Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC)

The Accessible Communities Act of Washington State, passed March 2010, provides counties with resources to form Accessible Community Advisory Committees (ACACs). 

The purpose of the ACAC is to:

• Advise on addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in emergency plans;
• Advise the County and other local governments within the county on access to programs, services, and activities, new construction or renovation projects, sidewalks, other pedestrian routes of travel, and disability parking enforcement; and
• Develop local initiatives and activities to promote greater awareness of disability issues and acceptance, involvement, and access of persons with disabilities within the community.

The Act offers support for effective, solution-oriented partnerships between the disabled community, government, and business. It has been found that when people who have disabilities are welcomed and included as members of our communities and provided with equal access to the opportunities available to others, their participation enriches, enhances the diversity, and contributes toward the economic vitality of those communities.

The ACAC focuses on removing barriers to inclusion, to empower people with disabilities by giving them an equal chance to contribute to their communities.

About the Committee

The Benton County ACAC has five (5) members and meets quarterly. More information about meeting dates, times, locations, and agendas can be found on the Agendas & Minutes page.

Available Funding for ACAC Projects

The ACAC will have access to funds via the Washington State Governor's Committee on Disability Issues & Employment, as they are available, for accommodations reimbursement, competitive grants to fund small, local projects to improve awareness, acceptance, inclusion, and access for people with disabilities.

ACAC's Impact On Voting

Learn about Accessible Voting Options by visiting the Benton County Auditor's Election Website.