Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

January 18, 2007, 6:00- 9:00 PM 

1.Call to Order: 6:05PM

2. Roll Call All present except Sonya Tishler , excused Bill Tennant, absent

Norman Record and George Green, members of the First Baptist Church of Dearborn

Patti Gilbert, committee member

3. Additions/changes to agenda – no changes

4.Approval of November Minutes – no changes Dale, approved as written, Cheryl – unanimous

5.Chair Report: McAdam executive committee update

Quad Rugby  tournament  request, transition, update strategic plan Quad Rugby Tournament asked for discount to use PAC and the Commission was asked our opinion. It was decided between Commissioner McAdam and our ADA Coordinator to give them the discount with the commission as a co-sponsor. It was done this way because an answer was needed quickly. Commissioner Kreger liked the idea. As long as not the same time as DAD. Commissioner Hodak mentioned we can advertise it at DAD.

Incredibly saddened by the death of Mayor Guido. There is a transition plan in place. A tribute was placed on the website. Discussion of a donation to cancer society. It was thought we were going to ask mayoral candidates 3 questions and then post the answers on our website, but the legal department was uncomfortable with that. So we are going to try to get our questions asked at another forum. Commissioner Kreger mentioned we should be careful not to use acronyms. Commissioner McAdam and Commissioner Bower are going to the chamber forum. Commissioner Hodak is going to see when the League of Women Voters is having theirs.

RE: Executive report. April 19th 1- 5PM Generic leadership skill building. Strategic Plan: Visitability committee incorporated into Access Committee. Commissioner Swanson noted the version passed out did not have the communication committee changes previously submitted. He will forward for correct posting. Reminder: fundamental changes go through the commission, more minor changes in committee.

6.Vice Chair Report: Cheryl Kreger. No report.

7. Executive Update: Susan Fitzmaurice update

Current construction/ traffic signals, embosser/scanner, tty reinstatement , block grant submissions, citizen concerns.

Many changes in DPW. Offices are moving and people are retiring. Similar all through the city Embosser for ADA compliance for city documents on order (from previous block grant.) TTYs all back in operation. Several people trained on them retired in November/December. More training needs to be scheduled – obviously this is something that needs to be ongoing. -------Commissioner Swanson noted that the city is going to be doing an ADA training this spring and it can be included in that.

Construction on Ford Rd. and Warren stopped for winter. Audible signals have been installed on Michigan Ave. -------A list of installed signals will be forwarded by the ADA coordinator and placed on web after commissioners go check them out. Citizen concern regarding bike paths that disconnect are not part of city property. -------Discussion of where the problem is as it seems there is not agreement on this. Commissioner Filiak mentioned the area in front of Andiamo which is definitely city sidewalk. Citizen concern regarding inaccessible store and restaurant resolved via a phone call.

Abilities Expo will not be in Michigan in 2007. Quad Rugby Team Tornament might have taken place in Dearborn in January, but after much discussion was canceled. It is going to take place at the end of 2007. Commission has been asked to be a co-sponsor. Submitted 2 grants for the library computer equipment and a senior park in honor of Peg Watson. (grant copies attached in commissioner package) Kurt has said we can go forward with these two projects if grants not approved with ADA funds. Seniors have $1,000 and recreation $5,000 to contribute to other amenities needed for park – benches, trash containers, landscaping. Ashley X treatment issue discussion.

8. Access committee: Sonya Tishler - No report Commissioner McAdam wondered if voting machines will be out for mayoral race?

9.Public Comment. Kiwanis member. First Baptist Church of Dearborn (1865 Knowler, Dearborn) – need to respond better to people with disabilities. Membership voted for and completed barrier free access to church. Has an elevator that goes to all floors. Jazz concert first Sunday of the month. Wanted to let people know the church is there for fellowship and other activities. Also available for special meetings. $700,000 refurbishment. Churches who want grants need partners and perhaps the commission could partner with us.

10.Break

11. Communication committee: Swanson DDAD  and awards follow up. Commissioner McAdam thanked Commissioner Swanson again for being such a terrific chair. Commissioner Swanson discussed the fact that the vendors are regional whether it is a Dearborn event or not. Commissioner Swanson questioned what it meant if we were not locally focused. Outreach to wider community doesn't mean we compromise our outreach to Dearborn. Commissioner Swagler said maybe have a committee for DAD that includes people from other organizations. Commissioner McAdam said that as long as it was a Dearborn event – we do it and do it here – it is OK if other organization become involved. Commissioner Filiak asked about having it on the weekend. Commissioner McAdam said professionals aren't going to come on a weekend. Maybe the evening would work. Wouldn't change number, but would change audience. Commissioners discussed wanting to discontinue the awards. Commissioner Ramouni suggested downsizing it. Commissioner Kreger concerned with not recognizing businesses that do do good. The executive committee could nominate businesses and individuals, and then it could be discussed at a public meeting. Commissioner Hodak – number of awards should be reduced - one a group and one a person. MOTION: I move that the commission continue public recognition and that the process be modified and brought to the full commision for a vote by the executive committee. By Commissioner Kreger, Commissioner Swanson seconded, unanimous Decided not to change the length of time. Vendors appreciate the time to socialize. Change for the reception will be discussed further.

