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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 04/13/1992COMMISSION ON DISABILITY April 13, 1992 Regular Meeting - Minutes Commission Members Present Commission Members Absent: Council Liaison: Staff Liaison: Staff Support Present: Guests: Shirley Reichenbach Bob Willmot Bob Porter Mike Wilson Roy Beauchamp Debbie Kalin Arne Andersen Angela Byrne Judy Sayer -Grim, excused Denise Scheberle Susan Kirkpatrick Mike Gebo Mike Gebo Ann Reichert Wendy Irving, Amy Coulsen Ginny DeHerdt David Herrera, Marie Koecher, City Facilities Fort Collins Housing Authority Barrier Free Design Consultant The regular meeting of the Commission on Disability was held in the conference room at 281 North College. The minutes of the February meeting were approved. Wendy Irving, City of Fort Collins Facilities office stated their office is working on a check list for accessibility for City buildings. COD has members on the committee, and this committee is in the process of deciding which buildings the Commission members want to walk through. Bob Willmot stated he toured the police station with Wendy looking at accessibility and found it to be very interesting. Wendy will continue to keep the Commission up to date on the progress of this committee. Ginny DeHerdt from the ADA Task Force was present to discuss updates on the ADA. She referred to a project that was done by Rob Gilkerson concerning accessibility of curb cuts and the bus system. ( ;> ' Ginny has also discussed the schedule system this with a visually impaired group for more input. Shirley informed the Commission K-Mart was remodeling. She has seen the plans for the doors to enter the building and the rest rooms and they will be accessible. Shirley attended an AIA (American Institute of Architects) meeting. The March meeting agenda was Accessible Design and the April topic will be legal aspects with regard to ADA. She felt it was an very informative meeting. Members who attended the Council Appreciation Reception thought it was very nice. A suggestion from the Commission was to next year have name tags for all those attending. A memo from Parks and Rec was discussed regarding the location of the new senior center. (This memo is attached.) The City Park Pool is being remodeled and will include elevators to the second floor and a unisex rest room that will be accessible to wheelchairs. Nancy Jackson, DRS, gave Shirley as list of phone numbers to distribute for Americans with Disabilities Act for technical assistance. (This is attached). Shirley mentioned Weekenders is a service offered through DRS if disabled need work done around the house. (This memo is attached). DRS is sponsoring a Wine Fest May 1. Flyers were distributed. Special Olympics will be held this summer in Fort Collins. Shirley will contact the mayor to see what COD can do to contribute to this event. David Herrera, Fort Collins Housing Authority spoke to the Commission. He stated there have been many comments on the 114 South Bryan project. He assured the Commission the Housing Authority is trying to comply with all regulations. The Authority has hired a consultant, Barrier Free Design Consultants, to review the project. The Authority will do all they can to correct any problems. Marie Koecker, Barrier Free Design Consultants, presented her findings on the 114 South Bryan Project. There are some minor improvements to be made, but the Housing Authority has taken care of the major ones. Felix Lee, Director of Building Inspection, addressed the Commission. He asked for volunteers from the Commission to serve on 0 0 the City's ADA Task Force. Regularly Monday from 3:00-4:30 in the City volunteered to serve on the committee. scheduled meetings are held Attorney's office. Shirley Shirley mentioned the sub committees need to get together and set goals and time lines. Arne suggested the executive committee meet first and help establish those goals. It was decided that the executive committee would do that. The date and time the Commission meets was discussed. It was asked of the Commission to consider an alternative/better time for the group to meet. The discussion was tabled until next month. Mike Gebo discussed with the Commission a project that has been directed by City Council. It deals with transportation. The transportation committee will meet this week to start the project. The project needs to be completed and submitted to City Council by July 21, 1992. The meeting was adjourned. Cultural, "brary, and Recreational Service Cityof Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DT: April 9, 1992 TO: Interested Citizens FR: Jean Helburg, Recreation Manage RE: Senior Citizen Center Location Many of you attended the open house and public outreach hearing that the City Council hosted on March 31st to gain input on the senior citizen center location issue. The information that many of you shared directly with City Council members was extremely helpful to them in better understanding the issues surrounding this very important decision. Attached is a copy of the memo that went to City Council today, which identifies the final sites for consideration. The memo also discusses the major concerns that have been identified with the Lee Martinez Park and Collinwood sites, as requested at the hearing on March 31st. I want to thank each of you for your continuing interest in this project. 