Commission on Disabilities
TO: SAFETY, WELLNESS, AND YOUTH DATE: MARCH 19, 2025
COMMITTEE
FROM: COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES WARD: ALL SUBJECT: PROPOSED 2025 WORKPLAN FOR THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES.
ISSUE:
Approve the proposed 2025 Workplan for the Commission on Disabilities RECOMMENDATION:
That the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee approve the proposed 2025 Workplan for the Commission on Disabilities.
BACKGROUND:
To ensure the work of Boards and Commissions align with the City Charter and Envision Riverside 2025 Strategic Plan, the City Manager’s Office requested each Board or Commission to develop an Annual Workplan. Each Workplan will be taken to the respective City Council Standing Committee for review and approval with the Workplans earmarked to begin in March 2025 and conclude in February 2026.
Resolution 23976 identifies the following seven boards and commissions under the purview of the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee: Commission of the Deaf, Community Police Review Commission, Board of Library Trustees, Commission on Aging, Commission on Disabilities, Museum of Riverside Board, and the Park and Recreation Commission.
Commission on Disabilities 2024 Workplan
On November 16, 2024, the Commission on Disabilities discussed action items for their 2024 Workplan and provided recommendations. On December 21, 2024, the Commission approved their Workplan.
Action Item #1: Invite speakers from various community organizations to present the services and resources that their organization provides for the disabled community.
The Commission on Disabilities will have multiple meetings throughout the year where there will be multiple speakers that present on the topics revolving around employment /workforce development, community recreation, accessibility issues, and mental health.
Update: These presentations have been received and continue to be an ongoing activity of the Commission on Disabilities.
Goal 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
Action Item #2: Invite various City departments to present on topics of interest to the Commission on Disabilities to facilitate conversations and promote City programs that serve the disabled community such as Riverside Connect.
The Commission on Disabilities will work with City staff to identify specific topics for focus with City departments such as receiving annual updates on transportation services provided by the City for seniors and disabled individuals.
Update: This continues to be an ongoing activity and the Commission has received a presentation from Parks regarding their Friendly Stars Program and are currently pursuing a presentation for Riverside Connect.
Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust and encourage shared decision-making.
Action Item #3: Engage with community members to identify barriers that are faced and formulate possible resolutions.
The Commissioners will attend community events such as the Janet Goeske Annual Health Fair and will work on collaborating with City Council members in order to address disability needs within the community.
Update: Commissioners have attended the Riverside Airport Trunk or Treat event and have conducted outreach to Gable Farms. Commissioners will continue to conduct community outreach and attend annual events such as the Trunk or Treat event.
Goal 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
Action Item #4: Create an outreach plan for the Commission on Disabilities to ensure that the disabled community is aware of the resources and support that is available.
The Commissioners propose creating an informational resource brochure, working with the Marketing and Communications Department to publicize important meeting topics, hosting Community Outreach Events, and updating the Commission on Disabilities website.
Update: Commissioners are working on an informational brochure and staff are updating the Commission on Disabilities webpage.
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust and encourage shared decision-making.
Action Item #5: Tour various facilities, parks, and outdoor attractions to ensure accessibility.
The Commission will work to identify accessibility needs for playground equipment within City Parks and attend facility tours of all Park facilities and provide feedback to address accessibility issues and identify physical and social barriers Update: This item is pending
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust and encourage shared decision-making DISCUSSION:
The City’s Boards and Commissions serve an important function in the City. Each Board or Commission has been established by City Charter and is granted specified powers and duties or is charged to undertake a specified activity. The Work Plans of the Board or Commission outlines activities that the Board would like to undertake during the course of the year. The individuals who volunteer for these bodies are appointed by the City Council to represent the community’s interests and serve important decision-making bodies for specified activities identified by the Council and delineated in the Charter.
