WHEREAS, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act provide that programs and buildings financed in part or in whole by a grant or loan from the federal government must be accessible to people with disabilities;

WHEREAS,  since 1981, Vermont law regarding public buildings has required that a person shall not construct or permit construction of a public building unless the specifications equal those of the American National Standards Institute and current Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines related to making buildings and facilities accessible to and usable by people with physical disabilities;

WHEREAS, an estimated 92,000 Vermonters have disabling conditions that are significantly restrictive and can be exclusive unless reasonable accommodations are made;

WHEREAS, all Vermonters with disabilities should have access to and use of buildings and facilities where the functions of State Government are conducted; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the State of Vermont to conduct all state business in barrier-free facilities.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that I, Peter Shumlin, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor of the State of Vermont do hereby direct that all meetings that are open to the public where Vermont State Government business is conducted shall be held in buildings or facilities accessible to and usable by people with disabilities.

This Order shall take effect upon signing and supersedes and replaces Executive Order 28-86 (codified as No. 29-14).

Dated October 21, 2014