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.
Today marks our first Joint meeting of the Disability and Aging Commission and the Mayor’s Disability Council. We are pleased to have a shared agenda today and hope that this collaboration will be a regular occurrence.
Legislative updates, February 2023:. Some of the current legislative issues impacting people with disabilities are as follows:
Local Legislation and Resolutions:
First, related to the end of the SF emergency order and the return of in person public bodies as of March 1, 2023:
221008 Limiting Teleconferencing and Remote Public Comment at Meetings of the Board of Supervisors and its Committees (Mandelman) 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.
Status: Heard in rules Committee Feb 6, 2023, with several hours of public comment from people with disabilities and others opposing the legislation; continued to the call of the chair and is expected again in Rules Committee 10 a.m. February 27, 2023.
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 processConcurrently, the Office of the City Administrator is working with these partners to issue guidance for public bodies that are not part of this proposed legislation.
- Procedures for how to participate in the March 17, 2023 in-person Council Meeting will be sent through the Mayor’s Office on Disability distribution and posted on the News section of the MOD homepage at sf.gov/mod as soon as this information becomes available. You may also call us at 415 554-6789.
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 takes effect in March 2023, and the deadline to apply for permanent status has passed. New legislation speaking to the permanent program provisions is currently under consideration in Land Use Committee.
- These provisions do not impact the ability to enforce for disability access violations. However, 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.
- 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;
- 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
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- 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
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:
- 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:
- 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.
- CCSF Digital Accessibility and Inclusion Standard: This Citywide obligation is active and ongoing.
- 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.
- 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.