ATXN Video Link to MCPD Oct 9, 2020 Regular Meeting — original link
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MCPD Approved Regular Meeting Minutes October 9, 2020 — original pdf
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Minutes October 9, 2020 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (October 9, 2020) The City of Austin, Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting via video conference on October 9, 2020 with a live broadcast on ATXN. CALL TO ORDER: With quorum present Chair Jonathan Franks called the October 9, 2020 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to order at 5:39pm Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Jonathan Franks, Commissioners: Kathryn Broadwater, Gene Brooks, Joey Gidseg, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Robin Orlowski, Emily Shryock, Deborah Trejo Committee Member Absent: Vice Chair Jose Levy and Commissioner Taurean Burt due to technical difficulty Staff in Attendance: David Ondich, ADA Program Administrator and Lee Nguyen ADA Program Human Resources (HR) Specialist. Chair Jonathan Franks moved item 3A, A City staff presentation up on the agenda after approval of minutes and item 2A in New Business. Please refer to item 3A for description. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion to approve the minutes from the August 14, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Diane Kearns- Ostweil. The motion passed 7-0. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: No citizen communication that took place during the October 9, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 2A. Discussion and possible action to form a working group to facilitate the receipt of nominations for the 2020 Disability Employment Awards – Commissioner Shryock and full committee. Motion: Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion for MCPD to review and make recommendations on any awards nominations that have come in through a working group. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Emily Shryock. The motion was passed 7-0. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/87023 and view item 2A. 2B. Discussion and action to update the MCPD Bylaws, dissolving the current standing subcommittees and replace them with ad hoc working groups – Chair Franks and commissioner Orlowski Motion: Commissioner Robin Orlowski made a motion for the MCPD to strike committees from bylaws. Commissioner Trejo to in article 8 and replace them with working groups. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Diane Kearns Osterweil. The motion was passed 7-0. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/87023 and view item 2B. 3. STAFF PRESENTATIONS: 3A. Presentation and Discussion: Update on hate Crime Taskforce – …
MCPD Regular Meeting Agenda via Video-Conference Friday August 14, 2020 — original pdf
Special Meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) August 14, 2020 MCPD to be held Friday August 14, 2020 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 August 13, 2020 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the August 14, 2020 Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512)-974-3256 or david.ondich@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday August 13, 2020. 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 called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start 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 August 13, 2020. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES August 14, 2020 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENCING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Robin Orlowski Danny Saenz Emily Shryock Deborah Trejo AGENDA Jonathan Franks, Chair Jose Levy, Vice-chair Gene Brooks Taurean Burt Joey Gidseg Diane Kearns-Osterweil CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consider approval of the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities July 10, 2020 Meeting. 2A. Discussion and possible action to adopt revised resolution from June 12 and July 8 MCPD meetings that local pandemic prevention efforts thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities – Commissioners Shryock and Orlowski; 3. STAFF PRESENTATIONS: 3A. Presentation and Discussion: Brie L. Franco, Intergovernmental Relations Officer; City of Austin’s State legislative agenda 3B. Presentation and Discussion: Candice Cooper, Public Information and Marketing Manager, Human Resources Department (HRD); Update on City of Austin, Quality of Life Study for People with Disabilities 3C. Presentation and Discussion: Joshua Robinson, Quality of …
MCPD Resolution re Access and COVID — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities A Resolution Affirming the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Obligation to Maintain Access During COVID‐19 WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 remain fully in effect and has not been repealed, modified, or suspended during the COVID‐19 pandemic; and, WHEREAS, on March 28, 2020 the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Bulletin on Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 1 reminding healthcare providers and other relevant entities that regulations and civil rights related to people with disabilities are still relevant and enforceable and healthcare “rationing” based on disability status is prohibited; and WHEREAS, people with disabilities still have the right and need to participate in their communities for personal, professional, health and recreational purposes; and, WHEREAS, many people with