2009 Workplan

Mission:
The Seattle Human Rights Commission promotes human rights for the residents of Seattle and facilitates the prevention and elimination of discrimination.

Vision:
A community in which diverse populations achieve harmony through understanding and acceptance.

The Commission's work is accomplished through task forces and committees. Each has specific goals outlined below.

Appeals Committee

Goal I: Improve and clarify the City's civil rights laws.


Goal II: Train all Commissioners on civil rights law and procedures, particularly appeal rules.


Goal III: Conduct appeals monthly for individuals who believe SOCR has not adequately addressed their complaints of discrimination.

Disability Taskforce

Goal I: Provide to the disability community and stakeholders information about Seattle's disability policies and services, e.g., Advisory Council on Aging and Disability. Coordinate efforts to ensure public has knowledge about how to file complaints pertaining to ADA accessibility.


Goal II: Monitor implementation of the Sidewalk Café legislation.

Education Taskforce

Goal I: Build relationships with key stakeholders and provide introduction to SHRC.


Goal II: Inform commissioners about issues of concern to community.


Goal III: Improve ability to make an impact towards positive outcomes.

Government and Legislative Affairs Task Force

Goal I: Form legislative agenda.


Goal II: Develop liaison relationships with Council Members, Council staff, the Mayor's Office, and other important contacts within Seattle City government.


Goal III: Pass City Legislative Agenda.


Goal IV: Advocate for enactment of a municipal ordinance establishing human rights in the City of Seattle.

Homelessness Taskforce

Goal I: Inform the homeless community and their advocates of homeless individuals' rights in the City of Seattle.


Goal II: Inform middle and high school students about the ordinance change and the rights of homeless people in the City of Seattle. Explain the reasons for the ordinance change and inspire them to do human rights work.


Goal III: Inform Latino and Chinese homeless people of their rights and provide the appropriate materials.

Public Relation Taskforce

Goal I: Develop Network List of associations and organizations for marketing efforts.


Goal II: Market SHRC basic principles, goals, and accomplishments on an ongoing basis.

Public Safety Taskforce

Goal I: Ensure that the public knows how to file police complaints and has access to the system.


Goal II: Provide information to immigrant communities about SPD policies and city services.


Goal III: Work with SPD and SOCR to educate community about the Perspectives in Profiling training; share the training with the community.

Goal IV: Support efforts to assure everyone charged with a crime has access to justice.