March/April Director’s Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council (MDC)

Nicole Bohn, Director

Mayor’s Office on Disability

April 16, 2021

 

Today’s Director’s Report to the Mayor’s Disability Council (MDC) highlights COVID response and recovery actions and other activities impacting residents with disabilities in the City and County of San Francisco (CCSF) between February 20, 2021 and April 16, 2021.

Stop AAPI Hate Resources:  MOD responds in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities, in response to recent hate crimes.  Nearly 65% of people with disabilities in San Francisco identify as people of color, and a majority within this identify as AAPI.  One resource to consider is: https://stopaapihate.org/, but the need to address hate crimes and racial bias within our communities is an ongoing effort.

JFK Drive Engagement:

The Stakeholder Working Group currently sponsored by Sup. Chan (D1) and the County Transportation Authority had its 4^th and final convening on Monday, April 12, where group members, including MOD and Senior and Disability Action, commented on a proposed action strategy regarding equitable access to JFK Drive.  Among other actions, MOD encouraged consideration that the proposed strategy include specific goals related to community engagement, including disability community engagement.

The proposal does not include a currently include directives or recommendations for a permanent proposal; rather, short and long term improvement actions are proposed.

The next phase of this project involves community outreach and engagement specific to vetting of the action strategy.  This engagement process is expected in May and June.  The Council is encouraged to track this timeline, and consider inviting proposal review and community engagement findings as part of an upcoming public meeting. 

Summer Together Program: MOD has met with representatives from Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the School District (SFUSD) based on concerns that disability access for this economic recovery response program needs clarification and refinement.  The Council is encouraged to consider this item for a future meeting agenda.

Empowered San Francisco Technology Needs Assessment:  As we continue COVID-19 response and recovery in San Francisco, it is critical that we understand the technology needs of people with disabilities, veterans, older adults (60+), transition-age youth, families and those who are unhoused.  Please complete and spread the word about this technology needs assessment survey, led by our colleagues at Thriving in Place.  To take the survey or for more information visit: www.tipsf.org/Digital-Equity

Legislative updates: MDC and members of the public may want to engage with the following:

• Transportation Network Company (TNC) legislation: SB 1376: TNC Access for All Act is in pilot implementation phase. MOD, SFMTA and the County Transportation Authority (CTA) continue to be parties to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) comment proceeding, on the recommendation of the Mayor’s Disability Council. 
  • The proceeding is currently on Track 4, which has largely to do with implementation and disability equity issues.  The Council may consider inviting SFMTA to provide an update on accessibility advocacy progress, here.
• Shared Spaces Permanent Program Proposal:  Ordinance 201284: Shared Spaces https://sfbos.org/sites/default/files/LI040621.pdf
  • The Council received information today on the accessibility elements of the temporary program, and proposed commitments within the proposed permanent program.  The Council is encouraged to track this legislation and continue commenting on the importance of maintaining accessibility within this program.

MOD COVID Response and Recovery Activities:  Mayor’s Office on Disability (MOD) continues to be actively deployed through the COVID Command and has assisted or advised on the following efforts in the since the last written report to the Council on February 19, 2021.

MOD worked with Department of Public Health (DPH) to advocate for and implement March 15 vaccine eligibility protocols for all people with disabilities who live or work in San Francisco, regardless of disability type. This eligibility exceeded the expectation of California State eligibility guidelines, but served to make the process as barrier free as possible.

Along with that, MOD worked to ensure that residents who were eligible could self-attest their disability status, without having to obtain confidential documentation.  The City press release includes additional information.

In conjunction, MOD worked with the Joint Information Center (JIC) to create informational materials addressing vaccine access and eligibility.  Please refer to: “Vaccinating those with disabilities and those at higher risk” flyer available in English, Spanish,  Chinese, and Filipino.  The JIC is currently developing a PSA informational video in ASL for members of the Deaf community.  MOD looks forward to the final product of this effort.

MOD and DPH co-hosted an informational session about vaccine access as well. See recording of March 17, 2021 Vaccine Town Hall for People with Disabilities and Health Conditions.

MOD worked with DPH to implement a Vaccine Access Call Center, a help line specifically designed to help people with disabilities, older adults, and those without internet access schedule vaccine appointments. Residents who fit this criteria may call 628 652-2700.  If you know of specific disability communities that are not being reached with vaccine opportunity information, please contact MOD.  

MOD, DPH and the Department of Emergency Management also worked to set up vaccine clinics specifically for people with disabilities and their caregivers at LightHouse for the Blind, University of the Pacific, and University of San Francisco, to run through the month of April.  Please call the Vaccine Call Center 628-652-2700  for the most up to date information on the availability of these clinics, and all vaccination site options available to people with disabilities.  Phone assistance is available Monday through Friday from 8am-5pm. During non-business hours people can leave messages, which will be returned the next day (even on weekends).

MOD has also worked with DPH to implement a mobile Homebound program.  If you receive most of your healthcare at home and must get vaccinated at home, email cictvaxcc@sfdph.org or call 628-652-2700 for help.  You can also contact your primary care provider. Many health service systems are setting up mobile vaccinations for their patients.

MOD and DPH are in conversation with our major pharmacy network partners (i.e., CVS, Safeway, Walgreens) to explore vaccine equity access and accessibility improvements for our local disability community.

This report posts to the MOD homepage following this meeting.  For questions or comments, or to get involved in or provide feedback on any of the items mentioned in this report, please contact MOD at 415 554-6789 or mod@sfgov.org.  To stay current on opportunities, activities and events pertaining to people with disabilities, please subscribe to our newsfeed at http://sfgov.org/mod/.