disabilities are at higher risk of contracting COVID‐19 due to an inability to social distance with personal care attendants or because of residence in a nursing home, institutional or group setting; and WHEREAS, many people with disabilities are considered “”high risk” for complications of COVID‐19 due to existing health conditions; and WHEREAS, modifications to operating procedures or service provision due to safety protocols may not be designed or implemented in ways that provide access in physical and virtual spaces; therefore preventing people with disabilities from accessing public goods and services or exposing them to higher risk (such as being unable to follow the “one way” flow of traffic due to only one doorway being accessible or being unable to see directional signage); and WHEREAS, some people with disabilities in Austin have reported denial of assistance as a reasonable accommodation to access good or services due to risk to staff or inadequate staffing, without being offered an equally effective method of providing access; and WHEREAS, existing municipal outreach efforts have not always prioritized or considered the specific needs, concerns, issues, and challenges especially facing people with disabilities; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that local prevention and control efforts fully include, support, and affirm the human rights, dignity, and particular needs of all local people with disabilities throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic. We also encourage the City of Austin to ensure all decision‐making processes and communication …
20200814-2A: MCPD Resolution Affirming the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Obligation to Maintain Access During COVID-19 — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20200814‐2A: A Resolution Affirming the Rights of People with Disabilities and the Obligation to Maintain Access During COVID‐19 WHEREAS, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008 remain fully in effect and has not been repealed, modified, or suspended during the COVID‐19 pandemic; and, WHEREAS, on March 28, 2020 the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Bulletin on Civil Rights, HIPAA, and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 1 reminding healthcare providers and other relevant entities that regulations and civil rights related to people with disabilities are still relevant and enforceable and healthcare “rationing” based on disability status is prohibited; and WHEREAS, people with disabilities still have the right and need to participate in their communities for personal, professional, health and recreational purposes; and, WHEREAS, many people with disabilities are at higher risk of contracting COVID‐19 due to an inability to social distance with personal care attendants or because of residence in a nursing home, institutional or group setting; and WHEREAS, many people with disabilities are considered “”high risk” for complications of COVID‐19 due to existing health conditions; and WHEREAS, modifications to operating procedures or service provision due to safety protocols may not be designed or implemented in ways that provide access in physical and virtual spaces; therefore preventing people with disabilities from accessing public goods and services or exposing them to higher risk (such as being unable to follow the “one way” flow of traffic due to only one doorway being accessible or being unable to see directional signage); and 1 Office Of Civil Rights: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/ocr‐bulletin‐3‐28‐20.pdf WHEREAS, some people with disabilities in Austin have reported denial of assistance as a reasonable accommodation to access good or services due to risk to staff or inadequate staffing, without being offered an equally effective method of providing access; and WHEREAS, existing municipal outreach efforts have not always prioritized or considered the specific needs, concerns, issues, and challenges especially facing people with disabilities; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that local prevention and control efforts fully include, support, and affirm the human rights, dignity, and particular needs of all local people with disabilities throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic. We also encourage the City …
ATXN Video link to MCPD Regular Meeting Friday August 14, 2020 — original link
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MCPD Approved August 14, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes — original pdf
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Minutes August 14, 2020 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (14 August 2020) The City of Austin, Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting via video conference on August 14, 2020 with a live broadcast on ATXN. CALL TO ORDER: With quorum present Chair Jonathan Franks called the August 14, 2020 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to order at 1:06pm Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Jonathan Franks, Vice Chair Jose Levy Commissioners: Gene Brooks, Joey Gidseg, Robin Orlowski, Emily Shryock. Committee Member Absent: Commissioners: Taurean Burt, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Danny Saenz and Deborah Trejo Staff in Attendance: David Ondich, ADA Program Administrator and Lee Nguyen ADA Program Human Resources (HR) Specialist. Chair Jonathan Franks moved item 3A, A City staff presentation up on the agenda. Please refer to item 3A for description. