Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

Meeting Minutes
Ford Performing Arts Center, Padzieski Gallery
June 17, 2004

Commissioners & City Staff Present:
Cathy McAdam
Dale Swanson
Kim Hetrick
Cheryl Kreger
Sonya Tishler
Nancy Bower
Mona Ramouni
Jane Thomas
Mary Hodak
Claudia Damian , excused
Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator
Bob Hedges, Asst. City Attorney

Guest: Jeff Willians, Wade Amusements

• Call to Order 7:15PM
• Roll Call by ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice
• Minutes. MOTION: I approve the minutes as written. Commissioner Dale Swanson, seconded by Commissioner Jane Thomas.

• Carnival. Bob Hedges of legal described the procedure to approve the contract and the specific changes made to the ride policy.
Commissioner Swanson described his experience with automatic waivers at sporting events where the waiver is on the back of the ticket. Commission Chair Cathy McAdam discussed her concern with drawing people out of line to sign a recommendation. Jeff Williams of Wade Amusements stated the recommendation was not a waiver and the only people drawn away from the line would be people who would need to sign waivers and that those people had injuries. ADA Coordinator Susan Fitzmaurice noted that the recommendation had a place for it to be signed and stated that it did not read as a recommendation, but as a waiver.

There was a discussion of intoxication as evidence of lack of mental capacity.

Commission Chair McAdam said given the contradictions “ the bottom line was that a contract had been signed to abide by the ADA.“ Commissioner McAdam recommended a meeting of 3 people, ADA Coordinator Jeff Williams, and a Commissioner. Commissioner Swanson asked if legal needed to be involved.

Bob Hedges said I am convinced Wade is planning to abide by the ADA . We are happy to help with this in any way we can. ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice suggested that Bob Hedges review what we come to a consensus on. She will call Jeff Williams to set up a meeting tomorrow once the third person has been decided upon. Commission Thomas volunteered with Commissioner McAdam as back-up.

• ADA Coordinator Report

.• Continuing to try to problem solve the TTY problems.
• Addressed the city’s responsibility to make corrections to polling places that are school and churches with Terri Lynn Land, Secretary of State. She agreed that a polling place used by the city was for all intent and purposes city property on election day and accessibility modifications the responsibility of the city to finance if refused by the school/church.
•  26 polling surveys completed by me. ( All of East Dearborn, Gary is doing West Dearborn.) A few major problems found, but mostly parking lot striping and signs required.
• Bailey’s Pub. Sidewalk cafe was constructed without a permit and granted a one year variance to create a new plan that is ADA compliant. Zoning Board hearing prior to this meeting.
The Zoning meeting went well. Bailey’s sidewalk cafe was not approved and will have to be removed. Speaking against it was ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice, Commissioner Hetrick, Jose Rodriguez from the Wayne County CIL, and a unknown community member. There was no one supporting it.
• Visited chirping and talking traffic signals in Grosse Pointe.
• Checked on policies regarding “Deaf Child”, Blind Child” signs in various communities. None I spoke to continue to erect them, but none remove those in existence. Considered that the identification of a vulnerable child more of a risk to the child than a benefit.
After some discussion of child safety signs it was decided to make no recommendation at present, but that Commissioners Swanson & Filiak would look into the current practice in Dearborn further.
•  Gary and or I checked locations discussed by Jim Beckes last month. Bus stop signs of a different color are not in fact bus stop signs, but No Parking, bus stop signs. The two curb cuts that are needed to cross the Telegraph on ramp are deliberately absent because pedestrians are not supposed to cross here. The metal plate in front of Big Boys is on the easement and is a utility access point - easements exist in part to house things like this. This is not a pedestrian walkway. The “finished” section of Michigan Ave is not in fact finished although the sidewalk is complete. The steep tar section is temporary until all of Michigan is complete and will be level and replaced with grass. This is not a pedestrian walkway. 
• DPW Office are being transformed. I am really excited by the plans.
•  I have been appointed to the Southeastern Michigan HIV/AIDS Council (SEMHAC) and to consult to MSHDA on Supportive housing Needs of Special Needs Populations.It was approved that ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice could purchase a camera for under $300.00•Chair Report
Commission Chair McAdam announced that the City of Dearborn had received the Liveability Award. This is an extremely prestigious award and we are in the second tier of winners and the only disability related award.

Nominations for chair will be taken at the next meeting or can be sent to ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice via email.

The Resource List (handout) needs to be checked and updated. This will be done by the Education committee. Kim will do a final edit when complete.

A disability bibliography used for a presentation at ACCESS was presented. It was suggested that these are books commissioners might want to familiarize themself with if we are recommending them to others. ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice suggested that they be purchased for borrowing.

The brochure needs to be updated. We want to make copies of it using this year’s budget money. It was agreed that the current goals as written during the Strategic Planning could be used via motion. MOTION: We adopt new committee names and objectives for the new brochure. Commissioner McAdam, seconded by Commission Kreger. Unanimous approval.

• Disability Awareness Day
Commissioner Swanson asked if there needed to be any changes to his proposed letter to sponsors. ADA Coordinator noted that a contact name and email address needed to be added.

