Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

1. Call to Order: 3:10PM
2. Roll Call: All present or excused (Present: McAdam, Filiak, Hodak, Bower, Tishler, Ramouni, McFarlin. Excused: Swagler & Swanson)

Guests: Heidi White, Cathy Tromley, and Jim Nagy

3. Additions/changes to agenda: none
4. Approval of May Minutes: Offered by Commissioner Bower, seconded Commissioner Tishler.
5. Review of Bylaws: no changes, no action required.

6. Home-coming, Tishler

Curb cut installed near carnival, free parking for commissioners, same location as last year, better shuttle ID stop signs, BP tshirts as incentives to volunteer. Commissioner Filiak will check to be sure TTY is in place. ADA Coordinator will check on designated seating for main performances, and have for the table – resource list, DAD flyer, plastic bags, pens, updated brochures, & name tags. Teddy will sell buttons when he is at table only. Commissioner Filiak will check to be sure it is OK to sell. Signup sheet circulated to volunteer at table.

7. DDAD update, McAdam

We need more vendor follow-up. Commissioner Tishler will follow-up with City clerk regarding a voting machine set-up. Discussion about raffling off the donating low-tech items.

8. Public Comment

Jim Nagy asked about Dearborn's transportation system for PwDs as unhappy with Dearborn Heights system. Commissioner McAdam will speak further with their chair Linda Butler regarding para-transit options.

9. Chair report, McAdam

* Bylaws question regarding city employees serving on the commission as officers was reviewed by Corporation Counsel, Debra Walling.
“In as much as the Commission is intended to offer citizens' perspectives to assist City government, it seems to be limiting input to have a City employee on the Commission unless it is necessary. I can also envision a potential conflict of interest if the Commission is called to make a recommendation concerning a member employee's department or anything that would generally affect City employees. If the Disability Concerns Commission's bylaws currently prohibit a City employee from holding office, I would advise against eliminating that prohibition.”

* Cheryl confirmed she will formally resign/take her name from consideration for reappointment. Although advertisements have gone out to date we have no new applications for commissioners.
- It was decided to recognize Cheryl at DAD. There are no current applications.

* Time to write the annual report. Please send brief highlights from your committees/ selves you would like included.

* Training update
- Consider next April with Dr. Ardis as to much going on before then.

* McAdam received Moccasin Award from City Year Detroit:
“Each year we recognize outstanding community leaders whose dedication and commitment to social change has inspired City Year corps members and staff during the service year through the Moccasins Award. The Native American proverb and City Year founding story 'Oh Great Spirit, grant that I may not criticize my brother or sister until I have walked a mile in his or Her moccasins,' embodies the invaluable contributions of Moccasins Award recipients.”

* Public Information needs the dates we are going to have meetings.

- It was decided to use the same schedule as usual.

10. Executive Update: Susan Fitzmaurice update Current construction, city accessibility projects, TTY training, citizen concerns.

• No current construction to be concerned with. New bus stops are in place. No update (from engineering) regarding pedestrian signals.

• Kurt informed we want DPW doors to be power doors

• TTY manual revamped. Training next 2 Thursdays.

• No citizen calls, a few vendor inquiries.

• Next week I am going to disability pride parade in Chicago, in August will be going to Lansing, Flint, Macinac, and Marquette following the AAD Freedom bus tour.

11. Break

12.Committee Reports

See below for Communication Committee. Note: Commissioner Swagler has neighborhood Association list. Communications committee will look over and approve water bill's alternative format announcement.

See below for Access Committee. Note: It was decided that We would recommend available funds would be used to make the Dunworth pool in Levagood park accessible.

See below for Public Awareness Committee. Note: Commissioner McAdam will join committee until it has more members. U.C.P. tech fair is just before DAD, but it was decided it was different enough to not be in competition with each other. Commissioner Hodak passed around several low tech gadgets and asked us to guess what they were for. They will be used for demonstrations/awareness at DDAD.

13. DVD Freedom Machines: Delayed until after the meeting was over.
14. Commissioner reports: No one has anything further to add except Commissioner Hodak.

• Need volunteer/s for the Senior Citizen Conference at the PAC for Wednesday, July 18 from 8-10 a.m. (1-2 volunteers) 10-12:30 p.m. (1-2 volunteers) (This is Gary Woronchak's yearly party for the Seniors AND a continental breakfast and free box lunch are included)

• Received 24 items of assistive devices along with catalogs form Maddak, Inc: ABLEWARE.

