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TO: Mayor Richard C. Irvin
FROM: Alex Voigt, Asst. Chief of Staff
DATE: October 3, 2018
SUBJECT:
An Ordinance establishing the "Advisory Commission on Disabilities".
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this proposed amendment is to formalize the efforts of the "Fox Valley Area Special Needs Steering Committee" (FVASNSC) into a commission supported by the City of Aurora.
BACKGROUND:
In 2016, the Mayor's Office was contacted by an Aurora resident looking to create a group for parents of young adults with special needs. The concern was the apparent lack of resources and opportunities available to families with young adults, who may soon graduate, have aging caregivers and be unable to care for themselves. The Mayor's Office, in partnership with Community Services, the Fox Valley Park District and the Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, called a meeting of local non-profit agencies and parents of children with special needs to discuss what resources and programs may be available, and how to better bring this information to the community.
The meeting turned into an informal steering committee with smaller task forces dedicated to three specific areas of need identified by the group: housing, employment and transportation. Each group would meet individually to identify resources and then the group as a whole met to discuss and distribute the information. One of the parents suggested the City of Aurora would benefit from hosting a resource fair to bring all of the parties together in a common space to increase awareness and communication. In October of 2017, the inaugural "Fox Valley Area Special Needs Resource Fair" was held at the Vaughan Athletic Center. The fair sought to bring together resources for individuals with both physical, intellectual or developmental disabilities. The goal of the commission is to incorporate some of the work this group has done into the mission.
Outside of the steering committee, questions or needs raised by individuals with mobility needs have traditionally been managed on a case by case basis; there has not been a formal group dedicated to addressing specific concerns in a strategic manner. This commission will work to address accessibility and access for all persons with disabilities.
DISCUSSION:
Upon taking office, Mayor Irvin announced his intention to create a formal city commission for persons with disabilities. The Mayor's Office, working with the members of the Fox Valley Area Special Needs Steering Committee including, the Fox Valley Park District, Fox Valley Special Needs Recreation Association, Aurora Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Association for Individual Development (AID), the Aurora Housing Authority, the INC Board, Aurora Police and Fire Departments, Scouts Special Needs Troop and many very dedicated parents worked for over a year to generate topics and create an event that would benefit the community. In order to take the work of that group and expand it to include individuals with mobility needs and other areas where accessibility could be improved city-wide, this group would benefit from a dedicated commission.
The proposed nine (9) commission will be tasked with the following to start:
• Utilize a study commissioned by city staff to review and prioritize areas within city buildings/properties where accessibility may be improved. The list will be prioritized based on need and budget and will be set to a calendar to create a schedule for the projects; and
• Host additional events to increase education and awareness of available resources.
Additional projects and tasks will be set by the commission themselves. In addition to the dedicated appointments, there will be informal sub-committees created to support specific projects and events.
IMPACT STATEMENT:
The proposed amendment to Chapter 2 creating the Advisory Commission on Disabilities will have a positive impact on the City of Aurora and all of its residents.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is respectfully requested this proposal be forwarded to the Tuesday, October 16, 2018 Committee of the Whole.
cc: Government Operations Committee
CITY OF AURORA, ILLINOIS
ORDINANCE NO. _________
DATE OF PASSAGE ________________
title
An Ordinance Amending Chapter 2 of the City of Aurora Code of Ordinances to Create a New Article VI Entitled "Advisory Commission on Disabilities".
body
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora has a population of more than 25,000 persons and is, therefore, a home rule unit under subsection (a) of Section 6 of Article VII of the Illinois Constitution of 1970; and
WHEREAS, subject to said Section, a home rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function pertaining to its government and affairs for the protection of the public health, safety, morals, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, the City of Aurora, as the second largest city in the State of Illinois seeks to provide every Aurora resident an equal opportunity to access and participate in City programs, services, facilities and communications; and
WHEREAS, the Commission will assist the city in fulfilling its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Aurora, Illinois, as follows: that Chapter 2, Article VI., Division 11 is hereby amended as set forth in Exhibit A.