The
Office on Disability was created in 1975, in response to the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Initially, the Office on Disability
was a Division within the Mayor's Office. In 1998, the Mayor
and the City Council created the Department on Disabilities.
The department is the first of its kind in the nation. It
is headed by an Executive Director, appointed by the Mayor
and confirmed by the City Council.
The
Commission on Disability was established in 1989, in recognition
of the City's commitment to expand equal opportunities and
to provide the full extent of municipal services to persons
with disabilities.
Committees
In 1990,
the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) further expanded
Civil rights protections of persons with disabilities. Together,
the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 require local governments
to provide accessibility to public accommodations including:
access to public employment, buildings, facilities, programs,
social services and transportation.
