Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

Ford Performing Arts Center, Wet Rooms
September 15, 2005

Commissioners
Cathy McAdam
Cheryl Kreger
Dale Swanson
Mary Hodak
Gary Filiak
Nancy Bower
Mona Ramouni
Sonya Tishler
John McFarlin
Cynthia Parrelly
Bill Tennant, excused
Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator

Guests
Ndieh Aun
Sandy Kopppinger
Sobhi Berri
Chuck Reeves, Metro Home Health Care

1. Call to Order: 6:05PM
2. Roll call
3. No additions or changes to agenda.
4. July minutes accepted with addition of guests attending

5. Election.
Cathy McAdam nominated as chair by Dale Swanson, seconded by Sonya. Unanimous vote in approval .

Cheryl Kreger nominated as vice-chair by Mary Hodak, seconded by John McFarlin. Unanimous vote in approval.

Commissioner McAdam and Commissioner Kreger continuing their roles of chair and vice chair respectively.

6. Michigan Avenue Update. Discussed as part of first item of ADA Coordinator’s Report that follows. Discussion clarified what the next step was and why this project needed to first closeout before fixing all the problem areas.

7. ADA Coordinators report: Susan Fitzmaurice
1. Michigan Avenue Project. There was an additional meeting where all the possible solutions to the problems in the current condition of Michigan Avenue were discussed. There was some consensus about some specific situations, but differences remain.
There will need to be another meeting where the feasibility and cost of preferences will be presented again and a final solution hopefully determined. This project will close out, and the changes required will be part of new project. The one exception to that will be one issue of incontrovertible nonADA compliance. The other problems are as a result of design flaw and will be part of a new project.

2. Garrison Parking Lots. After so many problems with these lots, the city has decided to sell them to a private concern. They will be turned into two or three level parking structures.

3. Sidewalks. Alan Loebach and Susan Fitzmaurice/ADA Coordinator attended at rights of way conference where they learned of new changes to the law regarding public rights of way. (Sidewalks, streets, traffic signals) Truncated domes are now being required at street crossings & sidewalk ramps. Truncated domes are underfoot indicators of a change in pedestrian traffic pattern.

4. Bailey’s. This situation has been evaluated and absolute ADA compliance is impossible. A rubber tree grate has been found that puts the sidewalk within 2 inches of compliance. Since this is a short distance of the sidewalk length - this near noncompliance for a short distance is considered acceptable. The next step is to problem solve who pays for the city sidewalk parking grate - when it is only needed because of a private commercial concern.

5. Pedestrian Crossing across Rail Tracks. Between the new condos and the retail shopping of Michigan Avenue is a train track. The plan calls for pedestrian crossing. The existing site cannot be made into an accessible path. Right of way is required from the train company. If they do not provide it the choice will be to abandon the pedestrian path or to build an overhead bridge.

6. ADA Compliant Training Room. DPW Director Kurt Giberson is looking into the city budget for carpeting, table, and chairs. The rest of the project will be financed (contingent upon approval) by the city’s funds for ADA compliance projects.
There was a brief discussion about the fact that the training room did not receive block grant funding and the expectation that ADA transition funds will pay for it.

7. Novi Expo went exceptionally well. Many people came seeking us out. Next year we need to think about doing something more interactive.
Commissioner McAdam pointed out that we need to consider whether to participate at next year when the opportunity arises given the significance of time required.

8. Disability film Festival. The Ford Center at Greenfield Village doubled its initial quote, so the festival is back at the PAC. Greg Smith of On A Roll is likely to be there to speak and do a book signing between the afternoon and evening films.
Everyone was asked if they needed new business cards. Cathy and Mona pointed out that they preferred the older cards as they were raised and easier for them to handle.
The need for new name plates for new commissioners was discussed. The first choice would be to get 3 new ones exactly as the ones we have now.

