Advocate DeCosta urges better outreach for seniors and disabled at San Francisco meeting

The recent meeting of the San Francisco City Council highlighted critical discussions surrounding services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. The session emphasized the importance of ensuring that these vulnerable populations receive adequate support and outreach from city services.

During the meeting, a commissioner expressed strong support for improving accessibility and services, noting the need for careful consideration in serving seniors and people with disabilities. This sentiment was echoed by public comments, particularly from Francisco DeCosta, the director of environmental justice advocacy. DeCosta, who has been in his role for 40 years, raised concerns about the city's outreach efforts, stating that over 30 percent of San Francisco's population, approximately 840,000 residents, live with some form of disability.

DeCosta criticized the Disability and Aging Services Commission for what he described as inadequate outreach and superficial statements regarding support for those with disabilities. He highlighted the pressing issues of food security and access to vaccinations for seniors with physical challenges, sharing his personal experience of providing transportation for seniors to vaccination centers when city services fell short.

The meeting concluded with a call for more actionable steps to address these concerns, emphasizing the need for the city to improve its engagement and support for individuals with disabilities. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges faced by these communities and the importance of effective city services in ensuring their well-being.