(Ord. of 5-27-86, § 1; A0173-12)
There shall be a disability commission consisting of seven (7) members, appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by the city council. A majority of the members shall be persons with a handicap, as defined in section 2-273, and represent as many cross-disabilities from the handicapped community as possible. One (1) of these members may be a member of the immediate family of a disabled person. One (1) of the members shall be an elected or appointed official of the city.
The initial appointments shall be made as follows: three (3) members for three years, two (2) members for two years, and two (2) member for one year. Thereafter two (2) members shall be appointed annually on or before the first Monday in February for a term of three years.
(Ord. of 5-27-86, § 2)
The commission shall:
(a) 
Act as a centralizing force in the city and the community which will deal with all handicapped 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 handicap(s) because of their status as a person with a handicap.
(b) 
Take such action as the commission considers appropriate to ensure that equal status of person(s) with a handicap(s) of every race, creed, color, natural origin, age and sexual preference.
(c) 
Assure that no otherwise qualified individual with a handicap in the city shall, solely by reason of his or her handicap, be excluded from participation, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity within the city.
(Ord. of 5-27-86, § 3)
For purpose of this division, a person with a handicap shall be defined as any person who:
(a) 
Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one (1) or more major life activities;
(b) 
Has a record of such an impairment; or
(c) 
Is regarded as having such impairments.
(Ord. of 5-27-86, § 4; Ord. of 6-3-91; A0173-12)
The powers and duties of the commission shall include the following:
(a) 
To ensure the equal status of a handicapped person in education, employment, economic, political, health, legal and social spheres;
(b) 
To design programs that promote equality for all handicapped persons in the city;
(c) 
To review recommendations and policies of all departments, divisions, and agencies of the city including, but not limited to, the mayor, the purchasing agent and the city council;
(d) 
To initiate, coordinate and monitor the enactment of legislation which promotes equal status of the handicapped persons in the city, state, and federal levels, and to ensure that appropriate regulations are adopted and enforced pursuant to such legislation including, but not limited to, implementation of the 114th Amendment to the Massachusetts Constitution;
(e) 
To participate in an advisory capacity in the hearing of complaints brought alleging discrimination against the handicapped person including, but not limited to, the office of the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination;
(f) 
To obtain from city departments, divisions, and agencies any and all information necessary to carry out the functions, purposes, programs and activities of the commission that does not infringe upon the right of privacy of an individual;
(g) 
To assist in public awareness of the handicapped through participation in public and media events sponsored by the administrative and/or legislative bodies of the city including, but not limited to city-sponsored recreational, educational, and development activities;
(h) 
To be an active and participating member of appropriate organizations dealing with issues affecting the handicapped person;
(i) 
To recruit and recommend prospective members to the commission prior to appointment by the mayor;
(j) 
To serve on the commission without compensation, with a reasonable expense budget;
(k) 
To acquire, analyze, use and store handicapped related statistics and related materials in conjunction with the Parlin Memorial Library and Shute Library for program planning and evaluation purposes;
(l) 
To hold at least ten (10) regular meetings throughout the year and to conduct additional meetings as necessary;
(m) 
Such other powers and duties as may be agreed on by the mayor and the commission.
(n) 
to recommend or give an advisory opinion to the City Council on all matters referred to the commission by the city council