Disability Inclusion Commission, 07 May 2026: Disability Inclusion Award Update and 2026 Outreach Plans

The Northbrook Disability Inclusion Commission will meet on May 7 to receive a staff update on the newly approved Disability Inclusion Award and to continue planning community outreach and engagement efforts for 2026.

Key items

Disability Inclusion Award Update — The Village Board approved this new award in February 2026, and residents will learn how the Village is communicating and promoting it.
2026 Community Outreach and Engagement Planning — Commissioners will shape what disability inclusion awareness efforts Northbrook pursues throughout 2026, potentially affecting programs and events residents can access.
Public Comment Time — Residents have a formal opportunity to address the Commission on any disability inclusion topic within its purview, with each speaker limited to three minutes.

Full agenda — click any item to expand

Disability Inclusion Award Update

The Village Board approved the Disability Inclusion Award at its February 24, 2026 meeting, acting on the Commission's recommendation. Staff will present an update on communication and outreach efforts related to the award. This is the first reported progress briefing since the Board's approval.

2026 Community Outreach and Engagement Efforts

Commissioners will continue a discussion begun at a prior meeting about community outreach and awareness opportunities planned for calendar year 2026. The agenda does not specify which programs or events are under consideration, but the item is described as a continuation of ongoing planning work.

What actually happened

Disability Inclusion Commission, 07 May 2026: Blue Envelope Program Heads to Village Board

The Disability Inclusion Commission met May 7, 2026, with five of seven members present, and advanced plans to formally recommend the Blue Envelope Program to the Village Board of Trustees.

Disability Inclusion Award Update

Staff Liaison Sam Reiss briefed the Commission on next steps for the Disability Inclusion Award following prior approval from the Village Board. The minutes note that discussion ensued but do not detail specific decisions or timelines reached during the conversation.

Blue Envelope Program and Community Engagement

Commissioners continued discussing community engagement opportunities, including special events and the Blue Envelope Program. Staff Liaison Reiss indicated the next step is for the Commission to send a formal letter to the Village Board of Trustees recommending that the Blue Envelope Program be implemented. No vote on that letter was recorded at this meeting.

Upcoming Events: Flamingo Friday and Library Accessibility Fair

Staff Liaison Reiss relayed an invitation from the Community Commission to attend the Flamingo Friday Kickoff on June 5, and also informed the group about the Northbrook Public Library's first-ever accessibility resources fair. Commissioners expressed interest in tabling at both events, though no formal vote was recorded on participation.

Read the official documents

{
  "card_hook": "Northbrook's Disability Inclusion Commission moves to formally recommend the Blue Envelope Program to the Village Board of Trustees.",
  "key_items": [
    {
      "title": "Blue Envelope Program Recommendation",
      "why_matters": "The Commission is preparing a letter to the Village Board to officially adopt the Blue Envelope Program, which could affect how residents with disabilities interact with local emergency or public-safety personnel."
    },
    {
      "title": "Disability Inclusion Award Next Steps",
      "why_matters": "Following Village Board approval, the Commission is moving forward with implementing a community award recognizing disability inclusion efforts in Northbrook."
    },
    {
      "title": "Tabling at Flamingo Friday and Library Accessibility Fair",
      "why_matters": "Commissioners plan to have a presence at two upcoming public events, giving residents a direct opportunity to engage with the Commission on disability inclusion topics."
    }
  ]
}

Read the official documents

Agenda