Director’s Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council (MDC) May 19, 2023

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 Councilhighlights 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 [email protected]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/modfollowing 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, May 2023:Some of the current legislative issues impacting people with disabilities are as follows:

Local Legislation and Resolutions:

Affordable Housing Needs Assessment: Referral 221218Hearing - 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: Filed

• This item was heard on April 27, 2023 as part of Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. The Planning Department is lead on implementation.
• This report was presented to you as part of the Joint meeting of the MDC and the Disability and Aging Commission in February 2023. As you'll remember, there are many accessibility recommendations in this Report. The Council is encouraged to monitor this item, and consider periodic updates.

Resolution 230269Honoring Judy Heumann and the UN Plaza protests of 1977, which led to the enacting of Federal disability rights legislation that is cornerstone to our experience today (Melgar et al). Staus: Passed with Recommendation, Amended, with Mayor's Office

• This resolution directs Public Works to install a commemorative plaque or statuary in honor of the legacy of Judy Heumann and the historic disability rights protests in UN Plaza. This will be the first public recognition of a disability rights leader in San Francisco history.
• The Council is encouraged to work with MOD to support an accessible installation of this important commemoration.

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.

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 Actis 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:

Air Carrier's Access Amendments Act of 2023 SB. 545Baldwin (D) et al and H.R. 1267Titus (D). For implementation no later than September 2023.

• These identical bills require the Department of transportation to seek consultation from the Access Board to redefine minimum accessibility requirements related to boarding and deplaning equipment, seating accommodations, captioned and audio description of in-flight entertainment and communications, individual video displays, visual and tactile announcements, and appropriate stowage for assistive devices to prevent damage. This bill also ensures the accessibility of all gates, ticketing areas, customer service desks as well as kiosks, software applications, and websites.
  • MOD and the San Francisco Airport are in the process of drafting a joint support letter for this legislation. A sample template, addressing issues specific to the Deaf Community, may also be found at the National Association of the Deafwebsite. The Council may consider drafting a support letter as well.

News and Announcements:

• On Thursday May 11, 2023, MOD attended the Office of Digital Equity Connect San Francisco Affordable Connectivity Programlaunch event. This program provides discount vouchers to qualifying households. San Francisco residents with disabilities are encouraged to see if you qualify. Information is available online, via print information during this Hearing, or by calling the Office of Digital Equity at 628 652-5888.
• On Tuesday, May 17, 2023, MOD presented to the Public Health Commission on accessible Remote Public Comment for non-Board of Supervisors public bodies. The Council is encouraged to continue to monitor the accessible remote public comment Citywide.
• On Thursday, May 18, 2023, Global Accessibility Awareness Day, MOD hosted: First Person: A conversation about websites and the disability experience. Over 90 participants learned first hand from a panelist of people with disabilities on their experiences using websites and technology, including what works well, and what and web designers can do to improve the accessibility experience. With permission of the panelists, this webinar will be posted to the MOD website.

• Coalition of Municipal Offices for Persons with Disabilities, including San Francisco Mayor's Office on Disability, will meet with Department of Transportation Secretary Buttigieg in Washington DC on June 1, 2023 to discuss our January 2023 Request Letter and collective accessibility agenda related to air travel, transportation committee representation, paratransit, on-demand transportation (taxi's and TNC's) and Autonomous Vehicles.
  • The Coalition letter is provided as an exhibit to this report, and MOD would be happy to update the Council Regarding our efforts as part of your June Hearing.
• June 26, 2023 is Public Comment Day at the Board of Supervisors Budget and Appropriations Committee. Mayor's Disability Council members may consider providing public comment on behalf of persons with disabilities as the Board considers final budget allocations for the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Budget Cycle.

• 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:

  • Mayor's Office on Disability 2022-2023 Public Report to the Mayor's Disability Council: As we prepare for the next Fiscal Year (beginning July 1, 2023) the Council may consider hearing about citywide successes and challenges since our 2021-2022 report, referenced at the top of this document.
  • 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 Programand 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.
  • Golden Gate Park Wayfinding Presentation follow-up: The Council may consider follow-up from items related to recommendations presented by the San Francisco Fellows during the April 21, 2023 meeting.
  • Age and Disability Friendly San FranciscoImplementation: 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-19and MPX(Monkey Pox) resource information.

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