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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 03/14/1983T•= I _1 D T E S C011-iISSION ON DISABILITY MARCH 14, 1983 6:30 P.M. The regular meeting of the Commission On Disability was called.to order by chairperson Bobbie Guye at 6:35 P.M. on Monday, March 14, 1983s in the old Fire Station, 232 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, CO. ROLL CALL: MEMBERS PRESENT: Eldon Decker, Bobbie Guye, Nancy Jackson, Rosemary Kreston, Dorothy Lasley, Mike Meyers, Betty Shuey. MEMBERS ABSENT: Pat Crist, Charlotte Kanode, Betty Pidcock, Rosa- lie Smith CITY STAFF: Diana Royval GUESTS: Tom Frazier, Marjorie Walsh PROGRAMS Bobbie Guye introduced Tom Frazier, Director of General Services for the city of Fort Collins, who recapitulated plans for signing both the old and new City Halls in order to make them more negotiable for handicapped citizens. He requested suggestions from COD members on how to make them maximally effective, and stated that floor plans were available for those surveying the sites. Nancy Jackson, Rosemary Kres- ton, Diana Royval, and Betty Shuey volunteered as a sub -committee to evaluate the premises. Reports for the old City Hall -are .needed with- in the next few w0eks, and for the new one by summer. Marjorie Walsh, director of Care -A -Van and Transfort, was in at- tendance to present a slide show concerning the employment of handi- capped persons inithe transportationfield. It depicted the simple modifications employers might make -in order to accommodate the needs of handicapped employees. Uncomplicated and cost effective, the changes could provide the opportunity for disabled citizens to become self-sup- porting and independent. COD members proposed other events at which the show might be pre- sented, and included the Annual Mayor's Awards Breakfast, the Job De- velopment Network, Employment Support Workshops sponsored by the Handi- capped Information Office, and for in service training at Poudre Valley Hospital. MINUTES Dorothy Lasley made a motion that the reading of last month's min- utes be dispensed with and accepted as written. The motion was seconded and carried. LIAISON REPORTS Dorothy Lasley reported she had attended a Community Action Board meeting at which time it was stressed that human service agencies nomi- nate a candidate for the Volunteer of the Year award. -1- COD MARC'' 1-=TI='G MINUTT:S - Page 2 She also announced that four accessible 2-bedroom units in a Section 8 complex located in Loveland (Creekside Gardens) were available on a first -come, first -served basis. Bobbie Guye received the minutes from the Senior Citizens Board on which Evelyn Husar is serving as a liaison for COD. They're present- ly seeking funding sources to publish a directory, and studying the new routing systems of Transfort, especially how it is effecting senior citizens. The Board publishes a Senior Service Finder column in the Coloradoan newspaper, and it recently featured the services of the Han- dicapped Information Office. Bobbie attended two regular meetings of the Citizens Steering Com- mittee for the Community Development Block Grant, plus one special meeting concerning a neighborhood survey task force. Funding for last year's approved projects will be released on April 9. Fort Collins is receiving an $829,000 CDBG for 1983-84, and beginning April 1, advertise- ments for proposals will be publicized. Word was recently received in the CDBG office that the Reagan ad- ministration had proposed combining CDBG monies with revenue sharing, and negating the specification that it be used to benefit low to moderate income citizens. _Bobbie sent a letter of protest to Timothy Wirth on behalf of COD. Sally Kliene is the Senior Citizens Board representative on the CDBG Steering Committee. Implications of the proposed measured service were discussed at a Mountain Bell Consumer Panel meeting Bobbie attended on February 18. Customers living within the city limits will have the option of remain- ing on flat rates or adopting measured service. A 90-day trial period will be offere 4o those wishing to try the measured service, and is free of charge. If a client decides to remain on it, there is a $9.50' charge, or they can change back to flat. The same discounts for long distance calls still applies, as well as no charge for the 911 number or directory assistance to disabled patrons. Bobbie was invited by Felix Lee, Director of Building Inspection for the city of Fort Collins, to attend meetings regarding the adoption of the 1982 Uniform Building Code, the first of which was held on Feb. 3. She and George Brelig, local architect who serves on the Larimer County Association of the Blind and Physically Handicapped Board of Di- rectors, were appointed to review the accessibility standards and make suggestions at the next meeting on Wednesday, March 16. Recommendations from the committee which is comprised of building contractors and architects, will be sent to the Building Board of Ap- peals, then forwarded to the City Council for approval. On March 1, the Building Board of Appeals heard a case for Mr. Car- lyle Tippetts, who is remodelling an existing house into an insurance office and had requested a variance in constructing a ramp to make the building wheelchair accessible. Inasmuch as none of the COD members were able to attend the meeting, Bobbie sent a letter to Felix Lee voicing our objections, but nonetheless, Mr. Tippetts was excused from complying with current accessibility standards. Bobbie asked Mr. Lee to keep our Commission informed of any such future requests. -2- COD