BISMARCK, ND ( KXNET ) — The Bismarck Human Relations Committee (HRC ) hosted a community conversation forum Wednesday, July 24, at the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Public Library to discuss the barriers faced in the community by people with developmental and physical disabilities.

HRC Committee Member, Sargianna Wutzke said the forum was an opportunity for people with disabilities to discuss the current challenges they face in accessing basic services in their communities.

“We had an earlier community conversation forum and the issue that keeps being brought up is accessibility in our community. Accessibility is about so much that people may not realize,” said Wutzke.

She further explained that people with disabilities often face obstacles in finding employment, as well as access to reliable transportation and affordable housing.

“The people that we support or serve, a lot of them see different adversities as far as accessibility in our community,” said Wutzke.

She noted even if services are available, some of them may be inaccessible to people with disabilities.

Wutzke added the Human Relations Committee is made up of nine volunteers who are appointed by the president of the Bismarck City Commission.

She said they will present the feedback from their Community Conversation Forums to city commissioners, in an effort to improve accessibility in the community.

With the exception of holidays, HRC meets on the third Monday of each month at 5:15 p.m. in the City-County Building (downtown Bismarck).

Meetings are held in the fourth Floor Mayor’s Conference Room and are open to the public.

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