Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities - March 12, 2021
Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities Regular Meeting of the Mayor''s Committee for People with Disabilities - MCPD Regular Meeting via video conference Friday March 12, 2021
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Friday March 12, 2021 MCPD regular meeting to be held Friday, March 12, 2021 with Social Distancing Modifications Public comment will be allowed via telephone; no in-person input will be allowed. All speakers must register in advance by Thursday, March 11th, 2021 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the March 12, 2021 MCPD regular meeting, members of the public must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512)-974-3256 or david.ondich@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday, March 11th, 2021. The information required is the speaker name, item number(s) they wish to speak on, whether they are for/against/neutral, and a telephone number or email address. •Once a request to speak has been made to the board liaison, the information to call on the day of the scheduled meeting will be provided either by email or phone call. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start time in order to speak, late callers will not be accepted and will not be able to speak. •Speakers will be placed in a queue until their time to speak. •Handouts or other information may be emailed to david.ondich@austintexas.gov by Noon on Thursday, March 11th, 2021. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If the meeting is broadcast live, it may be viewed here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch- atxn-live Reunión convocada del Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) FECHA de la reunion (03/12/2021) La junta se llevará con modificaciones de distanciamiento social Se permitirán comentarios públicos por teléfono; no se permitirá ninguna entrada en persona. Todos los oradores deben registrarse con anticipación (03/11/21 antes del mediodía). Todos los comentarios públicos se producirán al comienzo de la reunión. Para hablar de forma remota en la reunión, los miembros del público deben: (512)-974-3256 y • Llame o envíe un correo electrónico al enlace de david.ondich@austitnexas.gov a más tardar al mediodía (el día antes de la reunión). Se requiere la siguiente información: nombre del orador, número (s) de artículo sobre el que desean hablar, si están a favor / en contra / neutral, dirección de correo electrónico (opcional) y un número de teléfono (debe ser el número que se utilizará para llamar ). • Una vez que se haya realizado una solicitud para hablar con el enlace de la …
Recommendation 1: Expand Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities • Problem: Federal data shows the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was two times higher than that for people without disabilities in 2018. Among people with disabilities who were employed, they were more likely than their peers to work part time and in low- wage positions. Under-and unemployment create challenges beyond loss of income, including higher rates of housing insecurity and stress-related health problems. Texas data shows the same lack of employment of people with disabilities. https://www4.esc13.net/uploads/transition/docs/EFTF__Report_Final.pdf. Indeed, in Texas, less than 30% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed. Id. • Solution: Hire an employment liaison to specialize in expanding inclusive job opportunities for people with disabilities with the City of Austin. The liaison will: - Partner with local schools on transition planning and paid internship programs; - Coordinate with federal and state government entities to ensure Austin draws down all supports available to expand inclusive employment opportunities; - Analyze City hiring policies to eliminate unnecessary barriers to entry; and - Engage in community outreach to actively recruit people with disabilities. • Alignment with Strategic Outcomes: Economic Opportunity and Affordability (including employment/unemployment, income equality, and training for better jobs) Recommendation 2: Increase Parks Programming for People with Intellectual Disabilities • Problem: Many recreational centers do not provide equitable access to programming for people with intellectual disabilities. Recently, the City expanded programming at the Dottie Jordan Recreational Center to include some recreational programming for adults with disabilities. However, this still leaves McBeth Recreational Center – a segregated facility in south-central-west Austin – as the only option available to some families for childcare and day habilitation for children with disabilities and the primary facility for adults with disabilities. McBeth has limited capacity to serve Austin’s high programming demands. For example, adults with intellectual disabilities currently have to wait three to five years for a spot in the day habilitation program. • Solution: Increase the number of slots available for children with intellectual disabilities in seasonal camps and after-school programs, and for adults with intellectual disabilities in recreational programs, including day habilitation at McBeth and Dottie Jordan and other city recreational centers. Expand access across all of Austin to ensure residents can participate in valuable programs, no matter their zip code. • Alignment with Strategic Outcomes: Health and Environment (including accessibility to quality parks, trails, and recreational opportunities); Government That Works for …
