Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

March 17, 2005 2- 5PM
Ford Centennial Library Auditorium
Minutes

Commissioner Present:
Cathy McAdam, Chair
Dale Swanson
Mary Hodak
Gary Filiak
Mona Ramouni
Nancy Bower
Sonya Tisher
Jane Thomas
Cheryl Kreger, excused
Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator

Guests:
John F. Sanford, MDOT
William DeBiasi, Dearborn Legal
Jim Gillett, Dearborn Fire.
Nancy Lennert
Kim B. Hetrick

1. Call to Order: 2:10
2. Roll Call
3. Agenda: No changes
4. Minutes: add a space after Nancy Bower’s name.

5. Michigan Avenue Update
John Sanford of MDOT said there was little to update on as the weather had not been conducive to any inspections. It is planned that during the week of April 11th M. Patel and the engineering staff will review the topography of the project - sidewalk ramps, bus stop ramps, planter placement. The Commission can continue to provide input through M. Patel. Chair McAdam noted that the previous report from the last meeting had been sent to the State and SMART ADA Coordinators.

6. ADA Coordinator Report: Susan Fitzmaurice
Michigan Avenue. No further information received except that weather has prevented any further analysis of the problem.

Ford Road between Mercury and Greenfield Project. To begin in 2006, I was asked to provide input. At present the overall design is being looked at. Pedestrians crosswalks will be at 6 locations from Mercury to Greenfield – I suggested that that was insufficient. I suggested that a pedestrian crosswalk be placed near Ice Arena as the other crossings were quite far. I also suggested that crossings be considered where schools catchment areas are on both sides of Ford Rd. I also suggested that Audible pedestrian signals be placed minimally at Mercury because of the shopping opportunities on both sides of Ford, and at Greenfield because of Henry Ford Village.

Have had numerous conversations with the Spicer Group and Department of Natural Resources and our Commissioner Filiak regarding Dearborn's Long Term Recreation plan. Gary will talk about this further.

Enews created considerable response. A few people interested in becoming active in the commission, a few more people interested in keeping up-to-date on DAD, and many businesses interested in vendor tables. About 25 responses so far.

Have received responses from several organizations with table reservations for DAD, including 2 vehicles.

Called every TTY in the middle of the night on March 1 and all gave TTY signal except the courts. They have an old style TTY that I do not know how to program, but I did call them and let them know it was not working. 3 new TTYs have just arrived. As soon as those are in place, I will set up training for EVERY department to review how to use them.

Web page is up-to-date with links except state of Michigan links. I am going to change the committee names on all pages ASAP. Chairs of committees need to look at their pages and see what changes they want given our new approved strategic plan. I need the names chairs want listed as their committee members – I am sure this is out of date on all committee pages. Strategic plan will be placed on the existing annual report page.

I have received info about the National ADA Symposium and Expo on May 17-19 and am hoping to go. The Great Lakes ADA & IT Center is offering $500.00 scholarships to Great Lakes area ADA Coordinators, which covers the registration fee of $295, and 2 of the 4 nights needed of hotel at $99. per night. I have asked the CIL to cover ? of the balance of my expenses to go. And I am now asking the Commission about the other ? balance. Given the complexity of flying with my scooter, I am thinking of taking the train or driving. (Train fare: $266.00) (Driving @ .35 mile $375.00 + 1 extra hotel night of $99.) I would want to bring Teddy to help me. So I am thinking the overall expenses taking the train and bringing Teddy would be about 1,250 with $500 being provided by Great Lakes, $375.00 by the CIL, and $375 by the Commission. If I did not for some reason get the Great Lakes scholarship I would not plan to go.
MOTION: I motion that we support our ADA Coordinator going to the ADA Conference in Kansas City and be reimbursed a maximum of $500.00

None of the locations looked into in the city of Detroit for the CIL film festival have proven to be truly accessible, so it looks as if it is down to the PAC or the Library auditorium. 18 films have been received from the call for films including one from Belgium and one from New Zealand. Letters pursuing sponsorship are going to go out very soon, so if the Commission is interested in cosponsoring or some other identity it needs to be known soon.
It was agreed that the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns would again cosponsor the Reel Life Disability Film festival. Chair McAdam would be asked to look over what films are chosen and announcement made using the Commission name before final approval. There was a preference for the festival to be held in the library auditorium is possible.

MOTION: I motion that we support the three grants we have applied for using Block grant funding. Made by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Tishler, unanimous approval.
MOTION: I move that we move forward with an accessible state-of-the -art training room with the city barrier-free funds and grants for non-ADA compliant items. Motion By Commission Thomas, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, unanimous approval.

