Four new Disability Awareness Commissioners were appointed at the May 14, 2007, City Council meeting. The new Commissioners are: Misty Farabee, Patricia Brooks, Peggy Carmichael, and Nancy Johnson.

Misty Farabee is the Traffic Manager at KELO TV. She volunteers for the SF Special Olympics and has served as President of the PTA. She has a daughter who has Down Syndrome and an aging parent who uses a wheelchair as a mobility aid; she has first hand knowledge of people with different abilities and the barriers they face.

Patricia Brooks is the Director of Client Programs for the National MS Society. In the past she has worked as the Program Coordinator for Even Start, Div. Director for the Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired and was the Interim Division Director for Rehabilitation Services. She has been on the Vocational Rehabilitation Board, Statewide Independent Living Council Board, Service to the Blind and Visually Impaired and currently on the SF ADA Celebration Committee.

Peggy Carmichael is a Recreation Program Assistant with Dakotabilities. She coaches church league softball, volunteers at the Banquet and is on her church’s youth committee. Peggy wants to find ways to improve the community to make it more accessible to all.

Nancy Johnson is a Benefits Specialist/Vocational Rehab with the Dept. of Human Services, Black Hills Special Services. She has a BA in Education from SDSU and is a certified Career Counselor. She previously worked for the SD Career Center as an Employment Specialist. Nancy has MS and uses a walker to aid her mobility. She is very aware of the physical barriers others with disabilities face daily.

The Disability Awareness Commission is excited to have the new members on board and their individual expertise will add to the Commission’s ability to serve Mayor Munson and the community.