HomeMy WebLinkAboutProposal to Create a Disability Advisory CouncilPROPOSAL TO CREATE.' A DISABILIT`: ADVISORY COUNCIL
FOR THE CITY OF ITHACA
WHEREAS, in the City of Ithaca there exists a substantial number
of citizens with varying degrees of physical and mental
disabilities, who wish to enjoy the same rights and privileges as
the non - disabled presently possess; and
WHEREAS, it is recognized that most citizens shall probably
acquire some sort of disability, either of a permanent or
temporary nature, at some time in their lives; and
WHEREAS, in the CIty of Ithaca there are presently many
impediments and barriers which effectively prevent disabled
residents and visitors from enjoying the same access to
buildings, communications, education, entertainment, housing,
transportation and other privileges that non - disabled individuals
WHEREAS, there are presently many federal, state and local laws,
rules, and regulations designed to guarantee various rights and
privileges to citizens with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, there presently exists no one body charged with the
responsibility of advising the mayor and various offices of the
City of Ithaca as to how best advance and guarantee the rights of
citizens with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ithaca, wishes to ensure that all citizens,
regardless of physical or mental disability, shall freely enjoy
all the rights and privileges possessed by citizens without a
disability. Now therefore be it
RESOLVED that the mayor, with the approval of Common Council, is
authorized to appoint a Disability Advisory Council to be
composed of twelve (12) members, including representatives of the
disabled community and organizations serving it, a majority of
the members to be residents of the City of Ithaca and a majority
of the members considered possessing a disability; and be it
further
RESOLVED that, initially, one third of the members of the
Advisory Council shall be appointed for a one year term each, one
third for a two year term each, and one third for a three year
term each, and thereafter all members shall be appointed for a
three year term each; and be it further
RESOLVED that the mayor, at the request of the Advisory
Council,is authorized to appoint members of various City
departments and boards, including, but not limited to, the Human
Services Committee, the Planning Board, the Building Department
and the Board of Public Works, as liaison or advisors to the
Advisory Council; and be it further
RESOLVED that the Disability Advisory Council shall be charged
with the following:
1) to assess the problems in the City of Ithaca that present the
greatest obstacles to equal rights, access and privileges for
citizens with disabilities; and
2) to determine which problems and needs deserve the highest
priority as well as those that have the greatest opportunity to
be corrected; and
3) to maintain a regular liaison with the mayor and appropriate
city boards for the purpose of making recommendations as to how
these problems may best be resolved; and
4) to meet on a regular basis to review how well problems have
been resolved and receive input from the community on new
problems or potential problems affecting the rights and
privileges of disabled citizens.