Laserfiche WebLink
410 CITY OF SOUTH BEND ' OFFICE OF THE CLERK <br /> She continued, The laws that are implicated by this are the ADA, The Americans with Disabilities <br /> Act of 1990, effective in 1992, and all cities across the country who receive federal funding are <br /> required to have their ADA Plan to remove barriers physically as well as in programs and activities. <br /> The other law that is implicated is Title Six (VI). Title Six (VI) is the one (1) that expands the <br /> protection of non-discrimination to all the different persons aforementioned. South Bend,we hope, <br /> is a model City for diversity, inclusion and non-discrimination. The history of this plan is that in <br /> 2013 we started with sidewalks and intersections and assessed those. We came back to the Council <br /> and the Council approved the plan at that point that said that we have some deficiencies and we <br /> intend to work on them. We outlined the way we wanted to do that, and we did it based on <br /> prioritization. So, government facilities are first(1st), commercial employment centers are second <br /> (2"d) and everything else is third (3rd). Our timetable for that, because the law changed, and the <br /> United States government did not say that all cities must come into compliance, we were allowed <br /> time to transition. The transition, our plan is to rebuild all effective curbs, ramps, sidewalks and <br /> crossroads to ADA defined guidelines, where ever feasible and reasonable. I think that's on page <br /> seven(7) and I will try to pull that up for you(referencing an electronic copy of the plan displayed <br /> which is available in the City Clerk's Office). <br /> She went on, The implementation schedule is important. We then did an update and expanded <br /> beyond the streets and the sidewalks to buildings. <br /> Councilmember Gavin Ferlic arrived at the meeting at 3:56 p.m. <br /> Ms. DeRose continued, Attachment one (1) shows the difference between 2013 and 2018. It is a <br /> little hard to read on the screen but what it shows is in 2015, the high priority are the places we <br /> want to change first. Those are the government facilities. In 2015, we had ninety-three (93) <br /> facilities in need of improvement.In 2018 we've brought it down to seventy(70)so,we've reduced <br /> that by twenty-three (23) which I think is good progress. I think that came about largely because <br /> of Smart Streets as well as Council Members notifying us of the needed improvement for sidewalks <br /> like Safe Routes to School. This (referencing the presentation) is the very long form that was sent <br /> to every single building within the City and an assessment was done on every single building. As <br /> you can see, there are a lot of questions as well as a lot of information. That process took quite a <br /> while. Most of the buildings and the Public Works facilities are up to date. Where we have some <br /> issues are with the park's facilities. This was done in 2015 and we intend by the time that the parks <br /> renovation projects are completed that we will be done with most of the parks facilities as well. I <br /> think the process has been good in terms of that transition. <br /> She went on, The Title Six (VI) part of this, you may ask what the difference is between a Title <br /> Six (VI)program that says non-discrimination based on race, sex, nationality, color, etcetera, and <br /> the City's Diversity and Inclusion Plan. They are very similar because both of those intend to bring <br /> to the forefront the need for complete non-discrimination and inclusion. So, making more and <br /> more people a part of the process. The Diversity and Inclusion Plan is probably a little bit broader <br /> because it also gets at programs to attack and deal with unconscious prejudice, bias, <br /> microaggressions, and non-inclusive language. The specific components of the Title Six(VI)plan <br /> are those that deal with both disability and with race, color, national origin and the other <br /> components of things we are trying to eradicate for prejudice. For the ADA part of that, we've <br /> endeavored, and we have been making available auxiliary aids for meetings, etcetera. We have <br /> had a few innovative programs where we allow trash pickup next to the homes of persons who are <br /> disabled or elderly. We relieve them from shoveling requirements and attempt to find volunteers <br /> EXCELLENCE ACCOUNTABILITY I INNOVATION I INCLUSION j EMPOWERMENT <br /> 455 County-City Building[227W.Jefferson Bvld South Bend,Indiana 46601 p 574.235.9221 f 574.235.9173 TTD 574.235.5567 www.southbendin.gov <br /> 2 <br />