Executive Order

Executive Order  No. 351: Establishing the Governor's special advisory commission on disability policy

Date: 02/05/1993
Issuer: William F. Weld
Mass Register: No. 707

Table of Contents

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth's development and implementation of public policy, and the design and delivery of services and assistance for persons with disabilities would be enhanced by the guidance of those who are recipients of or are otherwise affected by the availability of such services; and

WHEREAS, the implementation of policy and the delivery of services and assistance to persons with disabilities by the Commonwealth and the development and achievement of the Commonwealth's policy goals are accomplished through various agencies, departments and officers; and

WHEREAS, there is a need for a formal mechanism through which persons with disabilities are able to lend to the Commonwealth and its departments, agencies and officers, their input, experience and advice; and

WHEREAS, the Commonwealth is committed to implementing policies and providing services and assistance which are responsive to the needs of persons with disabilities;

NOW THEREFORE, I William F. Weld, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, by virtue of the power vested in me as supreme executive magistrate do hereby create the Governor's Special Advisory Commission on Disability Policy and order as follows:

1. The Commission shall consist of twenty-four persons, including three senior policy managers selected by the Governor to attend the meetings of the Commission as the Governor's representatives. The senior policy managers shall be selected from three secretariats designated annually by the voting members of the Commission.

The remaining twenty-one members, who shall be the only voting members, shall be appointed by the Governor from lists submitted by the director of the office on disability (the "director") and shall be persons with disabilities, parents or guardians of children with disabilities, or advocates for persons with disabilities. The director's nominations shall come from recommendations provided by groups, organizations and individuals representing persons with disabilities. The voting members shall be qualified by training, experience, or demonstrated interest in the affairs of persons with disabilities and shall be representative of the population of the Commonwealth with respect to type and severity of disability, age, race, ethnicity, and geographic dispersal. At least eleven of the voting members shall be persons with disabilities.

The voting members shall elect a chairperson and such other officers as deemed necessary and the Commission shall meet at least quarterly. Voting members shall serve for three year terms. If any voting member is absent without cause from two regularly scheduled quarterly meetings in any calendar year, his or her position may be deemed vacant. Whenever a vacancy occurs through absence or otherwise the chairperson shall forthwith notify the Governor that such vacancy exists and the Governor shall appoint a successor to fill the unexpired term from lists submitted by the director and the voting members. Voting members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

2. The Commission shall advise the director concerning policy, planning, and needs in the Commonwealth for programs and services for persons with disabilities;

3. The Commission shall advise the Governor and senior policy managers, including executive secretaries, on issues affecting people with disabilities, including the effect of existing or proposed government policies, programs, services and regulations on disability services; and

4. The Commission shall communicate with the federally funded developmental disabilities program and advisory bodies serving various agencies and programs within the executive branch on matters affecting persons with disabilities.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston on this 5th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and ninety- three.

William F. Weld, Governor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Michael Joseph Connolly
Secretary of the Commonwealth

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