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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission On Disability - Minutes - 04/10/2008Commission on Disability April 10, 2008 Members Present: Terry Schlicting, Vivian Armendariz, Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, Kimberlee Imig, Lydia Wiatrowski, Harry Meyer, Mare Franklin- Gaumer, Jason Holland, Bev Hageseth Absent: Laura Burnett & Alva Vineyard City Liaison: Bruce Byrne, Jenna Stieben Guests: Karen Wong -Brown, Deb Spotts, Michelle Miller 1. Call to Order 12:30 by Terry Schlicting. 2. Approval of Minutes March minutes to be approved with suggested changes. Lydia to submit revisions. Terry moved; Harry seconded. 3.Introductions Michelle Miller, Disability Program Navigator for the Larimer County Workforce & Deb Spotts, CSU Center for Community Participation, Karen Wong -Brown, member of Human Rights Commission; here for personal cause. 4.Open Discussion General Public Announcements shared: April 7 h, Arts Show of Larimer and Weld artists (Jo Waldron); April 21', Free Art Day at the Denver Arts Museum for persons with Disabilities; April 16'', Older Persons Job Fair. Jenna shared that for more information on the city logo, we go online to the City Clerk's site. Terry announced that the training DVD is not ready yet for commission members. Harry & Kimberlee discussed legal training and Harry suggested to have a "Do's and Don't" list or a "Top Ten" list provided after the training to assist with remembering the most important concepts. Kimberlee was concerned the training was too in-depth. Bruce explained there were evaluations available and suggested input should be provided. Harry thought it was important to understand what he took away was we were quasi -employees of the City of Fort Collins and we are held to the same standards. As members of the COD, we should be aware of these resources. What has the commission done on Dial -A -Ride? Asked visitor, Karen Wong -Brown. She explained in 1996 her adopted sister, Frances Wilson was hit by a driver while waiting at a bus stop and became disabled and needs to use a wheelchair. Since the Dial -a -Ride changes in January, 2007, Ms. Wilson has been limited in her access to Dial -a -Ride to days when there is a 30% chance of rain or snow. However, rides need to be arranged 24 hours in advance. She is frustrated with the Dial -A -Ride system and her frustration is having an emotional, psychological, and physical toll on her. She recently has suffered from reduced night vision and this creates difficulty since she needs to shop in the evenings. Her negotiations with Dial -a -Ride have still reached no resolution. Terry wrote a letter to the mayor on Frances' behalf almost a year ago. Discussion continued on the challenges of getting transportation. Karen Wong -Brown was told she could call on Sunday to make a reservation for a Monday ride. She also noted there was no one with a disability on the appeal panel and the panel explained they are meeting the minimum ADA requirements. Mary Elizabeth explained the COD reviewed the Dial -a -Ride issue last May and sent a letter to the City Council in the fall affirming the benefits of the para-transit system, that a citizen with a disability and an advocate be involved when making policy changes, and that should funding become available, Dial -a -Ride should return to the past policy of exceeding the minimum ADA standards. Terry felt after he wrote the letter to Mayor Hutchinson the decision was "out of his hands." Frances is only eligible for a ride if there is a 30% or greater chance of rain or snow and must use the bus system. Terry explained Frances has a fear of getting on the bus because she was injured while waiting to get on a bus and may experience post -traumatic stress disorder when she is waiting for Transfort. Frances was denied Dial -A -Ride access unless there is a 30% chance of rain or snow. She is unable to use the underpass at Spring Creek to get to the bus stop, since the incline is too steep for her electric wheelchair. In summary, Ms. Wilson's needs are not being currently met and her ability to ride the bus is hindering her opportunities to use Dial -a -Ride. Thank you, Karen for bringing your concerns to our attention. V� 5. New Business Deb Spotts, Job Developer from Colorado State University's Center for Community Participation (CCP) and Michelle Miller, Disability Program Navigator — Larimer County Workforce Center Deb explained that a group of people who help others find jobs in our community (CCP, Workforce, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Front Range, Spirit Crossing, PSD, ACE) came together in January to talk about their goals for supporting employers who hire persons with disabilities. Discussion of previous Mayor's Awards success and Business Leadership Advocacy brought the group to the idea of collaborating with the Mayor's Awards again. Disability Awareness Month and