Today’s Director’s Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council (MDC) provides a snapshot of some of the core issues that the Mayor’s Office on Disability (MOD) has been engaged with since the most recent public hearing of the MDC. The Council is encouraged to follow up on any of the items presented today. Along with this, items for future agenda consideration are provided.
MOD’s 2021-2022 Public Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council highlights MOD’s accomplishments, as well as ongoing challenges. In addition, it offers potential Mayor’s Disability Council agenda items for 2022-2023. The Council is encouraged to continue to reference this document.
Members of the public wishing to engage with aspects of this report may contact MOD at mod@sfgov.org or by calling 415 554-6789. You may join our distribution list by contacting us and asking to be added. MOD’s website has migrated to sf.gov. This full report will be posted to sf.gov/mod following today’s meeting.
Legislative updates, January 2023:. Some of the current legislative issues impacting people with disabilities are as follows:
Local Legislation and Resolutions:
221008 Limiting Teleconferencing and Remote Public Comment at Meetings of the Board of Supervisors and its Committees (Mandelman) Status: Expected in Rules Committee 10 a.m. January 27, 2023. If passed, this legislation would discontinue remote public comment by members of the public at meetings of the Board and its committees, except as legally required to enable people with disabilities to participate in such meetings.
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The Mayor’s Office on Disability is charged with advising on a workable reasonable modification request process and as other usable access solutions, and has been partnering with the Department of Technology and the Office of the City Attorney to issue guidance as part of this process throughout December and January.
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As mentioned in multiple previous reports, locally, the Community Alliance of Disability Advocates (CADA) is asking for continuation for all, not just people with disabilities by request.
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The Council is strongly encouraged to engage on this item, as results will have significant impact on our local public engagement process.
Shared Spaces: Referral 211301: Limits on Fines for Shared Spaces Violations (Peskin et al): Status: Passed
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This legislation limits issuance of fines for violations on some businesses utilizing outdoor dining, while maintaining the ability to fine for physical access for persons with disabilities, and first responder access.
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The permanent program takes effect in March 2023, and the deadline to apply for a Shared Space to be part of a permanent program was January 15, 2023. The Council may wish to continue to track the accessibility and enforcement progress of this program.
State Legislation:
CPUC Autonomous Vehicles (AV) Permit approval: On June 2, 2022 the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to approve a permanent operating permit for Cruise, the first permanent operating permit in the Country. Additional approvals are under consideration.
As a reminder, permission for autonomous vehicles to operate in San Francisco is regulated by the CPUC and the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), not SFMTA. SFMTA and MOD are committed to supporting advocacy for the accessibility of AV’s.
Upcoming public comment is not announced as of this writing. If you are interested in being involved in advocating for continued accessibility of AV’s, please contact MOD.
Transportation Network Company (TNC) legislation (SB 1376): TNC Access for All Act is in pilot implementation phase. MOD, SFMTA and the County Transportation Authority (CTA) continue to be parties to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) comment proceeding, on the recommendation of the Mayor’s Disability Council.
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The proceedings are ongoing, and are currently focused on on-time and reduced wait time performance (no change since September 2022)
Federal Legislation:
In the Spring 2022 Unified Agenda, the Department of Justice announced that they plan to propose new ADA regulations on the following topics:
Advance Notice of proposed rulemaking;
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Medical Diagnostic Equipment: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Government, Public Accommodations, and Commercial Facilities: Medical Diagnostic Equipment
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Other Equipment and Furniture: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Governments and Places of Public Accommodation; Equipment and Furniture
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Web Accessibility: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Governments
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Sidewalks, Curb Ramps, Street Crossings, and Other Pedestrian Facilities: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Governments; Public Right-of-Way
Public Comment on these items from Deaf and Disability Community Members is welcomed and strongly encouraged. For updates and notice for when to provide public comment, go to ada.gov. On the bottom right, sign-up for e-mail updates, and participate!
News and Announcements:
February 17 Joint Meeting of the MDC and the Disability and Aging Commission: This joint meeting will be virtual and will focus on the following:
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Aging and Disability Affordable Housing Needs Assessment: The final draft of this report, which was driven by local legislation with MOD as a named participant and partner, is currently being introduced to members of the Board of Supervisors.
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The Council may consider hearing an update on the Age and Disability Friendly San Francisco Implementation Plan and Workgroup as part of this meeting as well.
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MOD launched our new website at sf.gov/mod. Our website is in the City’s accessible template features a Disability Resources page that brings together disability information from across the City. Our pages are newly launched, and some are still in development. As we continue to improve, please feel free to send your feedback to MOD. Thanks for engaging with us!
Agenda Items for future MDC Hearing consideration, action, or resolution:
It is recommended that Council members review all active local disability-impacts legislation first, for time sensitivity. You may also consider:
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Safe Passage/Street Crisis and accessibility: In August, MOD presented to the Emergency Management Policy Group on accessibility and disability impacts of street conditions, both for those trying to pass safely on the sidewalks and for those with disabilities living on the streets. The Council is encouraged to place this item on an upcoming public agenda.
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CCSF Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Standard: This Citywide obligation is active and ongoing.
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Disability employment updates: Citywide data collection efforts pertaining to employees with disabilities, reasonable accommodation provision for employees, and ASL interpretation support from our colleagues in Department of Human Resources.
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Autonomous Vehicles in San Francisco and accessibility (see CPUC legislative item above).
Health and Emergency Response and the Disability Community
Review these links for current COVID-19 and MPX (Monkey Pox) resource information.