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From:SantaCruzAmbassador@yahoo.com <br />To:publiccomment; leora@yimbyaction.org; ACCESS California <br />Cc:Jazmin Posas; Christopher Martin; Damion Scott; Monica Rejniak; Francisco Duenas; Francisco Valenzuela; <br />Patricia Mendoza; Malcolm Harris; Therese Adams; Clare Cortright; Dawniell Zavala; Susan Gallagher; Orlando <br />Vera; Michelle Yook <br />Subject:Public Comments via Virtually and participating Virtually <br />Date:Monday, September 9, 2024 9:51:07 AM <br />You don't often get email from santacruzambassador@yahoo.com. Learn why this is important <br />Dear City Council, <br />You have the obligation to allow residents and the community to participate with <br />public comments virtually especially for seniors and people with disabilities. <br />The City receives both State and Federal funding. It can loose its funding for not <br />providing reasonable accommodations under either Section 504 of the Rehabilitation <br />Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) by filing a complaint with California <br />Civil Rights Office or Office of Civil Rights at Federal government. <br />We are not out of COVID and not in current emergency orders from State but COVID <br />is still around and is vulnerable to people with underlying health conditions and <br />people with disabilities. I am at risk for COVID due to my underlying health conditions <br />as a person with disabilities. <br />Six days ago our State Attorney General issue guidance on virtual to be accessible to <br />not only be accessible but to continue to be accessible to participate fully as a <br />reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with all <br />public meetings in California. <br />The City must support public comments virtually in order to participate and provide <br />adequate feedback from residents and the community on issues and concerns <br />affecting the City. <br />I am hard of hearing and closed captioning must be available to not exclude me from <br />participating fully including being available virtually. Not all Cities and Counties (like <br />County of San Mateo) are inclusive even after thirty-four years of the Americans with <br />Disabilities Act (ADA) Federal Legislation. <br />I'm speaking behalf of myself as an Advocate and on behalf of the following <br />organizations I volunteer with Cal Voices, YIMBY, Miracle Messages, HousingNow, <br />ACCE, Peer Voices of Sacramento, and Residents United Network (RUN) member as <br />part of the RUN Bay Area Region. <br />"We Are Here, We Are United, We Are Not Going Away" <br />Justin Dart Jr. <br />Mental Wellness is possible