by Natasha Khairullah
Staff Writer
Jack Gillrup is a humble man.
When asked about a mere handful of his many accomplishments, the chief of City’s Disabled Services Division only responds with a simple, “all in a days work.” Shortly, Gillrup’s days of work will come to an end.
After serving the City for 16 years, Gillrup has retired from his position as chief and ADA coordinator for the City, effective July 1.
“I’m proud that my work with (Disabled Services) has helped a lot of people but for me, it hasn’t been work,” said Gillrup. “It’s been more like spending time with a group of highly talented people whom I consider friends and accomplishing things.”
Gillrup, who has Cerebral Palsy, said his physical condition is part of the reason for his resignation. He plans to use his time to pursue other interests like writing, hunting and exploring the outdoors but says he will always continue his efforts of helping Jacksonville’s disabled.
“This city is my home even though I’m not a ‘native’,” said Gillrup, “so I’ll always do anything for it that I can to help.”
Gillrup was born in Rochester, Minn. and came to Jacksonville at a young age with his parents who were in search of medical relief for him.
After attending Florida State University and earning a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, he went to work as a Public Information Officer with the Social Security Administration of Northeast Florida. Gillrup says his affiliation with the City’s Disabled Services Division seemed to happen overnight.
“I was already retired from the federal government. I had a nice career there serving people with disabilities and writing for some disability oriented magazines,” he said. “I didn’t see myself having another job later.”
After his retirement, Gillrup started volunteering with the Ed Austin mayoral campaign.
“We (Gillrup and the campaign group) were successful and so when he (Austin) started appointing people (for the position as Chief of Disabled Services), I put my name in the hat for consideration, and Ed was kind enough to appoint me.”
The year before Gillrup became chief, the Americans with Disabilities Act – one that requires equal access to individuals with disabilities – had just been passed.
Gillrup’s job since then, therefore, has included making sure that about a half-billion dollars worth of new or renovated city buildings complied with the new act.
“This office is way different today than it was back when we took over,” he said. “That was before anybody had ever even heard of the Americans with disabilities act. I’m proud to say I think we’ve made a difference.”
During his tenure with the City, Gillrup also developed the Handicap Parking Trust Fund, a bank that utilizes the $250 fines imposed for illegally parking in a handicap space to provide services for the disabled.
Other achievements of Gillrup’s include the creation of the Jim Brady Scholarship program for students with disabilities and the authorship of Ordinance 2002-869 which requires all landlords to make their rental business property more accessible to individuals with disabilities.
Gillrup served as Florida Field Editor for the magazine, “Disabled Outdoors,” for many years after college and says he plans to return to his passion for writing after his retirement becomes effective.