281 North College Avenue • Fort Collins, CO 80524 • (303) 221-6640 MEMORANDUM DT: April 9, 1992 TO: City Council Members FR: Michael W. Powers, Director of Cultural, Library, and Recreational Services RE: The Final Sites For the Senior Citizen Center INTRODUCTION On March 31, the City Council and City staff participated with over 100 interested citizens in an open house and public outreach meeting to discuss the issues surrounding choosing a location for the new senior citizen center. At that meeting, City Council members heard directly from thirty-one citizens, who expressed their views about this issue. Twelve chose to express their opinions in writing at the open house. The opinions expressed were varied. There doesn't appear to be one obvious location for the facility. Many citizens would like to have this facility close to their own homes. As a result of this event, staff members have narrowed the list of twenty sites to five. These five sites are being reviewed in more depth. Staff will return to Council on May 19 with this additional information and a recommendation. THE LIST OF SITES The five sites being reviewed for the new senior citizen center include the following: 1. Five acres at the west end of the EPIC P.U.D., adjacent to Edora Park. This property is owned by the City. 2. Five acres in the Centre for Advanced Technology, the northeast corner of West Drake and South Shields. This property is owned by Everitt Companies, Inc. 3. Five acres directly east of the entrance into Rolland Moore Park. This property is owned by Colorado State University Research Foundation. 4. Five acres directly north of Raintree Shopping Center, northwest corner of West Drake and South Shields. This property is represented by the Group, Inc. ATTACHMENT INFORMATION INFORMATION ABOUT LEE MARTINEZ PARK AND COLLINWOOD At the public outreach meeting, questions were asked about why Lee Martinez Park and Collinwood did not rate higher as good sites for this facility. The following information is provided to answer these questions. Lee Martinez Park, east end ad.iacent to the railroad tracks This property is partially owned by the City and partially by two railroad companies on the east and south sides of the site. A title search would be required to determine ownership, and negotiations done with the railroad companies to gain ownership or easements. The major concerns that reflect a poor score on the site criteria rating are the following: 1) The close proximity of the railroad tracks results in noise and vibration distractions. 2) The railroad tracks to the south create vehicle access and traffic problems. The City currently does not own the property immediately north of Cherry Street that accommodates the trail head parking access on that site. 3) Access to bus service is currently difficult, since there is just one southbound route on College Avenue; improving the bus service would require some major changes in the Transfort routes. 4) There are major site development problems associated with this .site, as discussed below. 5) There is no room on this site for future expansion. 6) This location is perceived as "unsafe" by some senior citizens. In addition to these concerns, the unusual or additional site development, problems that exist on this site would require spending over $900,000 that is not part of the project budget just to prepare the site for construction. These problems include relocating a large underground water line that runs south to north through the middle of the property; bringing in a large amount of fill dirt to bring the site above flood plain; the addition of retaining walls to support the fill areas from the floodplain; the design of a special foundation similar to the renovation done at the Northside Aztlan Community Center several years ago, because the site was a land fill; relocation of trees that were planted there years ago as part of a state grant; and the addition of an underfloor thermal system to prevent freezing. Collinwood. South Lemav south of Harmony Road The Collinwood facility sites on almost 13 acres of land. There are four buildings on the property,,. which were originally