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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 07/26/2001Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes July 26, 2001 Council Informatinn Center, City Hall West Members present: N. Baker, D. Dittus, M. Beck, L. Burnett, S. Williams, A. Apt, R. Skogerhoe, J. Lancaster, P. Ostrof, S. Seefeld. Guest: Rene Lee, an intern representing the Therapeutic Recreation Program of the city. Nancy Baker called the meeting to order at 1220 p.m. The minutes of the prior meeting were not available; so approval was postponed until the next meeting. Laura Burnett presented the report of the Mayors Award Committee. The awards will be presented at a luncheon at the Holiday Inn on Oct. 26. The deadline for return of information regarding invitations is Oct. 5. Dates and a time line for organizing the luncheon were set and are available to the COD members. These include committee decisions for: nomineesAvinners, trophies, food, assistance and media involvement. It was suggested that announcements about the awards and the luncheon be made to the Rotary Club, City Council meetings, businesses, and newspapers, with all groups and the public invited to submit nominations. A discussion of potential speakers for the luncheon followed, with the COD members encouraged to bring suggestions to the next meeting. Alan spoke of the need for selecting a sneaker who can address the employer -to -employer approach and leading the way in hiring the disabled. CSU. EPIC, and Steele's were suggested as sources of speakers to consider. Rene offered to help by exploring possibilities through her contacts in the Human Resources area. Laura and Susan have indicated a need for help in updating invitation lists and stuffing envelopes If help in other areas is needed, they will advise the COD. Steve Seefeld will take care of press releases; Kathryn Johnson has the food concerns organized, and Steve Sutter will contact the vendors. Nominations are to be offered at the next meeting. It was requested that Marty Tharp be asked to have the mayor announce the request for award nominations in the next City Council meeting. The need for further information in the following areas was emphasized: 1. The number of people hired by the city and the fraction of those that are disabled. 2. Employer concerns about hiring the disabled and their experiences and costs in providing them with benefits, including health and liability, workman's comp, etc Mark Beck asked to pass on information from CO. project WIN on disability. Their letter invites one to learn about what is happening around "ticket to work" and Work Incentives Improvement ."ir_.t of 1999 and how it is being implemented in Colorado by contacting 1-877-726-9735. Alan asked that anyone interested in encouraging transit as a primary service to join him at a meeting of the CO Editorial Board -date to be announced. Laura advised the group that Brenda Kerns of volunteers Coordinating Commission found library funding for a handicapped position. Ruth Skngerboe brought up concerns over an issue featured in the Denver Post on 7/22 in which dozens of local (and many thousands nationally) disabled receiving in -home medical assistance through Medicare are often denied those if they fail to qualify as Homebound. The problem lies with narrow definition used for Homebound; it stipulates that such persons can leave infrequently, and only if it is taxing. The application of this has generally restricted the disabled to leaving only for medicat1dental services. Going out for worthwhile things such as church and senior citizens' activity has led to denial of services. The fact that most of this group must have help to get up and get dressed, and have a wheelchair and a specially -equipped vehicle to move about turns this into a Catch-22 situation because Medicare has provided the help needed to get to the point of leaving and then denies the service because they do leave. ironically, those receiving the same services through Medicaid do not face this restriction. The restrictions imposed by Medicare are in direct conflict with the purposes of ADA and this committee. A bill has been introduced in the U. S. House with 50 co-sponsors to soften the operative definition of Homebound by requiring consideration of what assistance must be available before it is possible to leave home. The intent is to allow the person to leave more often but still infrequently and taxing. The bill is HR1490. Nancy asked Ruth to bring in a written synopsis of the problem with the addresses of those one should contact if they wish to support this bill. Alan suggested that the COD itself might draft a supporting letter. Mark announced his PHA invitation to Affordable Access Opportunity Summit in Boulder. The Agenda for the next meeting was established as follows: 1. Mayors Awards 2. List of those to be invited to Mark_ Becks' Community Planning on September 10, 2001 3. Possible action on Homebound bill discussed in present (July 26) meeting 4. List of safety issues needing consideration The meeting was adjourned with unanimous approval. Respectfully submitted, Ruth Skogerboe Note in addendum: The bold print given above serves well as the synopsis 1 was asked to submit. The local addresses of the congressional delegation are given in the government pages of the phone book (blue tabs) but are given below for your convenience. Ruth Senator Wayne Allard Senator Ben N. Campbell Rep Bob Schaffer 1600 W. 16th St., Ste. 30, 19 Old Town Sq. Ste. 238, 442 123 N. College, Ste. 260B Greeley, CO. 80634-6854 Ft Collins, CO. 80524 Ft. Collins, CO. 80524