§ 2-136. Purpose and duties.

The equal opportunity and accessibility advisory board shall ensure the benefits of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to citizens of the city. The board shall act in an advisory capacity as a clearinghouse for community concerns as outlined in this division and its duties shall be:

(a)

To help to preserve and further the good name of the city by fostering and promoting amicable relations among individual citizens and various groups of citizens in the city and its environs;

(b)

To help to ensure that each citizen, regardless of race, religion, color, age, sex, disability, language proficiency or national origin, has an opportunity to develop according to his or her abilities without limitations;

(c)

To act as an agency with the responsibility of analyzing the depth and scope of community problems in the general areas of community involvement and communications, accessibility, education, economic opportunity, recreation, racial inequality, and concerns of the youth;

(d)

To present such community problems to the appropriate elected or appointed officials, or the Kansas Human Rights Commission or other appropriate local or state agency, and ask that such problems be examined and that the board be advised of any actions taken;

(e)

To enlist the resources of individuals and groups toward the improvement of intergroup relations, and encourage community support and understanding by the general public of the board's concerns;

(f)

To support legislation, where appropriate, that is designed to reduce or eliminate discriminatory practices and group or individual prejudices;

(g)

To advise and make recommendations to the board of city commissioners on such matters related to accessibility as, from time to time, may be referred to the board;

(h)

To evaluate public projects and activities, review plans for city construction projects with potential accessibility issues prior to implementation, and advise city staff on matters related to accessibility;

(i)

To provide technical assistance to the city on matters related to the disabled population and serve as an advocate for citizens with disabilities;

(j)

To serve as a resource on policy and/or procedure for members of the board of city commissioners and for city staff;

(k)

To review federal and state regulations and guidelines on accessibility, and to report its findings to the appropriate city department, division or board; and

(l)

To review and revise the city's American with Disabilities Act Transition Plan as needed and make recommendations for its implementation.

(Ord. No. 2016-06-4409, § 1, 6-7-2016; Ord. No. 2017-12-4449, § 1, 12-19-2017)