Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs public meetings in 2022
4 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs
The Council is conducting several committee meetings covering education, accessibility, and legislative goals. The Full Council meeting will include reports from these committees and updates on employment and health initiatives.
- Education: Discussion of Special Education teacher certification and classroom cameras
- Accessibility: Updates on GUMBO broadband opportunities and State ADA Coordinator Office (HB143)
- Legislative: Discussion of ABLE Account changes and removal of CDL exam interpreter prohibitions
- Legislative: Updates on incontinence supply coverage and generators for ICF/DDs
- Full Council: Presentation on the Louisiana Department of Health Business Plan
The Council approved recommendations to sustain funding for the Postsecondary Inclusive Education (LAPIE) initiative and support a $262,500 funding request for the Statewide Independent Advocacy Services Program. Members also approved a study resolution to identify state agency spending on transportation.
- Approved support for expanding sustained funding for LAPIE initiative
- Approved motion to write a letter to the technology committee regarding Capitol accessibility for the deaf
- Approved study resolution to identify agencies spending program dollars on transportation
- Approved support for $262,500 in state general funds for SILAP expansion
- Approved support for Paid Family Medical Leave proposal
- Permitted Legislative Committee to make necessary recommendations
Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs
The Council and its committees are meeting to discuss disability-related issues across education, accessibility, legislation, and transportation. The sessions include reviews of state agency updates, legislative goals, and employment initiatives.
- Discussion of Postsecondary Inclusive Education Fund and IEPs in Louisiana Universities
- Review of GUMBO broadband opportunities and state government website accessibility
- Legislative goals regarding Medicaid Waiver funding, incontinence supplies, and generators for ICF/DDs
- Presentation on the Coordinated Human Services Plan
- Presentation on the ALICE Report by Louisiana United Ways
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs approved a resolution regarding state website accessibility. The council also reviewed updates on broadband funding, classroom camera initiatives, and special education compliance.
- Adopted resolution on state website accessibility (Passed)
- Approved June 2022 meeting minutes with amendments (Passed)
- Approved motion to survey districts to determine special education needs (Passed)
- Agreed to send letter requesting waiver funding be added to base budget (Passed)
Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs
The Council and its Legislative, Education, Transportation, and Accessibility committees are meeting to discuss disability-related legislation and agency updates. The sessions include reviews of specific house and senate bills and reports on transportation and broadband accessibility.
- Discussion of HB649 (corporal punishment), SB192 (Postsecondary Inclusive Education Fund), and HB315 (Blind and Visually Impaired Student's Bill of Rights)
- Review of HCR 14 regarding a task force for voting rights of people with disabilities
- Transportation updates from Sportran, LYNX by CATS, and DOTD infrastructure funding
- Broadband accessibility discussions regarding GUMBO and Digital Navigators
- Full Council review of employment initiatives and Louisiana Department of Health updates
The Council approved motions to draft a letter to the DOTD regarding rural transportation gaps and a letter on best practices for Special Education Advisory Councils. The Legislative Committee also voted to send concerns regarding SB342 to the Governor.
- Approved March 2022 meeting minutes
- Approved drafting a letter on Special Education Advisory Council best practices
- Approved creating an FAQ sheet for cameras in the classroom legislation
- Approved writing a letter to Dr. Wilson of DOTD regarding rural gaps and emergency management
- Approved motion to send concerns about SB342 to the Governor (9-1-3)
Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs and its four committees (Education, Transportation, Accessibility, Legislative) will hold meetings March 7-16, 2022, via Zoom and in person at the Louisiana State Capitol. The full council will receive committee reports and discuss employment initiatives, behavioral health, and the annual conference. Public comment is allowed on each agenda item before a vote.
- Education Committee to discuss teacher shortage, HB30 (Retired Teachers Return to Work Bill), and dyslexia law (Bulletin 1903)
- Transportation Committee to review paratransit study for JET/RTA/SBURTA regional coordination and ride-share legislation
- Accessibility Committee to hear from Broadband Director on GUMBO program and from FCC on National Weather Service alerts
- Full council to receive updates from LDH Office of Behavioral Health and Governor's Office of Disability Affairs
- Legislative Committee to consider taking positions on legislative items
The Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs approved support for 11 legislative bills and authorized the Legislative Committee to make further recommendations. The council also approved the December 2021 meeting minutes and voted to survey local special education advisory councils.
- Approved December 2021 meeting minutes
- Supported HB55 (Medicaid dental care), HB143 (ADA compliance), HB291 (Nursing home emergency plans), HB524 (Disaster services), HB645 (Community Options Waiver Fund), and HB649 (Prohibiting corporal punishment)
- Supported SB45 (Classroom cameras), SB74 (Poll watcher qualifications), SB104 (Communication devices in healthcare), and SB192 (Postsecondary Inclusive Education Fund)
- Opposed HB146 (Medical procedure consent for interdicted individuals)
- Denied support for HB194 (Education funding for non-public students)
- Approved motion to survey local LEA Special Education Advisory Councils
- Approved support for HB30 (Retired Teachers Return to Work) with amendments for support staff
- Authorized Legislative Committee to make recommendations on behalf of GACDA at March 24 meeting