Joel Robideaux appoints disability affairs coordinator
Dec 20, 2017 10:52AM ● By Staff Writer
Lafayette Mayor-President Joel Robideaux has added Liam Doyle, past chairman of Robideaux's Awareness Committee for Citizens with Disabilities, to serve as Disability Affairs Coordinator, according to Lafayette City-Parish Government spokeswoman Cydra Wingerter.
Robideaux said the position was created to serve as a voice for Lafayette citizens with disabilities and is "particularly relevant" during a time of additional ACCD action.
"With all of the ongoing efforts to make Lafayette the best it can be for disabled citizens, it became evident that we could no longer rely solely on the efforts and resources of volunteers," Robideaux said.
In addition to serving on the ACCD, Doyle, who was born with cerebral palsy, has worked with numerous local and state groups to improve the lives of others. Well-versed in advocacy, Doyle has served as a panelist for the Governor's Office ADA Symposium and a speaker for TEDxVermilionStreet. Doyle is also the recipient of the Ken Vice Advocacy GOLD Award and the Outstanding Individual with a Disability Award.
"Liam brings the knowledge and passion needed to accurately represent disability issues on a day-to-day basis," Robideaux said. "With his help, Lafayette's citizens will see expedited planning and improvement towards ADA compliance, faster responses to constituents' concerns and greater awareness of our inclusion efforts."
One of Doyle's first official acts, Wingerter said, will be coordinating a roundtable event as part of the city-parish government's "Enable Initiative," which is devised to create a database of available services to people living with disabilities. Slated for Jan. 18 in the city hall auditorium, the event will feature representatives of advocacy groups and government officials from around the state and region.
"We are collectively committed to Lafayette's disabled community and I cannot wait to be a voice for those in need," Doyle said. "I look forward to continuing the tradition of inclusion and community that Lafayette is known for."
Robideaux said the position was created to serve as a voice for Lafayette citizens with disabilities and is "particularly relevant" during a time of additional ACCD action.
"With all of the ongoing efforts to make Lafayette the best it can be for disabled citizens, it became evident that we could no longer rely solely on the efforts and resources of volunteers," Robideaux said.
In addition to serving on the ACCD, Doyle, who was born with cerebral palsy, has worked with numerous local and state groups to improve the lives of others. Well-versed in advocacy, Doyle has served as a panelist for the Governor's Office ADA Symposium and a speaker for TEDxVermilionStreet. Doyle is also the recipient of the Ken Vice Advocacy GOLD Award and the Outstanding Individual with a Disability Award.
"Liam brings the knowledge and passion needed to accurately represent disability issues on a day-to-day basis," Robideaux said. "With his help, Lafayette's citizens will see expedited planning and improvement towards ADA compliance, faster responses to constituents' concerns and greater awareness of our inclusion efforts."
One of Doyle's first official acts, Wingerter said, will be coordinating a roundtable event as part of the city-parish government's "Enable Initiative," which is devised to create a database of available services to people living with disabilities. Slated for Jan. 18 in the city hall auditorium, the event will feature representatives of advocacy groups and government officials from around the state and region.
"We are collectively committed to Lafayette's disabled community and I cannot wait to be a voice for those in need," Doyle said. "I look forward to continuing the tradition of inclusion and community that Lafayette is known for."