designed as a psychiatric facility for a total of 120 patients. Two of the buildings were designed to house 40 patients each; a third building to house the additional 40 patients was in the future expansion plans. The recreation center contains a small gym with a tile floor over concrete and change rooms designed to accommodate about two people at a time. This building also contains several classrooms and meeting rooms and office space. The largest building was designed to house the administrative staff, the dining room, a commercial kitchen, and many small conference, meeting and office spaces. This facility does not contain the large areas designed into the original space and program plan for a new senior citizen cent,�r. If the City were to purchase this facility for b3,600,000-$4,000 000, the following spaces would need to be added to meet the requirements of the space plan: 1. A multi -use room with wood floor and stage-- 5,400 square feet. 2. Locker and change rooms-- 2,500 square feet. 3. A lap pool-- 4,500 square feet. 4. A large fitness and gymnasium area-- add 3,000 square feet to the existing gym and replace tile with a suspended wood floor. 5. A jog -walk track around the perimeter of the fitness area-- 2,600 square feet. 6. Circulation (hallways, mechanical, etc)-- 3,000 square feet. This additional space would cost $1,676,000 just for construction. The project "soft costs" would need to be added, such architectural fees; tap fees; landscaping; excavation; capital tools, equipment, and furniture; and project management. These costs would total $910,000. The cost to remodel the existing spaces for compatible use as a senior citizen center would range from $300,000 to $500,000. This information does not take into consideration the possibility of increasing the capacity of the utilities to meet demands of higher use. In summary, it would cost $2,886,000 to $3,186,000 in additional dollars to provide the senior center as originally conceived. The City could sell some of the property and/or enter into long-term leases on the two buildings designed for patient living in order to recoup some of these additional expenses. Although the idea of having enough property on which to eventually develop a "campus" complex of services for senior citizens and other members of the community is appealing, the cost to do so on this site would be high. April 9, 1992 The Final Sites for the Senior Citizen Center Page 2 5. Five acres on the north side of West Horsetooth, west of South Shields, called Horsetooth Commons, may also become part of the list. This is an SID (Special Improvement District) property, currently being offered for sale through bid by the City. Bids are due Friday, April 10. Per Section 23-111(a) of the City Code, the City Council will authorize the final sale of the property. This action is scheduled for the Council meeting of May 19. These five sites have been chosen for further review based on their relative ratings on the site criteria and also based on input from interested citizens. THE NEXT STEPS Staff is in the process of gathering more information about these five sites. They are identifying purchase and site development costs. They are also evaluating the "subjective" elements associated with each site, such as the aesthetic value of the sites. And they are determining political concerns, such as neighborhood acceptance. Private owners will be given the opportunity to participate in a price negotiation process with City officials. Trades, donations, and other creative acquisition means will also be discussed. Staff will return to Council at the May 19 meeting with a synopsis of this information and a recommendation. v • • 424 Pine Street Sure 101 Fort Collins CO 80524-2421 13031482-2700 vole 1303J 482-2723 goo LOVELAND OFFICE 320 N Cleveland Sure IC Loveland CO 80537-5506 13031667-0816 v i,, March 25, 1992 Dear Friends of Disabled Resource Services, Again this year we have taken advantage of the Larimer County Workenders program. We have scheduled six dates throughout the summer months for a crew to come to your homes for such things as lawn mowing, general clean-up, storm windows changing and general house cleaning. You can use your - imagination for what types of work they could do for you. At this point I need to know if you are again interested in using these services. The crews which come are comprised of individuals who have some legal problem which would have them :spend some time in Larimer County Detention Center. There is a minimum of 13 people in each crew and they have a supervisor who I s excellent at keeping the workers on task and involved. They generally spend about 2 hours at each home. The dates we have scheduled are as follows: Sunday, April 12, 1992 Saturday, May 16, 1992 