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The Commission shall have the following powers and duties:
(A) To develop and promote information and referral services regarding programs, services, rights, accessibility and opportunities for persons with disabilities which foster dignity and self-determination;
(B) To make recommendations and to provide coordination and support to City Departments and Agencies concerning public policies, programs, services and regulations as they affect or may affect persons with disabilities;
(C) To inform City Departments and Agencies of federal, commonwealth and city funds available for expanding or improving services and programs for persons with disabilities;
(D) To work toward the goal of safe, decent, affordable, accessible housing for persons with disabilities and their families. The Commission shall work with federal, commonwealth, city private and public Agencies and resources to this end;
(E) To provide technical assistance to the city’s Division of Personnel as to how to provide reasonable accommodation, auxiliary aids and general access to the employment process for persons with disabilities. Such technical assistance shall include, but not be limited to, reviewing job specifications, application forms and procedures relating to hiring, promotion and firing, including:
(1) Physical accessibility of the application process;
(2) Program accessibility, including the availability of effective communication methods;
(3) Availability, use and publicity of affirmative action plans; and
(4) Review of personnel testing procedures.
(F) To address the transportation needs of persons with disabilities in the city and, in concert with the Mayor’s representative on the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Advisory Committee, representatives from the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (“MBTA”), the Massachusetts Port Authority (“Massport”) and the Executive Office of Transportation and Construction (“EOTC”), to develop programs for meeting the transportation needs of persons with disabilities and to monitor any policies related thereto;
(G) To implement, in conjunction with the city’s Department of Inspectional Services, Chapter 40 of the Ordinances of 1979, entitled “Promoting Access to Public Buildings by the Physically Handicapped”, which is intended to promote full access to public buildings by persons with disabilities;
(H) To work for the advancement of the legal and civil rights of all persons with disabilities in the city;
(I) To coordinate City Departmental compliance with Section 504 and all federal, commonwealth and city rules and regulations requiring programs, activities and services to be readily accessible to and usable by persons with disabilities;
(J) To monitor compliance with City Departmental self-evaluation and transition plans and to make recommendations to the Mayor for corrective action as required;
(K) To develop training and development programs for city personnel to increase their awareness of real and artificial barriers faced by persons with disabilities;
(L) To administer, in cooperation with the city’s Transportation Department, the Temporary Identification Card Program, established by Subsection 6-7.3;
(M) To apply for, accept and expend, subject to applicable laws, grants or gifts of funds and other property; and
(N) To adopt rules and regulations for the conduct of Commission business, which shall be approved as to form by the Corporation Counsel, approved and signed by the Mayor and filed with the City Clerk.
(CBC 1985 12-4.4; Ord. 1987 c. 13, § 1)
Cross-reference:
ss 5-5.32
The Commissioner shall have the following specific powers and duties:
(A) To hire staff for the Commission consistent with the Commission’s purpose. The Commissioner shall hire, at a minimum, a Director for Civil Rights, who shall also be the city’s Section 504 Coordinator;
(B) To act as spokesperson for the Commission;
(C) To participate in and oversee the day-to-day affairs for the Commission; and
(D) To perform all the functions of a Department head including, but not limited to, and subject to applicable laws, entering into agreements with individuals or entities and preparing the annual budget.
(CBC 1985 12-4.5; Ord. 1987 c. 13, § 1)
The associate members shall have the following specific powers and duties:
(A) To advise the Commissioner on policy and planning and the need for programs and services for persons with disabilities;
(B) To consult with the Commissioner in evaluating and modifying the city’s policies as they relate to federal, commonwealth and city laws and regulations concerning the civil rights of persons with disabilities;
(C) To assist the Commissioner in establishing priorities for the Commission’s activities; and
(D) To review, at least annually, the programs, policies and budget of the Commission and to make recommendations as to such programs, policies and budget.
(CBC 1985 12-4.6; Ord. 1987 c. 13, § 1)
(A) The services of all City Departments, Agencies, Commissions and Offices shall be made reasonably available to the Commission for effectuating the policy of this Section. The head of any City Department, Agency, Commission or Office shall provide information in the possession of such Department, Agency, Commission or Office when the Commission so requests and where such information relates to the functions and responsibilities of the Commission. Such information may include Departmental self-evaluation and transition plans pursuant to Section 504 and its implementing regulations.
(B) Each Department Head shall designate a liaison to the Commission. The responsibilities of each liaison shall include:
(1) Attendance at trainings and work group sessions as requested; and
(2) Coordination of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and/or other disability related civil rights mandates, including monitoring assistance and information distribution.
(CBC 1985 12-4.7; Ord. 1987 c. 13, § 1)
If any provision or Subsection of this Section shall be held to be invalid, such provision or Subsection shall be considered separately and apart from the remaining provisions or Subsections of this Section, which shall remain in full force and effect.
(CBC 1985 12-4.8; Ord. 1987 c. 13, § 2)
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