7. Chair Report: Cathy McAdam
1a. Kurt Giberson asked for a half page description of the Commission for the City Guide. There was very little time to put it together, so it was done by Chair McAdam and ADA Coordinator Susan Fitzmaurice.
1b. Best wishes to Kim Hetrick who resigned his commission position given his change in address. We’re glad you’ll be staying on the education committee. Everyone applauded Kim’s dedication to the commission.
2. Request for disability awareness training at Ford Centennial library May 24 at 3:00 (Commission Swanson volunteered) and May 26 at 9:30. I’ll be working with Bob Z. for 1 hour sessions and would be glad to have other commissions join me. Commissioner Bower volunteer to help with planning.
3. City web page calendar and cd tv schedule are now accessible. Doug Feldkamp has been asked to look at our webpage and decide whether the city can take it over. He has just gotten the information needed to do that, so it will be awhile yet before we hear back.
4. National Federation of the Blind raised concerns regarding audible pedestrian traffic signals and appropriate allocation of resources at the Michigan Commission for the Blind meeting in Southfield. At the meeting the point was made that these signal s are also helpful to people who are senior in age, are newly blind, and have cognitive disabilities. ADA Coordinator mentioned that Peg Watson of Senior Services is planning to put a third signal in when we putting the other 2.
5. Commissioner Tisher will be chairing the Access Committee, and Commissioner Filiak the Visitability & Housing committees.
6. Executive committee met and discussed application process and publicity for commission vacancies, web page, and grant update.
Commissioner Kreger is one of two people being considered for a new position ion Ohio. The Communications committee should work on getting the word out that we need new commissioners.
7. SMART mitts have arrived. SMART is using using us a a test city for letting seniors use mitts. There is a SMART meeting tomorrow that Chair McADam hoped to attend.8. No Vice-Chair Report

9. Guest Comments
David Jackson discussed his background and the nature of his stress reduction classes. He wants to volunteer to do a 2 session class of 21/2-3 hours for the Commission. He would be doing this as a service, not as a promotion for a private practice. Kim Hetrick spoke glowingly of the technique in helping him.
Nancy Lennart discussed how she is now retired from U. of M. Student Services and misses working in the disability services field.

BREAK

Ray Roberson spoke about being glad that the Commission has stayed on top of the Michigan Avenue Project and that they have been keeping the NFB informed of progress.10. Disability Awareness Day - Dale Swanson
About 50 vendor applications were sent out. We need to invite more, but who? Commissioner Hodak provide Commissioner Swanson with a vendor list from a senior fair. 3 PM still appears to be the best time for John Kemp to speak. VSA Arts are interested in doing something with him in the evening, but we do not have any details.

11. Upcoming Outreach Events; Mary Hodak
April 14th Senior Health and Information Expo 10-1
April 28th Project Healthy Living 10-3
Commissioner Hodak circulated a sign up sheet for helpers.

12. New Items Needed
Commissioner Swanson suggested we contact JDI designs and see what the cost would be for them to prepare the brochure. We would provide them the content - they would design it. It was agreed and discussed as long as we retained the copyright.
A new handout for events was discussed. The Education Committee will look into it.
John Kemp will be asked if he could bill us for a $1,000 deposit so we could use this year’s funds.
Our ADA Coordinator will pursue the purchase of 1,000 bookmark pens, 500 lanyards, Post it notes, and plastic bags. Blue Ink on white with commission logo. Hope to have some or all by April 28th.

13. Commissioners
Gary Filiak
Presented information on the 5 Year Plan on Recreation. Will be OK’d by City Council and Mayor. He and our ADA Coordinator have been working to make the plan more ADA Compliant as DNR ‘s concept of barrier-free is a different standard.
Commissioner Filiak discussed the need for a ramp at Lapeer and Ford Woods.
He also noted that the emergency exits on the stage of the library auditorium were accessible only by stairs. ADA Coordinator Susan Fitzmaurice will look into that further.
MOTION: I motion that the commission use barrier-free funds to build a ramp at Lapeer and Ford Woods Parks. Made by Commissioner Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Tishler, approved unanimously. Commissioner Filiak brought to the attention a brochure Peg Watson gave him called Life Trails. These are exercise stations set along a park trail setting.
Val Murphy from Human Resources presented at Rotary Club about an accessible park. Suggested that she be asked to come to May meeting.
Nancy Bower
Discussed a chronic illness support group that meets in Romulus on 2nd and 4th Wednesday 7-8:30 PM.
Mary Hodak
Seniors will have a new 7 seater bus with wheelchair lift in Fall.
Sr. Commission meeting was canceled in February. Next meeting in May.
Attended a SHHH meeting. Discussed becoming a member in order to facilitate there being a chapter in Dearborn. 4 applicants needed. $25.00 membership. There was a discussion as to why Dearborn did not pursue captioning in one of their theatres.
Dale Swanson
Discussed how Carpenters and Millers Union willing to build one ramp a month for free labor. Must pay for materials. Asked for commission help to find people who need ramps.

Adjourn: 5:05 PM