Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Carole Groom, District 2
Supervisor Warren Slocum, District 4
Subject: Appointments to the Commission on Disabilities
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for appointments to the Commission on Disabilities, each for an initial full term ending June 30, 2024:
A) Joyce Cabrera; and
B) Syroun Sanossian.
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BACKGROUND:
The Commission on Disabilities is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors, providing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in, and influence the development of, public policy that promotes the full integration of people with disabilities in their communities. Members of the Commission are dedicated and committed to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities through San Mateo County.
DISCUSSION:
As per commission bylaws, the terms of members are 3 years, for a maximum of 12 years.
Joyce Cabrera and Syroun Sanossian are being recommended to serve for seats formerly held by Charles Schuette and Timothy Roake, whose terms ended June 30, 2021 and have chosen to end their service on the commission.
Joyce works for AbilityPath's Family Resource Center as a Coordinator, providing support to fellow parents of individuals with disabilities in San Mateo County and serving as a guide as they navigate through the often-complicated system of Disability Services. In her community, Joyce is an active and trusted community member in Daly City. Her past experiences include collaborating with the Jefferson Elementary School District's SPED department and serving on the Community Collaboration for Children’s Success’ committee to create the Daly City Neighborhood Action Plan. She also works with various agencies all over the County, conducting workshops and facilitating parent support groups. Joyce is also a founding member of Go BABY Go Bay Area, which helps modify playground equipment for children with mobility impairments. Joyce also co-chairs the AAPI cohort at AbilityPath and has recently received training from San Mateo County BHRS to become a trainer of Cultural Humility. At home, Joyce is a single mother to a 14-year-old boy who has autism, and he is her source of motivation to advocate and make this world more equitable for individuals with disabilities.
Syroun has worked in the disability space for over 25 years and welcomes the opportunity to serve on this Commission on Disabilities. Syroun’s training as an architect and certification as an access specialist by the California Division of State Architect (CASp) coupled with her experiences with an "unseen" disability has broadened her understanding of the perspective of individuals with disabilities, as well as those who put forth their best efforts to serve the disabilities community with honor and dignity. Risk management is a large part of what Syroun does professionally, which includes bringing parties together to discuss options and seeking solutions that can result in a higher level of understanding for all parties. This skill will be of great service to the Commission on Disabilities as she works to promote the needs of individuals with disabilities in future decision-making processes. The institutional knowledge that Syroun brings to the commission with respect to new construction or alterations, will narrow the knowledge gap to facilitate the understanding of both accessibility and compliance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.