There was a discussion of levels of sponsorship. Commissioner Kreger suggested listing benefits of sponsorship. Commissioner Swanson will redraft letter.

Nomination award forms also need to be finalized. Send Commissioner Swanson comments via email asap. Needs to be put up on web site asap.

Communications & Awards Committee meeting June 14, 2004

Altered Communications and Awards Committee statement: "We will promote increased community involvement in and knowledge of disability issues and promote the work of the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns.
We should send out awards nominations to the service organizations on the updated resource list.  Also, send them to: W. and E. Downtown Development Authorities, Chamber of Commerce, Neighborhood Association Presidents, Dearborn Rotary, Italian-American and Polish-American Clubs, ACCESS (which we will provide on Wednesday), and the Dearborn Animal Shelter, just to name a few.

We need to send sponsors letters to the Kiwanas Club and the Rotary Club, as well as last year’s sponsors. Susan, do you know of any developmental organizations that may want to participate? Hopefully, letter will be ready for June 17 meeting.

For ACCESS, Dale will email Mona the nomination form and the save-the-date.

We got prices for drinks and hors dourves and began our planning for the Awards ceremony.
Dale to draft first E-news by 6-30-04. Need Susan’s report!

• Recreation
Commissioner Filiak has discussed with DPW Director Kurt Giberson the problem of water fountains in the middle of the park. Mr. Giberson suggested that instead of having inaccessible fountain, or the cost to make them accessible, that perhaps they could be eliminated as the use of water bottles has become so commonplace. There was some discussion of this with no resolution as having some fountains still seemed to be a necessity. Commissioner Filiak and ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice with the support of the Access committee would include this in their discussion of priorities for park accessibility.

For homecoming we have a similar space and size with more rubber flooring. VSA will be next to us. Shuttle signs will be put up again as before. A homecoming sign up sheet was distributed.

• Education
Commissioner Kreger will set the date for the next meeting. Commissioners Kreger and Bower will set the agenda. There will be a discussion of the format for Town Hall. The Committee will be working on updating and expanding the resource list.

• Visitability
Commissioner Tishler suggested that we cancel the current date set to meet builders as there had been no opportunity to contact as many builders as expected at RIM. Another date will be scheduled. ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice discussed the visitability law being considered in the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives. She has been attending meetings that are helping to draft the language of the bill. When the language is finalized she will send a copy to all via email.

Visitability Meeting Minutes May 4, 2004
Visitability Committee name be changed to Visitability and Housing; to be voted on at a later date. Committee goals to be for a two year agenda; to be discussed at a later meeting. The spirit of the housing laws are just as important as the letter of those laws.

It was agreed that a general information meeting should be organized and to extend an invitation to builders, contractors, suppliers and developers as well as Dave Norwoods Office. The meeting should not be longer than one and a half to two hours maximum. Food and beverages would be provided. We must be clear on a flyer this meeting is to discuss issues of visitability/accessibility and incentives in the City of Dearborn. The date is Wednesday, July 14, 2004 from 12 PM to 2 PM.

Outline of goals prior to this general meeting include:
First meet and define visitablity and accessibility.
What do we want the incentives to be? List: such as monies, waiving of fees, etc. What other cities have done; percentages of funds spent, % of housing units, etc. Go to Dave Norwood with vistiability definition and list of incentives:
1. Discuss incentives and what may be available for Dearborn.
2. Identify and invite builders, contractors, suppliers, and developers whom the City wants to or who will build in Dearborn.
3. Set date for the general information meeting. July 14, 12 PM to 2 PM.
4.  Must present a comprehensive pro-active agenda for building visitable and accessible housing in Dearborn to our audience.

CHARTER STATEMENT: (WE WILL) ADVOCATE FOR VISITABLE AND ACCESSIBLE HOUSING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FAIR HOUSING ACT IN THE CITY OF DEARBORN. THIS INCLUDES:
 
.* To work and advocate with the City of Dearborn and the State of Michigan to require Federal and state laws for visitability.
  * To work with the City to make all new ground level housing developments-including condominiums and multi-family dwellings-require a percentage of accessible units.
* To work with the City to create incentives to build visitable housing.
* To explore potential for all available monies for visitable and accessible housing.

• Access
Commissioner Damian's notes were provided.
In discussion about TTYs with Paul Klink, Commissioner Damian and McAdam and ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice it was still thought user error might be at fault. So once all TTYS have been checked and we are sure they are set properly, Commissioner Damian and ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice will check to see if they work properly. If they do, a series of classes to learn how to use them will be arranged.

It is still planned that we will have a voting display machine event here at the PAC, but the date has not yet been determined. Kyle Dubok of MPAS is in charge of getting the arrangements made.

Access Committee Notes for June 19, 2004 Meeting

The Access Committee members will continue in the various responsibilities as given at the last meeting.
*Gary and Susan will continue to follow up on park accessibility; this includes equipment, drinking fountains, doorways, and stalls in the restrooms. The photographs document needed changes for accessibility.
*A follow up is also being done on the sidewalk issue with a local restaurant.