15. Adjournment: 4:31PM People stayed on to watch a DVD provided by Commissioner McAdam on assistive technology.

Communications Committee Submitted for Dale by M. C. McAdam

There was no meeting this month, work continued by email.

1. Draft for the July 12th meeting on advertising closed captioning (CDTV). from Katie, Linda’s daughter:

With the help of the Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns, the city of Dearborn has closed captioned local broadcasts as well as audible pedestrian traffic signals to improve access for people with disabilities in the community. The three shows which will be shown in closed captioning on CDTV are Dearborn city council meetings (broadcast regularly), In 5 and the Dearborn Journal. All shows will be captioned after the taping takes place. If someone would like a program to be closed captioned on CDTV they will have to contact CDTV and/or the Dearborn commission on disability concerns.

The audible pedestrian traffic signals will be used to assist pedestrians who are blind or elderly in crossing the intersection safely. The new audible pedestrian traffic signals will be located on Michigan Avenue at Monroe,Mason, Military, Oakman, Schaefer and Sclaff and Warren Street at Chase and Schaefer.

For more information, please visit the Dearborn commission's website at
http://www.dearborn-disabilities.org/.

2. Progress on contacting the neighborhood associations?

3. Would like to give an update on registrations/money received for Pathway to Possibilities 2007. (Was awaiting response from ADA coordinator)

4. We will begin to heavily publicize Pathway to Possibilities 2007 when Dale returns from vacation. We will do a timeline and other info for a flyer as soon
as get all the pictures, workshops, etc…

Access Committee Report 6/26/07

Present: Gary Filiak, Johnny Bradford, Susan Fitzmaurice, and Cathy McAdam

I. Rail road crossing at Gully a/2 block S. Michigan Ave.

We discussed concerns raised by Dearborn Heights Commission at our last commission meeting. Gary and Susan confirmed there is no sidewalk on the Dearborn side and that a previous decision had been made to keep it that way as it is not a residential area, and not a safe area for pedestrians. We would recommend upgrading the Beech Daly crossing to a fully accessible safe crossing and would support Dearborn Heights in that effort although this is not a Dearborn crossing. The railroad made it clear they would not support adding a new crossing as this one was so close, but they should be reapproached to be sure it is ADA accessible. Gary and Johnny agreed to look at site before the commission meeting.

II. Park update: Lapeer and Ford wood ramps being installed. Levagood new play structure this summer. Curb cut was made at Ford Field south of bridge accommodate phone and wheelchair access at home coming. Susan was asked to update accessible park information on our web site. John goes to Levagood park and will also review access issues re pool, locker rooms and restrooms.

III. Voting: Gary volunteer to help Sonya coordinate material for a summer meeting with Jerry Uchtorff, the ADA representative for the Dearborn schools. We discussed having him come to our next commission meeting if materials are ready, if not, we will schedule a smaller meeting to update this info regarding the school voting access sites.

IV. Emergency Prep: We reviewed the information being used by Dearborn Heights to collect voluntary information re emergency preparedness. Cathy recommended taking out question regarding infectious disease as universal precautions should be used, and this is medical information that could is confidential. She will also work on some rephrasing of disability language to prepare for review by Lt. Smith.

V. Other: Gary is on the home coming committee and noted the importance of reconnecting regarding a TTY set up on that day. The city did not provide this connection during the Arab Fest.

Sonya circulated a sign up sheet via email. We will bring it to the July meeting to request assistance for homecoming.

Email feed back from John regarding after our meeting on Tuesday, as I promised, I checked out two items on our Access List.

#1 was Accessibility at Levagood Park, specifically the famed Dunworth Pools. My wife and I spoke to a lifeguard. Apparently, there are two side entrances

that can be used by those in wheelchairs. There are at least 5 handicapped parking spots right next to the entrance. I was told that even if these entrances

are closed, that those in need can go to the main entrance and will be let in thru a side door. (They seem to be aware that they have to be accountable, which is a good thing to see.)

Entrance to the locker rooms and the showers is not a problem, as they are one and the same, and have wide aisles.I did point out that the shower on/off handles were too high up to be reached. I was told that "anybody needing assistance will be provided it" if they call ahead." Sounds acceptable.

