Executive Summary
The Unity Council ’ s recommendations in these expanded areas of diversity and inclusion generally speak to the City ’ s need to enhance its communication and engagement strategies for underserved populations – particularly youth .
The recommendations also generally speak to the need to provide City employees with ongoing access to various diversity-related trainings .
With respect to specific disability recommendations , the City is being tasked with focusing on accessibility to all City facilities and electronic communication platforms . With respect to seniors , the City is being asked to focus on ensuring that the recreational programming needs of seniors is being met . Additionally , the City should create a plan to engage seniors around volunteer opportunities and available transportation services . Finally , with respect to the LGBTQ + community , the City is being asked to broaden the use of gender identification and sexual orientation categories on appropriate city documents and expanding alternate options for public restrooms in new City facilities .
In closing , Arlington ’ s greatest strength continues to be its diversity and our future success remains reliant upon cultivating that asset . This report provides a comprehensive path forward for the critically important work of creating a more inclusive and equitable Arlington .
The City ’ s continued progress will require serious consideration of the data and collaborative , strategic action-planning to effectuate transformational change . The Unity Council looks forward to continuing this work in partnership with the entire community and building an even stronger Arlington !
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