Philadelphia has several major offices on the line this Election Day, including the seat to become the city’s 100th mayor. But amidst the contentious races, there are not as many ballot measures as usual this year; in fact, only one ballot question asks voters to cast a “yes” or “no” vote.
The measure, spearheaded by Councilmember Kendra Brooks, would amend the city’s Home Rule Charter by permanently adding a Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities.
In simpler terms, the measure would change the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter, which is the governing document that shapes the structure of city government, including the Mayor’s Office, City Council, and City Hall. All amendments to the Charter require public approval in the form of ballot measures.
The current Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities was created with an executive order under Mayor Jim Kenney in 2017. Due to the nature of its creation, the office can be eliminated at any time by another mayoral action. If approved, the amendment would establish a more permanent Office for People with Disabilities. If passed, another ballot measure would be required to remove the established office from the Home Rule Charter.
According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, 17.4% of Philadelphians are disabled, the highest rate out of any major city in the United States.
According to their website, the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities is home to the Mayor’s Commission on People with Disabilities and the Office of ADA Compliance. The Commission on People with Disabilities works to provide resources and referrals to local organizations that support disabled Philadelphians. They also work to educate residents on the American with Disabilities Act and other laws that protect their civil rights. The Office of ADA Compliance writes policies and procedures to ensure equal access to City-provided services and programs. The office also responds to grievances from residents with disabilities who feel they have been discriminated against.
In a letter to committee members, Councilmember Brooks wrote, “I sponsored this ballot question because I believe that Philadelphia should be accessible for all of us.”
Brooks is currently Chair of City Council’s Committee on People with Disabilities and Special Needs. She was also the program director at Easterseals, a nonprofit organization that provides disabilities services, for 15 years. She spent her time working with young people with disabilities. Six other members of City Council have supported Brooks’ cause. The legislation passed through City Council with no reported opposition.
Local advocacy groups, like Disability Pride PA, have also shown their own support for the cause. Founder and director, Vicki Lander, says she was involved with the process of creating the measure alongside Amy Nieves, the Executive Director for the Office for People with Disabilities.
“I helped Amy with the wording and things to put that together,” Lander said.
Disability Pride PA is one of seven organizations in the Rev Up Philly Coalition, a campaign to foster civic engagement and protect voting rights of Americans with disabilities.
There have been no active efforts against the measure. There is a seemingly overwhelming amount of support for the passing of the measure, but council members and disabilities advocates still stress the importance of voting. Recent ballot measures that seemed a clear “yes” before Election Day, have fallen short by a thin margin.
You can vote until 8pm on Tuesday, November 7th at your local polling place.
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