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Gene Brooks made a motion to approve the minutes from the July 10, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Robin Orlowski. The motion passed 6-0. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: No citizen communication that took place during the August 14, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 2A. Discussion and possible action to adopt revised resolution from June 12 and July 8 MCPD meetings that local pandemic prevention efforts thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities – Commissioners Shryock and Orlowski; Motion: Commissioner Emily Shryock made a motion adopt the revised MCPD resolution that local pandemic prevention efforts thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities passed by the Commission for Women. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Robin Orlowski . The motion was passed 6-0. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/74690 and view item 2A. . 3. STAFF PRESENTATIONS: 3A. Presentation and Discussion: Brie L. Franco, Intergovernmental Relations Officer; City of Austin’s State legislative agenda. To view the complete presentation and the Commissioners’ discussion and questions to the staff, in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/74690 and view item 3A 3B. Presentation and Discussion: Candice Cooper, Public Information and Marketing Manager, Human Resources Department (HRD); Update on City of Austin, Quality of Life Study for People with Disabilities. A vendor has been selected through the City’s RFP process, the item is scheduled on the Council Agenda …
MCPD Regular Meeting Agenda via Video Conference for Friday July 10, 2020 — original pdf
Special Meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) July 10, 2020 MCPD to be held Friday July 10, 2020 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 July 09, 2020 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the July 10, 2020 Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512)-974-3256 or david.ondich@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday July 09, 2020. 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 called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start 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 July 10, 2020. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES July 10, 2020 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Robin Orlowski Danny Saenz Emily Shryock Deborah Trejo AGENDA Jonathan Franks, Chair Jose Levy, Vice-chair Gene Brooks Taurean Burt Joey Gidseg Diane Kearns-Osterweil CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consider approval of the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities June 12, 2020 Meeting. 2A. Discussion and possible action to adopt a resolution from June 12, 2020 regular meeting that local pandemic prevention efforts thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities – Commissioner Orlowski and full committee; 2B. Discussion and possible action to adopt/endorse a Race and Gender Equity Resolution passed by the Commission for Women– Commissioners Orlowski and Trejo; 2C. Discussion and possible action to adopt/endorse A Police Oversight Resolution passed by the Human Rights Commission – commissioner Orlowski and Vice-Chair Levy. 3. STAFF PRESENTATIONS: 3A. Presentation and Discussion: Maya Guevara, Community …
Human Rights Commission Police Oversight resolution — original pdf
1 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Human Rights Commission Recommendation Number 20200622-002a: Office of Police Oversight Complaints WHEREAS, the City of Austin Police Department (hereinafter APD) exists to serve the community of Austin, Texas; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight’s mission is to provide impartial oversight of the Austin Police Department’s conduct, practices, and policies to enhance accountability, inform the public to increase transparency, and create sustainable partnerships throughout the community; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin Office of Police Oversight exists to promote an atmosphere of earned trust between the community and the Austin Police Department; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin Office of Police Oversight makes recommendations to the City Manager and to APD about individual incidents and investigations, as well as broader policy recommendations, and investigated, and resolved; and Internal Affairs Division; and WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s Office of Police Oversight was created in order to ensure community concerns and/or complaints about potential police misconduct are heard, WHEREAS, It has been has reported in the media that community complaints are vetted by OPO and when sent to the APD they do not lead to an automatic investigation by the APD WHEREAS, complaints are vetted by the Office of Police Oversight, sent to APD are not immediately investigated by APD Internal Affairs, but instead are re-reviewed by APD Internal
Race and Gender Equity Resolution Commission For Women — original pdf
