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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 07/15/1996Liaison: Alan Apt Chairperson: Ray SandersonPhone: (H) 493-9340 AMISSION 0 MEETING MI July 15, 1VfA 2:00 p St Members Present: Peggy Irish Kathy Lassen Ray Sanderson Frank Blakely Angela Byrne Mark Kramer Amy Rosenberg Craig Wallerstein Members Absent: Shirley Reichenbach Jackie Hyatt Chris Rock City Staff Present: Nancy Stirling, COD Liaison Dana Shea -Reid, City of Fort Collins, Human Resources Asst. Director Guests: Jean Batchelder, Access by Design Meeting began at 2:10 pm. Chairperson Ray Sanderson asked Nancy to review past minutes and record the attendance of COD members to meetings. There is some concern that some members are missing too many meetings. Nancy will contact Ray with the count. Introductions of all present were made. Approval of June 17 COD meeting minutes. Members were asked to review the minutes from last meeting. A motion was made to accept the minutes as they were. The motion was seconded and approved unanimously. Discussion: Employment of Persons with Disabilities within the City. Dana Shea -Reid, the Assistant Director for the City's Human Resources Department, was invited to this meeting to provide information concerning the City's policy for hiring persons with disabilities and to answer questions from members. Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes July 15, 1996 Page Two Dana explained the responsibilities of Human Resources (HR) to hire personnel, create opportunities for personal and professional development, and to "nurture" their employees. Kathy described instances in her work experience of assisting persons with disabilities to find employment. There seems to be a barrier — or that the City makes it difficult — to providing employment for persons with disabilities within the City. The application process makes it difficult for otherwise qualified individuals to get employment with the City. There seems to be a mindset that it would be difficult and time-consuming to train individuals who may be slower to learn. The organization that Kathy works for provides training for individuals so the hiring person/department/business won't have to spend extra time training them. So what is the hang-up? Why can't persons with disabilities get hired at the City? It appears that local businesses are much more apt to and interested in hiring persons with disabilities, whereas the City is not. Dana explained that there are several 'barriers' to hiring: one of which is, frankly, money. Departments don't have it in their budget to hire an extra person. Budgets only allow for a certain number of employees. Positions cannot simply be created for individuals. Applications include a statement that gives the minimum requirements and physical skills necessary for a position. Anyone who can't meet the minimum requirements will not be considered. Question: Does technology help or hurt persons with cognitive disabilities? It does not seem to be a problem. Jean stated that the "government follows the law, whereas private companies are more in tune with the spirit of the [ADA] law." Ray suggested that Dana, Craig (who works for Disabled Resource Services) and Kathy (works for Center for Community Participation) get-together and discuss who the City might encourage more employment of person with disabilities. Perspectives" Show Planning The COD will be participating and assisting with an upcoming Cable 27 "Perspectives" episode. The show will be taped on Thursday, September 18 at 8:00 pm and will be shown on Cable 27 throughout the following month. This show will be hosted by Mayor Ann Azari and include panelists and audience participation. Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes July 15, 1996 Page Three The topic for this show is "Are the efforts of the Fort Collins community to improve quality of life and accessibility (to facilities, employment, social activities, transportation, care) for persons with disabilities working?" How could the community be better? A list of names for possible panilist/participants was given to Nancy. They were: Erin Strack of Foothills Gateway; Jean Batchelder, Access by Design; Patricia Frisbee of Disabled Resource Services; Kathy Burrill of HP; Cathy Schelly of CCP; Keith Wilcheck, adult person with disabilities; Jack Vogt a parent of a child with a disability; Mark and Pat Lukens, parents of a young child with a disability; Elliot Cisneros, with Poudre R-1 School District who works with "transition students" in high schools, and a COD member (Peggy?). These names will be submitted to the Mayor to choose and approve. Nancy will let you all know who has been selected by the Mayor. COD Brochure Updates Nancy mailed out copies of the COD Brochure with this meetings' agenda and asked COD members to review it and provide comments, changes, information. Please have your suggestions to Nancy by Wednesday, August 7th so can update th brochure and make copies In time for the New West Pest. NewWest Fest The next planning meeting for the NewWest Fast is scheduled for Thursday, July 18 at 11:00 am at Lucky's Saloon in Old Town. Kathy found out that 4-H has seeing -eye dogs. Frank will contact them to see if dogs can be loaned for the NW Fast. A COD logo was discussed for the banner — but no firm ideas. Nancy will take some of the ideas and see what she can come up with. MP Disability Awareness Event Frank updated the COD on the progress for the event. A keynote speaker has been selected (Frank could not remember the name of the speaker.) The next PIE meeting will be July 24th at HP from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. The COD will have a manned table and have brochures, flyers and the banner. This would be good PR for the Commission. Anyone available to man the table? 0 • Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes July 15, 1996 Page Four Dial -a -Ride Update Four COD members (Mark, Angela, Amy, Ray) were able to attend the second (and possibly last) meeting with the heads of Transfort and Transportation Services. This was a follow-up meeting discussing Dial -a -Ride concerns and complaints of customers. Amy: "good news" that DAR calculated that there was a small percentage of clients with complaints (this point was argued that: some people don't voice their complaints; is it based on number of rides or customers?). There is still some concern over the 30-minute pickup/drop-off window. Mark: seemed that according to Transportation personnel, what they are doing is working and good, and they feel they are fulfilling what is required. A compromise was reached as a result of this meeting. A sub -committee would be formed within the Commission on Disability. This sub -committee would address DAR issues and concerns and be a mediator between DAR and customers. Members of the sub -committee would include COD members, representatives of various community organizations, Transfort management and interested citizens. Ray will put together a list of persons to ask to participate on this committee. Then the members of the committee can get together (with David Lilly of Tranfort) and decide their responsibilities and procedures. Question: When do (or how often do) Transfort/DAR personnel get training on how to deal with persons with disabilities (sensitivity training)? This ball got dropped with the departure of Michelle from DAR. What is the policy regarding sensitivity training? (May want to discuss this with David Lilly of Transfort.] REMINDER: Ray reminded us that in September we will be having elections for Executive Committee positions (Chairperson, Vice -Chairperson, Member -at -Large). Persons who have been a member of the Commission at least a year are eligible for these positions. So keep in mind who you would like to nominate and be prepared to vote in September! Meeting adjourned at 4:25 pm. ADDENDUM: Nancy forgot to bring up something on behalf of Shirley. Shirley is compiling a history of the COD and their accomplishments. Her question is: should the information be compiled chronologically or by accomplishments/successes/non- successes? Please let either Shirley or Nancy know what you think. Thank you.