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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 02/13/1984 (2)A& a COMMISSION ON DISABILITY M I N U T E S COMMISSION ON DISABILITY February 13, 1984 The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was called to order by Chairperson Bobbie Guye at 6:42 on Monday, February 13, 1984, in the Old Firehouse Building, 232 Walnut Street, Fort Collins, Co. Members Present: Eldon Decker, Bobbie Guye, Betty Shuey, Tim Kientz, Rosalie Smith, Pat Crist, Charlotte Kanode, Penne Thomas Members Absent: Betty Pidcock,Nancy Jackson, Rose Kreston City Staff Diana Royval Bobbie Guye introduced and welcomed our new member, Penne Powers Thomas. Approval of Minutes One page 3 of the January 9, 1984, minutes under "New Business", the City Council had 15 to 20 standing applications to -the Commission. However, the person they selected from these had moved out of town. Council then had the option of opening the position for further applications or using the remainder of the standing application pool. Eldon Decker moved that the minutes tie approved as corrected. The motion was seconded and passed. Liaison Reports The Shared Housing Committee will be meeting on February 15th at the Office on Aging. They are working on the prospects of a trial intergenerational housing project with federal funds from the Office on Aging. Another possible porject is the establishment of a Senior Housing Information Center, using CDBG monies. On February 9th a general meeting of SAINT was held, including drivers, dispatchers, and task force members. This was a time of evaluation and general input for improvement. The possibility for expansion to include handicapped persons under age 60 yrs. was again discussed. SAINT is look- ing for new funding sources to continue the project to July. The initial tiral period ends on February 29th. CDBG is currently holding weekly meetings to finalize policy plans to be presented to City Council. Priorities include: Housing, Land Use Public Commission on Disability Minutes - February 13, 1984 Page 2 CDBG is currently holding weekly meetings to finalize policy plans to be presented to City Council. Priorities include: Housing, Land Use, Public Facilities and Services, Economic Development, and Community Self - Perception and Design. The Uniform Building Code Committee met on February 7th with the Building Board of Appeals. Bobbie has requested some changes from the ANSI code which will make phones and lavatory heights more workable. She also included extra insulation of hot wazer pipes under sinks as protection for those with little feeling in their lower limbs. THese changes will be included in the code as it goes to City Council for approval. The UBC also contains clear reference to the number of accessible units for Division I occupancies as stipulated by House Bill 1477 which went into effect in July, 1983. Loveland's Handicapped Advisory Commission had the Loveland Building Inspector and the Plans Reviewer at their January 9th meeting. These persons felt that ANSI standards should be adequate and that HAC should be consulted only for questions and in cases of appeal on requests for variance. They agreed to read and compare ANSI code with Loveland's UBC. HAC proposed that an outside accessibility ramp was a minimum requirement for remodeling projects. Nancy Jackson will be visiting HAC to explain the HID and its functions. Bobbie will send information on the Fort Collins UBC and means by which COD has been able to have input on its revision. The question of a lift at the community building is still unsolved pend- ing word on the County CDBG funds. There is a possibility of getting a lift from a local manufacturer. HAC is working with the Traffic Engineer to get upright signing on handi- capped parking spaces and with the Chamber of Commerce to increase awareness of the need for good snow removal especially for handicapped parking spaces and accessibility ramps. Northern Medical is making staff additions of a physical therapist, registered nurse and medical stenographer in addition to the occupational therapist who is already employed there. The Senior Board met on February 8 and heard Pete McWilliams discuss House Bill 1222 which concerns a long-term care ombudsmen program. He is the president of the Concerned Relatives and Friends of Nursing Home Residnets. Section 504 Diana Royval reported that Verna Lewis is in the process of evaluating the City's compliance with 504. As this process progresses, COD members and other concerned members of the community will be asked for input. The next meeting in this regard will be February 22, 1984. Diana will con- tinue to monitor the progress of this evaluation. Commission on Dieility • Minutes - February 13, 1984 Page 3 Swimming Pool Modifications Bobbie received a letter form Barbara Schoenberger (on file with Minutes) regarding the present status of pool modifications. This includes: * The turnstyles have been removed from the front hall, facilitating access. * Plumbing has been reconnected for privacy showers in the women's locker room. * Funds have been appropriated for a door through the downstairs office which will provide for wheelchair access. * A shower chair is on order and handheld shower units should be installed by March. Bobbie asked for discussion on other areas which we have previously stated to be in need of modification. Charlotte Kanode made a motion to approve approximately $350 in ABR funds so that the parking lot modification could proceed right away. The motion was seconded and passed. COD agreed in principle to provide ABR funds to make one toilet stall in each bathroom comply with ANSI standards. We need specifics as to the mod- ifications required and cost estimates before approving a grant. COD is strongly interested in some kind of an adequate, safe lift for entering the water. Funds from ABR may be a possibility but many details need to be provided before a decision can be made. Bobbie will reply to Schoenberger's letter, incorporating