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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 01/12/1987• • CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY MINUTES COMMISSION ON DISABILITY JANUARY 12, 1987 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Marilyn Maxwell at 6:42 p.m., in the CIC Room, City Hall West, 300 LaPorte Avenue. Members Present: Nancy Jackson, Charlotte Kanode, Judy Siefke, Rosalie Smith, Arne Andersen, Marilyn Maxwell Members Absent: Bobbie Guye, Betty Shuey Staff: Jackie Davis, Carmen Hollowell APPROVAL OF MINUTES The minutes from the October 6 and November 10, 1986 meetings were approved as written. NEW BUSINESS Review of Goals and Objectives The COD formulated future goals and objectives. (A draft copy is attached to the minutes.) The COD will be reviewing these goals and objectives at their February 9, 1987 meeting. After discussion, the following information was distributed: 1. The Commission on Disability's By -Laws, Goals and Objectives for 1981, and the 1985 Annual Report; 2. Commission on the Disabled Goals for the City and County of Denver; 3. By -Laws of the Handicapped Advisory Commission for the City of Loveland. Marilyn asked the members to review this material for the February meeting. (The materials are attached for those who were not present.) ABRF UPDATE Jackie reported that Neighbor -to -Neighbor received five Architectural Barrier Removal applications in December. The requests included a non-skid surface for an existing ramp, a walk-in shower, a hand-held shower attachment, accessibility to a facility, and complete home modifications. Minutes - January 1�1987 Page-2 • Regarding the application for accessibility to a facility, Jackie reported that a non-profit agency needed to install a ramp in front of the facility in order for them to receive 1987 Human Resources funding. The project was estimated at $2,500. Due to the urgency of the project, on December 21, 1986 Jackie contacted several COD members and after discussion with them, the project was approved administratively. Regarding the application for a walk-in shower, Jackie reported that Neighbor -to -Neighbor will look into installing a bathtub lift instead. Regarding the application for modifications to the home, Jackie reported that a 43-year old man with Muscular Sclerosis, was requesting a bedroom and bathroom addition off of the family room, which would enable him to spend more time with his family. The home is a tri-level and it has become more difficult for him to climb the stairs. Jackie reported that he applied to the ABR program when it was being administered by the CDBG Office. At that time the MS Society offered to look for other funding sources for him, i.e, the Veteran's Administration and Easter Seals. The MS Society was unable to find anything and the applicant reapplied to the ABR Program. Larry Michaud, Project Manager for Neighbor -to -Neighbor, estimated the project at $15,000. The COD discussed the family's financial situation and other possible funding sources. The COD agreed that if this project were funded, it would help expend the ABR funds and build community awareness on the Commission on Disability's efforts to provide accessible housing. Jackie reported that contingency funds could be used for future requests if all of the FY 1986 ABR funds were expended. Arne moved to fund the project for $10,000 and that the family try to find the other $5,000. The motion was seconded. Since the MS Society is working with the family, the COD will provide the MS Society with a list of other resources. If they are unable to find the money by the next meeting, then the COD will consider funding the remaining $5,000. The vote was unanimous to approve $10,000 toward this project in the hope that they be able to come up with the remaining $5,000 from other funding sources. I ANNOUNCEMENTS Marilyn reported that Betty Pidcock and Penne Powers -Thomas resigned, leaving a total of three vacancies. Jackie reported that Mayor Ohlson had selected three applicants to fill the positions. The recommendations will be heard at the January 20 City Council meeting and the final reading will be February 3. Several COD members were concerned about why the applicants were not 0 Minutes - January 12, 1987 Page-3 interviewed, and they asked Jackie to find out what the City policy is in selecting new members. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m. CITY OF FORT COLLINS COMMISSION ON DISABILITY Dear COD member This is an informal draft of the proposed goals and objectives for the Commission on Disability as discussed at the January meeting. Should you have questions and/or additions to these proposed objectives, please bring than to the February meeting where we will make a final decision on our 1987 goals and objectives. Also, please feel free to call me about any concerns you might have. Marilyn Maxwell OBJECTIVES: 1. Our first objective is to promote awareness of the needs, concerns and available services to both the general public and the disabled citizens of Fort Collins. NOR•__. The achievement of this objective may be accomplished through many means. Some of them are listed below as specific projects. a. The Mayor's Award Breakfast, an ongoing project of the Commission on Disability. b. A speakers group which would be available to speak to civic groups, schools and other organizations who request more information about disabilities. c. Better media exposure,perhaps through a monthly column in either of the major newspapers or through press releases to the Applause section in the Coloradoan or to the Triangle Review for a similar announcement. d. Co-sponsorship of the "News from the Handicapped Community," another on -going project of the commission. e. Regular meetings with community/business leaders to discuss various issues of concern to the differently-abled community COMMISSION ON DISABILITY P.O. Box 5B0 . Fort Collins, Colorado 60522 • 13031221-6758 f. A flyer, to be included with the Welcome Wagon handouts to newcomers, which would explain the commission's services. g. A new brochure which could be distributed throughout the city also explaining what the commission does. h. More involvement with the CSU Handicapped Awareness Days program which occurs each spring. I. A campaign to enhance the "normalcy" of those who have disabilities. OBJECTIVE: The commission should become an advocate for the handicapped citizens and enhance the abilities for those who are differently-abled to be heard. GOALS: This objective might be achieve in the following ways. a. The establishment of a Disabled Leadership Program, where those who are differently -able might learn the techniques of leadership and the skills necessary to become a leader in their own community. This might be done in conjuntion with Leadership Fort Collins or it could be a separate program and graduates from it should be encouraged to participate in Leadership Fort Collins. b. Networking with other boards and commissions should be encouraged. c. A program for Employ -the -Handicapped Week, perhaps involving a new brochure and a project for working with various agencies toward more employment opportunities for the differently -able worker. d. Advocacy for access to public transportation since the city is now reviewing its public transportation needs. e. Continued advocacy for housing accessibility including a project to help increase advertising of available accessible units. f. Continued low-key advocacy for accessibility --example, the automatic door timing at the Foothills Fashion Mall has been changed thanks to a letter from COD member Judy Siefke calling attention to the problem. OBJECTIVE: The commission should work more closely with city council and city departments in an effort to be aware of issues before they become confrontational and to provide information for council members and staff. GOALS: This objective might be accomplished in the following ways. a. Continued involvement with the Building Plans Review. b. Assignment of COD members to a month of city council meetings (two meetings). fiQt member would attend the council meetings.in a designated month in order to provide feedback to the council about commission concerns and to be aware of any upcoming issues.