Saturday, June 27, 1992 Sunday, July 19, 1992 Saturday, August Zy, 1992 Saturday, September 26, 1992 As you can see, the dates are approximately 5 weeks apart. Please contact me (at 482-2700) as soon as possible if you are interested in this service. At that time, we can discuss the general types of work which you may need to have done. Sincerely, 1 Karen Hutchinson Assistant Director Partially Funded by United Way and Larimer County Human Development Department March 25, 1992 Ms. Jennifer Bell Disabled Resource Services 424 Pine Street, Suite 101 Fort Collins, Colorado 80524 Dear Ms. Bell: I would like to start out by most sincerely apologizing for taking so long to respond to your letter as well as your inconvenience and the inconvenience of all my other customers. I am aware of the existing problems we have with the doors here at Kmart and will agree with you that these doors are not the easiest to open. I'm sure you are asking yourself, why then hasn't something been done? A brief explanation is due you and the disabled people of this community. Since I became manager of this store, four years ago, there have been numerous attempts made to correct the problems with the doors. Requests have been submitted to install automatic doors, however these requests were rejected. Oaer the past four years, these doors have been either repaired or adjusted (for easier opening) at least a dozen times. Because of the age of the doors and the building itself, the doors can no longer be adjusted to open more easily. Now for some positive news. This store was scheduled for a remodeling in the first part of April. This however has been delayed approximately sixty days. The first draft of the blueprints for the remodeling indicates the doors will be moved slightly north of their present location and also indicated automatic doors will be installed. I'm sure that along with this,revisions will be made throughout the store to accommodate disabled persons which because of the age of this building as I mentioned earlier, is desperately needed. We here at Kmart are looking forward to the remodeling, the new look and the ability to better serve our customers. Until the remodeling actually takes place, please pass along to all, that my associates and myself are than willing to provide any help or assistance needed. Sincerely, John Zakrzewski Manager Reasonable accommodation pAvision key area in Americans with Disabilities Act "Approximately 70percent of all reasonable accommodations cost under .$500, 50 percent cost .$50 or less." .11(nllelnploj'el-s rill' CI CCYPIlld I Ilh the t j%Ccta the AnICricofl.t It itb Di<abihne.<.-icl (ADA) trill hat oil lbeir Inlsinesses. /nd)' Kei Pe, a rebabililation jwo.lussional and owner o/Kare Corl- srl/lailt.c. addresses ill(, issliv of leason- able accommotlatiolr in pall tu'o u% onr scn(:a un Ibe.-IDA. Attording to the ADA. re:tsonahle :ttconvnadatlon meanx lnodific;tiions of adjusnncnts to: • A joh application process that enahlcs :t yualificd applic:ml \\ith it di,uhilit\ to he con,iderrd for the po,ition he or she desire,. • The %cork cm ironment or the manner err cirturnli.m(es under \\ pith the \cork is normal]\ pvlfonlled to cnahlc a qualified individual \\lilt it disandity to perform the joh functions: • Or change, that enahle :rn cnlplocee \\ith it disahilit\ to cnjop celual i)cnefits and Pri\ileges of en1- plo\mc•rt to other enlplo\ce, e\-ithout di,ahi]ilics. Rca,onahle actonlnlod.10ons mac IMILILIC. huh arc not limited to, making exiling fijohlic, rcadil\ acressihlc and u,:Ihle h\ individual, \\fill di,ahilitivs: joh Ie,vucttuing: part -tines• or n)odilied \\ork stllcthllel: rra,signnxrn to :I \at:Int 10116011: attlui,ition ur nuldifi- tation of equipment of dtcites: adju,mlcnt or modifit.1lion of ey:umin;t- hon,. tr.tining nutcriak or politic,; :Ind u,c of rc.Idcrs or interpreters. I'.nlplu\cr, need to ,peak \\fill Ihrir cnlplo\re of applicant to identify the ])reuse limitations ant] the potrnli;d reasonable ac\<Immotl:Itions that \could o\cIWIIIc tho,e limitations. In addition. en)plo\Vts ha\e :111 ❑ItirMAT ice tlut\ to rca,x ales ill\ atcnn)- nu,d:ne qualified diz.Ihlcd indi\idlials unlc,s emploN vis kiln pro\e it \\ould post' :In undue h:Irtl,hip to the husi- ncs,. Nucor h:nd,hip me:n)s it signifi- alnt difficuh\ or expense \\ill he inturrrd by in en)plo\er. Hrlployec, cannot au(OYIMULAIl turn down a joh applicm)t or deny other en)plu\mcnf opporlunitic, heC:Itl,l' :lcrummod.iuun, fur Ihi, person night he needed. Rc:ulroahle acconmlodation, ool\- need to he made for Ilse knu\\n di,ahilitirs of :in appli- cant or enlplo\ vv. The aphlic:int or enlplo\re 1111111 initiate the rcque,t for acconunatl:tiun. If in cmploccr kno\\-, of the LikiNIM .Ind realize, the entl)loyee i, hu\ing ditficuli\ perform- ing the joh. the emplo\er nta\ raise the po„ihili1l of re;uunahle attonunoda- lion. A four -step checklist to determine your obligations ✓ If the :q)plic.ult cmploccr request, if iv t,onahlr acaennlodation. determine if life per,un meets the description of a qualiflcd individual \\ith it di,ahilit\ under the ADA. ✓ Determine if the applicant emplmee is yualificd to perform the r„cntial ftntlions of file joh \\ith or \\ithout :I rr:tsonahlc ittonnmud.ttion. ✓ De0.