HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 3709-02-2009A Resolution
NO 3709-02 2009
ACCEPTING RECOMMENDATIONS PERTAINING TO CITY SERVICES,
POLICIES, PROCEDURES AND ACCOMMODATIONS
FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING
WHEREAS, in September 2008 at `Let's Talk Fort Worth, residents raised concerns
pertaining to the numerous challenges faced. by the deaf and hard of hearing community m the City of
Fort Worth, Texas (City) and
WHEREAS, the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission (Commission) is charged with
recommending to the City Council and City Manager measures designed to eliminate prejudice and
discnmination and to promote and encourage communications between groups interested m bettering
our commumty and
WHEREAS, dunng the October and November 2008, regularly scheduled Commission
meetings, the Commission gathered information and received input from members of the deaf and hard
of heanng commumty Crty personnel and service providers in the pnvate sector and
WHEREAS, the Human Relations Commission has researched local conditions, national best
practices and vanous adaptive technologies and services available for the deaf and hard of heanng; and
WHEREAS, on January 5 2009 man effort to ehmmate alienation and discnmmahon and to
ensure that all Fort Worth residents are treated equally the Commission voted unanimously to adopt
recommendations pertaining to City policies, procedures and accommodations for the deaf and hard of
heanng; and
WHEREAS, the Commission s recommendations were presented to the City Council on January
13 2009 and
WHEREAS, Fort Worth s vision to be Texas `Most Livable City" cannot be realized without
providing accessibility and equal opportunity for all residents, including those in the deaf and hard of
hearing community
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
FORT WORTH, TEXAS, TO
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Accept the Human Relations Commission s recommendations pertaining to Crty services, policies,
procedures and accommodations for the deaf and hard of hearing as set forth in the attached January 13
2009 letter from the Human Relations Commission and addressed to the Honorable Mayor and
Members of the Crty Council.
SECTION 2.
Authorize the Crty Manager or his designee to take necessary actions to effectively implement the
recommendations. Should any of the recommendations require funding allocations, the City Manager or
his designee is authorized to allocate resources in his proposed Fiscal Year 2010 General Fund budget,
to the extent that the inclusion of such funding might be appropriate and feasible.
Attachment
ORT WORT, I~
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FORT WORTH
January 13, 2009
The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
1000 Throckmorton Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
Dear Mayor and Councilmembers:
On January 5, 2009, the Human Relations Commission voted to adopt the following
recommendations:
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE FORT WORTH
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
In an effort to eliminate alienation and discrimination and to ensure that all Fort Worth
residents are treated equally, the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission
recommends that:
• The City of Fort Worth take steps to ensure that all City owned or operated
facilities are fully accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community. The
Commission recommends that the City upgrade teletypewriter (TTY) equipment
with current technology. The Commission recommends that the City utilize Video
Relay Service (VRS) in all City owned or operated facilities and that training be
provided to all city employees on the use of Video Relay Service in a culturally
competent manner. The Commission further recommends that the City, when
appropriate, utilize Video Remote Interpreting (VRI) services.
• The City of Fort Worth update the Police department's policy regarding the deaf
and hard of hearing community to reflect the current sign interpretation services
provider utilized by the department. The Commission recommends that the
Police department provide Fort Worth police officers, cadets, and candidates with
adequate and up to date training on issues pertaining to the deaf and hard of
hearing community. The Fort Worth Human Relations Commission is prepared
to assist the Police department in any manner with regards to the implementation
of new polices/procedures or the development of a new training program
pertaining to deaf culture, deaf history, and the promotion of community
involvement of the deaf and hard of hearing.
• The City of Fort Worth implement a public education program to inform the deaf
and hard of hearing community about the City's Special Needs Assistance
Program (SNAP), a program designed to provide the Fort Worth-Tarrant County
Office of Emergency Management with vital information on residents with
disabilities and those who are deaf or hard of hearing, and to advise them to
register with the program.
HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION
THE CITY OF FORT WORTH * 1000 THROCKMORTON STREET * FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102
817-392-7525 * FAx 817-392-7529
{3 Printed on recvcled paper
• The City of Fort Worth review its disability programs and employment
policies/procedures to maximize opportunities for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The Commission recommends that all job descriptions and announcements be
reviewed to ensure that they do not inadvertently discriminate against or
discourage applications from persons with disabilities or members of the deaf
and hard of hearing community. The Commission further recommends that the
City engage in an affirmative recruitment process by posting employment
announcements on websites, such as DeafNetwork.com, that service members
of the deaf and hard of hearing community. The Commission further
recommends that bilingual pay be offered to City employees trained in American
Sign Language (ASL) and that tuition reimbursement be offered to employees
who want to learn ASL.
• All City sponsored public meetings, including those seeking input from residents,
include a provision to notify the public that the City will, if notified at least 48
hours prior to the meeting, make accommodations for persons with disabilities
and the deaf and hard of hearing. The provision should also include language to
inform residents that if the City does not receive notification 48 hours prior to the
meeting, the City will make a reasonable attempt to provide the necessary
accommodations.
• The City ensure that all televised council, board and commission meetings are
accessible to the deaf and hard of hearing community by providing sign
interpretive services and closed captioning for the broadcast. The Commission
further recommends that the City's website be made accessible to the deaf and
hard of hearing community by including closed captioning for the website's
videos and by providing ASL services online.
Respectfully submitte#behal of the Commission,
Estrus Tucker
Chair, Fort Worth Human Relations Commission
cc: Dale Fisseler, City Manager