Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

CITY OF DEARBORN
The Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns
Ford Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave, Wetrooms

Minutes
January 17, 2008, 6:00-9:00 PM

1.Call to Order: 6:11PM

2. Roll Call:
Cathy McAdam, Sonya Tishler, Gary Filiak, Dale Swanson, Nancy Bower, Mary Hodak, John McFarlin, Mona Ramouni
Guests: Heidi White, Marty Sheedy, Jamal Samad, Leah Shannon, & 2 intrepreters.

3. Additions/changes to agenda – no changes

4. Approval of November Minutes – change agenda to minutes
Commissioner Bower approved change, commissioner Hodak seconded, unanimous approval,

5. Chair report bus stops at Fairlane Mall, meeting with Mayor, invited guests for future meetings, leadership development.
- see report

6. Public Comment
- Marty and Leah have both joined committees. Jamal Samad lived here for 23 years. Ticketed for stuff not his in his backyard. Wants to have more time to address issues when DPW tickets. ADA coordinator was asked to follow up to better understand issues.

7. Executive Update: Susan Fitzmaurice update city accessability projects, citizen concerns etc.
- Education committee will look at International Conference on Self-Determination to decide if we want to participate.
- Meeting room/ Studio B is not preferred

8. Updating strategic plan
- Only change is to move emergency preparedness statement in the Strategic Plan from Access to education

9. Break

10. Committee reports - See attached reports
11. Commissioner reports

Commissioner Swanson – father's birthday

Commissioner Filiak – remarks regarding snow removal. Snow not removed by (spell out) pursued it with Kurt Giberson, then police. Snow was removed soon after.

Commissioner Bower & Tisher – each new grandchildren

Commissioner Hodak – discussed the emergency form we have created and who we might get input from. Commissioners Bower & Hodak will be doing a presentation at Fairlane Sunrise

Commissioners McFarlin, Ramouni- no report

Commissioner McAdam- train the trainer project teaching children who are blind

Heidi White – volunteers for Meals on Wheels & Salvation Army bell ringer. Marty Sheedy – continues work with Shriners

12. Adjournment: motion to adjourn Commissioner Swanson, seconded Commissioner Filiak.

Chair Report

1. In memorium:

It was with much sadness that we learned of the death of Christian Mageli. As the co/founder, and first chair of this commission he was a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. He had served as vice chair on the state commission and brought a broad perspective of issues and an intense belief that the ADA must be enforced and that equal access to programs and services in our communities must model the way. Our prayers and thoughts are with Nancy and his sons Michael and Bryan and we will strive to honor his legacy of commitment to equal access and inclusion for people with disabilities.

- Commissioner Hodak is glad that Commissioner McAdam and former commissioner Claudia McAdam both spoke at the service in honor of Christian.

2. Bus stops at Fairlane:
As commission chair, I was notified by SMART on November 30 that the bus stops at Fairlane Mall had been relocated and that an ADA assessment was completed that indicated some concerns regarding cross walks and Detectable Warnings.
“Located about 50 feet east of the new shelter is a blended curb (wheelchair curb cut) that could be confusing to people who are blind.  This blended curb is not at a crosswalk.  In fact, if someone were to think that it were a place to cross the street, they would be crossing in the middle of the bus stop”
 
“On the route from the bus stop to the mall, the blended curb on the east side of the second crossing is non-standard and confusing to blind customers.“ (this is where SMART and the City agreed Detectable Warnings are to be put in place)

SMART also stated, “The concrete bus stop pads located east and west of the new shelter meet ADA code as they are at least 60 inches wide and 96 inches deep.  However, all of the bus stops located east of the shelter pad are only 60 inches deep, not 96 as specified by ADA.”

As there was disagreement and confusion regarding some of these concerns, Robert Creamer from building and safety services helped coordinate a meeting with Mall representation, including the architectural firm, SMART, DDOT, myself, our ADA coordinator and senior services.

Part of the difficulty was the assumption that five bus stops were to be set up at this site, where as only one was truly operative, and the narrow strip had not been designed to be used for other bus stops. SMART and DDOT made a case for additional stops and this is now being investigated with a follow up meeting scheduled on 2/22/08.