COMMISSION FOR WOMEN RECOMMENDATION 20200622-03A1 Date: June 22, 2020 Subject: Race and Gender Equity Motioned By: Amanda Lewis Seconded By: Flannery Bope Recommendation to Council WHEREAS, the Commission for Women (“Commission”) of the City of Austin (“City”) serves as an advisory body to the City Council (“Council”) and City Manager concerning the needs and problems of women in the Austin area and shall recommend programs designed to alleviate any inequities that may confront women in social, economic and vocational pursuits; and WHEREAS, on March 23, 2017 the Council passed Resolution No. 20170323-054, calling upon the Commission for Women, in collaboration with the City’s Human Rights Commission, to address gender disparities in the City and develop recommendations for modifying City policies or practices to eliminate disparate impacts; and WHEREAS, on November 8, 2017 the Commission passed Recommendation 20171108-004b: Women’s Equity in Austin (“Equity Recommendation”) to address these gender disparities; and WHEREAS, the Equity Recommendation resolved that Council immediately act to integrate gender equity principles into all of its operations, including policy, program and decision- making, which would, at a minimum, require that the Equity Office (or similar office) be empowered and supported to employ an equity tool and equity lens to investigate and addresses City laws, policies and practices that create an unintended disparate impact on women, and implement changes to the existing Equity Assessment Tool to provide information on gender as well as race; and WHEREAS, the Equity Recommendation resolved that the City educate its employees, managers and executives on sexism, racism and implicit bias; incentivize leaders to complete such training; and provide implicit bias training to private employers through ACC or other education institutions; and WHEREAS, commissions, community leaders and citizens are calling for public safety reform and changes in the Austin Police Department (“APD”) leadership and budget in response to local and nationwide police violence and killing of Black women and men; and 1 WHEREAS, crimes of sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking disproportionately impact women and girls, particularly women and girls of color and LGBTQ+ individuals; and WHEREAS, victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and sex trafficking must be empowered to access support and services whether or not they choose to engage with law enforcement, and providers of those services be reimbursed whether or not forensic evidence is collected when serving these victims; and WHEREAS, on August 9, 2017 the Commission passed Request 20170809-003b: Regarding Survivors …
A resolution re people with disabilities and COVID — original pdf
A RESOLUTION RE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND COVID‐19 Whereas people with disabilities have always been a large part of the people of Austin’s history and present And people with disabilities are especially vulnerable to COVID‐19 because of our preexisting medical conditions. And social distancing CAN help reduce and stop the spread of COVID 19 And the Centers for Disease Control website explicitly does not recommend social distancing include things like blocking off access to disability accessible parking, blocking off non‐emergency exit door access, or other erroneous and ridiculous tactics which local entrepreneurs have falsely claimed helps to prevent COVID‐19. AND a large number of local cases and deaths are occurring inside nursing homes and assisted living centers which are populated by people with disabilities. People without disabilities do not go to live there. AND a large number of homeless individuals have one or more pre‐existing conditions but cannot effectively shelter in place because they have no permanent home due to the city’s high cost of living and a shelter’s close living quarters can quickly spread covid‐19. AND testing sites are still only ‘drive by’ making the reliable access of COVD‐19 status difficult for many in the disability community who cannot legal drive specifically because of our disabilities such as epilepsy, blindness and other pre‐existing conditions. AND Capital Metro had attempted to make ALL pass users including those with disabilities board at the back of the bus even though there was no ramp to safely board/exit the vehicle and that portion of the vehicle could not lower . The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore recommends that the local pandemic prevention efforts must thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
ATXN Video-link to July 10, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting — original link
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071020 MCPD Approved Meeting Minutes Minutes — original pdf
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Minutes July 10, 2020 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (10 July 2020) The City of Austin, Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting via video conference on July 10, 2020 with a live broadcast on ATXN. CALL TO ORDER: With quorum present Vice Chair Jose levy called the July 10, 2020 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to order at 1:01pm Committee Members in Attendance: Vice Chair Jose Levy Commissioners: Gene Brooks, : Taurean Burt Joey Gidseg, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Robin Orlowski, Danny Saenz, Emily Shryock, and Deborah Trejo. Committee Member Absent: Commissioners, Chair Jonathan Franks Staff in Attendance: David Ondich, ADA Program Administrator and Lee Nguyen ADA Program Human Resources (HR) Specialist. Chair Vice Chair Jose Levy moved item 3A, A City staff presentation up on the agenda. Please refer to item 3A for description. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion to approve the minutes from the June 12, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Emily Shryock. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: No citizen communication that took place during the July 10, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 2A. Discussion and possible action to adopt a resolution from June 12, 2020 regular meeting that local pandemic prevention efforts thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities – Commissioner Orlowski and full committee; The Committee would like to work on the language before adopting. Commissioner Shryock volunteer to assist in crafting the language. Motion to table: Commissioner Emily Shryock made a motion to table the resolution that local pandemic prevention efforts thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Robin Orlowksi. The motion passed unanimously. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/73534 and view item 2A. 2B. Discussion and possible action to adopt/endorse a Race and Gender Equity Resolution passed by the Commission for Women– Commissioners Orlowski and Trejo Motion: Commissioner Gene Brooks made a motion endorse a Race and Gender Equity Resolution passed by the Commission for Women. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joey Gidseg. The motion was passed unanimously. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/73534 and view item 2B 2C. Discussion …
MCPD Regular Meeting via Video Conference Agenda, for Friday June 12, 2020 — original pdf
Special Meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) June 12, 2020 MCPD to be held Friday June 12, 2020 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 June 11, 2020 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the June 12, 2020 Meeting, residents must: •Call or email the board liaison at (512)-974-3256 or david.ondich@austintexas.gov no later than noon, Thursday June 11, 2020. 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 called in or emailed to the board liaison, residents will receive either an email or phone call providing the telephone number to call on the day of the scheduled meeting. •Speakers must call in at least 15 minutes prior to meeting start 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 June 11, 2020. This information will be provided to Board and Commission members in advance of the meeting. •If this meeting is broadcast live, residents may watch the meeting here: http://www.austintexas.gov/page/watch-atxn-live MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES June 12, 2020 1:00p.m.-2:30p.m. VIA VIDEOCONFERENING CURRENT BOARD MEMBERS: Robin Orlowski Danny Saenz Emily Shryock Deborah Trejo AGENDA Jonathan Franks, Chair Jose Levy, Vice-chair Gene Brooks Taurean Burt Joey Gidseg Diane Kearns-Osterweil CALL TO ORDER 2. NEW BUSINESS: 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Consider approval of the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities May 29, 2020 meeting. 2A. Discussion of possible changes to the Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefits programs – Commissioner Brooks and Chair Franks; 2B. Discussion and possible action to write a letter regarding access to HEB Grocery Stores during the Covid19 Pandemic – Chair Franks and Full Committee; 2C. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution opposing police violence against people with disabilities – Commissioners Orlowski and Trejo; 2D. Discussion and possible action to approve a resolution regarding the provision of sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities – Commissioner Orlowski …
A RESOLUTION OPPOSING POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES — original pdf
DRAFT A RESOLUTION OPPOSING POLICE VIOLENCE AGAINST PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Because ableism is discrimination or social prejudice against people with disabilities. Ableism also includes violence perpetrated against people with disabilities. AND a 2019 report published by the University of Texas Law School Human Rights Clinic had already found and documented that the Austin Police Department shot people with mental health issues at a rate twice as high compared against similarly sized police departments across America despite all cadets receiving Americans with Disabilities Act training. AND only certain sworn in Austin Police Department officers had mental health training. But the dispatchers were instead sending whoever was available to calls involving people with disabilities specifically needing mental health care resulting in those often fatal situations for the disability community. AND despite having proactively invited the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to an introductory community breakfast, the Office of Police Oversight staff had not successfully addressed either the contents of that law school report or the ultimate impact of violence on the disability community. AND The first Federal Crimes Against Persons with Disabilities Report was released in 2009 and the City of Austin, despite being home to the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and the Texas School for the Deaf among other institutions devoted to servicing people with disabilities has instead downplayed or ignored various forms of discrimination faced by people with disabilities. AND Texas state hate crimes law already lists disability as a specifically recognized category according to reports which are issued by the Department of Public Safety to categorize people covered under hate crimes statue. The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore calls for ableism to be elevated as a civil and human rights issue, thoroughly addressed, and fully resolved with proper and full attention by the Office of Police Monitor, the Austin Police Department and the City of Austin.