I did note that the men’s restrooms do not have wheelchair accessible entrances. I would consider that a violation of the ADA , because, frankly, if

I'm in a wheelchair, I would rather be able to relieve myself without any help---if at all possible.

My wife reports the same situation in the woman’s locker room. No wheelchair access to the restrooms.

It also seemed that the drinking fountains were positioned too high up. (There may be others that I did not see that are lower.)

My family then went to the controversial railroad crossing on Gully Road. As Gary noted, there is a concrete sidewalk on the right side (heading South) that ends a few feet before reaching the rail tracks. There is NO sidewalk on the left. I understand the the railways do NOT want people crossing at this area. I tend to agree that due to the area itself, even for somebody in a car, this can be a very dangerous crossing. I do not have any solutions at this time.

Public Awareness / Education Committee meeting

Wednesday, June 6, 2007 - 6:00 pm at Dearborn Schools Adminstration Offices

Present: Nancy and (new member) Sandy Koppinger

1. a. New member, Sandy introduced herself and discussed her concerns

for the Commission. She was given a copy of the Strategic plan for the

Education Committee, which was discussed so that she could gain insight

as to the tasks of this committee.

b. No old business

2. Service Clubs

a. Discussed contacting Dearborn Services Clubs, as Cheryl completed her

letter for the Presidents. Further action will be taken pending a decision by

Cheryl regarding her availability to the Commission.

3. Volunteers for review of Commission Information Sheet

a. Cathy had volunteered at an earlier meeting - will revisit this with her

b. Other volunteers still needed

4. Disability Awareness Day - "Let's Make a World More Accessible for You"

a. Planning for asistive items - Mary and Cathy visited Binson's for

information and continue to gather devices. Cathy will contact occupational

therapists at WSU for workshop

b. Fashion show - Nancy is having difficulty finding local resources

Currently seeking assistance from school of design at WSU. Sandy suggested including clothing items for those who have chemical sensitivities. Suggestions Welcome!

5. Thoughts and Suggestions

Sandy discussed her thoughts and suggestions about offering greater public awareness of the Commission's work.

Next Meeting not scheduled

DRAFT – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FORM

LAST NAME ____________________ FIRST NAME_____________________

ADDRESS________________________________ Apartment, unit #:_______

Nearest cross street_______________ Email:__________________________

PHONE ________________________ Work:__________________________

Cell/ other: ______________________ Are these phones TTY/text? __yes

Primary language(s) spoken: __ English __Arabic __Spanish or ___________

EMERGENCY CONTACT NAME ___________________________________

Address___________________________ Phone ______________________

Are there people with disabilities or seniors needing assistance at this location? If yes, please check all items that are applicable to the person named above. Please fill out one form for each individual.

____ Physical disability/mobility impairment
____ Walk with assistance __ cane __ walker __ wheelchair __ scooter
____ Hard of hearing or Deaf __ Do you use sign language only?
____ Intellectual or cognitive impairment
____ Blind/visually impaired __ Do you wear glasses?
____ Service animal? If yes, type of animal____________ name___________
____ Speech impairment __ Do you use a augmented speech device?
____ Allergies, please list__________________________________________
____ Cannot leave bed unassisted
____ Medical Equipment needed ____________________________________
____ Medication needed ___________________________________________
____ There is more information that may be important written on the back.
____ There are names of other people on back who also have a form on file.

RETURN COMPLETED FORM TO: Dearborn Police/fire Department

Attention: Lt. Smith Home Land Security or Email to:
Providing this information is voluntary and confidential. It will be used only to assist you In case of an emergency when services are sent to your home.
ADA REPORT September, 2007

1.Have had a number of calls from people interested in being commissioners. Most saw it on cable TV. About half lived outside Dearborn – many Dearborn Heights. A few were sent commissioner applications – 2 returned.
2.Some calls regarding being vendors. Not as many as we had this time last year.
IN HAND –
Michigan Protection & Advocacy -25
Henry Ford CC – 25
Disability Network – 25
Advantage Mobility -= 150
Wright & Filippis - $500
Rotary – 1,000
UCP – Detroit – 25
Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind – 25
Mobility Works - 150
Creative Controls – 150 (not paid)

