[HISTORY: Adopted by the Rockland County
Legislature 12-1-1986 by L.L. No. 7-1986; amended in its entirety 5-3-2022 by L.L. No. 5-2022. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
The Legislature of Rockland County hereby finds and declares that
it is necessary to assure that all persons with disabilities have
the opportunity for full integration as participating citizens in
the community life of Rockland County. In order to provide this assurance,
the Rockland County Legislature finds that increased sensitivity to
the needs of persons with disabilities and increased coordination
between entities providing services to persons with disabilities is
necessary on the County level. Accordingly, the Rockland County Legislature
hereby establishes an Office for People with Disabilities.
B.
Such Office is charged with the dual responsibilities of undertaking
an advocacy role on behalf of persons with physical disabilities and
assuring, on behalf of the County, that persons with disabilities
achieve access to all the rights and responsibilities insofar as there
is a capability and desire to exercise such rights and responsibilities
afforded to the citizens of the County.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
To lobby for, seek change, improve and assist.
Any department, board, bureau, commission, division, office,
council or agency of the County or a public benefit corporation or
public authority.
A physical, mental or medical impairment resulting from anatomical,
physiological, genetic or neurological conditions which prevents the
exercise of a normal bodily function or is demonstrable by medically
accepted clinical or laboratory diagnostic techniques; a record of
such an impairment or; a condition regarded by others as such an impairment,
or any other condition regarded as a disability under the Americans
with Disabilities Act (42 USC Ch. 26) or the NYS Human Rights Act
(NYS Executive Law, Art. 15).
A.
There is hereby created within the County of Rockland an Office for
People with Disabilities.
B.
The head of such Office shall be the County Director for People with
Disabilities, who shall be appointed by the County Executive and approved
by the County Legislature and shall hold office at the pleasure of
the County Executive.
A.
The primary task of the Office shall be advocacy on behalf of persons
with disabilities and assuring on behalf of the County that persons
with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to exercise all of
the rights and responsibilities accorded to citizens of this county.
To carry out such tasks, the Office shall have the following powers
and duties:
(1)
To advise and assist the County Executive, the Rockland County Legislature
and County agencies in the development of County policies designed
to meet the needs of persons with disabilities.
(2)
To stimulate community interest in the problems of persons with disabilities
and to promote public awareness of resources available to persons
with disabilities.
(3)
To serve as a clearinghouse with information relating to the needs
of persons with disabilities.
(4)
To advise and assist educational institutions in the County in the
development of courses of study for persons engaged in public and
private programs for persons with disabilities.
(5)
To conduct or cause to be conducted such studies of the needs of
persons with disabilities as may be appropriate.
(6)
To establish a program to communicate and answer questions related
to persons with disabilities on jobs, housing, transportation, education,
health services and rehabilitation.
(7)
To advise and assist County agencies and other requesting municipal
agencies or departments on any local construction or renovation projects
involving accessibility for the disabled.
(8)
To examine means of disseminating and implementing federal, state,
and local laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the disabled,
and develop programs to encourage compliance with those laws, rules,
and regulations, including but not limited to:
(9)
Act as an advisor to the County's Fair Housing Board in instances
where there is alleged to be discrimination on the basis of a disability.
(11)
Within the appropriations provided therefor, appoint such officers,
assistants and/or employees in the Office as may be authorized by
the County Legislature and included in the budget.
(12)
The Director shall also perform such other related functions
as the County Legislature or the County Executive may designate.
The Director may request from any agency, and the same are directed
to provide, such assistance, services, facilities and data as will
enable the Office to carry out its functions, powers and duties. Information,
books, records or data which are confidential as provided by law shall
be kept confidential by the Director, and any limitations on release
thereof imposed by law upon the party furnishing the information,
books, records or data shall apply to the Director.
On March 1 of each year, the Director shall submit an annual
report to the County Executive and the Rockland County Legislature
regarding the activities of the Office throughout the prior year.
A Disability Advisory Council is hereby established to serve
as an advisory body to the Director on issues related to the duties
of the Office for People with Disabilities.
A.
The Council shall be composed of 11 members.
B.
The membership shall be, appointed by the County Executive and confirmed
by the County Legislature.
C.
The Director will designate a chairperson from the membership of
the Council.
D.
The members of the Council shall serve without County compensation
provided solely as the result of membership on the Council.
The Council shall:
A.
Advise the Director in matters relating to the powers and duties
of the Director;
B.
Act as liaisons to the public on behalf of the Director on issues
faced by disabled persons and communities;
C.
Aid the Office in disseminating information concerning programs of
the Office to the public; and
D.
Aid the Director by providing advice and counsel identifying and
addressing issues of concern to disabled persons and communities.