National Disability Employment Awareness Month are in October and are recognized in Fort Collins and Larimer County. Deb shared articles about the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in the job arena and awards information from previous years. She suggested aligning with the city to recognize employers who help or cater to people with disabilities. (For. example, just for a cart attendant job there are 20 people applying and competing for the position.) Deb has appeared in Lydia's Style and wants more public recognition. Michelle would like to return to a larger community recognition and awareness of the incredible community of employers. Deb and Michelle would like to join what we do and have it on a larger scale when recognizing employers, for example, having different agencies invited, other employers, and even those who were nominated. Bruce brought up the budget concerns for expanding the Mayor's Awards. Kim asked how many nominees or employers work with people with disabilities? Deb estimated greater than 100 in the Fort Collins -Loveland region. The CCP has a list of employers. Terry wants us to brainstorm funding ideas and how we can expand our current awards and recognition for those employers. He and Bruce can develop a wish -list for COD and how to collaborate with other community agencies. Another challenge to the job market for people with disabilities is the influx of veterans returning with brain injuries, disabilities, and post - VI traumatic stress syndrome. Deb and Michelle will be invited to the Subcommittee meeting to discuss further. Mary Elizabeth suggested we discuss this opportunity as a Commission and invite Deb and Michelle to our subcommittee meeting, at which time they can share what resources they might be able to contribute to the collaboration. Mare suggested contacting the Center for Neuro- Rehabilitation as a collaborator as well. Thank you, Michelle and Deb. Next ACCESS meeting scheduled, Saturday, April 12, 2008 at the Library from 10:15 am —12:15 pm. 6. Old Business Vivian raised the concern about her being in the bike lane and possibly being ticketed. Terry will write a letter requesting an email message from the Chief of Police exempting her from being ticketed for using the bike lane when sidewalks are not accessible. Terry will write a letter asking the Chief of Police stating wheelchair user will not get ticketed. Mare wants all people in wheelchairs to understand this access issue. Vivian is still interested in pursuing an article in the Coloradoan with Chief Harrison and Terry. Terry would like to postpone this. Jason suggested getting a short-list from Chief Harrison on letterhead to share and that later we could pursue an article, since persons in wheelchairs are technically pedestrians. Terry will e-mail Chief Harrison with a Thank You and a follow-up request for a statement. Hang is suggesting a way to reach another segment of the disabled community. He is on the board of the Northern Colorado Military Officers Association. This group sponsors free Honor Flights for veterans of WWll. Buses from The Ranch will take the veterans to Cheyenne airport, where they will fly to Washington D.C. on September 23 & 24, 2008 to see the memorial. There will be 3 guardians for each of 8 veterans. This is an open invitation and there is the possibility of a second flight in May of 2009. Phases of the Honor Flights: Phase I includes WWII veterans Phase H includes Korean veterans Phase III includes Vietnam veterans Private contributions and foundations fund these flights. Workplan Next Month: COD will review the workplan. Mary Elizabeth noted that new members should understand our workplan and a few corrections were needed, she will provide these to Karla. Jenna will have hard copies for next meeting. Signs Mounting height for signs is 48" to 60" Crossings Terry will e-mail Brittany and Vivian will meet with Brittany Sorenson to discuss the crossing issues by May. Any COD member may e-mail Terry or Brittany with crossing concerns. Dial -A -Ride (Frances Wilson) Terry moved to write a letter on behalf of Frances Wilson in support of her access to Dial -A -Ride. Beverly seconded the motion. Motion passed by 8-1 vote count; Vivian opposed. Terry would like the PTSD diagnosis information as support when he writes his letter in May. Discussion: Mare pointed out that COD needs to have a formalized method to assess rejections, since we could be setting a precedent. Lydia pointed out that this is a unique situation and we can respond to this exception. Kimberlee would like to advocate more broadly for Dial -a -Ride situations. Mayor's Award Subcommittee: Mare, Jason, Vivian, Terry, and Mary Elizabeth volunteered with the first meeting to be scheduled and Deb and Michelle invited. Jenna and Bruce will also attend. Community Access Awareness we will review script at the next meeting. Vivian will bring for final COD approval in May. Meeting Adjourned at 2:05pm.