12. Public Awareness Committee: Nancy Bower Committee met and initiated contacts with neighborhood associations . And began discussion for city training. Committee will make a plan for ongoing work. See report.

13. Update focus group, Commissioner Ramouni:  County and local parent groups have met, but not lately. Arab Festival – nothing new. Commisioner McAdam will talk further with Commissioner Ramouni including discussion of involving ACCESS.

14. Commissioner reports Linda Swagler. Recently moved and had a ramp built free by UAW. (Mary mentioned the fire department relocated a ramp. Gary had article.) Mary Hodak. See report. Cathy McAdam. Technology Expo 9- 4 February 9th Livonia Mona Ramouni. My nephew is home! Susan Fitzmaurice. People needed to go to CBDG meeting. Cathy will go and possibly Cheryl.

15. Adjournment: 8:20 PM

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minutes of Executive Committee Meeting 4:00 PM 12/12/06 

1.  Official Correspondence from the Commission:       The protocol and procedures for official letters from the commission were discussed. Stationery should be used and the executive committee must be notified and given the opportunity for feedback. The commission will be notified at a meeting at a later time if the subject was not discussed at a prior meeting. It is recognized that correspondence must be timely.  

2. Follow up regarding voting sites:       It was decided that Gary Filiak organize a list of sites needing external physical access and any irregularities that occurred. Information would then be collected regarding funding sources for correcting the situations. Kurt Giberson would be contacted and appropriate meetings would then be set up with appropriate administrators at the sites. The purpose for the meeting would be to share information and discuss correcting the problems. 

3. Training for Commissioners:       April was discussed as the time for training for Commissioners. A 1:00- 5:00 time was suggested and topics and format were investigated. Cheryl Kreger will investigate the possibility of a speaker on leadership. The purpose would be to develop leadership potential in members. Susan will provide a contact from Ann Arbor who has done board development. 

4. The Executive Committee reviewed the memorial statement for Mayor Guido and discussed placing it on the website. The Executive Committee discussed appreciation for and admiration of the Mayor’s Leadership in the area of disability  concerns.  In attendance: Cathy McAdam, Chair Cheryl Kreger, Vice Chair Gary Filiak Executive committee member Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Coordinator Communications and Awards Committee Report of January 18, 2007 Meeting 

Do we want to promote DDAD as a local or regional event?   Mona: I think that DDAD should probably be a regional event simply because more vendors seem to be interested in it. However, won't the new mayor have any say in this, either directly or indirectly? He might, for instance, want DDAD to be a local event so he can shed the spotlight on himself? Or he might not care. Is this something to consider?  Linda: I think we should keep the DDAD as a local event inviting visitors into our community to become resources for our residents.  In my experience if things get to big we lose control.  The sole purpose of what we do is to provide services and resources for Dearborn and its community in various aspects of disabilities.  Dale’s Comments: We really have a regional event that is advertised locally. Our vendors come from throughout the metro region and we need that. What I propose we do is work with our vendors and different organizations (Athletes with Disabilities Hall of Fame, Sports Coalition, developmental disability organizations, hearing and sight impaired organizations, MS organizations, cerebral palsy organizations, senior organizations, etc.) to seriously promote the event.  Do we want to continue awards?   Mona: continuing to present the awards seems fruitless. Maybe instead of discontinuing awards altogether, we could just have one or two, such as employer of the year or advocate of the year. That might give our awards more prestige so others would want them. The whole publicity problem of the awards will undoubtedly continue, but if we've only got one or two awards to give out, it wouldn't be such a pain.  Linda: I really think continuing rewards are important to provide continued exposure to the general population.  This brings an awareness factor that would possibly not otherwise exist.  However who is nominated and how they are nominated should be reviewed.  I would bet most businesses, school systems, hospitals etc may not know how to do this.  Dale’s Comments: As committee chair, I don’t want to do this anymore. I have been part of this since inception and each year has gotten worse. I take some of the responsibility for this because with so many other things going on with Pathway to Possibilities, the committee has not devoted the time necessary to do this right (if it can be done). If another committee would like to take this over, they would have my support.   Do we want to shorten the time frame e.g. 10:00 till 2:00 or 2:00 till 6:00?   Mona: as for shortening the time frame, I have to disagree. I think that would give the vendors less time to socialize, which would be a shame. That seems very important to many of the vendors, and what's important to them should be important to us as well.  Linda: I think we should shorten the time of the event.  It was clear at the last one that afternoon most vendors were off doing their other jobs.    Dale’s Comments: I lean towards keeping the event, at least one more year, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM., followed by some type of reception. Of course, continuing that would require a much been participation by the public. If promoted properly, we should be all right.   Should we offer CEU (continuing education credits) how difficult would that be what would be the advantages?   Mona: I must admit I don't know much about how we'd go about doing it, and if we did, how many people would be willing to come? I can ask someone about how difficult the process would be, and if it turns out not to be too arduous for us, we should definitely go for it. I would guess, though, that it might take some doing. Sorry I couldn't give you a more definitive answer on that, but I will try to look into it.  Linda: On continuing education issues I have checked with a couple people and this is a difficult thing to do., however Cindy has a woman we could speak with if we want to pursue this avenue.  Dale’s Comments: I think it would be a waste of our limited resources. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Public Awareness/Education Meeting on Thursday, January 11, 2007 Present: Mary, Bill, Sheryl, Cathy & Nancy

