[HISTORY: Adopted 10-27-1987 STM, Art. 9 (Ch. XV of the Town Bylaws); amended 4-9-2002 STM, Art. 3. The authorizing statute, MGL c. 40, § 8J, was accepted 10-27-1987 STM, Art. 8. Other amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Accessibility at public meetings by persons with disabilities — See Ch. 121, Art. III.
There shall be a Hopedale Commission on Disabilities.
It shall be the function of the Commission to:
A. 
Act as a centralizing force in the Town of Hopedale and the community which will deal with all disability issues: providing information, referral, guidance, coordination, offering and providing technical assistance to other public agencies and private persons, organizations and institutions engaged in activities and programs intended to eliminate prejudice and discrimination against person(s) with disability(ies) because of their status as a person with a disability, or as a minority person with a disability.
B. 
Take such action as the Commission considers appropriate to insure the equal status of person(s) with a disability(ies) of every race, creed, color, national origin, age and sexual preference.
C. 
Assure that no otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the Town of Hopedale shall, solely by reason of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity within the Town of Hopedale.
For purposes of this bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PERSON WITH A DISABILITY
Any person who:
A. 
Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities;
B. 
Has a record of such an impairment; or
C. 
Is regarded as having such impairments.
The powers and duties of the Commission shall include the following:
A. 
To insure the equal status of persons with disabilities in education, employment, economic, political, health, legal and social spheres.
B. 
To design and implement programs that promote equality for all persons with disabilities in the Town.
C. 
To review recommendations and policies of all departments and agencies of the Town.
D. 
To initiate, coordinate, and monitor the enactment of legislation which promotes equal status of persons with disabilities on the municipal, state, and federal levels and to insure that appropriate regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant to such legislation, including but not limited to implementation of Section 504.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. § 794.
E. 
To assist in the planning and coordination of activities of all departments.
F. 
To participate in an advisory capacity in the hearing of complaints brought alleging discrimination against persons with disabilities.
G. 
To obtain from Town departments and agencies any and all information necessary to carry out the functions, purposes, programs and activities of the Commission.
H. 
To assist in public awareness of persons with disabilities through participation in public and media events sponsored by the administrative and/or legislative bodies of the Town including, but not limited to, Town-sponsored recreational, educational and developmental activities.
I. 
To raise funds for the use of the Commission in accordance with established procedures and statutes and to accept money, gifts and services for its exclusive use and expend or use the same; and, subject to appropriation or to receipt of such money, gifts and services, employ clerical and technical assistants or consultants.
J. 
To be an active and participating member of appropriate organizations dealing with issues affecting persons with disabilities.
K. 
To recruit and recommend prospective members to the Commission subsequent to appointment by the Select Board.
[Amended 5-22-2021 ATM by Art. 1]
L. 
To serve on the Commission without compensation, with the understanding that they will be reimbursed for any expense which may reasonably be incurred through service as a member of the Commission.
M. 
To acquire, analyze, use, and store disability-related statistics and related materials in conjunction with the Hopedale Public Library for program planning and evaluation purposes.
N. 
To hold at least 10 regular meetings throughout the year and conduct additional meetings as necessary.
O. 
Such other powers and duties as may be agreed on by the Select Board and the Commission.[2]
[Amended 5-22-2021 ATM by Art. 1]
[2]
Editor's Note: See also Ch. 121, Meetings, Art. III, Accessibility for Disabled Persons.
[Amended 4-11-1995 ATM, Art. 34; 5-22-2021 ATM by Art. 1]
The Commission shall consist of five members, to be appointed by the Select Board. A majority of said Commission members shall consist of disabled persons and one of such members may be a member of the immediate family of such person, and one member of said Commission shall be either an elected or appointed official of said Town. Terms of the members will be three years and staggered so that no more than two appointments expire in any given year. A vacancy occurring otherwise than by expiration shall be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.