Three items were addressed immediately. Warning detections will be put in place, and the new tactile matting has been ordered and will be put in place as weather permits. SMART Paratransit buses will be allowed to continue dropping off at main entrances as previously, effective immediately.  *It was recommended The blended ramp referred to “as not being a crossing area” *be removed and an additional crossing area to be considered at the other end of the strip.
Although this is not an ideal location for these bus stops given the distance from the mall, it was felt that we first needed to address safety concerns which included proper detectable warnings and the issues of increased congestion as SMART and DDOT had proceeded with scheduling as if five bus stops were available. There was already a report of problems for a wheel chair user who fell because of an unsafe ramp deployment. -- A follow up meting is scheduled for 2/22/08

- Why the move? (Bower) Two new restaurants are going into the parking lot area where the previous shelter is. Commissioner McAdam also commented that the city had not yet approved the new bus stop. ADA Coordinator mentioned that part of the issue is that this was initially designed as mall bus stop and now it is used more like a regional bus stop. Commissioner Filiak noted that the bus shelter is now very far from the stores (150 feet estimated.) Where is this stop? (Hodak) Near Macy's. Discussion of drop off in front of mall entrances. Commissioner Filiak may go to next meeting along with Cathy.
3. Meeting with Mayor:
A meeting was requested with Mayor O’Reilley to discuss our request for new appointments, transitions. This is an opportunity to clarify our role/purpose, and I am bringing this to your attention today to ask what you would like me to tell the mayor about our work.

Stress the fact that we are the watchdogs. Bus stop, voting, and Michigan Ave. (Tishler) Getting city employees involved with us as partners around emergency preparedness issues. (Hodak) Disability Awareness Day. (Swanson) Cross disability, different backgrounds – not paid, gratified by what we do. (Tishler)

4. Invited guests for future meetings:
We are always open to invite city contacts and other community representatives to these meeting for updates or brief presentations. Could each committee take responsibility for a future meeting/topic/invitation?

- Commissioner McAdam will invite a guest for March.

5. Leadership development:
We have funds and an opportunity to continue in service training. April or June present the best time frame, as we do not have commission meeting. Is it time to ask Robin June from Great Lake ADA back to update us on ADA issues and help address our future work plan?

- Go for 3rd Thursday in April as a first choice.

Communications Meeting 01/17/08

Meeting: 1/9 Attendees: Mona Ramouni, Marty Sheedy, Linda Swagler, Dale Swanson

Type of Event for 2008 – The committee recommends the same type of event as 2007.

Theme/Keynote Speaker – The committee will offer suggestions at the March, 2008 meeting.
- emergency preparedness (Hodak) invisible disabilities (Bower)

Vendors for 2008 – The committee is reviewing the 2007 and will update for the March, 2008 meeting.
Commissioner Swanson has discussed rotating off the commission in June. He agreed to continue to be involved with DAD as a city employee.

PUBLIC AWARENESS & EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING

Meeting 12/11/07 Attendance: Mary, Cathy, Leah, Nancy

1. Introductions with a new member and brief overview of the strategic plan.

2. Discussed GREAT Disability Awareness Day!

3. Reviewed plan for speaking at Service Clubs. Decision was made to have each committee member contact one Service Club President. List was distributed.

4. Planning of training for City employees on depression
a. Discussed possible format, lecture and/or panel
b. Defined the theme of recognizing depression in others or self.
Recognizing symptoms and suggestions for what to do.
c. Nancy will contact Bob Ziolkowski from City to get greater clarity of his expectations and time involved. Mtg w/ Bob Z on Jan. 29th – time tba.
d. Mary will contact friend at NAMI
e. Leah will contact Dr. Les, Psychologist at her work site

5. Emergency Preparedness *New Item on Strategic Plan*
a. Cathy and Mary gave overview of this topic and collaboration with
Lt. Brad Smith of the Dearborn Police Department.
b. Discussed and reviewed form for Emergency Preparedness
c. Discussed further importance if participation in simulation
training, etc. Mary suggested creating an "Are you Prepared" checklist.

6. Next Meeting either Tuesday, February 12 or February 19 dependent on Lt. Smith's schedule.

ACCESS COMMITTEE REPORT

At the election in November 2007, each of us did our own individual precinct which was reported at the January Commission meeting. Since there were only a few sites checked, results varied and we did not propose to do a complete check at this primary that just occurred.

Gary has made an effort to take pictures of signage, pavement markings and any relevant accessibility issues at some of the precinct sites. Unfortunately, most of what he has seen at this point regarding issues are at the city buildings. At some of the senior buildings there are Reserved signs and not Handicapped Accessible signs. Once the weather breaks I will try to assist Gary and take photos at all of the precincts so that we can then approach the City Clerk with the information.

We need to look at the DAY TO DAY, PRACTICAL STAND POINT of accessibility, not just for special functions such as voting. The accessibility must be available for daily use. It cannot be ignored and it is important that we do all that we can to assist our city in becoming a strong and compliant role model.

- Access Committee will send a list to Kurt that are the signs that need to be corrected most quickly as for ADA

Gary continues to scout the parks and recreation areas as well as the transportation issues at Fairlane.

Johnny has been working on the list of city TTY numbers and calling them.

- discussed that the 2 libraries are still not answering their phones. Also Public Information.

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