MARCH IMEETING MINUTES - Page 3 504 LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN On January 219 a correction appeared in the Coloradoan to a pre- viously written editorial on Section 504 which had contained an error when it was printed first. The committee has not held any meetings for the past couple of months, considering that the proposed Section 504 revisions have not been published in the Federal Register. Rosemary Kreston learned at a recent meeting that Franl- Bowe, or- ganizer of the American Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, was of the opinion that Section 504 would not be changed at all. However, other sources were inclined to believe the proposed revisions would be publicized sometime in April. Rosemary and Karen Spencer held a panel discussion on the subject during CSU Awareness Days earlier this month. Articles concerning it appeared in both the Fort Collins Triangle Review and Collegian news- papers. Rosemary said 27,000 protest letters had been submitted to the Congress and President Reagan regarding the revisions of PI, 94-142. It was the largest response ever on any legislation, and is perhaps the reason no changes may be forthcoming on Section 504. RESOURCE DIRECTORY Mike Meyers quoted some prices he had been given by Robinson Press for printing the resource directory: 1895 for 1500 copies; 31240 for 3,000; and 1�1550 for 5000 copies. After much discussion, it was decided to proceed with the project, which has been in limbo for almost a year. 250 copies will be printed in large type, and.paid for out of the present budget. Mike was appointed to check prices for printing back to back and about a simple cover. Pages from the already typed directory entries were distributed to COD members present so they could calltheagencies and verify or update the information listed. If this can -be completed within the next two weeks, Bobbieioffered to either retype the -entries on a large print typewriter or to call Gail Woods to enlist the services of a volunteer typist. Betty Shuey was made responsible for obtaining a large print typewriter. TRANSPORTATION REPORT Nancy Jackson and Rosemary Kreston are still compiling their trans- portation essay and will review it with the COD at a later date. BUDGET COMMITTEE No report was forthcoming from the Budget Committee until the goals and objectives for COD are defined. DISPLAY ADVERTISEMENT Mike Meyers designed a display advertisement and flyer for the Architectural Barrier Removal Fund program. The ad appeared in the Coloradoan for a full week, and also in the Fort Collins Triangle Review. -3- COD ::ARCH =TING MINUTES - Page 4 The flyers were distributed in appropriate places, and COD members were asked to take some flyers to have them displayed in their churches or business establishments. Mike incurred expenses in the amount of $14.26 while preparing the ad and flyers for printing. Dorothy Lasley made a motion that Mike be reimbursed .that amount. The motion was seconded and carried. ABRF APPLICATIONS Diana Royval reviewed some applications she had received for fund- ing the removal of architectural barriers. An Ability Phone had been purchased for Hannah Williams last year, but the family has since moved and were reapplying for a ramp to accommodate Hannah's electric wheel- chair. Dorothy Lasley made a motion that it be approved. The motion was seconded and carried. In 1979, a ramp was constructed at the home of Homer Chenot, who has Parkinson's disease and recently suffered a stroke also. His wife's request at present is to modify their bathroom with a roll -in shower. Even though there is still a 40% lien on the property from the first project, it was decided to proceed with this one if,after consultation - with Larry Michaud, Diana thinks it feasible. The third application was from a developmentally disabled woman who needs a new floor put in her mobile home. Since that is not really an architectural barrier nor is the woman.physically handicapped, it was the consensus of opinion that her request be denied, but that Larry assess the situation and suggest alternatives to her. GOALS AND OBJECTIVES Since the hour was growing late, Dorothy Lasley made a motion that the goals and objectives be reviewed at the April meeting. The motion was seconded and carried. MISCELLANEOUS AP?NOUNCT?�NTS Bobbie Guye reminded Mike Meyers and Nancy Jackson that their COD - membership terms will expire the first of July, and asked that they please reapply if at all possible. Bobbie also suggested that everyone begin thinking about the annual Mayor's Awards Breakfast in October. The National Office on Disability sent a request that a liaison person from Fort Collins be named for the Decade of the Disabled, and enclosed an exemplary Mayor's Declaration. Bobbie will follow up on the matter. Nancy Jackson announced the first annual Wine Tasting to Benefit the Handicapped would be held on March 25 at 6:00 P.M. in the Canyon ';;est Room of the Lincoln Center, with advanced tickets selling for ¢8 per person. They will be :'10 at the door. Nancy distributed posters and flyers to the COD members present. A CSLT student contacted Bobbie Guye regarding the construction of _E COD -,i `iIZ- Page 5.-D an accessible recreation area near Interstate 25 and the Timnath exit. Bobbie will invite her to the next COD meeting for further discussion. ADJ0UPN'T 77, T There .being no further business, Dorothy Lasley made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 9:15 P.i. The motion was seconded and carried. Respectfully submitted, 71 don Decker, -Jecretary Bobbie Guye, Chairperson