•rnline if there i, a rca,on- ahlc Ickonumuetttion Thal t:In hC made so file person tan perforlm lift' joh. ✓ Determine if fife rca,onahlc atcun)modafiun is lcasihlc or \\ould pose :11 undue hardship to operation,. RCmenlher the enlpin\cr hear, lilt' hurdcn of proving lilt' attomnu,d:nion \\oultf pose :u) undue h:nthhip 11) the business uperalions. What is undue hardship? The ADA pn,cide, a fill Of f:Itllltti to consider in dvicrmining \\ helhcr atconvmod:tion i, rcaxt):IhIC or an undue h:ud,hip. Thc,e arc: 1. The nature and net toll of attunlnuld:coon rCVded. tnnsidt-ring lilt- a\aiLlhilitc of tag trcdits :Intl deduction, and of ouj,idc landing. 1. The u\crall financial IC,tHntlS and the nunlhcr of pcoplc cn)pluyt'd m Ole facilit\ invoked. :Ind tilt inlpacl on espen,es and resource,. 3 The o\erall finanti.il rc,OUILV, Of the cmploccr. the ovcl:Ill size of the hu,ine,,. nunlher of emplo\ec, :uxl the number. I\pc anti location of faciline,. .4. The t)-pe of operation, of the IlUslnen,, includinli the tonlpo,ition. ,tructurc anti function, of the �orkfojte.:uu] the geogny)hictl location :lilt] admini,tr:nive of fi,cal rrlation,hip of the f.Itilm in que,tion- 5. The impact of the :ttconumoda- tion upon the operation of the 61tilin-. including the impact of the ahilit\ of other enlplu\e•cs to perloini their duties ant] the impact Of the facilit\'s ahilil\ to tondutl htlVne,,. Reasonable accommodation Nlo,t joh ackonnxxlation, cost little of nothing to Ihr emplo\eI Approsim:tch -U potent of :III reasonahlc aceonunod.tions toss under $SOU: :;U potent to,t 'sSfj or IV,,. \\hc) it is neccs"m to make an attonunod. - uon lit a pt-r,on vv ilh .I tli,a I1Ih1y. um,ult \\iIh lilt- pu:,un first. ,into the•.. h;r\c had to find \\:I\-, to acctnrinul\Lct thcnucice, In their 11,nmc life. If the person is not sure XN hat i, necdcd It) :IttOIIIIn Al;te him or het; a ILIM IIIa- lion prtrlc„ional tan a"Ist. ?onlc esanlplv,. • A hc.trin1 inlp.Iircd plant \curkcr \cu, :IhIc to u,c ❑ tcicl)h, me amplifier dc,ignt-d to B ork \cilh hearing :lid" allo\\ill, him to I't-IaiIn h - joh and not he u:In,l,� ncd to .I lo\\cr- pa\ing joh. Cost s 13.v5 • A clerk \01i IinIItVd u,c ld her h:ulds\\as gi\cn it '1az\ Swan'-dc,k file odder, tihc no longer had It rL-J1 atro„ her desk :end \\a* ahlc to rent...:. in her p'11. Cult: SSA Edin,r:c Ault: 11 hi/C li c le hied tr. .kirk j'oll fhe dCJiuilirnl o% rcasl,uablC at(OMM"dallull as it ._ I, otI 'll in tbr' AO, it moss like/)will be lliber e.c- palldetl flpoll I is lift' ((,fill sj:slem It bell in dolibl. Corllelt I a legal or robabililalion pro/V,sIonol- - The Aulbonll• - Winter 1992 7 AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE GENERAL INFORMATION ADA Information and Technical Assistance Center 600-735-4ADA (Voice/TDD) 719-444-0252 Legal Center for Handicapped Citizens 303-722-0300 Sandra Burns, State Coordinator for ADA - Colorado Rehabilitation Services 303-866-5193 (Voice/TDD) Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DRED-F) ADA Information 800-466-4ADA 202-986-0375 (Voice/TDD) EMPLOYMENT ISSUES President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities 202-376-6200 (Voice) 202-376-6205 (TDD) Job Accommodation Network (A Service of the President's Committee) 800-526-7234 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission 202-663-4900 (Voice) 8OC-669-3302 (TDD) 800-669-3362 (Voice) ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (drafted the Architectural Guidelines) 800-872-2253 (Voice/TDD) U. S. Department of Justice (Enforcement of Title II and Title III) 202-514-0301 (Voice) 202-514-0381 (TDD) TRANSPORTATION ISSUES U. S. Department of Transportation 202-366-9305 (Voice) 202-755-7687 (TDD) Colorado Department of Transportation (Liz Van Lauwe) 303-757-9769 TELEM-2-1.UNI CAT IONS ISSUES Federal Communications Commission 202-634-1837 (Voice) Disabled Telephone Users Program 303-666-4451 (TDD only) 202-634-1855 (TDD) 800-659-3656 (Rel— Colorado) STATE OF COLORADO REHABILITATION SERVICES 1575 Sherman Street, 41h floor Denver, Colorado 80203-1714 Phone. (303) 866.5193 01 CO0 O H I. Sandra D. Burns, M.A., CRC State Coordmator Americas w.M Drsabil lies Act Y Citv of Fort Collins MEMORANDUM DATE: January 30, 1992 TO: Mayor & City Council Members FROM: Diane Jones, Deputy City Manage RE: Some Suggestions for Working Effectively with Boards and Commissions At the City Council work session on January 14, 1992, there were a number of suggestions from Council members for maintaining strong and open lines of communication and working relationships with the various advisory Boards and commissions. The following is a summary of those suggestions: 1. The Council Leadership Team and staff can help identify business or inquiries, considered by Council, that might impact the work of a Board or Commission. The next step would be for the Council or staff liaison to discuss the matter with the impacted Board or Commission. 