Recommendation — original pdf

Recommendation

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)