Life Enrichment Committee
May 26, 2026
AGENDA REPORT
TO: Jestin D. Johnson FROM: Monica Elise Davis
City Administrator Deputy City Administrator
SUBJECT: Mayor’s Commission on Persons with
Disabilities (MCPD) Annual Report
DATE: May 4, 2026
City Administrator Approval Date:
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends That The City Council Receive An Informational Report From The Chair Of Oakland Mayor’s Commission On Persons With Disabilities (MCPD) Regarding Their Status And Recent Activities.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This informational report provides the Life Enrichment Committee with a listing of the many projects and activities carried out by the MCPD. Along with the ADA Programs Division, these two groups form the basis of a comprehensive government program for inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWD). Few other city governments nationally can claim this level of commitment to disability civil rights implementation. Oakland is recognized as a model city for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance and many of our policies and programs are emulated by other cities. Moreover, the progressive work of this small division and all-volunteer commission effectively reduces the City's exposure to disability discrimination claims and provides a mechanism for amicable and cost-effective resolution of complaints that do arise.
BACKGROUND / LEGISLATIVE HISTORY
The MCPD was established by City Ordinance Number 9968 C.M.S. in 1980 as the Commission on Disabled Persons and amended in 1994 by Ordinance Number 11864 C.M.S. It was updated again in 2015 by City Ordinance Number 13334 C.M.S. to its current name, to represent and address the issues of people with disabilities. The commission has at least 51 percent representation by people with disabilities, and the rest have professional or personal experience working with people with disabilities. The MCPD serves the following key roles in Oakland government:
• Advising the Mayor and City Council on matters affecting the disability community; • Reviewing and commenting on City policies, programs, and actions; • Providing advice and assistance to other City boards and commissions; and • Participating at the local, state, and national levels in the advancement of disability rights.
Jestin Johnson (May 14, 2026 16:06:24 PDT)
May 14, 2026
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities Annual Report Date: May 4, 2026 Page 2
Life Enrichment Committee
May 26, 2026
ANALYSIS AND POLICY ALTERNATIVES
The chair report acts as a strategic resource for advancing the operational effectiveness of the Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities (MCPD). Over the past year, MCPD received targeted presentations, fostered interdepartmental partnerships, and carried out rigorous policy reviews, all focused on enhancing accessibility and inclusion throughout the City. Despite these achievements, the commission faces ongoing challenges related to staffing, shifting regulatory demands, and tight resource constraints. To confront these issues, the report outlines practical recommendations such as improving coordination across agencies, staffing resources, streamlining service delivery processes, and aligning MCPD priorities with broader city objectives to optimize outcomes and accountability.
Crucially, recommendations are grounded in direct feedback from Oakland’s residents and stakeholders, thanks to a comprehensive community needs survey. MCPD’s strategic plan for 2025–2026 is structured around four primary focus areas: city operations, service delivery, housing, and transportation. Commissioners are expected to select and actively pursue at least two subgoals within these areas, reinforcing responsibility and enabling continuous assessment of progress. This plan allows MCPD to maximize limited resources, accelerate practical improvements, and maintain steady momentum toward greater accessibility and equity across municipal services.
RELATED PLANNING EFFORTS
Starting in December 2024, OakDOT’s Chief of Staff Jasmine Pomar generously moderate and support the creation of a new Strategic Plan. The process of doing so was encapsulated in our recorded meetings in December, January, and February of 2024/2025 and encompassed the priorities and feedback of commissioners and audience members alike. The Commissioners voted to extend the Strategic Plan into 2026. The full plan is attached separately from this report as Attachment B, or can be found at MCPD’s website.
FISCAL IMPACT
This item is for informational purposes only and has no fiscal impact.
PUBLIC OUTREACH / INTEREST
This item is for informational purposes only and does not require public outreach beyond the standard City Council agenda noticing procedures. However, it is worth noting that Commissioner Bartu and co-Vice Chair Wilson conducted a community needs survey that was distributed and ran for approximately three months in 2025, with responses from Oaklanders and local Bay Area residents, including people with disabilities, their friends, family, support system, and members of the public. Details are provided in Attachment A.
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities Annual Report Date: May 4, 2026 Page 3
Life Enrichment Committee
May 26, 2026
COORDINATION
ADA Programs Division staff coordinated the preparation of this report. Also, the ADA Programs Division promotes equity and inclusion for individuals with disabilities by coordinating and overseeing compliance with physical and programmatic access requirements across all City programs, services, and activities under ADA Title II. The accomplishments that highlight some of the Division’s contributions to advancing accessibility citywide are detailed in Attachment A.
RACE AND EQUITY
The Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities (MCPD) and the ADA Programs Division together serve as the foundation for a comprehensive City initiative supporting the inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWD). The sustained efforts of these groups have significantly reduced the City’s exposure to disability discrimination claims and have established an effective, cost-efficient process for addressing complaints. Despite notable achievements within limited resources, continued improvements in accessibility are necessary. According to the MCPD annual report, gaps in ADA access to certain City programs and services disproportionately affect communities of color, particularly those living in areas with aging infrastructure or limited internet access to essential information and services.
ACTION REQUESTED OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Receive An Informational Report From The Chair Of Oakland Mayor’s Commission On Persons With Disabilities (MCPD) Regarding Their Status And Recent Activities.
For questions regarding this report, please contact Anh Nguyen at 510-238-5219 or [email protected].
Respectfully submitted,
Monica Elise Davis
Deputy City Administrator
Reviewed by:
Anh Nguyen, Manager
ADA Programs Division
Prepared by:
Mark Romoser, Program Analyst I
Monica Davis (May 13, 2026 06:34:56 PDT)
Jestin D. Johnson, City Administrator
Subject: Mayor’s Commission on Persons with Disabilities Annual Report Date: May 4, 2026 Page 4
Life Enrichment Committee
May 26, 2026
ADA Programs Division
Attachments (2):
Attachment A: MCPD Chair Annual Report 2026
Attachment B: MCPD 2025-26 Strategic Plan