DRAFT Resolution Acknowledging Impacts of the February 2021 Texas Winter Power Outage on People with Disabilities WHEREAS the February 2021 Texas winter power outage adversely impacted people with disabilities; WHEREAS the pre‐existing conditions of people with disabilities were either exacerbated by the extreme cold or a prolonged lack of access to necessary resources; WHEREAS local media documented specific burdens this winter storm particularly imposed upon local people with disabilities such as needing to use car batteries to attempt to keep essential medical equipment properly and fully running;. WHEREAS the winter storm also created numerous specific resource barriers for the homeless community, several of whom have disabilities; WHEREAS several individuals froze to death from hypothermia during the winter storm and area shelters which were usually capable of providing essential social services had also lacked sufficient winter insulation; WHEREAS an extended lack of functioning and accessible toilets throughout the City immediately following the post‐storm power outage posed specific access, mobility and hygiene challenges for several people with disabilities; WHEREAS a prolonged lack of easy and immediate local access to clean water resources impacts both medication dosing and hydration to properly manage chronic disabilities; WHEREAS because of a combination of poverty, gentrification, and lack of accessibility, people with disabilities have limited resources to effectively withstand both the immediate and secondary effects of this and other natural disasters; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is recommending that the City of Austin go on record acknowledging that ableism is a real, profound, and serious problem in our City which must be fully acknowledged in order to promote and advance equity.
DRAFT A Resolution To Get The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities on the Austin Economic Development Corporation WHEREAS, people with disabilities are hard hit by the Covid‐19 pandemic specifically because of our pre‐ existing conditions; WHEREAS, the City of Austin, has a very large and engaged local disability community, several of whom are also small business entrepreneurs; WHEREAS, the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) is a voting member of the Joint Inclusion Committee which helps advise both the Equity Office, and Chief Equity Officer; WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Chief Equity Officer is already a sitting member of the Austin Economic Development Corporation; WHEREAS, full access to appropriate k‐12 special education, Americans with Disabilities Act provisions, and 504 services for all Austin residents was disrupted by the Covid‐19 pandemic, and quality of received education services provides a critical foundation for achieving future life successes including employment and career opportunities; WHEREAS, people with disabilities must receive full access to appropriate education, post‐secondary education, and workforce training programs, even during a pandemic; WHEREAS, one of the long‐term goals of the MCPD even prior to the Covid‐19 pandemic is increased and improved meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities; WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy specifically shows a higher unemployment rate for people with disabilities than the general population; WHEREAS, achieving equity also involves eliminating all traces of ableism from City programs which systematically ignore the explicit representation and specific experiences of people with disabilities. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities requests that the City of Austin amend the bylaws of the Austin Economic Development Corporation so a representative from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities is permanently seated on this city corporation and is helping to advise the City of Austin about economic, educational and community development opportunities especially for people with disabilities.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution For Austin Police department to re- integrate braille onto identification cards WHEREAS, in the 2010 Census, it was recorded that there are around 30,000 individuals living in the Austin area (and surrounding cities) that have some type of visual impairment. In addition, individuals who are blind and visually impaired from other cities in Texas that are receiving vocational rehabilitation and public education services are temporarily taking residence at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center and the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; WHEREAS, formerly, the Austin Police Department utilized identification cards adapted with Braille to assist citizens of Austin who are blind and visually impaired in verifying the legitimacy that the Officer is employed with the police department. It has been brought to the attention that the City of Austin Police Department no longer utilizes identification cards adapted with Braille This presents a barrier to individuals who are blind and visually impaired in properly identifying the officer and preventing the risk of an individual or individuals impersonating as a police officer that could potentially put the citizen at harm; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin fully fund the modification to all Austin Police Department identification cards to be adapted with Braille to ensure equity in the identification of all APD police officers. This recommendation is in alignment with Strategic Outcomes: Safety (including physical and emotional harm prevention to individuals who are blind and visually impaired perpetrated by individuals posing as police officers) and government that works for all. Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Gene Brooks and Taurean Burt absent. Date of Approval: 03/12/21 Attest: Lee Nguyen (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Co-Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution Expand Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities WHEREAS Federal data shows the unemployment rate for people with disabilities was two times higher than that for people without disabilities in 2018. Among people with disabilities who were employed, they were more likely than their peers to work part time and in low-wage positions; WHEREAS, Under-and unemployment create challenges beyond loss of income, including higher rates of housing insecurity and stress-related health problems; WHEREAS, Texas data shows the same lack of employment of people with disabilities. https://www4.esc13.net/uploads/transition/docs/EFTF__Report_Final.pdf Indeed, in Texas, less than 30% of people with intellectual disabilities are employed. Id; WHEREAS, cultural inclusion and awareness of current technology must include fully include people with disabilities and people with disabilities must fully include the Deaf community and their preferred and current means of communicating with all City personnel and facilities; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin Hire an employment liaison to specialize in expanding inclusive job opportunities for people with disabilities with the City of Austin. The liaison will: Partner with local schools on transition planning and paid internship programs, Coordinate with federal and state government entities ( such as DARS-Texas Workforce) to ensure Austin draws down all supports available to expand inclusive employment opportunities, Analyze City hiring policies to eliminate unnecessary barriers to entry; and engage in community outreach to actively recruit people with disabilities. This recommendation is in alignment with this Strategic Outcome: Economic Opportunity and Affordability (including employment/unemployment, income equality, and training for better jobs) Date of Approval: 03/12/21 Attest: Lee Nguyen Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Gene Brooks and Taurean Burt absent. (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Co-Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution For Sidewalks at high traffic intersections WHEREAS, the community expressed concerns about the accessibility of sidewalks for people that use mobility supports or that are visually impaired. Issues identified included cracks ,potholes/water/electrical holes, just big enough for a wheel or a foot to get stuck in and a lack of accessible corners and lack of audile crossing beacons; WHEREAS, As the population and traffic in Austin increases, the risk to these populations increases; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin add audible crosswalk beacons at high pedestrian traffic intersections and repair all broken sidewalks. Sidewalk_MPU_Adopted_06.16.2016_reduced.pdf (austintexas.gov) pg.32-35. As for sidewalks and bus stops will be improved by project connect with cap metro along with On April 26, 2018, Austin City Council adopted a $1.4 billion Corridor Construction Program for nine major Austin corridors. These improvements are receiving funding from the $482 million for corridors that voters approved in the 2016 Mobility Bond. Then Project Connect passed in 2020 for 7.1 billion, do redo and move bus stops, The City should do the same with sidewalks. This recommendation is in alignment with Strategic Outcomes: Government That Works for All and Mobility. Austin developed and adopted the Austin Strategic Mobility Plan to address transportation and mobility over the next 20 years. This plan included plans to improve sidewalks and pedestrian crosswalks. Sidewalk prioritization was identified in that plan based on public use (proximity to schools, public transit stops/stations, parks, etc.). Key features of the improvements include universal design when building or re-modeling sidewalks and adding various amenities (vegetation, shade, handrails, benches, etc.). Adding audible beacons would immediately benefit those people with visual impairments. Date of Approval: 03/12/21 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Gene Brooks and Taurean Burt absent. Attest: Lee Nguyen (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Co-Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution To Increase Parks Programming for People with Intellectual Disabilities WHEREAS many recreational centers do not provide equitable access to programming for people with intellectual disabilities; WHEREAS, recently, the City expanded programming at the Dottie Jordan Recreational Center to include a limited amount of recreational programming for children and adults with disabilities. However, the McBeth Recreational Center – a segregated facility in south-central- west Austin – remains the primary option available to most families for childcare and recreational activities for children with disabilities and the only location for a limited number of spots for day habilitation for adults with disabilities; WHEREAS, many more spaces are need in Austin for adults with intellectual disabilities, who currently have to wait at least three to five years for a spot in the day habilitation program; WHEREAS, cultural inclusion and awareness of current technology must include fully include people with disabilities and people with disabilities must fully include the Deaf community and their preferred and current means of communicating with all City personnel and facilities; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin increase the number of slots available for children with intellectual disabilities in seasonal camps and after-school programs, and for adults with intellectual disabilities in recreational programs, including expanding day habilitation at McBeth and Dottie Jordan and beginning such programs at other city recreational centers. Expand access across all of Austin to ensure residents can participate in valuable programs, no matter their zip code. This recommendation is in alignment with these Strategic Outcomes: Health and Environment (including accessibility to quality parks, trails, and recreational opportunities); Government That Works for All (including equity of City programs and resource allocation); and Culture & Lifelong Learning (including appreciation, respect, and welcoming of all people and cultures) Date of Approval: 03/12/21 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote Attest: Lee Nguyen (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Co-Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution To Improve City Hall Accessibility WHEREAS, several physical barriers inside City Hall prevent people with physical disabilities from accessing the building fully and equally. For example, the lack of automatic door buttons to the Boards and Commissions Room, as well as workrooms throughout the building, prohibit people with disabilities from independently accessing spaces that are necessary to engage with City representatives and impact City policies. In addition, adults with disabilities who use incontinent supplies currently must lay on the unsanitary floor of the public restroom so a parent or personal attendant can assist with changing a diaper; WHEREAS, over 18,000 people with self-care disabilities reside in Travis County. Without equitable bathroom access, they are often left with an unfair choice: either risk going into the community knowing they will not have proper bathroom accommodations or stay at home. City Hall should represent the standard in building accessibility and challenge the rest of the Austin community to rise to the measure; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin add automatic door buttons to the interior and exterior of the Boards and Commissions Room and other workrooms to ensure equitable access for all Austinites, create a single-stall, gender-neutral, accessible bathroom with an adult-sized changing table, the room should be large enough to accommodate an adult with a wheelchair and a caregiver. This recommendation is in alignment with Strategic Outcome: Government That Works for All (including condition of City facilities and technology, and public engagement and participation) Date of Approval: 03/12/21 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote with Commissioners Gene Brooks and Taurean Burt absent. Attest: Lee Nguyen (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Co-Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210312-2D: A Resolution For an Austin Police Department Disability Training and Community Liaison WHEREAS, Austin, being home to both the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and the Texas School for the Deaf, the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center and the Austin State Hospital, along with other smaller facilities, has a very large population of people with disabilities. In 2019, people with disabilities were 103,634 of the 2019 Travis County population, including the City of Austin (People with Disabilities: A Texas Profile Texas Workforce Investment Council (March 2019) at https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/twic/People-With-Disabilities-2019.pdf); WHEREAS, the percentage of people with disabilities living within the City of Austin is expected to grow as the population both increases and ages. It is also expected to grow from survivors of the Covid-19 pandemic. People with disabilities do not necessarily have the same needs and/or life experiences as a person without disabilities. The distinct needs and culture of people with disabilities need to be acknowledged and considered, including by the Austin Police Department; WHEREAS, the Austin Police Department provides Americans with Disabilities Act legal training both to all incoming cadets and active officers. In response to prior constructive criticism from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities and acknowledged by APD management, the department implemented increased counselor screening for mental health calls. However, the disability community still experiences bias from APD and the City of Austin. Ableism adversely impacts people with disabilities’ quality of life and access to justice; WHEREAS, a 2019 University of Texas Law School Human Rights Clinic report found that out of the 15 largest United States cities, the City of Austin had the highest rate of people with intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities (“ID/DD”) being shot by law enforcement on mental health related calls. It was then recognized that the Austin Police Department had limited use of appropriate de-escalation techniques when interacting with ID/DD individuals who might be unable to clearly understand and/or then comply with the arriving Austin officers’ directions. At times, the person an Austin Police officer may be working with may not be having a “crisis” per se but just may lack the cognitive/functional skills necessary to properly comprehend the officer’s directions in order to avoid being injured and/or killed; WHEREAS, culture encompasses the shared norms, values, and beliefs of a group of people and police culture traditionally operated with an “us …
