Section C: Administrative Practices

Agency Mission and Values

No
Yes
Comments/additional information about agency mission:

There are different mission statements for each division within the agency. Region 8 has a common goal of working toward inclusion although not necessarily their formal statement. They will be looking at statements and how they might improve on them.

Overall DEC Mission Statement:
Mission: "To conserve, improve and protect New York's natural resources and environment and to prevent, abate and control water, land and air pollution, in order to enhance the health, safety and welfare of the people of the state and their overall economic and social well-being."

DEC's goal is to achieve this mission through the simultaneous pursuit of environmental quality, public health, economic prosperity and social well-being, including environmental justice and the empowerment of individuals to participate in environmental decisions that affect their lives.

Staff

Yes
Name Title Phone Email
Gretchen Cicora Senior Forester, Inclusion Coordinator (607) 622-8284 gretchen.cicora@dec.ny.gov
Yes
If yes, list main topics covered in training
ADA compliance, reasonable accommodations, language access, non-discrimination
Comments/additional information about agency staff:
Staff generally feel they respond to the community with respect and helpfulness.

Agency Planning

Yes
If yes, list types of involvement/input:
Advisory Council for Disability, public meetings, contact on individual basis for accommodation requests.
Yes
Yes
Comments/additional information about agency planning:
The agency has contracted with Rochester Accessible Adventures to consult with them on increasing their inclusion of people living with disabilities and educate staff to be more knowledgeable about disabilities and inclusion.

Agency Communication and Marketing

Yes
Yes
Yes
Braille
Computer
Large
Multiple
Pictorial
Sign
Yes
Yes
Comments/additional information about agency communication and marketing:
Many of the answers to the above questions depend on what materials are being referenced. Staff are in the process of replacing old brochures that do not use person first language with ones that do. Trail signage are pictorial and have symbols. Braille is available in centers that are frequented by public.

Agency Policies and Procedures

Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
N/A
Comments/additional information about agency policies and procedures:
This is open land and does not have warning systems. Places with public welcoming buildings do have warning systems with sight and sound. There are sliding scale fees for most programs but not for licenses.

Evaluation

Yes
No
Comments/additional information about agency evaluation of inclusion:
Agency is working on changing evaluations to include questions for recommendations on accessibility. They do gather feedback from learned knowledge, public information events, surveys, website feedback forms, trail boxes etc.

Partnerships and Collaboration

Yes
If yes, please list:


Comments/additional information about agency partnerships and collaboration:
Various other groups use the DEC facilities to run their own programs out of. Rochester Accessible Adventures is working directly with DEC Region 8 on accessibility and inclusion best practices.

Notes About Administrative Practices

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