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.
Welcome to our hybrid meeting of both in person and virtual attendees. MOD welcomes your feedback on how we might improve the public meeting experience for all.
Legislative updates, April 2023: Some of the current legislative issues impacting people with disabilities are as follows:
Local Legislation and Resolutions:
Remote Public Comment: Referral 230306: Amending the Rules of Order - Providing for Remote Public Comment Opportunities Motion amending the Board of Supervisors' Rules of Order by creating a new Rule 1.3.3, In-Person and Remote Public Comment, and amending Rule 4.22, Public Comment, to provide for remote comment opportunities by all members of the public who wish to comment remotely (BOS): Status: Passed
- This legislation allows for the permanent provision of Remote Public Comment at the Board of Supervisors (BOS) and its Committees, and removes the 30-minute time limit on the total amount of public comment per item for all, in these Hearings.
- As of this writing, non-BOS public bodies may set their own specifications for total time limits for remote public comment, as long as they follow provisions for providing modifications (accommodations) for people with disabilities.
- The Mayor’s Office on Disability issued guidance on accessible hybrid public meetings, which is posted on our website homepage under Resources.
Affordable Housing Needs Assessment: Referral 221218 Hearing - 2022 Aging and Disability Affordable Housing Needs Assessment Report
Hearing requesting the key findings and recommendations made in the 2022 Aging and Disability Affordable Housing Needs Assessment Report; and requesting the Department of Disability and Aging Service, Mayor's Office on Housing and Community Development, Planning Department, Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Mayor's Office on Disability to report. (Stephani) Status: Scheduled
- Scheduled for Thursday, April 27 at 10 am as part of Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee.
- Public Comment participation by members of the MDC and others during this hearing is welcome and encouraged.
Shared Spaces: Referral 211301: Limits on Fines for Shared Spaces Violations (Peskin et al): Status: Passed
- 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.
- The permanent program is now in effect. The Council may wish to continue to track the accessibility and enforcement progress of this program.
Resolution introduced by Sup. Melgar, in recognition of Woman’s History Month and the passing of activist Judy Heumann: Commemorating old Federal Building Site of the 1977 sit in and protest. No update as of this writing.
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. (No change since February 2023).
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.
- The proceedings are ongoing, and are currently focused on on-time and reduced wait time performance (no change since September 2022)
Federal Legislation:
Current updates on proposed Department of Justice rulemaking are as follows. 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 please participate!
-
- Medical Diagnostic Equipment: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Government, Public Accommodations, and Commercial Facilities: Medical Diagnostic Equipment
- Other Equipment and Furniture: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Governments and Places of Public Accommodation; Equipment and Furniture
-
- Web Accessibility: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability: Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Governments
- Sidewalks, Curb Ramps, Street Crossings, and Other Pedestrian Facilities: Nondiscrimination on the Basis of Disability by State and Local Governments; Public Right-of-Way
News and Announcements:
- Get Ready, Stay Ready Community Fair: Sat. April 22, 11AM between Civic Center and UN Plaza – Emergency Preparedness for all, including table participation and resources collected by MOD.
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:
- Safe-Passage and Street Safety follow-ups: Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Marketing Campaign Disability Focus Group took place April 20, 2023. The Council may consider a follow-up on this as well as updates on how accessibility barrier reporting has changed or improved since the March presentation to the MDC by our DEM Colleagues.
- Dining Reusables follow-up: Department of Environment (ENV) Disability Focus Groups concluded in April. The Council may consider hearing from the Department on the outcomes of this Focus Group work.
- 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.
- Accessible Business Entrance Program and Title II Barrier removal: This month, MOD has worked extensively with the Department of Building Inspection (DBI) related to the City’s compliance with this program, as well as general (non-ABE) barrier removal obligations under ADA Title II. The Council may consider requesting an update on these items.
- Age and Disability Friendly San Francisco Implementation: The second cycle of recommendations related to this Plan is underway. The Council may consider hearing from Disability and Aging Services on initiative progress.
- 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.