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Equity and Inclusion Speaker Series | Disability Pride

St. Paul City CouncilFriday, September 19, 2025
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Disability Pride Month

ADA 34th anniversary reflections

Dismantling ableism in municipal government

Accessibility in city hiring and workforce

Inclusion strategies for city boards and commissions

Equity, diversity, and disability justice principles

Role of the Arc Minnesota in disability advocacy

Full Document Analysis

Notable Quotes (3)

As City of St. Paul employees and members of our boards and commissions, we all play a role in recognizing and dismantling ingrained ableism in the work we do.

— Mark Zer
AbleismOpening remarks on disability pride month

We're the human rights department. We're going to ask him what he needs and we're going to do it.

— Tony Newborn
AccommodationsDiscussing how to accommodate an employee with a disability

It's not about buses. It's not about trains. It's about people, right? People getting where to where they need to be.

— Mai Thor
Accessibility in InfrastructureAddressing public works and transportation staff

People (5)

Mark ZerAccessibility Coordinator

City of St. Paul, HERO department; organizer of the equity and inclusion speaker series.

Tony NewbornDirector of Talent and Equity Resources

10-year city tenure; former Chief Equity Officer; speaker on disability inclusion and HR policy.

1 quote

“The decision was made prior to me coming in as the interim director to have that position, but I was able to I had the fun part of actually filling it.”

On the creation of the accessibility coordinator position.

Mai ThorChief Program Officer

The Arc Minnesota; background in state human rights, transportation planning, and disability justice.

1 quote

“Leadership of the most impacted is actually one of the principles in disability justice.”

Advocating for the inclusion of disabled people in public service design.

TJ MiddlebrookFormer Accessibility Coordinator

First accessibility coordinator for St. Paul; deaf; helped design inclusive meeting and workspace environments.

Melvin CarterMayor

Mayor of St. Paul.

Places Mentioned

St. PaulMinneapolisNew HopeBloomingtonRichfield

Events & Meetings (2)

  • July equity and inclusion speaker series
  • ADA 34th Anniversary, July 2024
Transcript