Accessibility • Disabilities • Government Reform
Create the Department of Accessibility and Disability
A comprehensive proposal to improve accessibility, independence, and accountability by creating a dedicated Department of Accessibility and Disabilities focused on real outcomes for New Mexicans with disabilities.
New Mexicans with disabilities deserve a government that works with them, not around them. This proposal creates a dedicated Department of Accessibility and Disabilities to coordinate services, improve efficiency, and ensure equal access to transportation, employment, healthcare, education, and government services — without eliminating existing jobs or programs.
Proposal for Establishing the Department of Accessibility and Disabilities
This proposal recommends restructuring various State Government cabinets to improve support and efficiency for residents with disabilities. Instead of eliminating existing positions, we will focus on consolidation. A new position is proposed: the Department of Accessibility and Disabilities.
Purpose of the Department
The Department of Accessibility and Disabilities will assist residents with physical, mental, or visual impairments. Key initiatives include:
- Accessible Transportation
- Introduce affordable rideshare services to enhance transportation options.
- Develop a state-owned fleet of wheelchair-accessible para-transit vans to provide convenient rides without requiring three-day advance scheduling.
- Employment Opportunities
- Offer tax incentives to employers who hire visually impaired individuals.
- Implement accountability measures for state agencies to ensure a minimum percentage of job applicants with disabilities are hired.
- Medicaid Adjustments
- Expand coverage for select dental procedures.
- Increase access to specialized medical care for residents with disabilities.
- Government Services Accessibility
- Provide large print and audio formats of public documents to enhance accessibility.
- Ensure all government websites and services meet ADA and WCAG standards for screen reader compatibility.
- Educational Support
- Implement Braille and audio programs in K-12 schools to cater to diverse learning needs.
- Ensure accessible digital textbooks are available for all students.
- Establish transition programs to assist students with disabilities as they move into higher education or the workforce.
- Daily Living Support
- Address housing, independent living, and community participation needs.
Goal
This initiative seeks to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals with disabilities, ensuring equal access to transportation, employment, healthcare, government services, education, and daily living aspects.
Monitoring and Enforcement of Accessibility Standards
The Department is dedicated to ensuring fair treatment for residents with disabilities through a comprehensive compliance framework. Regular accessibility audits and inspections of government-funded residences and service providers will be conducted in accordance with ADA and Section 504 standards.
Service providers will be required to submit annual compliance reports, bolstered by resident feedback through surveys and an independent ombudsman office. The Department will enforce compliance by issuing corrective action plans, imposing penalties, or withholding funding for ongoing violations. Additionally, we will provide training and technical assistance to promote the adoption of best practices.
To ensure transparency, we will publicly report compliance outcomes and collaborate with federal and state agencies for consistent enforcement across housing, healthcare, and public services.
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