Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

ANNUAL REPORT
2003-2004

COMMISSIONER ROSTER and TERM OF OFFICE

M. Catherine McAdam, Chair
5-15-2003 to 6-30-2006 6-1-2000 to 5-14-2003 (Vice-Chair)

Claudia Damian, Access Committee Chair
6-1-2000 to 6-30-2005

Dr. Cheryl Kreger, Education Committee Chair
6-1-2001 to 6-30-2007

Dale Swanson, Public Relations Committee Chair
6-1-2002 to 6-30-2005

Nancy Bower
4-1-2003 to 6-30-2006

Gary B. Filiak
6-1-2001 to 6-30-2007

Kim Bretton Hetrick
6-1-2000 to 6-30-2006 5-14-2003 to 3-31-2004 (Vice-Chair)

Mary Hodak
6-1-2001 to 6-30-2007

Jane Nelson Thomas
6-1-2002 to 6-30-2005

Mona Ramouni, Alternate commissioner
4-1-2003 to 6-30-2005

Sonya Tishler, Alternate commissioner
5-1-2003 to 6-30-2005

Christian L. Mageli, Commissioner Emeritus

CITY STAFF

Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator and
Liaison to the Commission on Disability Concerns

Kurt A. Giberson, Director, Dearborn, DPW.

Robert Leinen, Deputy Director, DPW

Nancy Neubacher, Administrative Assistant, DPW

EVENTS

Conferences Attended:

Commissioner Sonya Tishler attended “Governmental Affairs Seminar, Advocate for Action” in Washington D.C. In 2005, Congress must vote to reauthorize acts (ie. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)) posing some of the greatest threats the disability community has ever faced. Information was brought back to the Commission so that it may be aware of the need for community involvement to address these issues.

Homecoming:

The Commission participated in this year’s Homecoming and plans to do so again. Commissioner Gary Filiak continued his participation in Homecoming planning meetings and this proved to provide a Homecoming event that was more accessible.

A transportation shuttle with marked shuttle stops made transportation around the site much easier. The Commission was located inside a tent with other community organizations and this allowed more people to visit our booth without having to go deliberately out of there way. At this year’s homecoming the Commission faced an unexpected challenge. The carnival ride operators were asking parents of children with disabilities to sign waivers before they were allowed to ride. A complaint regarding this was brought to us by a parent and it was followed through immediately and noted as a violation of the ADA. Cathy McAdam and Susan Fitzmaurice met with the city legal staff and Kurt Giberson, Director of Public Works in the fall in preparation for planning the 2004 Homecoming.

Pathway to Possibilities:

The Commission’s first Pathway to Possibilities, Dearborn’s Disability Awareness Day was held on October 22, 2003. Over 600 participants visited over fifty vendor exhibits, participated in six workshops, heard two keynote speakers, and celebrated seven award recipients contributions to the Dearborn community.

The participants were largely from Dearborn, but attendees came from the four surrounding counties and Ontario. Some participants came alone, while others came in large groups with local agencies.

Vendors were an essential component to this event and represented profit and nonprofit entities that presented products and information that served to educate people with all kinds of disabilities.

The workshops included a presentation by Karen Murphy on Home Adaptations; Sarah Slocum of AARP discussing senior issues; Valerie Murphy-Goodrich and Cathy McAdam giving employer and employee perspectives respectively on employment; Jack Dobrecki, Chris Greenlaw, and Sherri Ford discussed how they moved from institutional living to community living; and Dr. Cheryl Kreger and Faye Metaj gave parents insights into what is current in special education.

Doc Andrews presented inspiring antidotes about his life which sadly was one of his last public appearances before his death in January 2004. Robin Jones of the Great Lakes ADA & IT Technical Center made a compelling call to action for people with disabilities to become more savvy about their rights under the American’s with Disabilities Act.

Awards were presented to individuals and organizations nominated by community members. Tony Filippis was honored for his lifelong dedication to disability issues, Kevin Mitchell as an advocate, and Dennis Underwood of the University of Michigan as an educator. Henry Ford Village was recognized for its commitment as an employer of people with disabilities, Dearborn Community Arts Council as a non-profit organization, the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center as a government project, and Holiday Inn Fairlane as a for-profit business. In addition, the Commission chose to honor Mayor Michael Guido and DPW Director Kurt Giberson for their unwavering support of disability issues and Christian Mageli for his many years of service to the commission as its chair.

Commissioner Dale Swanson and the Public Relations Committee, with the support of Mary Laundroche and Randy Coble of Public Information had Pathway to Possibilities listed in both major newspapers, many local newspapers, and on local cable and radio.

