TERMS OF REFERENCE - March 2004
(Amended June 2006 to reflect name change)

PURPOSE

The primary purpose of the ACDI is to advise City Council and all City Departments on issues specifically related to people with disabilities. A secondary purpose is to advocate on behalf of persons with disabilities to other authorities which formulate policy and/or offer programs which affect people with disabilities. Disabilities are understood to mean all forms: physical, mental, emotional; visible and invisible.

GOALS

1. To promote equitable participation by people with disabilities in the community.
2. To make all programs and services offered to the public sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and their families.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Seek input from disabled individuals and groups which represent them.
2. Review and assess existing municipal services to determine whether or not they meet the goal of equitable participation.
3. Develop and forward recommendations to City Council regarding priorities, objectives, standards and programs/services.
4. Interpret and promote the needs of people with disabilities to the community at large and its various agencies.

MEMBERSHIP

1. The ACDI shall consist of nine members, at least seven of whom are persons with disabilities.
2. There shall be no remuneration for serving on the ACDI.
3. Members shall be appointed by the Social Development Advisory Board in early November of each year. Letters of intent or resumes of interested citizens to serve on the Committee must be received by Social Development Advisory Board no later than September 30 of each year.
4. Members shall serve three-year terms.
5. Terms shall be staggered over a three-year cycle as follows:
   1st......3 positions
   2nd.....3 positions
   3rd......3 positions

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

1. The ACDI shall have a Chair and a Vice-Chair.
2. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall serve 1-year terms for a maximum of two consecutive years.
3. The Chair and Vice-Chair shall be elected by the ACDI at the first regular meeting of every year or the first regular meeting following the appointment of new members.
4. The ACDI shall strike sub-committees as required.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Members shall be disqualified from serving on the ACDI if:

1. They become employees of the City of Medicine Hat.
2. They are absent from three consecutive meetings without being formally excused by the Committee. The onus for being excused lies with the individual member.

MEETINGS

1. ACDI shall hold at least nine regular monthly meetings per year.
2. A quorum shall consist of at least three (3) members.

INFORMATION FLOW

1. Policy-related recommendations normally shall flow through the Social Development Advisory Board and Public Services Committee to City Council.

LIMITATIONS

The ACDI shall not have the following powers:

1. To spend money, to make any purchase on behalf of the City or to obligate/bind the City in any manner whatsoever.
2. To make recommendations relating to City personnel, their salaries, fringe benefits or other staff welfare matters.

BUDGET

The ACDI is provided with an operating budget funded by the City of Medicine Hat. Such a budget shall be adopted by the Committee and presented through the normal budget channels of the City in the fall of each year.

RECORDS

The minutes and other documents of the ACDI shall be maintained by the City's Social Development Department.

AMENDMENT PROCEDURES

These Terms of Reference may be amended following procedures below:

1. At least 30 days notice is given.
2. Passed by at least three-fourths of the members at a regular meeting.
3. Approved by the SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Advisory Board.

ETHICAL GUIDELINES

Members of the ACDI shall abide by the following ethical guidelines:

1. Declare at the first opportunity their pecuniary interests, or the known pecuniary interest of any close relative, relating to business being conducted by the Committee, leave the place of the meeting while the matter is being discussed and refrain from voting on the matter.
2. Not use information designated confidential for the personal gain of themselves or any other person.
3. Not communicate information designated confidential to anyone not authorized to receive it.
4. Not use their membership or position on the Committee to secure special privileges, favours or exemptions for themselves or any other person.
5. For a period of twelve months after leaving the Committee abide by the ethical standards listed above, except for those standards related to confidential information which shall apply in perpetuity.
6. Members shall not assume that any unethical activities not specified in these guidelines are therefore condoned.

STAFF LIAISON/SUPPORT

1. The Social Development Department shall designate a staff-person to serve as liaison and resource to the ACDI
2. The Social Development Department shall supply secretarial support to the ACDI which shall include the preparation and circulation of agendas, minutes and annual reports.