[Adopted as Title 2, Ch. 2.50, of the 1986 Code; amended
in its entirety 10-18-1999]
A.
There shall be established in the City a Commission on Disability,
herein after referred to as the "Commission," pursuant to MGL c. 40,
§ 8J. The purpose of the Commission is to coordinate or
carry out programs in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts
Office on Disability in order to bring about full and equal participation
in all aspects of life in the City of Springfield for people with
disabilities. The Commission shall consist of nine persons, appointed
by the Mayor, all of whom shall be residents of the City. In the year
of commencement of the Commission, the Mayor shall appoint nine members
for the following term of services:
B.
All new appointments and reappointments shall be for a three-year
term of service. Each member appointed shall service past his term
until his reappointment or replacement by the Mayor. Resignation shall
be made by notifying the Chairperson and the Mayor in writing. Any
member of said Commission may, after a public hearing if so requested,
be removed for cause by the appointing authority. All members of the
Commission shall serve without compensation.
C.
The Chairperson and other officers shall be chosen by a majority
vote of said Commission members. The Commission membership shall be
composed as follows:
(1)
A majority of said Commission members shall consist of people with
disabilities, one member shall be a member of the immediate family
of a person with a disability and one member of said Commission shall
be either an elected or appointed official of the City.
(2)
The remaining members of the Commission shall be individuals who
have personal or professional interest in one or more of the following
areas: education, law, elder affairs, children's services, health
services, parent group and employment and training services for people
with disabilities.
D.
The Commission shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Mayor,
a director and the City Council. The functions of the Commission shall
include, but not be limited to:
(1)
Identifying problems and concerns of people with disabilities;
(2)
Serving as a liaison between the community of people with disabilities
and the City administration;
(3)
Recommending remedial actions and policies to appropriate City departments,
commissions, agencies, the Mayor and the City Council;
(4)
Initiating and implementing program activities in conjunction with
City departments or in cooperation with the public or private agencies;
and
(5)
Advising the Mayor, the City Council and a director with respect
to programs, planning and operational policies.
E.
The Commission may adopt rules and regulations or bylaws for the
conduct of its meetings and affairs.
A.
The Commission, in order to bring about full and equal participation
in all aspects of life by people with disabilities of the City, shall
strive for the advancement of legal rights and for the promotion of
the maximum possible opportunities, support services, accommodations
and accessibility in a manner which fosters dignity and self-determination.
B.
The Commission shall:
(1)
Research local problems of people with disabilities and identify,
analyze, evaluate and monitor public policies, programs, services
and regulations that affect or may affect people with disabilities;
(2)
Advise and assist municipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance
with state and federal laws and regulations that affect people with
disabilities utilizing a system of collecting information for the
purpose of identifying inadequate or inaccessible programs and services,
inadequate coordination of programs and services, unnecessary programs
and services, and duplication of programs and services;
(3)
Coordinate or carry out programs designed to meet the problems of
people with disabilities in coordination with programs of the Massachusetts
Office on Disability; coordinate the activities of other local groups
organized to meet the needs of people with disabilities;
(4)
Review and make recommendations about public policies, programs,
services, regulations, procedures, services and activities of the
departments and agencies of the City of Springfield as they affect
people with disabilities;
(5)
Provide information, referrals, guidance and technical assistance
to individuals, public agencies, businesses and organizations in all
matters pertaining to disability, working in cooperation with the
departments and agencies of the City of Springfield to bring about
maximum participation of people with disabilities;
(6)
Coordinate activities of other local groups organized for similar
purposes;
(7)
Initiate, monitor and promote legislation at the City, state, and
federal level which advances the equal status of people with disabilities
and ensure that appropriate regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant
to such legislation;
(8)
Encourage public awareness of disability issues;
(9)
Recruit and recommend prospective Commission members to the Mayor.
At least one month prior to making recommendations, the Commission
shall solicit nominations and ensure that said nominations reflect
different disabilities;
(10)
Prepare and submit to the Mayor and the City Council an annual
report which shall be a public document; and which shall include the
description and evaluation of the activities of the department implementing
the aforesaid duties and functions; the description, evaluation and
analysis of public policies, programs, services and regulations that
affect or may affect disabled citizens; and recommendations for the
development, coordination and improved responsiveness of such policies,
programs, services and regulations;
(11)
Identify and recommend to City, state and local agencies, departments
and organizations appropriate sources of City, state and federal funds
which are available for expanding or improving services and programs
for people with disabilities; receive gifts of property, both real
and personal, in the name of the City of Springfield, subject to the
approval of the City Council, such gifts to be managed and controlled
by the Commission for the purpose of this article and MGL c. 40, § 8J,
as may be hereafter amended; and
(12)
Take such action as the Commission considers appropriate to
ensure the equal status of persons with disabilities.
