Orange County NC Website
140. w <br />T ~ {~ <br />e, t1 F <br />.-... ... -.~ ~ ,~ ` .. . `l .. ~ .. <br />~~C®Ii'iIY1L't1C~~'~IOII 2: Support purposeful inclusion of all people. <br />Action strategies: <br />A. Support the Human Rights and Relations Commission and its charge to~build <br />community <br />^ Form abroad-based coalition utilizing existing organizations to develop a plan to foster <br />multiculturalism in the community. <br />^ Provide adequate staffing for plan development. <br />B. •Comply fully with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). <br />Create a position for afull-time County Disability Services Coordinator. The goal of creating <br />the position would be to ensure that governments, businesses and individuals act in full <br />compliance with the ADA. The coordinator would initiate and oversee a public awazeness <br />campaign, conduct an inventory of~businesses and government agencies to determine compliance <br />with ADA regulations, act on discrimination complaints, serve as an'advocate for persons with <br />disabilities, and serve as staff to the Orange County Disability Awareness Council. <br />C. Improve services for I.atinos/Hispanics and other non-English-speaking <br />populations. <br />^ Service provision should be integrated and include: <br />• referrals to and information about available services in our community; <br />• translating and interpreting; <br />• assistance with housing concerns, financial and consumer issues, and emergency <br />assistance. <br />(It is suggested that such services be located at schools since children are akeady located <br />there. Public safety needs should be addressed as described under Public Safety on page 62, <br />Recommendation 3.) <br />^ Recrdit bi-lingual employees to government positions, and provide Spanish'language <br />training to employees. <br />^ Encourage the UNC School of Education to increase its focus on bi-linguaUESL training <br />and education. <br />^ Provide English as a Second Language classes (ESL) so that non-English speakers have an <br />opportunity to learn English. (See also Education Goal 1, Recommendation 6, page 69 and <br />Goal 2, Recommendation 2, page 70). <br />D. Encourage diverse citizen participation: <br />^ Aggressively recruit a diversity of citizens, with an emphasis on recruiting people from <br />under-represented groups, for local boards and volunteer organizations. <br />® Send representatives to African American and Latino centers, housing complexes, and <br />churches to foster dialogue. - <br />E. Ensure that affordable rental and owner-occupied homes are available for low and <br />moderate income households. <br />See page 58 for details on action strategies to address housing issues. <br />24 <br />