2. The Council liaison might review the work plans of the Board or Commission with the Chairperson. 3. Try to be more aware of the independent projects or actions that a Board or Commission plans to pursue -- projects and action plans may be areas of potential conflict with Council direction and policies. 4. A response from Council will be prepared when a Board or Commission sends a written communication (such as a recommendation or an inquiry) to City Council. 5. Encourage communication among and between Boards and Commissions; this will be noted in the Boards and Commissions Manual the next time it is revised. 6. Periodically, seek information from the Boards and Commissions, perhaps through their chairpersons, about what is working and how their working relationships and communications with City Council might be improved. These suggestions would be circulated to staff and the chairpersons of the various Boards and Commissions. 7. Revise the minutes of Board and Commission meetings to note who is in attendance, who is absent, and the name of the Council liaison and the staff liaison (this has been implemented). cc: Steven C. Burkett, City Manager Wanda Krajicek, City Clerk Service Directors Board and Commission Chairpersons ;i i, l,IPo; tr _Avenue • Po Boy 54U • For[ Collins. (A),til!;2-2_U-,60 • :"I "^iIJ From the President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities Newsletter dated February, 1992 New Poll Rings Positive Note In a 1991 poll report, Lou Harris of the Harris Poll organization said, "Our 1991 survey shows very clearly that Americans feel this way both because it is the right thing to do and because it would be good for the economy and for the country," Harris told a Washington D.C. press conference the results of the first -ever nationwide survey of public attitudes toward people with disabilities. * 92% of the public polled believe that society will benefit economically if people with disabilities are assimilated as participating partners. * 98% believe that •everyone, including disabled people, should have equal opportunity to participate in American society.• * The majority sees people with disabilities as an sunderused potentials in the workplace and support increased employment of disabled persons. * Nine out of ten said •society will benefit from having diabled persons becoming more productive and contributing to the economy instead of receiving welfare payments. * 82% see putting disabled people to work as a "boost to the nations and not a threat to the jobs on non -disabled persons. * Sizeable majorities of the public endorse modest government spending and programs aimed at enabling people with disabilities to become full participants in society. * Most Americans have not yet heard of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, but they overwhelmingly support its key provisions when informed of them. * 96% support making public places such as stores, restaurants, theaters, hotels, etc. accessible. * 93% support making public transportation accessible to people with disabilities. Harris called the latest survey a "landmark studys because "until now, nobody has surveyed the American people to find out their experience with, relationships with, attitudes toward and perceptions of disabled people." Commissioned by the National Organization on Disability, the survey disclosed that. Almost half the public knows disabled people as friends, relatives, neighbors or workers, and almost a third have a close friend or relative who is disabled. 