FEE WAIVED:
Wayne County Library for the Blind
Karmanos Cancer Institute
Dearborn Hts Commission on Disability Concerns
Michigan Community Service Commission
Teddy’s Ts
MS Association of America
MADDAK

EMAIL, FACE:FACE or PHONE :
New Vision Enterprizes
DRIS
Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns
STEP
VSA Arts of Michigan
SMART
MI Paralyzed Veterans

3.Water bill insert paid for by ADA funds, not commission funds. Printed long ago. Water Dept. decided to question if OK to send after having the insert in and for 3 weeks or more. It has been approved by Kurt and is going out.
4.6 new TTYs are needed. I tried to get our spare community block grant funds to pay for them. (braille equipment cheaper than the grant monies we requested) I was told they would pay for 3 specific ones, but the other 3 would have to come out of ADA funds. I am not questioning it – just proceeding. 2 are replacements, 3 new locations, 1 a spare to keep on hand.
5.TTY and Braille trainings nearly complete. Need to have a make-up for those who could not attend. All departments now aware of requirement to provide interpreters and/ or alternative format. Departments are going to prioritize which forms might be needed most and quickly and I will transcribe those as I can. Others will be done as requested buy citizens and returned to the department in 2 weeks or less. The department itself will handle large print and electronic alt format. Tapes will be discouraged as they have to be outsourced.
________________________________________________________________

CHAIR REPORT 9/20/07

1. Regarding bus access at the PAC. The following email was sent to Ron Ristau at SMART

The Dearborn commission is interested in looking at the possibility of the
SMART bus running by the Ford Community & Performing Arts center (15801
Michigan Ave), and the train station. There are frequent meetings for people
with disabilities, and many seniors use this facility. I am going to
attempt to give you a mock route for consideration as outlined by our ADA
coordinator.

This is a good time to consider this, as the animal shelter is going to be
built and the drive might be able to be made with a bus stop bump out. Of
course we wouldn't make a formal request without involving our own city
planners who appreciate business needs in this area. so, this is a
preliminary request to see what the possibilities are.

Going East the bus can turn right in by the front of the library/ health dept. drive past the rear/ side of police station/courthouse to the front of the train station past the soon to be animal shelter and past the West entrance to the PAC and on back to Greenfield, make a left and then make a right at Michigan.

Going West, instead of continuing along Michigan make a left turn from the left turn lane (not as far left as the underpass) onto Greenfield, a right into the PAC drive, drive around to the West entrance to the PAC, past the soon to be animal shelter, to the front of the train station, then past the back/side police station/ courthouse, past the front of the library/ health department then make a left turn back onto Michigan.

We appreciate the complexities of this request, both for SMART and the city of Dearborn, but felt it was worth examining because of the high traffic potential for people with disabilities and seniors.

Our next commission meeting is September 20 from 6:00 till 9:00. Please let
me know if this request is within the scope of an evaluation process.

2. Alternative format training was done with city staff on 9/11 and 9/18. We have started letting Dearborn residence know of the option to receive information in Braille, large print, electronic format or tape through the water bills. An announcement will also be drafted for the Wayne County Library for the Blind and National Federation for the Blind. Would suggest having handout at DDAD similar to what was used in the water bill minus Pathways announcement.

3. 2008 calendar

(Last meeting of 2007 is November 15 at 3:00)
Calendar 2008
Thursday 1/17/2008 6:00 till 9:00 PM PAC Wet rooms
Thursday 3/20/2008 3:00 till 6:00 PM PAC Wet rooms
Thursday 5/15/2008 6:00 till 9:00 PM PAC Wet rooms
Thursday 7/17/2008 3:00 till 6:00 PM PAC Wet rooms
Thursday 9/18/2008 6:00 till 9:00 PM PAC Wet rooms
Thursday 10/16/2008 Disability Awareness Day Dome room
Thursday 11/20/2008 3:00 till 6:00 PM PAC Wet rooms

4. Suellen Hozman Facial vision exhibit, Arts beyond Sight

Arthur Cartwright Library, WCCD downtown campus library
1001 West Fort Street ~ Detroit, MI 48226
313.496.2570 or 313.496.2521
September 13 through October 11, 2007
Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
www.wcccd.edu

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EDUCATION COMMITTEE MEETING

Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 7:00 p.m.
present: Mary, Cathy, and Nancy (held at Nancy's home)

Reviewing and brainstorming regarding necessary actions for upcoming DAD.
1. Workshops
a. Occupational Therapist and assistive devices Mary has obtained
b. Speaker, Ira for the children's event
c. George Blaha
d. Two videos to be continuously shown (VCR & DVD needed)

Timing of the workshops not yet decided, due to uncertainty of George Blaha's appearance. Suggested 10:00 or 11:00 a.m. for Occupational Therapist, then Children's workshop. If necessary, repeat the Occupational Therapist in p.m. if George can only attend in the a.m.

