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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 11/27/1995COMMISSION ON DISABILITY November 27, 1995 Members Present: Roy Beauchamp Kathy Lassen Tom Brannigan Shirley Reichenbach Angela Byrne Ray Sanderson Peggy Irish Members Absent: Jacqueline Hyatt Mark Kramer City Staff Present: Blair Leist Nancy Stirling Visitors: Ginny DeHerdt Jean Batchelder Frank Blakely I. Introductions/Public Comments Frank Blakely introduced himself to the Commission. Frank is very interested in becoming a member of the Commission on Disability. His personal interest in regards to disabilities is to improving and doing away with "impediments" to persons with disabilities Ginny spoke up saying she will not be attending Commission on Disability meetings in 1996 -- but that she is still available, if needed. (Jean Batchelder will be attending.) Last month's meeting minutes were unanimously accepted. II. Discussion on Judith Snow's Visit It was mentioned that there were some problems with the transportation to the event. As far as the speaker, some concern over the use of the term "diversity" Commission on Disability Meeting November 27, 1995 Page Two instead of the term "disability". Angela was concerned that the use of "diversity" may put down individuals with disabilities. Frank stated that `people' misunderstand the term "disability" -- that disability means persons [with disabilities] can't do things (i.e., think, work, etc.) Kathy's concern is also that people misundertand the term "disability". It does not necessarily mean that persons with disabilities cannot learn or do things, but that they may need a longer "learning curve" than others not disabled. Frank says that "disability" gets a bad rap. People [without disabilities] misunderstand the needs and requests of persons with disabilities. Someone asked if it would be possible to get a videotape of the lecture so those who did not attend could review. Ray said he would try to obtain a copy. It was agreed among the members that in the future, when members of the Commission are invited to attend an event, that some detailed information be provided beforehand. Peggy and Shirley will come up with a "procedure list" that will be given to persons who want to present upcoming seminars/events. It is hoped that by getting enough information beforehand, it will give the Commission members an opportunity to discuss whether the event needs to be attended; if so, how many should attend; etc. III. 1995 Annual Report The Annual Report for 1995 will be due to the City Clerk Office in January. Shirley offered to compile the information. She requested copies of the minutes from all the 1995 meetings, as well as a copy of the 1994 Annual Report. IV. Goals & Objectives for 1996 The Workplan for 1996 will be due to the City Clerk Office before the end of the Commission on Disability Meeting November 27, 1995 Page Three year. Discussion on the 1996 Workplan will be done at the next Commission meeting. (Copies of the 1995 Workplan will be sent to Commission members for their review.) V. Subcommittee Report(s) Awards Committee: This committee was formed to organize and put together procedures and information concerning the Annual Mayor's Awards. Members of this committee are: Tom Brannigan, Angela Byrne, Shirley Reichenbach, and Kathy Lassen. VI. Other Business Kathy presented several items/topics for discussion and review, including questions concerning the responsibility of the Commission and its relationship with the City Council. [These topics were brought up by Kathy and Jackie.] The following is a "brief' list of these questions: 1) How does Council know what we (COD) is doing? 2) Should we be reviewing policies being passed by Council? 3) What is our authority? 4) Communication with Council: Isn't a Council member supposed to attend COD meetings? [Council has not been represented at a COD meeting for a very long time.] 5) Is COD valuable? Are we impacting Council decisions? 6) Member responsibilities: there needs to be some re -wording of semantics in the By -Laws (Section D-1, specifically). 7) There needs to be follow-up on COD participation in projects with the community. (Sharing of information between COD members.) 8) How are we communicating with other commissions that impact the COD? 9) How do we [the COD] define the term "access?" 10) COD Brochures: Information in the brochure needs to be re-evaluated and updated. Commission on Disability Meeting November 27, 1995 Page Four 11) Is COD meeting it's mission? What needs to be added or deleted? The question of "Why be on the COD?" was brought up.... "to be a spoke person?, to find ways to be a more powerful voice within the City?" `Everyone needs to internally consider why they joined the Commission.' The above questions and concerns were then grouped into several "main headings": 1) Council -COD Communication • Review policies that apply to specific community. • Notify all City Departments to "flag" issues/policy development that should have COD review. • Have Council Representative attend meetings: - at least once per quarter - attend "path processing" meeting - send agenda's, highlight important items • Schedule COD issues for City Council sessions. 2) Reports to Council & Community • Clarify By -Laws - Reporting to Council (is once a year enough?) - Member responsibilities (create job descriptions?) • Do By -Laws make sense? • "Welcome to COD" orientation -- to orient new members; put together a 2-5 year history of the COD and its accomplishments. 3) Community Interaction • Letters to businesses • Use of media advertising (i.e., newspapers) FortNet (community internet) - Enhance "Home Page" - Advertise activities/events ` Commission on Disability Meeting November 27, 1995 Page Five • Speakers Bureau - Presentations to the community ("canned speech") - Presentations to COD - Presentations to schools / PR-1 - Panels participation • Encourage input from community and special interest groups • Utilize Cable 27's "Perspectives" show to discuss COD issues 4. Interaction with other Boards & Commissions • COD members could attend other board/commission meetings • Obtain minutes from other board/commission meetings • Gather workplans for other commissions/boards 5. "Accessibility" • Needs to be defined • What does it mean to each board member? 6. What Activities/Functions fit into the By -Laws? • Development of a Plan • Direction for COD • Identify community needs and establish action plans • Public Access surveys/results • Strategic planning ("PATH" process) - use outside facilitator For the neat meeting, Commission members are to: A. Review By -Laws and submit changes. B. Define the term "accessibility" -- What does it mean to you?