HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 - Commission On Disability - Annual ReportCOD 2007 ANNUAL REPORT
The Commission on Disability experienced a whirlwind year of a lot of changes and occurrences.
We sadly said goodbye to Steve White, the City liaison, who was very helpful and willing to help
in anyway he could. The good news is we got to welcome the new City liaison, Bruce Byrnes. He
has served this Commission well throughout the year as his feet sunk deeper into the water. We
also said goodbye to City liaison Anne Houston as she happily traded her work alarm for a
traveling camper.
We welcomed RANDY HENSLEY-PARKING SERVICES -who explained they would be taking
over the HANDICAP PARKING PROGRAM set up several years ago by the police department.
This was a disappointment to COD members who have cited many vehicles in violation of
parking in a handicap space. Parking Service changed the program from being ticketed to getting
a warning.
NANCY JACKSON-DRS and CARYL SCHONBRUN-A CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE
person, educated us on chemical sensitivity and shared with us a concern they had. COD
recommended to Council that there be an ordinance stating anyone spraying chemicals are to
inform surrounding neighbors before hand.
DAVE ADAMS-AIR QUALITY BOARD REQUESTED COD SUPPORT OF GRADE/STEP
CROSSINGS.
SUSAN WILLIAMS PRESENTED THE COD WITH A SPECIAL NEEDS REGISTRY FOR
EMERGENCIES COUNTY WIDE TO EDIT FOR A LARIMER COUNTY REGISTRY. The
planning for this emergency evacuation should take effect the middle of 2008.
FELIX LEE presented a NEW ADA INTERNATIONAL BUILDING CODE FOR ALL NEW
CONSTRUCTION. We recommended the City adopt this code. GLADYS RUSSEL-HEAR N
COLORADO enlightened us on their service to this community for people who are deaf.
A DVD was shown to educate us on ten business mistakes. We learned also that there are
50,000,000 disabled people in the U.S. that spend $175 BILLION annually.
We sponsored a Dial -A -Ride re -certification forum attended by about 50 citizens. The panel
consisted of State ADA Rep Geoff Ames, Marlys Sittner-dar operations manager, AND MARK
JACKSON. The goal was to bring together all parties to learn ADA implementation of
certification procedures for paratransit services.
The Commission had some members put together a power point entitled Community Access.
This power point is intended to travel to various groups throughout the city to educate on ADA
Do's and Don'ts. Traveling will begin around April, 2008 accompanied by a few COD members.
The Creative Abilities Art Show featuring only artists with a disability was held in August for the
fourth year.
The annual Mayor's Award might be smaller than previous years but mighty and very well
attended. The winners were:
Employee of the Year -Ryan Davenport
Spirit of Fort Collins -Beryl 'Brownie' McGraw
Dorothy Lasley Memorial -Denise Bettenhausen
Service Provider of the Year-Ensight Skills Center
Volunteers of the Year-LAPP (Larimer Animal -People Partnership) & Society Pet Partners
Each year we have an Appreciation luncheon for the past year members. This year they were
Steve White, City liaison, Anne Houston, City liaison, and Joani Cook, past member and
Secretary.
New member and Secretary had a marvelous idea that COD will go green! All minutes will be
sent out electronically and the Historian will send out hard copy minutes to those not having
internet. At the monthly meetings the minutes and agenda will be projected onto a screen. GO
GREEN!!!
Susan Williams
Chair
Commission on Disability