Mary discussed method for giving away assistive devices with tickets, etc.
Suggested -Commission having a booth near the front entry to help greet
attendees

Signage to be decided at next Commission meeting
Evaluation Forms to be completed by Nancy & Cathy based on previous model.
Mary suggested (based on Senior complaints) that we have some additional
breakfast food without sugar.

Next Meeting to be determined. Committee would like to greet and welcome
two new Commissioners at it's next committee meeting!

COMMUNICATION REPORT 09/20/07

Vendors!
* We need them! Any ideas?
* Current List:
o Sponsors – Donations
+ Rotary - $1000
+ Wright & Filippis - $500
+ Ford - $500
o Sponsors – In Kind
+ Ableware by Maddak
+ Shield’s Catering
+ DMC/Rehabilitation Insttitute
o Vendors
+ Susan to provide update.
Publicity!

* Michigan Adaptive Sports
o Sending out flyers to approximately 1000 people via email list and snail mail.
+ This is complete.

* Dearborn Seniors
o Pathway to Possibilities Information to approximately 2000 Dearborn Seniors via newsletter.
+ Newsletter went our 09/06/07.

* Dearborn Specials
o I have contacted Denise Toepfer about the next mailing.
+ Flyers going out in September.

* Media

o Randy Coble’s Plan

1. “Save the Date” news release – goes out ASAP, so that people put attending this event on their calendars.

1. This is complete (August 10).

2. “Keynote speaker profile” news release – I will need a high-resolution JPEG image of Mr. Socol, plus bio information on him, to produce this.

1. The release on Ira Socol, with photo, went out Aug. 23.

3. “Details of the workshops” news release – I’ll need about those from Nancy/Cathy.
4. “Assistive technology” angle news release – again, I’ll need details.
5. “Michigan Adaptive Sports” angle news release.

1. The release on Michigan Adaptive Sports, with photo, went out Sept. 6th.

6. Release focusing on adaptive technologies angle, going out this Thursday, Sept. 20.
7. “Vendors at vendor fair” angle news release – I’ll need the list.

1. Release focusing on workshops and vendor fair angle, going out on October 4th.

8. Media advisory – encouraging the media to cover the event. I will need the name and contact information for a spokesperson whom they can interview, if we get any response.

1. A final reminder release going out on October 11th.
2. Media advisory going out on October 17.

9. Also, FYI to Cathy McAdam, per her request I have been sending all the releases to Cecilia Oleck at the Free Press, in addition to our regular media list.
10. Question – will Community Service Awards be presented during P2P? If so...

1. Nomination news release – I’ll need deadline date for submission of nominations + if there are any changes from last year regarding criteria or nomination process.
2. Post-game awards news release with photo – I’ll need to know where and when the awards presentation will be.
1. Unknown what, if anything at this time.

Communications Channels we’ll Use – note that Randy will take of all of these, except as specified below

1. News releases to media.
2. Announcement on CDTV community bulletin board.
3. Possible special promo stories on CDTV programs: Dearborn Journal and In Five and Our Town with the Mayor.
4. All-employee email and voicemail message.
5. Special promo page on city website.
1. This is complete.
6. Message in telephone hold announcements.
7. Message in announcements on TV monitor by Treasury in City Hall.
8. Media advisory in advance of the event, encouraging media to cover it.
9. Possible item in fall edition of Back Fence resident newsletter.
10. Possible announcement on Center marquee sign.
1. You will need to check with Erica Lyght on that.
11. Possible announcement on employee paychecks.

1. You will need to check with Jim O’Connor on that.

* Dearborn Water Bill
o This is in progress

* Neighborhood Associations
o This is in progress.
* Water for event coming via Busch’s.

* To Dos:
o Program – In progress.
o Arrangement for pastries/juices.
o Final timeline
o Info to Dale re: workshops.

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