To help focus and enhance the direction of City boards and commissions, City staff has been assigned the responsibility of collaborating with each City boards and commissions to formulate an annual work plan that aligns with the City's Strategic Plan. Once the work plans have been approved and vetted by the various boards and commissions, the commencement of the review process for these board and commission workplans by the City Council Inclusiveness, Community Engagement, and Governmental Processes Committee (ICGC) will be scheduled.
The Commission on Disabilities
The Commission on Disabilities is tasked with the following powers, duties, and functions per Section 2.66.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code:
1. Advise the City Council on all matters affecting persons with disabilities in the community.
2. Review community policies, programs and actions which affect persons with disabilities and make appropriate recommendations to the City Council.
3. Render advice and assistance as requested to other City boards and commissions, to City departments, and to private agencies on matters affecting persons with disabilities.
4. Identify the needs of persons with disabilities and create a public awareness of these needs in areas such as employment, housing, transportation, media, physical and communication accessibility and other needed areas.
5. Promote greater awareness of the changing life patterns, opportunities and responsibilities of persons with disabilities.
6. Promote the total integration of persons with disabilities into all aspects of community life.
7. Perform other functions and duties as may be directed by the City Council.
Commission on Disabilities 2025 Workplan
On October 17, 2024, the Commission on Disabilities discussed action items for their 2025 Workplan and provided recommendations. On November 21, 2024, the Commission approved their Workplan to be presented to the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee.
The 2025 Workplan for the Commission on Disabilities includes the following:
Action Item #1: Invite speakers from various community organizations to present the services and resources that their organization provides for the disabled community.
The Commission on Disabilities will have multiple meetings throughout the year where there will be multiple speakers that present on the topics revolving around employment /workforce development, community recreation, accessibility issues, and mental health Goal 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
Action Item #2: Invite various City departments to present on topics of interest to the Commission on Disabilities to facilitate conversations and promote City programs that serve the disabled community such as Riverside Connect.
The Commission on Disabilities will work with City staff to identify specific topics for focus with City departments such as receiving annual updates on transportation services provided by the City for seniors and disabled individuals.
Goal 5.3 – Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust and encourage shared decision-making.
Action Item #3: Engage with community members to identify barriers that are faced and formulate possible resolutions.
The Commissioners will attend community events such as the Janet Goeske Annual Health Fair and will work on collaborating with City Council members in order to address disability needs within the community.
Goal 2.5 – Foster relationships between community members, partner organizations, and public safety professionals to define, prioritize, and address community safety and social service needs.
Action Item #4: Create an outreach plan for the Commission on Disabilities to ensure that the disabled community is aware of the resources and support that is available.
The Commissioners propose creating an informational resource brochure, working with the Marketing and Communications Department to publicize important meeting topics, hosting Community Outreach Events, and updating the Commission on Disabilities website.
Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust and encourage shared decision-making.
Action Item #5: Tour various facilities, parks, and outdoor attractions to ensure accessibility.
The Commission will work to identify accessibility needs for playground equipment within City Parks and attend facility tours of all Park facilities and provide feedback to address accessibility issues and identify physical and social barriers Goal 5.3 - Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust and encourage shared decision-making.
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT:
This item aligns with each of the five Cross-Cutting threads based as follows:
Community Trust – The Commission Workplan provides a defined plan that accommodates for community engagement and involvement from the Commission Equity – The Commission Workplan is available to all members of the public and the presentation of the proposed plan in a public forum allows for public comment from members of the public.
Fiscal Responsibility – The Commission Workplan demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to responsible management of the Commission’s financial resources.
Innovation – The Commission Workplan will assist in meeting community needs and improving access to disability resources Sustainability & Resiliency –The Commission Workplan demonstrates the Commission’s commitment to promoting greater independence for people with disabilities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
Prepared by: Fred Tobar, Administrative Analyst Approved by: Kris Martinez, Assistant City Manager
Attachments:
2025 Annual Workplan
2024 Annual Workplan
Presentation
2025 Annual Work Plan for the Commission on Disabilities Page 2