Archives for August 2014

Access to the State Fair

Bus Changes – You Need to Know!

If you are meeting a friend, family member or personal care attendant at the Minnesota State Fair and you plan to use State Fair busing, please be aware of the following.

All State Fair Express Service ($5 round-trip), charter and Metro Transit Regular Route #960 buses, as well as most Park & Ride (free round-trip) buses will utilize the new Transit Hub located by the new West End Market.

The Oscar Johnson Arena Park & Ride lot offering free round-trip rides exclusively for fair guests with disabilities and their companions is located off Energy Park Drive, east of Snelling Avenue on DeCourcy Circle. Accessible buses servicing the Oscar Johnson Arena Park & Ride lot will still drop-off and pick-up at the Como Avenue Loop Gate #9 (same location as in past years).

The Metro Mobility pick-up and drop-off will remain at the Como Avenue Loop Gate #9, as well.  An additional Metro Mobility drop-off and pick-up site is now located on the north end of the fairgrounds off of Hoyt Avenue.

There will be wheelchair & scooter rentals at the new Transit Hub, Como Avenue – Metro Mobility location and the Hoyt Avenue – Metro Mobility location.

For additional State Fair information please follow the attached link: https://www.metrotransit.org/metro-transit-providing-affordable-convenient-rides-to-the-state-fair

STATE OF MINNESOTA
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
MARK DAYTON
GOVERNOR
Executive Order 14-14

Providing for Increased State Employment of Individuals with Disabilities

I, Mark Dayton, Governor of the State of Minnesota, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the
Constitution and the applicable statutes, do hereby issue this Executive Order:

Whereas, the State of Minnesota, the state’s largest employer, can serve as a model for the employment of
individuals with disabilities through improved recruitment, hiring, and retention;

Whereas, the Governor’s Workforce Development Council identified individuals with disabilities as an
underutilized source of talent necessary to meet workforce needs;

Whereas, the percentage of state employees self-identified as having a disability declined from
approximately 10% in 1999 to less than 4% in 2013;

Whereas, the State of Minnesota has the responsibility to ensure that its workforce reflects the diversity of
the state’s population and is able to meet projected workforce shortages by ensuring all qualified individuals
are recruited and retained;

Whereas, to be competitive in the global economy, the State of Minnesota must use the talents and
important contributions of all workers, including individuals with disabilities; and

Whereas, Executive Order 13-01 appointed and charged an Olmstead Sub-Cabinet to swiftly implement
standards set forth in the Olmstead decision and the mandates of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA) through coordinated efforts of designated State agencies. These efforts must ensure that all
Minnesotans have the opportunity, both now and in the future, to live close to their families and friends, to
live more independently, to engage in productive employment, and to participate in community life.

Now, Therefore, I hereby order that:
1) In accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 43A.19, all Executive Branch Agencies use
their best efforts to comply with the Affirmative Action Goals set by Minnesota
Management and Budget (MMB) stating that state agencies are to increase employment for
people with disabilities to at least seven percent by August, 2018.

2) Within 120 days of this order, the Commissioner of MMB, Assistant Commissioner of
Enterprise and Human Resources, and the State Director for Equal Opportunity, Diversity
and Inclusion will design a model for recruitment and hiring strategies to increase
employment of people with disabilities. These strategies will include required training
programs for hiring managers and human resources personnel, and are to include clear
benchmarks to ensure implementation of this order.

3) Each Executive Branch Agency develops an agency plan for promoting employment
opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The plans are to include specific recruitment
and training programs for employment. Plans should be developed in consultation with the
Commissioner of MMB, and are to include clear performance targets and goals.

4) In implementing their plans, Executive Branch Agencies, to the extent possible and
permitted by law, should use an on-the-job demonstration process pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes, section 43A.15, subdivision 14. Additionally, MMB will work with Executive
Branch Agencies to increase awareness of supported work and the 700-hour program which
provides trial work experience, internship, and student worker opportunities for persons with
significant disabilities.

5) Through the implementation of revised hiring processes, MMB should collaborate with
Minnesota IT Services to update hiring tools and ensure accessibility and usability for all
people with disabilities applying for state jobs.

6) Within 120 days, the Commissioner of MMB shall implement a system for reporting
quarterly to the Governor on the progress of individual Executive Branch Agencies in
implementing their plans. MMB, to the extent permitted by law, shall compile and post on
its website government-wide statistics on the progress made toward achieving the goals set
forth in this order.

7) In keeping with the direction of the Olmstead Sub-Cabinet, every Executive Branch Agency
will continue to report on competitive employment hiring financed by federal and state
funding. This information should be compiled and shared publically on each agency’s
website.

8) Members of the State Disability Agency Forum are to serve as advisors to the Commissioner
of MMB, monitor the progress of the order, and make recommendations that help the state
achieve its recruitment, retention, and hiring goals.

9) MMB should develop a procedure for Executive Branch Agencies to consult with MMB for
final resolution prior to denying any applicant or employee reasonable accommodation due
to lack of funding. MMB will work with agencies to improve the agencies’ understanding
of their responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Statutes,
section 43A.191, subdivision 2(b)(3). The cost of reasonable accommodations and
accessibility should not be a deterrent to hiring qualified individuals.

10) General Provisions
a. This order should be implemented consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section
43A.19. It should not be constructed to require any state employee to disclose
disability status involuntarily.

b. This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive
or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the state of
Minnesota, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or
agents, or any other person.

Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 4.035, subdivision 2, this Order shall be effective fifteen (15) days
after publication in the State Register and filing with the Secretary of State, and shall remain in effect until
rescinded by proper authority or it expires in accordance with Minnesota Statutes, section 4.035, subdivision 3.

In Testimony Whereof, I have set my hand on this 4th day of August, 2014.

Filed According to Law:
Mark Ritchie
Secretary of State