UM, IF YOU LOOK AT THE, UH, SPREADSHEET THAT I SENT IS UNDER AGING.

UM, AND THAT IS THE ACCESSIBILITY AND CULTURAL INCLUSION ACROSS DEMOGRAPHIC, UH, THE BUDGET NEUTRAL, UM, ITEM THAT, UH, YOU CAN READ IN FULL, UH, WHEN YOU CLICK ON THE LINK.

SO, UM, THERE IS SOME OVERLAP THERE.

AND THAT WAS, UM, UH, RECOMMENDED BY, UH, COMMISSION ON AGING AND ADOPTED, UH, BY JIC.

SO, UM, THAT WAS THE ONLY UPDATE THAT I HAVE FOR THIS MONTH.

AND THEN WE SHOULD HAVE THE WHOLE SLATE OF RECOMMENDATIONS, UM, THAT I CAN PROVIDE AN UPDATE FOR, UH, OUR NEXT, UH, NEXT MEETING.

THANK YOU VICE CHAIR CHANG.

IT'S GOOD TO HEAR THAT ALL OF THE, OUR, OUR RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IT TO THE JIC TOO.

I THINK THAT'LL BE REAL HELPFUL FOR GETTING, YOU KNOW, CITY COUNCIL TO TAKE THEM SERIOUSLY.

UM, ON THAT

[6. Approve a Budget Recommendation to Council regarding far Southeast library branch site selection.]

NOTE, WE CAN MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS APPROVE A BUDGET RECOMMENDATION COUNCIL REGARDING FAR SOUTHEAST LIBRARY BRANCH SITE SELECTION.

UM, I HOPE EVERYONE HAS HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THINK ABOUT THIS.

UH, WE, I THINK WE CAN, IF WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION, WE CAN DO THAT.

OTHERWISE WE CAN JUST GO STRAIGHT TO A VOTE.

I WOULD LIKE TO, OH, THERE'S NO DISCUSSION FOR ME.

SORRY.

NEVERMIND.

UM, CAN I MOTION TO, UM, ADOPT AS, AS WRITTEN, IT WAS AN AMEND, UH, AMENDED VERSION THAT INCLUDED THE BUDGET REVISION FROM LAST TIME.

AND UM, I WANTED TO THANK, UH, FOR HELPING ME INCORPORATE THAT LANGUAGE, UM, TO MAKE IT ONTO THIS AGENDA.

I'LL SECOND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? RAISE YOUR HANDS OR SAY AYE.

AYE.

ALRIGHT.

AND IS THAT GONNA GO TO, IS THE JIC GONNA TAKE A LOOK AT THAT? AT THE, THE NEXT MEETING? IT, NOW THAT IT'S PASSED, I CAN, UM, SUBMIT IT AS PASSED, UM, TO MAKE IT ONTO THE AGENDA.

SO THAT'S ACTUALLY DUE BY MONDAY, SO I WAS SO HAPPY THAT WE JUST GOT IT UP.

THEN WE CAN MOVE ON

[FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS]

TO FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS. I KNOW WE HAVE, UM, ELECTIONS COMING UP.

NBO, WHAT, WHAT ARE THE POSITIONS? DO YOU HAVE CHAIR, VICE CHAIR, IS THAT IT? YES.

SO WE JUST HAVE CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR FOR ELECTION.