these conclusions from our discussion. Accessibility Research Team There has been no further action regarding the accessibility status of Oakbrook. Our letter to HUD is still pending. Diana stated that the delays which have been involved will greatly lessen any impact we might have on this situation. It was agreed however, that the letter should still be sent. Citizens Advisory Transportation Board Betty Shuey reported that she has received no communication from Ken Sylvester of Transfort regarding the final make-up of the Board or no- tice of an initial meeting as he stated would be forthcoming before this date. A letter from COD will be sent to get action on this. Betty participated in a users' survey in January but results are not yet public. The December monthly report showed greatly increased ridership. There are some "rumblings" regarding possible rate increases for handi- capped and senior riders. Update on ABR Applications 1. Arrangements are being made with the Dan Stevens family to occupy the Housing Authority unit at 311 N. Whitcomb. This unit is undergoing Commission on Disability Minutes - February 13, 1984 Page 4 extensive renovation and will be accessible for this family in which there are four children, a mother and a father who is confined to a wheelchair. 2. Application has been received for bathroom modifications and widening of doorways in the Ronald Morgan home for the benefit of the 13- year old paraplegic son. The family's income exceeds the limits for a grant but ABR funds can be used for a low interest loan as in the Housing Rehabilitation program. Eldon Decker made a motion that Diana Royval advise the Morgans of this possibility and of our willingness to work with them on this basis. The motion was seconded and passed. 3. A speech therapist has applied for ABR assistance on behalf of Richard Nolte, a 24-year old head injury victim who resides with his parents on Bungalow Court. The request is for a Sharpe Communication Aide for helping in writingand math for daily living. This is available locally form Poor Richard's Calculators but no cost estimate was given. If the device costs under $1000 it would be an outright grant to the individual. Pat Crist moved that further investigation be made of the exact nature and cost of the equipment and that COD approve the cost up to $1000 from ABR Equipment funds. The motion was seconded and passed. 4. Wanda Waugh, who is deaf, is requesting a TV decoder to enable her to watch close -captioned TV. Previously she had received a TTY through ABR funds. The decoder unit costs about $200 and is available from Sears. Pat Crist moved the we respond generally favorably to the request but ask for more information regarding the family financial situ- ation and how the decoder will enhance independent living. The possibil- ity of matching funds should also be considered. The motion was seconded and passed. Diana Royval reported that a recent HUD audit pointed out that we must eliminate all further ABR funds for use on mobile homes unless the unit is owned by the applicant and permanently set on a foundation on the owner's property. Pat Crist will draft a letter to HUD, our Congressmen and to City Council noting our firm objections to this unrealistic policy which strongly hampers efforts to provide constructive help for handicapped per- sons in the moderate and lower income brackets. Exoired COD Membership Terms The terms of COD members Charlotte Kanode, Rose Kreston and Bobbie Guye will expire July 1,.1984. They will be eligible for re -application. There is still a question of Kr_eston's eligibility since she is now a resident outside:the-'Ueban^Growth Area,bouhda�ies. Miscellaneous Announcements On the morning of February 14 there will be "Coffee at the Capitol" sponsored by Colorado Coalition for Persons with Disabilities. This is to Commission on Disability Minutes - February 13, 1984 Page 5 provide an opportunity to become acquainted with legislators. Pending leg- islative proposals of special interest include a family responsibility proposal, establishment of an Independent Living Rehab program within the Department of Socail Services, funding of special services for disabled students, an amendment regarding barrier -free polling sites and alterations of the Comprehensive Building Code to meet ANSI standards. The Coalition has approached Senator Armstrong regarding nationwide ac- cessible transportation and Armstrong has appointed a staff person to work on this issue. A February 20 rally is planned for Senator Hart's Denver office to object to the lack of a promised accessibility ramp. Wine Fest II will be held March 9th at the Lincoln Center form 6 to 10 p.m. Sponsored by HIO/LCA, tickets are $10 per person and may be obtained at the Lincoln Center, HID, Select -a -Seat and several other outlets. Lynn Boyer is in charge of administration of $18,000 in County. ABR money. Applications are being sent out and accepted, although much of the money apparently is already spoken for. Eldon Decker reported that the Computer Training class is off to a good start. It is being held at Voc-Tech and is taught by two teachers from Hewlett-Packard. A letter has been received form the Colorado Radio Information Service urging letters to state legislators be sent for state funding of the service. Funding would be through the Division of Library Services of the Department of Public Education. The Joint Budget Committee and denied the request once but it will continue to come up again. Permanent state funding must be obtained by July 1, 1984 to continue the service. Bobbie Guye submitted a bill for reimbursement for $20.44 for mailing of the February Handicapped Newsletter. Bobbie has written a letter of appreciation to City Councl for the McLain Family Band performance to which all COD members were invited. Adjournment There being no further business, Charlotte made a motion that the meeting be adjourned at 8:32 p.m. The motion was seconded and carried. Respectively submitted, -�- 'D,E. Rosalie Smith, Secretary