HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 10/10/1983COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
M I N U T E S
COMMISSION ON DISABILITY
October 10, 1983
The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to
order by Chairperson Bobbie Guye, at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 1983,
in the CIC Room of New City Hall, 300 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins, Colorado.
Members Present: Eldon Decker, Bobbie Guye, Nancy Jackson, Charlotte Kanode,
Rosemary Kreston, Betty Shuey, Rosalie Smith, Dorothy Lasley
Members Absent: Pat Crist, Tim Kientz, Betty Pidcock
City.Staff.: _ Diana Royval
Guests: Members of ADAPT (American Disabled for Accessible Public
Transportation) of Denver: Wayde Blank, Joe Carley,
Mike Allberger, Trudy Knutson, Ray Stewart, Bob Conrad
Other Local Guests: Tina Tappley (MS Society), Susan Strickland, Buddy
Summers,, Princess and Robert Cooper, Patricia Frisbie (HID), Bill Bill Way (DAV), Wade Troxell (LCA Board of Direc-
tors), Gail Woods (City of Fort Collins Volunteer Coordinator)
GUEST SPEAKERS
Our guests from Denver held an open forum regarding accessible public
transportation. ADAPT is planning a major effort at the October 23-26 meeting
of the American -Public Transportation Association Conference in Denver to
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promote accessible public transportation on a nationwide basis. The group
has drafted a strong resolution -which has been signed as a proclamation by
Denver Mayor Frederica Pena. Handicapped persons are coming from all over
the country and want to make an impact by high visibility in the airport and
around the convention hotel. ADAPT has been granted 20 minutes on the con-
ference program on Wednesday morning, October 26th with permission to have
75 supporters in the meeting room. They are also hopeful of a meeting with
Secretary of Transportation Dole.
The speakers stressed that they view access to public transportation
as a Civil Rights issue. Because of employment, social and psychological
implications, it is truly a pivotal issue for the disabled and it can be
a powerful tool in educating and interacting with the general public. The
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goal is to eliminate "local option" aspects of public transportation by
conducting an on -going campaign for accessibility in target cities throughout
the country.
ADAPT finds a strong collusion between the APTA and bus manufacturers
and stress the importance of pressure on the manufacturers for design changes.
The issue is not cost, but a different viewpoint regarding public transporta-
tion. The group supports the existence of simultaneous paratransit systems
but strongly urges those disabled who are capable of using public buses to
do so. The Atlantis community in Denver has two handicapped trainers who
contact local disabled persons to encourage and teach them to use the buses.
Ridership in Denver has risen to 1400 wheelchair rides per month in the 18
months that the system has been accessible.
The group invited all interested persons to join in the October 23 - 26
effort.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Charlotte.Kanode made a motion that the minutes of September 12th be
accepted as written. The motion was seconded and carried.
LIAISON REPORTS
Bobbie Guye received a memo from Ken Sylvester of Transfort regarding
a Citizens Advisory Board.. .He is going to seekinputfrom other transportation -
groups at an up -coming state and Regional Transit Conference, October 19 - 23,
1983 and should -have further word in November,
The Senior Board will meet at 2:00 p.m. on October 12th at the Downtown
Community Center. The Task Force on Alternative Transportation is under-
taking a four month pilot project to survey possibilities for supplemental
transportation resources as an adjunct to Transfort and Care -A -Van.
Mountain Bell Consumer Panel met on September 19th. Topics considered
included: a rate hike of about $5 for residential users. Pay phone charges
of $.25, and the possibility of a special matching fund for non-profit
organizations.
At a meeting October 5th the Uniform Building Code Review Committee decided
to stand behind enforcement of a one to seven ratio for accessible housing
units, per State Resolution #1477. The recommendation will go to the Building
Board of Appeals in November and probably reach City Council after January.
The Adapted Aquatic Advisory Board will meet October 20th at 5:30 p.m.
at the City Pool. Mr. Kanode will go over details of the modification plans
for the pool.
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504 LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGN COMMITTEE
Nancy Jackson received a reply from State Rep. J. William Artist
regarding the funding of Special Olympics. The current funding level is
being preserved in the state.
Dorothy Lasley noted that current legislative changes in medicaid
regarding "300 percenters" are causing some elderly nursing home residents
to be forced to move out of care facilities.
UPDATE OF ABRF APPLICATIONS
Diana Royval has been contacted by a new HUD Representative who thinks
that past ABRF expenditures for TTY's, TTD's and Ability Phones may have been
illegal. A previous HUD Representative had OK'd these as a separate line item
and since 1979 about $17,000 has been spent in this way. Unfortunately, the -
former representative's authorization was verbal and no written confirmation --_
was made. Current applications for these items are now on "hold" and the
present HUD Representative is further researching the question.
Current Applications:
1. Dr. R. Baker, Dentist, has made contact by letter but no
application. The situation does not meet eligibility require-
ments and he will be so notified. He will also be advised that
the Accessiblity Team would be available to advise him regarding
modifications which he might make on his office building.
2. John Mapes, whose 83-year-old mother resides with him. A raised
stool and larger tub with 'rails are requested for the bathroom.
Diana Royval will check regarding needs. Dorothy Lasley moved
for positive consideration of the application if financial and
geographic guidelines are met. The motion was seconded and
passed.
3. Nola Smith, who lives within the city on Broadview, and has severe
arthritis. Alterations are needed in closet doors, bathtub rails,
and front, back and basement stairs. Diana Royval will assess the
situation, especially the advisability of encouraging use of base-
ment stairs. Charlotte Kanode moved for positive action on the
application. The motion was seconded and passed.
EVALUATION OF MAYORS AWARD BREAKFAST
Nancy Jackson expressed appreciation to all C.O.D. members for their
involvement in the breakfast. There was a general consensus of a success-
ful event which was well received and gained good publicity.
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Suggestions for future additions or alterations as follows:
1. Invite others of the disabled community to be at the breakfast
even though they have no direct role.
2. Stress the positive abilities of handicapped persons, especially
regarding employment, rather than the difficulties with which they
have to cope.
3. Switch some places so that the handicapped person is pursuing normal
activities/employment and the partner is shadowing them. This
would emphasize capabilities.
4. Consider the possibility of other food items for the breakfast
menu.
5. When feasible, more advance notice and information regarding
recipients of awards would allow C.O.D. members to better fulfill
their hostess/host roles.
A letter from George Elias regarding his wife Barbara's work with
the Free Spirit 4-H Club for handicapped children was received and reviewed.
It was felt that requests for nominations had been adequately publicized
and Mr. Elias will be urged to make a future nomination.
Bobbie Guye is taking care of getting Thank You letters to all'partici=
pants in the Breakfast and the day's role=playing.-
MISCELLANEOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Rosemary Kreston said that the Housing Authority Board has expressed
interest in accessible rental housing as a priority for their, attention.
They will be in touch with C.O.D. regarding the needs for same within -
Fort Collins.
Diana Royval distributed Fort Collins Board and Commission Manuals to
all C.O.D. members.
Revisions to update the Resource Directory are being made in Diana
Royval's office. When completed it will go to Rose Kreston's office for
retyping.
Senator Armstrong will hold.a Town Meeting on October llth at 7:30 p.m.
in the Lincoln Center.
Let's Ride program resumes on October 17th at the Ellis Ranch. Bobbie
Guye rode in the Octoberfest Parade on October 8th as a "Let's Ride" repre-
sentative.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Charlotte Kanode made a motion that the meeting
be adjourned at 8:50 p.m. The motion was seconded and carried.
Respectfully Submi�ted,
Rosalie Smith, Secretary