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 …
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Special called Meeting Friday March 05, 2021 MCPD Special called meeting to be held Friday, March 5, 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 4th, 2021 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the March 05, 2021 MCPD Special called 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 4th, 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 4th, 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 especial del Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) FECHA de la reunion (03/05/2021) 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 (03/04/21 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 …
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Meeting Friday February 12, 2021 MCPD to be held Friday, February 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, February 11, 2021 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the February 12, 2021 MCPD 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, February 11, 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, February 11, 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 del Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) FECHA de la reunion (02/12/2021) 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 (02/11/21 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 junta, la información para llamar …
RESOLUTION NO. WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s greatest asset is its people who are passionate about their city, committed to its improvement, and determined to see its vision become a reality; and WHEREAS, the percent of registered voters who voted in the past 4 years of city elections exceeded 60 percent; and WHEREAS, an overwhelming majority of registered voters who live in Austin voted for the current Austin City Council representation; and WHEREAS, over 700 Austinites participate and serve on over 60 Boards and Commissions to help shape, and continually improve upon the policies of the City and the lives of its Residents; and WHEREAS, the input provided to the Austin City Council through the City’s Boards and Commissions reflects the will of the community; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of Austin that the legislative agenda guide City staff, in coordination with the City’s strategic partners, in their efforts to advocate on behalf of the City of Austin and its residents; and WHEREAS, each year, the Texas Legislature increasingly attempts to pass legislation that negatively impacts the City through preemption or limiting the ability to advocate; and WHEREAS, the 2019 Legislature strongly considered and almost passed S.B. 29 which would have limited the ability of the City to utilize community advocates to effectively advocate on behalf of the policies created and supported by its residents; and WHEREAS, taxpayers and City residents benefit from and need community advocates as a tool that amplifies their voices before the Legislature, Congress, and regulatory bodies; and WHEREAS, a prohibition on community advocacy equates to censorship of Residents’ voices and is detrimental to a representative democracy where all Austinites and Texans have equal opportunities to voice their opinions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE _________________ OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN HEREBY ADOPTS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION THAT: The _________________________ endorses the City of Austin’s 2020 Legislative Agenda adopted by the Austin City Council on September 17th, 2020. RESOLUTION NO. The __________________________ believes the general principals of the policy and position statements contained in the City of Austin’s state legislative agenda capture the positions of its membership and the community it represents. The ___________________________ urges all Austin delegation members of the Texas Legislature to protect the City’s right to effectively represent the taxpayers and continue to amplify their collective voices through advocacy at the Texas Legislature. The _____________________ …
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.
A Resolution to Join the Austin‐Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force DRAFT WHEREAS, the State of Texas proactively recognizes disability in a list of hate crime victim demographics; WHEREAS, ableism is discrimination occurring in society specifically because of disability and the City of Austin with large populations of people with disabilities, has an ethical obligation to finally publically acknowledge and properly address ableism as also being an unfortunate part of the City of Austin’s unique history; WHEREAS, ableism is central to the lived experience of people with disabilities and incidents should not be downplayed or minimized; WHEREAS, MCPD has already begun to address and work toward constructively addressing and effectively resolving past and existing patterns of ableism within the Austin Police Department and City of Austin; WHEREAS, both the Human Rights Commission and the Immigrant Affairs Commission , whom the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) already actively collaborates with through mutual projects on the Joint Inclusion Committee, are already full voting members of the Austin‐Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force; WHEREAS, MCPD wants to continue working together with the Austin Police Department, the Office of Police Monitor, the Equity Office, and the City of Austin to proactively recognize and constructively resolve reported bias incidents which occur specifically because of disability; WHEREAS, proactively recognizing and constructively resolving violence against people with disabilities and ableism in our City helps make Austin a safer more equitable and inclusive community for people of all abilities. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities join the Austin Travis County Hate Crimes Task Force as a full voting member.
