HomeMy WebLinkAbout2006 - Commission On Disability - Annual ReportCOD 2006 ANNUAL REPORT
The year 2006 was a learning year for the Commission on Disability. We had various
individuals as guests share their expertise so the Commission could have a better
understanding of current situations.
Scott Doyle introduced us to the new touch screen voting machines and several of our
members tried the machine out. The presentation and answers to questions and
resulted in a story in the Coloradoan followed by positive responses from the public
after the elections.
Mark Beck presented the video, "Practical Housing for All" (PHA), which had been put
together by the city's Channel 14 crew. In July Mark turned all PHA materials over to
the Commission because most members of his group moved away and he had other
obligations. The Commission sees this as a very worthwhile project to pursue for ALL
people and hopes someone carries it on.
Mary Warring from the North Front Range Planning Organization spoke about
transportation services in rural areas. MPO is responsible for meeting a Federal
mandate of bringing Health and Human Services and Rural Transit Services together to
improve services and make transportation more efficient.
Marlys Sittner, General Manager of Transfort/DAR, gave an updated report on where
DAR stood in the midst of the City budget overhaul.
Ingrid Decker, Assistant City Attorney, is the contact for the Commission on Legalities
and introduced herself during a meeting and outlined her responsibilities to COD.
Wendy Williams, Assistant City Manager, visited us to share she is the City's ADA
Coordinator and COD's.
Randy Hensley and Marshall Thornberry discussed snow removal policies in the city
and answered questions.
Barb Schoenberger from the Senior Center discussed ideas for future art shows.
CERTIFICIATES
The Commission started sending recognition certificates to businesses that go beyond
ADA or meet an obscure ADA ruling. So far certificates have gone to: SUB -WAY on N
College; Lincoln Center; Library on Peterson Street; Housing Authority; DAR;
Kim Guzman — adding instructions to mailed placards on how to use placards and how
to use parking spots; PHA; Manager's office; Peggy Lyle, part of the DBA; and Scott
Doyle.
MAYOR'S AWARD
Mayor Doug Hutchison presented the Mayor's Awards plaques to the winners of each
category in a small gathering at a regular COD meeting. There was a well -written story
in the Coloradoan that followed. The winners were:
Dorothy Lasley
Beverly Kyllingstad
Employer of the Year - Paul Michelsen of Taco DelMar
Spirit of Ft. Collins - Mark Beck
Volunteer of the Year - Kelly Walker -Haley
HEAVY DOORS
Terry Schlichting took this project over. A move by Terry created a temporary loss of
maps needed to carry out this project in 2006. Our aim is to visit businesses in 2007 to
test the weights of doors and also leave educational tools behind.
ART SHOW
A show of art done only by artists with disabilities took a hiatus this year to regroup.
Our goal: we will have a show in 2007. We did send out a survey essentially asking,
"What would you like?" This netted one response.
EMPLOYMENT
One of the Commission's reasons for existence is to see about employment in our city
for people with disabilities. A meeting with Rick De La Costa, Director of Human
Resources, satisfied us that there is a group in our city that sends out employment
notices to several agencies. We see no need to reinvent the wheel.
PUBLIC OUTREACH/MEDIA RELATIONS
The Commission reaches out to the public through the COD Brochures displayed
around the city and through letters to the Editor and wonderful articles done by the
Coloradoan and The Forum.
2006 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Susan Williams, Chair; Steve Rierson, Vice Chair; Joan Cook, Secretary; and Terry
Schlichting, Historian with City Liaisons Steve White and Anne Houston who do a
remarkable job.
2006 MEMBERS
Susan Williams, Steve Rierson, Joan Cook, Terry Schlichting, Beverly Hageseth and
Mayor Doug Hutchison as the City Council liaison.
Susan Williams is attending planning meetings with various county and city employees
to put together a county wide evacuation plan for people with disabilities.
An Appreciation Ceremony was held by the Commission on Disability to honor previous
members, Mark Beck, Jerry Patterson, Laura Burnett, and former City Liaison, Rachel
Palmer. We had a nice lunch and each person received a plaque commemorating their
service.
The Commission is alive, well, and better informed so it can better achieve future goals.
We turn into 2007 with a very fine, committed group of people.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Williams, COD Chairperson
January, 2007