Support of the Performing Arts Center staff was exceptional and without them this event would have never come to fruition. Special thanks must be extended to Angela Henley, Banquet Supervisor; Emmajean Woodyard, Cultural Arts Coordinator; Don Bean, Technical Director; Tim Briody, Executive Director of the Dearborn Community Arts Council, and Bob Curtis of VSArts.

The Commission would also like to extend thanks to Mark Maness, Graphics Designer, for his design of the awards and Susan Katsiyiannis , Senior CAD Designer, for her work on the layout of the Great Room for the event. We also need to thank our many volunteers. These include the women from the AAUW: Dorothy Barnes, Helen Gallagher, Carla O'Neill, and Polly Howe; GFWC: Pat Selesky, Hilary Thorne, Mary Wurst, Marie Schroeder, Glenys Hale; and students from the Fordson High School Key Club and their supervisors Rosa Scaramucci and Lisa Catrell.

Town Hall Meeting:

The follow up results of the April 2003 meeting were distributed to participants and published on our web page in September.

As a result of the Town Hall Meeting the access committee entered into conversations with Recreation personnel including Denise Toepfer to make the Ford Performing Arts Center more accessible both architecturally and programatically. The Commission also ranked parks and playgrounds as a high priority for change. In response to the expressed needs of Dearborn’s citizens, the Commission has continued to work on emergency preparedness policies and procedures, polling place access, and providing opportunities to learn about disability related information and technology.

After the success of last year’s Town Hall meeting, it was decided the Commission would continue to have them. This year’s Town Hall Meeting will be held in October during Dearborn’s Disability Awareness Day.

TRANSITION FUNDS and ADA COMPLIANCE

The Commission has continued to prioritize what needs to be done to make Dearborn as ADA compliant and accessible as possible. Many projects begun last year have been completed, and others are still underway. New priorities that have been established have focused on implementing a citywide policy on alternative format and to create more accessible parks and playgrounds.

Accessible website:

The commission is maintaining an accessible website. It is usable to people with disabilities and is 508 compliant. It serves to provide a publicly accessible depository of agendas, minutes, and annual reports. It includes biographies of commissioners and an expanding resource section. The website is one of many ways the Commission reaches out to the community.

City Departments:

Tabletop TTY/Uniphones have been purchased and installed for seventeen city departments. Training to use TTYs was provided by Commissioner Claudia Damian with the support of Paul Klink And Melinda Sensabaugh of MIS. We have had a problematic start using the TTYs most effectively. We have had problems arising from an inability to use the answering machine portion consistently. The ADA Coordinator and Commissioner Damian are seeking a resolution to this problem.

City Hall:

The ramp to the East of City Hall on Schaeffer has signage stating it is not usable for wheelchair users. This ramp is not ADA compliant and it is impractical to make it so. There is another entrance nearby that is accessible. The accessible parking configuration around city hall is being change to reflect the change in use.

Courthouses:

Assistive listening is being used in the courtrooms after being installed last year. Announcements at the beginning of each court session encourages its use.

Department of Public Works (DPW):

The purchasing department has moved from DPW to City Hall, and the Water Department is moving to DPW. This has required changes in the DPW building, including the installation of a mechanized door. A new conference room is being planned that will be accessible, have assistive listening, and be a better fit for Commission meetings. The ADA Coordinator will have a work station adjacent the new conference room.

Ford Centennial Library:

Funding for the auditorium to be modified for five wheelchair seat spaces, a ramp to the stage and to the audio-visual room has been approved and construction will begin during the 2004-2005 fiscal year. This was unfortunately delayed beyond our control , and we are pleased to have it moving forward.Ford Performing Arts Center:

Signs throughout the Performing Arts Center have been Brailed using a Dyno Braille labeller. Exercise equipment has also been Brailed. A ramp was purchased with Rick Osborn of Recreation’s support to be used primarily in the Dome Room for events with a portable stage. It will also be available whenever an elevated stage is used citywide.

Snow Library:

Funding to mechanize entry doors has been approved. One of the restrooms will be converted to an accessible unisex restroom. A low level drinking fountain will be installed. Work will begin during the 2004-2005 fiscal year.

ONGOING WORK

ADA compliance:

As one project is completed or started we continue to prioritize what the Commissionand/ or our ADA Coordinator will focus on next. New construction projects will include an accessible restroom at the Bryant Library; and accessible paths from parking lots to new accessible park play equipment, drinking fountains and emergency phones. We will continue to monitor ongoing construction at City Hall that includes lowering service counters and parking lot reconfiguration.

Citizen Concerns:

Our ADA coordinator continues to monitor and respond to citizen concerns with assistance from commissioners. This included compliance issues for local business after receiving complaints, and responding to public comments regarding the Michigan construction project addressing safety concerns. Calls and emails have increased as we continue to be more visible in our community.

