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Adopt and present a resolution celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (Supervisor Spering)
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Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
Supervisor Jim Spering requests the Board adopt a resolution recognizing the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); and its importance to the more than 55,000 citizens of Solano County who have disabilities and have benefitted from its implementation.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Americans with Disabilities Act, signed 30 years ago by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, is considered the most comprehensive civil rights law to date for people with disabilities. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.
The ADA prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation and all public and private places that are open to the general public. Since its enactment the ADA has greatly improved the lives of individuals with disabilities, allowing them to routinely access restaurants and businesses, utilize many modes of public transportation, attend schools, and participate in their government, to name some of the areas of progress.
While recognizing great strides have been made, there are still areas that need to be addressed in the spirit and intent of the original legislation. Two areas that get singled out as needing the most work are employment and housing accessibility. Unemployment rates for people with disabilities are considerably higher than for people without disabilities, and housing accessibility is not universal. Businesses may be encouraged to hire people with disabilities - fully capable of performing the job with some accommodation -- as technology-driven solutions become available. Universal housing accessibility - as the population ages and needs accommodation -- may help move this concept forward as well.
This report is to recognize the 30th anniversary of the enactment of the American with Disability Act, to salute the progress, and to raise awareness of the need for further work.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item are nominal and absorbed by the District 3 FY2020/21 Preliminary Budget.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board may choose not to take this action. This is not recommended as it is consistent with Board policy. This resolution is in keeping with the values of the Solano County Board of Supervisors.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
This report was prepared in coordination with the Independent Living Center of Contra Costa and Solano Counties, and the Northern California Spinal Cord Injury Foundation; and staff in the County Administrator’s Office