4 0 0 Most Americans still feel somewhat awkward, embarrassed or apathetic around people with disabilities, but most are also comfortable with increasing the numbers of employees with disabilities in the workplace. The emotions that are most universal are pity and admiration. Fully 77% of the public say they feel pity while a huge 92% say they feel admiration... because of how they have overcome some consequences of their disability. Most Americans believe that people with disabilities face at least some discrimination, but only a minority thinks there is much discrimination, and most believe that discrimination hag declined over the last decade. For more information on the survey, write to: President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities 1331 F street NW Washington, D.C. 20004-1107 202-376-6200 (Voice) 202-376-6205 (TDD) NEWSLINE EDITED BY LISA GRIMALDI IT'S THE LAW: PLANNERS MUST ACCOMMODATE THE DISABLED Before this year, meeting planners usually didn't make site de- cisions based on whether a hotel outfitted its guest room phones with flashing lights for the convenience of the deaf or whether a restaurant offered its menus in braille. But now, planners who ignore such factors could find them- selves defending their oversight in court The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which went into effect in January, guar- antees an estimated 43 million disabled Americans equal oppor- tunity for business and social participation, including access to public and private facilities and transportation. The law affects a wide range of venues vital to the meetings industry, including hotels, convention centers and restaurants. This means that facilities must make some type of provision for all disabled persons, including those with mobility impairments (users of canes, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs), the deaf and the blind. If suppliers don't comply, they face fees of up to $50,000. Second -time offenders may be fined up to $100,000. And the law is being seriously enforced. At press time, discrimination suits had been filed against two Washington, D. C., hotels. But suppliers aren't the only ones liable under the law. Ac- cording to Jonathan Howe, senior partner in the Chicago law firm of Howe & Hutton, Ltd., planners need to be careful as well. "Under Title III of the ADA, planners —as lessors of these properties —can be held liable (if the properties don't comply with the law]," he said. He added that the language of the law is murky and both suppliers and planners are confused about exactly what is required of them James A. Donaldson, a meeting consultant for Pittsburgh - based USX Corp., is still unclear on the ramifications of the law. "It's difficult to figure out what we're responsible for, "he said. "I'm planning our May stockholders' meeting, and when I asked our hotel contact about the law, she wasn't even aware of it.,, Many hotel chains that are aware of the law, however, are taking steps to accommodate the disabled are conse- r Peter Sham -Lawrence helps planners locate facilities equipped to accommodate disabled attendees. quently making the planner's job much easier. Hyatt Corp., for example, has drawn up new company guidelines for increasing accessibility for the disabled at Hyatt properties. And Marriott Hotels has made available at all of its proper- ties auxiliary kits for persons with heating impairments. The kits include a smoke detector with flashing fights, a flashing door knacker and a phone -alert lamp switch (the lamp fights when the phone rings). Industry professionals can also turn for guidelines to two or- ganizations s with a vested interest in the ADA. The Washing- ton, D.C.-based National Organization on Disability (202-293- 5960) is offering a series of workshops in 2,700 communities throughout the United States. The purpose: to help local cham- bers of commerce and businesses make reasonable accommo- dations for the disabled. Peter Shaw -Lawrence, executive director of the New York - based Society for the Advancement of Travel for the Handi- capped (212-447-7284), maintains fists of accessible convention facilities both here and abroad. "We're finding that planners won't use places that don't comply," he said. "And facilities un- derstand that if they're not accessible, they're going to lose a lot of business." ■ LISAGRIMALDI FM POLMM I the Democrats are wrapping CONVEMONf� I up renovations. THE RACE IS I That's the least of what each city is doing for its With the 1992 political conven- I,, guests. Madison Square Gar- tions just a few months away, den, the Democrats' principal the host cities have stepped venue in New York, recently up their preparations. completed a $200 million reno- More than 40, 000 people vation. Rental costs for the are expected to attend both Garden and Houston's Astro- the Democratic National Con- dome, where the Republicans vention, which kicks off July will gather, are being picked 13 in New York, and the Re- I up, respectively, by New York publican National Convention, City and the Houston host which starts Aug. 17 in Hous- committee. ton. In time for the opening That's no small change. The gavels, many of the nearly 100 Astrodome, for instance, is hotels booked by the Repubh- charging $800, 000 for the cans and the 66 to be used by month when the Republicans P,gTDDMPX(TOP)VMIEAEPMn P"DTWMMS(WDT IBY�WDEW WW TOS IW APRIL 1992 a 29