At the beginning of the Town Council April 14, 2025 Meeting, members of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee provided the council with an update.  Included in an agenda summary, "The DEI Committee has spent the past year struggling with how best to fulfill the Committee's very broad charge, and would like to propose a revised charge and focus."

Christina McAnuff, Chair of the DEI Committee, opened the presentation by recognizing town staff and committee members. She emphasized that one of the Town Council’s 2025 goals—promoting an informed and engaged citizenry—aligns closely with the committee’s mission.

The DEI Committee was established in 2021 and began work in early 2022. Since then, it has reviewed town policies, hosted community events (like the Human Library and Inclusion Skates), and facilitated book discussions to encourage respectful conversations across differing viewpoints. However, the committee noted the challenge of addressing the broad, cross-departmental scope of DEI work without dedicated staff support.

In response, the committee proposed a refined mission: to advocate for a welcoming, accessible, and inclusive place to live, work, and visit—language drawn from the town’s comprehensive plan. The committee aims to engage the community, advise on policy, and report outcomes through the lens of accessibility and inclusion, which they view as key to fostering belonging and participation.

Sarah Clinton, another committee member, highlighted how the committee’s work can support several Town Council goals:

• Asset Management and Planning: Recommending tools like a universal design checklist to ensure facilities are accessible to all.

• Community-Driven Projects: Promoting inclusive gathering spaces and tools such as communication boards for non-verbal individuals.

• Informed and Engaged Citizenry: Reviewing public-facing materials for accessibility (e.g., screen reader compatibility, plain language) and supporting inclusive outreach.

The presentation concluded with a recommendation to rename the group to the "Cape Elizabeth Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee" to better reflect its practical role and focus. The committee reiterated its commitment to supporting more representative, inclusive decision-making in town government.

The Town Council indicated enthusiasm and suggested scheduling a joint workshop as soon as June.