1.  Training on disability issues for Dearborn City employees       a. History of past trainings for both City employees and School employees (particularly bus drivers) was discussed to determine a base line and what was successful.          b. Suggested topic for next training to focus on hidden disabilities. Group discussed various issues related to mental health concerns as being the primary focus with the specific topic being depression and suicidality.              c. Bill will contact several possible speakers from NAMI and other mental health areas for a possible presentation or panel discussion with the focus on prevention and workplace issues       d. Nancy will discuss the overall plan and set a time line with Bob Ziolkowski from the City's H.R.department, once the speakers are identified.  Commission and the City will also establish possible resources and supports.

2.   Initiation of link with Neighborhood Associations in effort to inform about the Commission's work.              a. Listing of all the Associations was given with initial suggestion to identify how many differing ones were connected to each Commissioner. Discussed the infrequency of meeting and noted that many groups were inactive.             b. Discussed what our specific message would be what we wanted the members to know about the Commission. Suggested that we may want to show the film, "The Ten Commandments" about disability etiquette, etc.         c. Suggested that we may also/rather inform the various service clubs in Dearborn about the work of the Commission and show the film.                      d. Plan is that Mary will contact Joe Beydoun to determine which Neighborhood groups are most active. All commissioners will be asked to participate in this activity when our specific groups and goals are determined.         e. Suggested the we obtain our own copy of the "Ten Commandments" film. Cathy will contact the ADA Coordinator regarding this issue.         f. Committee members who have not seen the "Ten Commandments" film will be able to do so at the next Committee meeting.

3.     Next Public Awareness/Education Committee Meeting on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 6:00p.m. at the Dearborn Schools Administration building. 

Report from Mary Hodak   for General Commission meeting of January 18, 2007 1.Wrote thank you letters to volunteers and other regarding DDAD; General Federation of Women's Club, Beverly Jones, president HFCC Culinary Arts Department, Jeff Click, Manager HFCC Student Activities, Cassandra Fluker, Sponsor Numbers 2 & 3 below are related to the Education Committee Meeting of Thursday, January 11, 2007. 2.Contacted Joe Beydoun, Dearborn Neighborhood Associations. WIll send us updated and active list of above.   Monthly Meetings of Associations are the first Wednesday of the month. (313)  943 2300. 3.Sal Gencarelli,  Federation President of Neighborhood Associations 24917 Winona Drive,  Dearborn,  48124 (313) 805 6461 (W);  (313) 565 2734 (H);  (313) 598 7036 (cell) Talked to him and setup a meeting for Wednesday, February 7, at 7:30 p.m. in Mayor¹s Conference Room. WIll bring some hand outs. Discussion will focus on establishing a link and setting up a plan with the various Neighborhood Associations offering basic information regarding the Com ssion¹swork. 4. Do we participate at the following functions for 2007 ? At the PAC Dearborn Senior Health Information Expo,  (APRIL) Project Healthy Living Project,  2007,  (MARCH) Senior Citizen Conference, Hosted by Gary Woronchak, (JUNE) Special Materials needed:   New Banners,  Current Resource List, Pens, various brochure hand outs,. Other? ------Susan authorized to buy banner for senior expos from an outside sign shop Education committee to decide on language. Decided if a commissioner available would still attend all 3 senior related events Commmissioner Hodak will begin CERT training tomorrow. Commissioner Filiak completed his training. He noted that Knox boxes, file of life, and list of people who require extra assistance was discussed. It was unknown that this list existed and Commissioner Hodak will ask about it during her training.