Disabilities Task Force Concludes Its Work, Writes Mission Statement

Will Recommend New City Commission 

Hannah Heineman
Mirror staff writer

   The Santa Monica Disabilities Task Force has concluded its work and will present its recommendations to City Council on March 27.
   The Council created the Task Force in October. Its assignments included recommending ways of heightening public awareness of the problems disabled people encounter and and to develop means to enable City staff and the City Council to address disability issues in Santa Monica more effectively. 
   The Task Force began meeting in November and completed its work on February 20. At the end of January, it voted unanimously to recommend the creation of a Disabilities Commission to the Council and then developed the proposed commission's mission statement and budget.
   Its mission statement, which is included in its report to the Council, is: "The Santa Monica Disabilities Commission (1) advises the City Council and staff on how to best address the issues and needs of people with disabilities; (2) works to increase opportunities and involvement of people with disabilities in all facets of City life; and (3) educates and makes the community at large aware of the issues, concerns, rights, and capabilities of people with disabilities."
   The Task Force concluded that the commission will require an annual operating budget that is "in line with that of the City of Berkeley, which had a 1997-98 budget of $17,000, given the scope of work anticipated for the commission." 
   Task Force members acknowledged that the typical City commission budget ranges between $2,000 and $9,500 annually but it has included tasks, such as community education, that require additional funding. 
   The Task Force is also recommending that: 1) the proposed commission have 9 to 15 members; 2) the City create a resource center for residents with disabilities; 3) the City hire additional City staff to assist the American Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator and others who work with the disabled; and 4) the City increase funding for programs, services and activities for residents with disabilities.