Feuer, Alatorre Propose Creation of Department on Disability

Los Angeles Councilmen Mike Feuer and Richard Alatorre have proposed the creation of a city Department on Disability, designed to jump-start Los Angeles’ belated efforts to comply with the federal disability rights law.

If the measure passes today as expected, Los Angeles will be among the first major cities in the nation to elevate operations regarding disabilities to the departmental level, said Jim Dickson of the National Organization on Disabilities.

The city is several years behind schedule in adopting a plan to comply with the landmark federal Americans With Disabilities Act, said Betty Wilson, executive director of the city’s office on disability, part of the Personnel Department.

Among the unfinished business is construction of more than 100,000 sloped curbs for wheelchair access.

The act required cities, by 1994, to lay out a plan for making such amenities as sidewalks, bus systems and park facilities accessible, Wilson said. The city is just now completing its plan.

The measure before the council seeks elevation of the office on disabilities, which relies on grants that vary yearly, to equal status with other departments. Its budget would come from the general fund.