A resolution re people with disabilities and COVID — original pdf
A RESOLUTION RE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND COVID‐19 Whereas people with disabilities have always been a large part of the people of Austin’s history and present And people with disabilities are especially vulnerable to COVID‐19 because of our preexisting medical conditions. And social distancing CAN help reduce and stop the spread of COVID 19 And the Centers for Disease Control website explicitly does not recommend social distancing include things like blocking off access to disability accessible parking, blocking off non‐emergency exit door access, or other erroneous and ridiculous tactics which local entrepreneurs have falsely claimed helps to prevent COVID‐19. AND a large number of local cases and deaths are occurring inside nursing homes and assisted living centers which are populated by people with disabilities. People without disabilities do not go to live there. AND a large number of homeless individuals have one or more pre‐existing conditions but cannot effectively shelter in place because they have no permanent home due to the city’s high cost of living and a shelter’s close living quarters can quickly spread covid‐19. AND testing sites are still only ‘drive by’ making the reliable access of COVD‐19 status difficult for many in the disability community who cannot legal drive specifically because of our disabilities such as epilepsy, blindness and other pre‐existing conditions. AND Capital Metro had attempted to make ALL pass users including those with disabilities board at the back of the bus even though there was no ramp to safely board/exit the vehicle and that portion of the vehicle could not lower . The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore recommends that the local pandemic prevention efforts must thoroughly include, affirm and support the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
A resolution re sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities — original pdf
A resolution re sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities Because Austin Texas was already the most expensive city in Texas. The average Austin rent is $1,439 a month and the average income is only $63,717 annually. AND the City of Austin is prohibited under existing state statue from implementing rent control which would limit the amount of rent increases once the annual rent has ended. AND the Houston Texas City Council comparatively allocated $15 million in rental assistance for people impacted by the corona virus pandemic, the San Antonio City Council comparatively allocated $25 million for people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Dallas Texas City Council comparatively allocated $13.7 million in rental assistance for rent aid of people impacted by the corronavurus pandemic. AND this pandemic merely compounded the already strained ability of Austin renters with disabilities to obtain and effectively retain safe affordable and accessible housing. A permanent residence for people with disabilities is key to building and maintain community, to successfully transitioning out of high school, to helping either obtain or retain a job. AND massive employment furloughs, underemployment and unemployment directly related of the corona virus have made it difficult if not impossible for people with disabilities to then successfully pay rent in full The unemployment rate for a person without disabilities is 14.3% and the unemployment rate for a person with disabilities is 18.9% according to statistics released from the United States Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy AND several pre‐existing apartment corporations located inside the City of Austin prohibit the property office handling third party checks for tenant rent aid and also contain also no realistic consideration of a mass pandemic in a lease agreement or other mass disaster which then forces most residents living on the apartment property to be unable to successfully pay rent in full including people with disabilities and/or seniors who are especially vulnerable to both the coronavirus’s immediate effects and long‐term consequences The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities therefore calls the existing $1.2 million rental assistance provided from the City of Austin inadequate in effectively and properly addressing both immediate and long‐term effects of the coronavirus as it specifically impacts City of Austin residents with disabilities and requests that allocated rental assistance efforts match other Texas cities.
