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Home My WebLink AboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 10/12/1992171 • • COMMISSION ON DISABILITY October 12, 1992 Minutes Members Present: Arne Anderson Roy Beauchamp Angela Bryne Shirley Reichenbach Robert Willmot Debbie Kalin Ray Sanderson James Reigles Members Absent: Judith Sayre -Grim Staff Support Present: Mike Gebo Ann Reichert Guests: Wendy Irving -Mills, Facilities Jean Batchelder The meeting was called to order by Chairman James Reigles. He introduced the executive board. The minutes of the September meeting were approved with corrections. Jean Batchelder, a guest, stated she has been polling approximately 100 mall merchants, of those companies owned by a larger chain, know about and have made changes according to the new ADA requirements. It appears the local businesses don't know or understand. The ADA Task Force was discussed. The organization is trying to understand each section of the ADA rules/regulations. Ray Sanderson stated the ADA Task Force tries to have representation on each committee that is established in the City. An idea was discussed about issuing a "report card" for businesses that comply with ADA standards. Vice chairperson Debbie Kalin distributed the 1992-1993 Boards and Commissions Manual. She reviewed the mission statement for the Commission on Disability. The work plan for 1993 was also discussed. Debbie Kalin stated this commission needed long term as well as short term plans. Chairman Jim Reigles went through procedures and expectations he has as chairman for this commission. • • 0 Commission October 12, Page 2 on Disability 1992 COMMITTEE REPORTS Wendy Irving -Mills reported the facilities committee has identified $300,000 of corrections in City buildings for 1993. A copy of the findings was given to Ann in Building Inspection. It is available for Board members to see. Ray Sanderson reported for the Employment Task Force. He stated this committee is working on an assessment workbook the employment program for accessibility to the entire city. Arne Anderson reported the Human Relations Board is examining their role and bylaws. New officers have been elected. The new Diversity Task Force was discussed. Ray Sanderson will contact Ann Azari to seeif someone from COD can sit on this committee. Debbie Kalin reported she adopted NOD after Denise left the commission. She is checking on the renewal status. Mayor's Award is scheduled for October 20, 1992 at the City Council Meeting. Cookies, punch and coffee will be served at 6:OOpm in the CIC room before the Council meeting. Parking Reminders were discussed. This issue will be discussed at a later date. Ray Sanderson reported on the Transportation Committee. He said the Family Clinic is moving to a space behind Pizza Hut on Lemay and changing the route to have the clinic a stop on route 5 was discussed at the transportation meeting. A public meeting with City Council will be held October 20, 1992 to discuss an increase in fares to ride the bus. Car -a -van issues were discussed. Shirley has some insight on the situation, will follow up on this subject and report back to COD next month. Susan Kirkpatrick has planned to attend the next COD meeting. If any Board member has some concerns to share with her, please contact Debbie Kalin so she can get a list of concerns to the mayor. The meeting was adjourned. • 501 vivian street fort collins, co 80525 303-229-0672 Ms. Shirley Reichenbach Commission on Disabilities 1313 Glen Haven Drive Fort Collins, CO 80526 Dear Shirley; September 16, 1992 I thought you'd like a copy of this Letter to the Editor. I was really impressed with the City's transition plans and all the work that went into such a thorough effort. I know you and the other members of the COD were integral to the process and deserve equal credit. Congratulations on a job well done. Please share this with the others who have been involved. You might be interested to know that I've made contact with both • the Chamber of Commerce and Bob Baun at the Coloradoan. I think that with a little well -directed effort we can begin to make an impact on local business' awareness of Title III requirements. I enjoyed your presentation at the Task Force meeting and really appreciate your input to this letter. Hope we can get together soon. I'll keep in touch. Sincerely, ��CG6Z�t�%�C�CJ Jean Batchelder rI • • 0 jbfm 301 vivian street fort collins, co 80525 303-229-0672 Mr. John Feeley Editorial Page Editor Fort Collins Coloradoan P. O. Box 1577 Fort Collins, CO 80522 Dear Mr. Feeley; September 16, 1992 I would appreciate your publishing the following "Letter to the Editor." I have attached an ADA Resource Information list which I feel would be appropriate for you to include. I applaud the City of Fort Collins' leadership stance in addressing the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This civil rights legislation is intended to assure that persons with disabilities are not discriminated against in their pursuit and enjoyment of life's privileges, pleasures, and responsibilities. The City has adopted plans which will ultimately bring its services, programs, activities, and public transportation systems into compliance. The ADA also states that businesses providing products and services to the public may not discriminate against disabled individuals. All businesses, regardless of size, are covered. I find it amazing that in Fort Collins and Larimer County, very few businesses have done anything to cosolv!!! (Regulations went into effect last January, 1992.) Business owners: Are you claiming ignorance? Do you have a "wait and see" attitude? Do you simply not care? Or are you afraid of the possible costs associated with making your business accessible to the disabled? The purpose of this legislation is D" to put anyone out of business. The ADA requires modifications which are "readily achievable" and do not impose "undue hardship" on the business. when architectural renovation is cost -prohibitive, alternative solutions should be explored. The Internal Revenue Code provides two credits which help offset expenses. • • jbfm • The ADA has established compliance priorities. The first is providing access into the place of business. It makes little sense to have accessible restrooms if it is impossible for a wheelchair to get into your facility. When you provide barrier -free access to your business, you literally open the doors to new clientele ---the disabled! Currently 2.1 million Colorado residents have some kind of disability. Estimates suggest that by the year 2000, one-third of the population will have a disability or be 65 or older. Can you afford to lose this market share? Jean Batchelder is a facility management consultant who provides ADA services. Call 229-0672 for more information. -fini- u Thank you v-erry- much, � Jean Batchelder cc: Bob Baun, Coloradoan Business Editor Tom Frazier, City of Fort Collins Ginny De Herdt, ADA Task Force of Larimer County Shirley Reichenbach, Commission on Disabilities Attachment 0 ADA RESOURCE SNF0RMA1''S0N ADA Task Force of Larimer County Ginny De Herdt, Chairperson 424 Pine Street, Suite 101 Fort Collins, CO 80524 Phone: 482-6134 ADA Task Force Packet 180 Available at KINKO'S COPIES 1113 West Elizabeth cost: $11.65 For a copy of the Americans with Disabilities Handbook: o EOC 1801 L. St., NW Washington, DC 20507 800-669-EEOC o DOJ Office on the Americans with Disabilities Act Civil Rights Division P. O. Box 66118 . Washington, DC 20035-6118 202-514-0301 For copies of the booklet What Business Must Know About the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 202-463-5502. For information on the tax provisions applicable to business, call the U.S. Internal Revenue Service at 202-566-3292, or speak with your accountant. For other ADA information, contact: o Rocky Mountain Region Disability and Business TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE CENTER 3630 Sinton Rd., Suite 103 Colorado Springs, CO 80907-5072 800-949-4232 o COLORADO EASTER SEALS 5755 West Alameda Ave. Lakewood, CO 303-233-1666 •