EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 15

WHEREAS, passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”)  by the United States Congress imposed a requirement that employers not discriminate against people with disabilities in regard to any employment practices or terms, conditions, and privileges of employment;

WHEREAS, Congress specifically mandated that state government agencies be subject to the provisions of the ADA;

WHEREAS, Alabamians with disabilities and their families, may experience an economic impact due to their disabilities;

WHEREAS, people with disabilities have unmet needs in many areas, including but not limited to; transportation, education, employment, housing, transportation, recreation, health care, insurance, leisure and/or personal assistance;

WHEREAS, collaboration among public and private organizations serving individuals with disabilities is necessary to efficiently use available resources;

WHEREAS, a coordinated centralized effort will ensure all state agencies are in compliance with the terms of the ADA by the most efficient means possible; and,

WHEREAS, there is a need of coordination with consumers and consumer-driven organizations regarding state disability policies and services and a clearinghouse for disability-related information in one location.

NOW, THEREFORE, based upon these considerations, and for other good and valid reasons thereto, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby establish the Governor’s Office on Disability, hereinafter referred to as “GOOD,” within the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services (“ADRS”).

The purpose and duties of GOOD include:

1.   To serve as point of contact for issues related to people with disabilities.
2.   To collect and compile information on Alabama resources for individuals with disabilities and their families.
3.   To remain current on matters of interest related to disability issues.
4.   To monitor Alabama legislation and policies that affect people with disabilities.
5.   To collaborate, where possible, with other Alabama public and private disability organizations and resources to increase efficiency in the use of available resources for Alabamians with disabilities.
6.   To accept and handle referrals, regarding disability issues, from the Governor’s Constituent Affairs Office.
7.   To enter into inter-agency agreements or contracts with public and private entities, including state agencies, to further the purposes of GOOD.
8.   To monitor disability constituent issues to the extent of developing, assisting in the development of, or recommending policies and/or legislation to address such issues in coordination with the Governor’s Policy and Legislative Affairs offices.
9.   To maintain local advisory committees around the state for the purpose of determining the unmet needs of persons with disabilities and otherwise soliciting their input.
10. To provide informal legal opinions on disability issues to the Governor’s Legal Office and otherwise assist such office on legal matters related to individuals with disabilities.
11. To serve as the statewide clearinghouse for information on disability issues.
12. To prepare an Annual Report of GOOD’s activities and send a copy of said report to the Governor, Alabama Legislature, and the Commissioner of ADRS, and provide quarterly reports on GOOD activities to the Governor.

BE IT ORDERED that GOOD shall be managed by a Director who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that the Director shall be assisted by a Deputy Director, who shall be appointed by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Governor.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that all employees of GOOD, present or future, be supervised, managed and answerable to the GOOD Executive Director.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that GOOD be housed and located within ADRS and subject to its personnel policies, rules, and regulations to the extent applicable, yet remain a separate agency.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that if a conflict arises with regard to any previous or existing Executive Order, the provisions of this Executive Order shall prevail.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon the Governor’s signature and shall remain in effect until amended or modified by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 16th day of May, 2011.

Robert Bentley

Governor

Attested

Beth Chapman

Secretary of State