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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 06/22/2000COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MEETING MINUTES JUNE 22, 2000 Members present: Mark Beck, Laura Burnett, Don Fish, Robert Fritz, Romola Fritz, Kathryn Johnson, Mark Kramer, David E. Marckres, Robert Palmer, Steve Seefeld and Susan Williams Minutes from May 25, 2000 accepted. Minutes from June 8, 2000 shall be amended as follows: Mark Kramer was present and was erroneously omitted from the Members present and he shall be included as a Member present. Steve Seefeld passed out a letter extending the Commission members' term and will mail out a revised letter describing the Role of Council Liasions to Boards and Commissions of Fort Collins. Robert and Romola Fritz introduced their Plan of Action Proposal for the Accessibility Needs for Fort Collins. Also, the Fritzes passed out a copy of a newspaper article entitled "Americans with Disabilities Act benefits all of us". The Plan of Action Proposal has four main sections, which are as follows: 1. Availability of handicap parking spaces; 2. Accessibility of public buildings; 3. Accessibility of local eating establishments and 4. Publicizing accessible facilities. The Members discussed the proposal and it was decided that the Fritzes would concentrate on the first section of their Proposal. The Fritzes asked Robert Palmer and Steve Seefeld who they should contact to get their questions about handicapped parking answered. Robert and Steve said they should talk to Carroll Miller in the Engineering Department. Steve Seefeld informed the Commission that the city is planning a new information kiosk located at Walnut and Linden Streets. There was a discussion about the accessibility of the kiosk. Also, Kathryn Johnson had some very specific questions about the kiosk and it was suggested that the Commission invite the designers to give the Commission a preview of the kiosk. june22,00minutes Finally, Kathryn Johnson brought the Commission news of the City,s pilot program for Signers and Interpreters. Kathryn had asked for Braille and large print for the visually impaired, but the City has opted only to provide the Signers and Interpreters. Meeting adjourned. A second meeting was held and attended by Laura Burnett, Kathryn Johnson, David E. Marckres, Robert Palmer, Steve Seefeld, Marlyn Stitner (Transfort) and Susan Williams. Marlys Stitner discussed the changes to the routes that Transfort services. These changes are to take effect July 1, 2000. june22,00minutes SUMMARY OF FORT COLLINS PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICES TO DISABLED COMMUNITY The library employees a diversity coordinator who oversees services to customers with special needs. Telephone service and homebound delivery are two of the traditional ways we still use for serving those whose impairment restricts their trips to the library. Library staff attended a workshop with Susan Wilson who presented information for more effective service to disabled customers. The Library has a history of employing people with disabilities both through the city and through partnerships with community groups. For example, Circulation staff work with Poudre School District's PACE program, providing work opportunities for a wide range of "challenged" students (students in wheel chairs, with spina bifida, downs syndrome, hearing loss, etc.) There are currently three employees working at the library through Latimer County Mental Health programs. Several staff members are conversant in sign language. Staff members are very aware of those customers who are disabled and are eager to meet their needs. There is also a wheel chair located near the check -in room for public use. Circulation acts as a check point for customers who have contacted Dial -A -Ride. The library has an easy -to -navigate web page and library catalog for customers who have computers but have trouble getting out of their home. They can place books on hold, there are dozens of on-line databases, many of which are full text, and there are quick links to other local libraries. They can email reference questions, renew their items already checked out and also check their accounts for fines, overdue books, etc. Web screens and printed matter is enlarged upon request. printer, Brailler, and a closed circuit television that enlarges print materials for reading. Staff use a TDD machine at the reference desk to receive and respond to questions from hearing impaired customers. Staff are instructed to retrieve materials for customers with disabilities when needed. An elevator provides wheelchair access to the second floor at the Main Library. One staff member who has a masters degree in occupational therapy has been assigned to upgrade services to the visually impaired. The employee restroom is handicap accessible and available to customers with disabilities when needed. Both the Main Library and the Harmony Library meet all ADA requirements and are completely handicapped accessible. As such, there are customers with special needs who use both libraries on a regular basis. The Critters with Character program is held first Sunday of each month at 2 p.m. in the Community Room at the Harmony Library. It features a story told with slides starring therapy animals. Children can meet animals from the Larimer Animal People Partnership at these programs. The Library also provides meeting space for diverse groups such as a Guide Dogs Public Meeting and the Northern Colorado Insulin Pump Support Groups. Disabled Resources Services hold their monthly meeting in the Community Room at Harmony Library and the Main Library provides the meeting place for the American Council for the Blind.