ATXN Videolink to MCPD Regular Meeting via Video Conference Friday July, 12, 2020 — original link
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20200612-2D MCPD recommendation the provision of sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities — original pdf
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION MAYOR’S COMMITTEE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Recommendation Number: 20200612‐2D: The provision of sufficient financial assistance for Austin renters with disabilities WHEREAS, Austin Texas is one of the most expensive cities in Texas. The average Austin rent is $1,439 a month and the average income is only $63,717 annually; and WHEREAS, this pandemic merely compounded the already strained ability of Austin renters with disabilities to obtain and effectively retain safe affordable and accessible housing. A permanent residence for people with disabilities is key to building and maintaining community, to successfully transitioning out of high school, to helping either obtain or retain a job; and WHEREAS, Massive employment furloughs, underemployment and unemployment directly related to the corona virus have made it difficult if not impossible for people with disabilities to then successfully pay rent in full. The unemployment rate for a person without disabilities is 14.3% and the unemployment rate for a person with disabilities is 18.9% according to statistics released from the United States Department of Labor Office of Disability Employment Policy; and WHEREAS, The City of Austin is prohibited under existing state statutes from implementing rent control which would limit the amount of rent increases once the annual rent has ended; and WHEREAS, The Houston City Council comparatively allocated $15 million in rental assistance for people impacted by the corona virus pandemic, the San Antonio City Council comparatively allocated $25 million for people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, and the Dallas City Council comparatively allocated $13.7 million in rental assistance for rent to aid of people impacted by the coronavirus pandemic; and WHEREAS, Several pre‐existing apartment corporations located inside the City of Austin prohibit the property office from handling third party checks for tenant rent aid and contain no realistic consideration of a mass pandemic in a lease agreement or other mass disaster, which then forces most residents living on the apartment property to be unable to successfully pay rent in full, including people with disabilities and/or seniors who are especially vulnerable to both the coronavirus’s immediate effects and long‐term consequences; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities calls the existing $1.2 million of rental assistance provided from the City of Austin inadequate in effectively and properly addressing both immediate and long‐term effects of the coronavirus as it specifically impacts City of Austin residents with disabilities and recommends and supports City Council …
Approved MCPD June 12, 2020 Regular Meeting Minutes — original pdf
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Minutes June 12, 2020 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (12 June 2020) The City of Austin, Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting via video conference on June 12, 2020 with a live broadcast on ATXN. CALL TO ORDER: With quorum present Chair Jonathan Franks called the June 12, 2020 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to order at 1:01pm Committee Members in Attendance:, Chair Jonathan Franks, Vice Chair Jose Levy Commissioners: Gene Brooks, Joey Gidseg, Robin Orlowski, Emily Shryock, Deborah Trejo. Committee Members Absent: Commissioners: Taurean Burt, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Danny Saenz Staff in Attendance: David Ondich, ADA Program Administrator and Lee Nguyen ADA Program Human Resources (HR) Specialist. Chair Jonathan Franks moved item 3A, A City staff presentation up on the agenda. Please refer to item 3A for description. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion to approve the minutes from the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities May 29, 2020 Special Called Meeting. The motion was seconded by Vice Chair Jose Levy. The motion passed unanimously. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: No citizen communication that took place during the June 12, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 2A. Discussion of possible changes to the Social Security Disability (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Federal Benefits programs – Commissioner Brooks and Full Committee. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/63247 and view item 2A. 2B. Discussion and possible action to write a letter regarding access to HEB Grocery Stores during the Covid19 Pandemic – Chair Franks and Full Committee. Chair Franks discussed follow up with HEB on his concerns, no additional action was taken by the Committee. To view the discussion, commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/63247 and view item 2B 2C. Discussion possible action to approve a resolution opposing police violence against people with disabilities – Commissioners Orlowski and Trejo; Amendment: Commissioner Deborah Trejo made a motion to amend the resolution with edits to language, punctuation and format. Commissioners Joey Gidseg and Vice Chair Jose Levy made friendly amendments that Commissioner Trejo accepted. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joey Gidseg. The motion to amend was approved unanimously by all. Motion: Commissioner Robin Orlowski made a motion to approve the amended resolution on opposing police violence against people with disabilities. …