*Cathy would follow up on the shower chair that was needed at the PAC.
*The NAD library and red Notebook system is being revamped and will contact the Dearborn Libraries after the changes are made. Claudia will follow up on that with Alice Hagemeyer.
*Claudia will continue to test the Dispatch Center 911/TTY system every two weeks and make reports to Paul Klink. Claudia will follow up with any problems with the answering Dispatcher and Paul Klink. 
*Everyone on the Commission should be aware and document any issues concerning accessibility at the polls in August and November.
*Gary will follow up with issues at the Homecoming meetings e.g. new tent configurations and more flooring at the vendor tents. Gary will also participate in the meetings about the Oktoberfest and accessibility issues.
*As soon as days and hours are determined by the Homecoming Committee, Claudia will make another schedule available to all Commissioners. Please serve as best you can at our booth.
*We will register voters at the Homecoming. Susan will find out about training us to register voters. 
*Has the accessible van been delivered to the PAC department? 
*Voice and closed-captioned emergency announcements should be scrolled and voiced on the TV by broadcasters and cable companies. CDTV should be a participant of these emergency broadcasts since it is a citywide provided for service and it is on a cable channel. Susan can follow up with CDTV.
*Did anyone get a chance to get by the schools for the graduations? Did the schools get any complaints? Education Committee should bring these issues forward. And follow up every year.
*Sonya will continue to look at issues of accessibility for housing in Dearborn.
Commissioner Reports (Commission Damian’s report after adjournment.)
• Commissioner Mona Ramouni attended an ACCESS staff meeting with Commissioner Bower and Hetrick and was very much welcomed. It went well, and they would like to collaborate with us. Many questions and comments were asked. They have offered to help us with translations.
• Commissioner Mary Hodak described the Senior Conference as going well. She commented that many people stop and say” I’m not ready for it yet.” It was suggested that we needed a special banner for senior events. The PR committee will follow-up on this.
• Commissioner Kim Hetrick described his experience using Susan’s Sonic Ear during the Council meeting and suggested we get them for all the conference rooms in the city for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. It was agreed we would purchase up to $300.00 worth of Sonic Ears.
• Commissioner Nancy Bower noted how much she enjoyed going to the ACCESS meeting.
• Commissioner Gary Filiak discussed how the polling place surveys had been completed. Commissioner McAdam thanked both Commissioner Filiak and ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice for their hard work.
• Commissioner McAdam asked that commissioners bring their calendars to the next meeting. She also noted that she is working on the annual report, so please send her any information that you think needs to be included. Once it is written- it will be sent out to all for comments.

ADJOURNED 9PM MOTION: Commission Swanson, Seconded Commissioner McAdam, unanimous approval.
June 19, 2004

Commission Notes by Claudia Damian, Commissioner
I made several TTY calls on June 7th, 2004. All of the calls failed except for the last call. First call was TTY to TTY and there was neither scroll nor any response. Next call was TTY to 911 and there were only characters that showed up on my display. No scroll, no response. Third call was TTY to TTY and there was no response again and no scroll. Fourth call was answered but my TTY number showed up on my display and there was no introduction displayed or greeting. I had to ask if anyone was there and if this was the Dispatch Center. Affirmative and we had a conversation about an accident that occurred in our neighborhood. I was asking that a police car be sent to our street since my neighbor’s car was hit by a contractor’s dump truck and the car was not drivable. I discussed this series of call with Paul Klink and he stated there was user error in this case.
  Susan, Cathy, Claudia and Paul Klink discussed the inconsistencies of calls made to various City Departments using the Uniphones/TTYs on June 8, 2004 at eh PAC.  Again, Paul believes it is a matter of user error on the part of staff members. Plus we need to face the issue of turn over among staff, the use of part time employees and volunteers (as in the libraries). Training people to use the Uniphone is going to be done again, by Susan, and probably department by department e.g. libraries, DPW, Clerk’s Office, etc.
  Before Uniphone training can commence, Susan and Claudia will arrange days/times to set up the Uniphone by departments and immediately test whether or not the Uniphone is working. Susan will set up the answering machines on the Uniphone and call Claudia. Claudia will check the signal and if a message can be sent by Susan to Claudia’s TTY. Then Claudia will respond and later leave a message on the Uniphone. This will test whether or not the Uniphone answering machines are operating correctly and if the Uniphone is being reset properly. If everything checks out, then it is user error and the training will have to be done again and a training tree initiated by the staff. Some departments are calling one another to test the Uniphone and keep their skills sharp. Many departments have reported taking TTY calls from residents. 
Paul Also commented on the Uniphone for the jail. This Uniphone will be placed in the booking area and available to prisoners and the public (if there is a need). The number for this Uniphone will NOT be published. There may be limited training of the police administrative staff on the Uniphone but nothing has been committed to at this time.
  TTY systems will be installed in the Dispatchers consoles by then end of the calendar year. Six keyboards for the TTY component will be installed and more staff training will be needed to become familiar with the devices. Claudia offered to help make sure Dispatchers can take calls from an out side of the City’s phone system during pre-determined times and days.