Arnold Chooses to Stop Identifying People by Disability

The City of Arnold became one of Missouri’s more progressive cities during the City Council meeting on March 1.

At that meeting, at 2101 Jeffco Blvd., councilmen approved guidelines for writing and reporting about people with disabilities.

“Write about the people first, only mention the disability if it’s needed,” Bill Knittng, Director of the Jefferson County Developmental Disabilities Resource Board, said about the motion.

Disabilities are a part of life, he said. Knittng was also reappointed to the Arnold Commission on Aging and Disabilities for a three-year term.

As people age, their eyesight may deteriorate, they may need more time to make decisions and physical movements slow, for example. 

By approving the motion, councilmen assured that people with disabilities are treated with respect throughout their lives.

“It’s extremely important for people to be recognized as people instead of by their disability,” said Ward 4 Councilman Sandi Kownacki. She also sits on the Aging and Disabilities Commission.

Kownacki said, during her teaching career, she heard one of her co-workers refer to children with Autism as the “Auts.”

“There’s a lot of ignorance out there,” she said.

Councilmen voted 7-0 to approve the motion.