DRAFT A Resolution to Replace Mention of TTY in City of Austin Facilities WHEREAS, teletypewriters (TTY) are an outdated and rarely used means of communication within the Deaf community; WHEREAS, the City of Austin, being home to the Texas School for the Deaf, has a large local vibrant, and very engaged Deaf community; WHEREAS, the City of Austin prides itself on both being aware of all current technologies and constantly striving to achieve cultural inclusion; 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; WHEREAS, the City of Austin itself no longer even uses TTY as a means of communication with the Deaf community and had already replaced TTY devices with VRS, but had not already updated corresponding references in City publications; WHEREAS, having provided current communications information is part of ensuring a government which works for all. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin replace all existing references to TTY which are still currently being printed in official City publications with Video Relay Services (VRS) in order to effectively facilitate appropriate and equitable public communications with the Austin, Texas Deaf community.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210212-2B: A Resolution to Replace Mention of TTY in City of Austin Facilities WHEREAS, teletypewriters (TTY) are an outdated and rarely used means of communication within the Deaf community; WHEREAS, the City of Austin, being home to the Texas School for the Deaf, has a large local vibrant, and very engaged Deaf community; WHEREAS, the City of Austin prides itself on both being aware of all current technologies and constantly striving to achieve cultural inclusion; 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; WHEREAS, the City of Austin itself no longer even uses TTY as a means of communication with the Deaf community and had already replaced TTY devices with VRS, but had not already updated corresponding references in City publications; WHEREAS, having provided current communications information is part of ensuring a government which works for all. NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that The Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities recommends that the City of Austin replace all existing references to TTY which are still currently being printed in official City publications with Video Relay Services (VRS) in order to effectively facilitate appropriate and equitable public communications with the Austin, Texas Deaf community. Date of Approval: 02/12/21 Record of the vote: Unanimous on a 7-0 vote Attest: David Ondich (Mayor’s Committee for people with Disabilities City Staff Liaison)
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Recommendation Number: 20210212-2H: A Resolution to Support the City of Austin Legislative Agenda WHEREAS, the City of Austin’s greatest asset is its people who are passionate about their city, committed to its improvement, and determined to see its vision become a reality; and WHEREAS, the percent of registered voters who voted in the past 4 years of city elections exceeded 60 percent; and WHEREAS, an overwhelming majority of registered voters who live in Austin voted for the current Austin City Council representation; and WHEREAS, over 700 Austinites participate and serve on over 60 Boards and Commissions to help shape, and continually improve upon the policies of the City and the lives of its Residents; and WHEREAS, the input provided to the Austin City Council through the City’s Boards and Commissions reflects the will of the community; and WHEREAS, it is the intent of the City of Austin that the legislative agenda guide City staff, in coordination with the City’s strategic partners, in their efforts to advocate on behalf of the City of Austin and its residents; and WHEREAS, each year, the Texas Legislature increasingly attempts to pass legislation that negatively impacts the City through preemption or limiting the ability to advocate; and WHEREAS, the 2019 Legislature strongly considered and almost passed S.B. 29 which would have limited the ability of the City to utilize community advocates to effectively advocate on behalf of the policies created and supported by its residents; and WHEREAS, taxpayers and City residents benefit from and need community advocates as a tool that amplifies their voices before the Legislature, Congress, and regulatory bodies; and WHEREAS, a prohibition on community advocacy equates to censorship of Residents’ voices and is detrimental to a representative democracy where all Austinites and Texans have equal opportunities to voice their opinions. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE MCPD OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN HEREBY ADOPTS THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION THAT: • The MCPD endorses the City of Austin’s 2020 Legislative Agenda adopted by the Austin City Council on September 17th, 2020. • The MCPD believes the general principals of the policy and position statements contained in the City of Austin’s state legislative agenda capture the positions of its membership and the community it represents. • The MCPD urges all Austin delegation members of the Texas Legislature to protect the City’s right to effectively represent the …
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Meeting January 08, 2021 MCPD to be held Friday, January 08, 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, January 7, 2021 by 12:00pm noon. All public comment will occur at the beginning of the meeting. To speak remotely at the January 08, 2021 MCPD 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, January 07, 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, January 07, 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 del Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) FECHA de la reunion (01/08/2021) 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 (01/07/21 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 junta, la información para llamar el …
Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities (MCPD) Regular Meeting Minutes February 12, 2021 Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities REGULAR MEETING MINUTES (February 12, 2021) The City of Austin, Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities convened in a regular meeting via video conference on February 12, 2021 with a live broadcast on ATXN. CALL TO ORDER: With quorum present Chair Jonathan Franks called the February 12, 2021 meeting of the Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities to order at 5:34pm Committee Members in Attendance: Chair Jonathan Franks, Vice Chair Emily Shryock Commissioners: Taurean Burt, Kathryn Broadwater, Joey Gidseg, Diane Kearns-Osterweil, Robin Orlowski, Deborah Trejo, ABSENT: Gene Brooks Staff in Attendance: Tina Lee staff liaison for Human Resources Department Chair Jonathan Franks moved items 3A and 2F city staff presentations up on the agenda after citizen communication. Please refer to item 3A and 2F for description. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Commissioner Kathryn Broadwater made a motion to approve the minutes from the January 08, 2020 MCPD Regular Meeting. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Emily Shryock. The motion passed 6-0. CITIZEN COMMUNICATION: One citizen communication took place during the February 12, 2021 MCPD Regular Meeting: Celia Hughes, Executive Director of Art Spark Texas (formerly VSA Texas). Speaking on proposed changes to the Cultural Arts funding program, as proposed by the Department of Economic Development, and its potential effect on funding for disability arts programs in the future. To view the complete communication and commissioners’ comments please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/112925 and view item CITIZEN COMMUNICATION GENERAL. 2. NEW BUSINESS: 2A. Update from 2021 Quality of Life Budget working group – Commissioners Gidseg, Orlowski and Brooks To view the presentation and discussion, including commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/112925 and view item 2A. 2B. Discussion and Possible Action: To adopt a draft resolution for the City to replace TTY with Relay Services in City Services, Commissioner Robin Orlowski and Taurean Burt; Motion: A motion was made by Commissioner Shryock: to adopt the draft resolution for the City to replace TTY with Relay Services in City Services. The Motion was seconded by Commissioner Orlowski and passed 7-0. To view the discussion, including commissioners’ comments in their entirety please visit: https://austintx.new.swagit.com/videos/112925 and view item 2B. 2C. Discussion and action to select a date to hold budget town hall meeting. Chair Franks and full committee To view the discussion and commissioners’ comments in their entirety …
