[Adopted 9-23-1986; amended in its entirety 6-28-1994]
There is hereby established a permanent Advisory
Commission for Persons with Disabilities effective September 23, 1986.
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Anyone who:
The Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities
shall be appointed by the Town Council and shall consist of 11 residents
of the Town, at least four of whom shall be persons with disabilities
or a member of the immediate family of a person with a disability,
and four additional persons who are knowledgeable in the problems
of persons with disabilities. Of the members first appointed, three
shall serve until December 31, 1987; four shall serve until December
31, 1988; and four shall serve until December 31, 1989. Thereafter,
each succeeding member shall be appointed for a term of three years.
The Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities
shall, at its first meeting following the effective date of its appointment
and annually thereafter, elect a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson
from among its members and such other officers as the Commission may
determine.
The Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities
shall meet at least quarterannually and at such other times as the
Commission shall determine. The Commission may adopt its own rules
of procedure consistent with the provisions of this article.
The Town Manager shall designate one or more
representatives from his or her office or other appropriate department
as liaison with the Advisory Commission for the purposes of coordination.
The Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities, through its
Chairperson or, in the absence of its Chairperson, through its Vice
Chairperson, may request from the designated liaison such information
as it may require and such clerical or other assistance as may be
reasonably available and necessary to carry out its duties and responsibilities
under the provisions of this article. The members of the Commission
shall serve without compensation.
The purposes of the Advisory Commission for
Persons with Disabilities shall be to improve public awareness and
understanding of the special needs, as well as the rights, of persons
with disabilities; to assure the commitment of the Town and the community
that every person, regardless of handicap or other disability, shall
have the opportunity to realize his or her fullest potential and participate
as fully as possible in the life of the community; and to encourage
the elimination of barriers of every kind which stand in the way of
persons with disabilities living and working in the community.
The Advisory Commission for Persons with Disabilities
makes recommendations to the Town Council and Town Manager and the
Board of Education and Superintendent of Schools concerning the needs
of persons with disabilities living and working in West Hartford,
including but not limited to education, training, employment, housing,
transportation, recreation, accessibility and public awareness. The
Commission may also participate in programs to encourage public awareness
and understanding of the needs and rights of persons with disabilities.
The Commission shall keep records of its meetings and activities and
shall, at least annually, report to the Town Council on its activities.