Communication:

The city ADA Coordinator and Mary Laundroche of Public Information have had discussions about access of city publications through alternative formats, including Braille, large print, and electronic formats, and to provide sign language interpretation or closed captioning at public meetings. This is a multi-faceted process as there are policy issues, procedures to develop to provide materials and services, and cost issues to resolve. The city is moving forward on this issue.

Community Education:

We worked with Paul Smith, Director of Secondary Education, Dearborn Public Schools regarding concerns raised about accessibility of graduation ceremony’s. At an education committee meeting he addressed new accommodation policies at Dearborn Schools in response to the Commission's letter of July 26, 2003: a. Publicize ways to receive accommodations; b. Specified accessible seating at events; c. More extensive signing and signage at events; and; d. Providing adequate parking and keeping accessible parking aisles open. He stated the schools must always anticipate issues related to accommodation and assured a clear process is now in place to insure this be done.

The Commission presented at The Arab Community Center (ACCESS) in May, and their staff attended our commission meeting in July and had a booth at DDAD. Thanks to Nancy Bower, Kim Hetrick, and Mona Ramouni for their personal stories in contributing to this process.

Transportation:

Transportation for recreation programs and senior services continue to be a concern for full accessibility. Senior recreation services have been responsive to our requests for more inclusive trips, but have been hindered by the lack of appropriate transportation. The Commission looks forward to when Senior Services receives its new accessible vans and we can advocate for more inclusive programming without this impediment.

TTY:

Commissioner Damian continues to monitor 911 calls for accuracy. She reports the success rate at about 95% as occasional problems arise with dispatcher error such as forgetting to hang up the TTY correctly or SBC equipment. These problems are quickly resolved and the Dispatchers continue to receive and make the calls with good success.

Voting:

The Commission has supported efforts to have accessible voting equipment be required in Michigan. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) has brought to the forefront issues that have long been a concern to the Commission.

With the passage of HAVA came funding for new equipment. A polling place survey must be completed by each City Clerk’s office with the assistance of a disability organization in order to receive this funding. Many of our commissioners attended a training provided by the city’s ADA Coordinator on surveying polling place accessibility. In June, the City Clerk’s office headed by Kathleen Buda partnered with the Commission to complete the requisite polling surveys.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Robin Jones of the Great Lakes ADA & Accessible IT Center offered a development training in September of 2004 addressing the relationship between the city, commission, and the importance of clear goals to move forward with our work together. We embarked on a Strategic planning process with grateful assistance from Commissioner Kreger. We are examining our committee structure priorities and achievable results. Our four standing committees are Access, Public awareness and education, Communication and awards, and Visitability and housing. We clarified our objectives and are formulating specific goals for 2004-2006. As part of our strategic planning process the role of the ADA Coordinator continues to be defined and strengthened as a means of achieving compliance with the ADA.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Bylaws:

We made two changes to our bylaws. The first reflecting yearly elections for chair and vice-chair. The second allows for expansion of committee membership, allowing for the inclusion of non Dearborn residents. It was made clear that only commissioners could chair or vote re any committee business.

Commissioners and Staff:

The roster of commissioners remains stable this year and everyone is thanked for their generous commitment of time and energy.

Commissioner Kim B. Hetrick resigned as vice-chair in March of 2004, but has continued in his role as a commissioner.

Election of Chair and Vice-Chair:

When by-laws were reviewed it was determined that our by-laws were not in sync with the city ordinance. Beginning in July, 2004 the Commission will now elect its chair and vice-chair on a yearly basis.

Public Meetings:

We continue to have public meetings on the third Thursday of most months in Studio A at the Performing Arts Center. Three meetings this year were held in the evening.

It has continued to pose a problem to make these meetings fully accessible due to sound problems. The portable assistive listening system does not always work as expected. It is hoped that the new conference room in DPW will meet commission needs better than Studio A.

AWARDS

This year the commission on disability concerns was honored that Mayor Guido was recognized by the US Conference of Mayors “Liveability award” for the establishment of our commission and our ongoing work on his behalf.

Last October, during Disability Awareness Day events, the Commission was honored by Governor Jennifer Grandholm and Senator Irma Clark-Coleman with a framed Special Tribute.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PATHWAYS TO POSSIBILITIES SPONSORS
Ford Mobility Motoring
Wright & Filippis
Professional Home Health Care
Michigan Department of Career Development
Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
Visteon
AARP – Michigan
Ann Arbor CIL
VSA arts of Michigan
Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America
Shield’s Center Court Café
Dearborn Community Arts Council
Wheelchair Getaways
Vogue Election Systems
Fidlar Election Company
Dearborn Speech and Sensory
Services to Enhance Potential

* Submitted by Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator
Ratified by voice vote, 03/18/04