Philadelphia voters to decide measure on making Office for People with Disabilities a permanent part
The Philadelphia City Council unanimously passed a charter amendment in June, referring it to the Nov. 2023 ballot, that would make the Office for People with Disabilities a permanent part of city government by making it a part of the city charter.
Philadelphia currently has a Mayors Office on People with Disabilities, which was established by Mayor James Kenney (D) in September 2017 through Executive Order 7-17. The office included the Mayors Commission on People with Disabilities. Both were housed under the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Census data from 2016 showed that 16% of individuals living in Philadelphia reported a physical, emotional, or cognitive disability.
The question voters will see on their ballot will be, Should the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to create an Office for People with Disabilities to coordinate the Citys compliance with requirements to provide access for people with disabilities to City services and programs and to otherwise provide for incorporation of the Office into the City government?
Councilmember Kendra Brooks (WFP) proposed the charter amendment. Brooks said, Making sure that every Philadelphian can participate in community, in culture, and in the life of our city is not just our moral obligation but our legal obligation. By submitting this charter change to voters, we acknowledge the work that still needs to be done, and we affirm our commitment to making Philadelphia accessible for everyone.
https://news.ballotpedia.org/2023/09/04/philadelphia-voters-to-decide-measure-on-making-office-for-people-with-disabilities-a-permanent-part-of-the-city-charter/