8 . Chair report - Cathy McAdam
1. Thanks to our ADA coordinator for her incredible work on the Katrina disability web site. We have just received word that she is being recognized as advocate of the year by The World Institute on Disability. http://www.wid.org
2. Hurricane Katrina demands we have preparedness strategies to address health care issues, specific needs for people with disabilities, and protect the vulnerable nursing home/group home residents. We have an opportunity to proactively move forward in Dearborn.
3. Dearborn high school students with disabilities will again participate in disability mentoring day.
4. Thank you to all of our new committee members. As our committees grow it might be helpful to look at some simple tips for running meetings. While the attachment is for larger meetings it offers some good tips and ideas. http://www.project540.org/lead/index.cfm
Vice Chair Kreger noted that unless the meeting was not set as a standing committee time, all meeting dates and times should be set before adjourning a committee meeting to help assure attendance for the next meeting.

Chair McAdam noted that the executive committee would remain the same. She stated that she herself might rotate off a committee and that anyone who wanted to change to a specific committee should contact her before the next commission meeting.
5. Strategic plans need to be updated as part of your meetings… please submit any changes at the November meeting.
6. Spring training ideas…
Suggestion discussed were to invite the state commission , to have a planning session on the strategic plan, or to have an ADA workshop.

9 . Vice-Chair Report: Cheryl Kreger
Commissioner Kreger discussed at length the status of the public schools, especially in relationship to budgets, IDEA, No Child Left Behind, and other recent changes in law. Budgets are strained everywhere, but the good news is that special education needs must be fulfilled at all costs. This can be done in Dearborn while maintaining high standards for all children. No Child Left Behind sets high standards for all children to meet and the challenge is to balance the financial cost to accomplish that with the exceptional needs of children. In order to accomplish the set goals many children need accommodations. Only 1%of children are exempt from taking standardized tests.

10. Public Comment
Chuck Reeves of Metro Home Health thanked the commission for inviting him and he said he had no idea how involved we were as a commission addressing city issues.
Ndieh Aun spoke to the continued need to educate parents who speak only or primarily Arabic as she was sure much of what Commissioner Kreger discussed was unknown to them.
Sobhi Berri discussed his participation in the Access Committee. He knew of a friend who was willing to translate our documents into Arabic. This would be discussed further with Dale Swanson as chair of the communications committee. He also suggested a self-defense course specifically for people with disabilities to be offered to the community.

11. BREAK

12. Town Hall Meeting - Cheryl Kreger

13. Disability Awareness Day - Dale Swanson (Some detail included Communication Committee meeting report that follows.)
There was an extensive discussion around whether to have the town Hall meeting as part of Disability Awareness Day or not culminating in a decision to hold it in the afternoon.
Final schedule:
10:30- 11:30 Workshop: Emergency Preparedness for All
12-1 Ford Workshop
1:30-2:30 Town Hall Meeting
Commissioner Hodak discussed whom she had lined up to do the emergency preparedness workshop. The fire department head has agreed, as has Kevin O’Brien as suggested by Kurt Giberson to represent DPW. There has been no contact with the police chief as yet.
It was decided to spend up to $1,000 on tip sheets for first responders once our ADA Coordinator determines the number needed to put one in each public building and emergency response vehicle in the city.
Flyer distribution by mail will be done by Commissioner Tishler after Commissioner Swanson completed their printing. She would return them to the city to be mailed out.
At present the set-up looks as if it will permit 53 tables.
DAD was mentioned in the previous Wednesday’s Press & Guide.
Commissioner Hodak will coordinate and orient volunteers in AM and PM. ADA Coordinator will make their nametags.
Signers will be needed from 10AM - 5PM. It was decided to have 2 at all times, and a 3rd during the vendor fair to act as a floater.
Commissioner Swanson asked about coverage for signers under the transition plan. The ADA coordinator will explore this option.
Announcements will be made over the PA system -
Food will be provided to volunteers and vendors at a cost of $10.00 each. Pizza and pop will be available from Noon - 1:30 PM
As much money as can be budgeted from expected receipts will go to the food for the reception.
There have been 3 nominations for awards. Commissioners Ramouni, Tishler, and Bower will review the nominations. (Deadline Sept. 28th) It was decided that all 3 former commissioners would be recognized.

14. Committee Reports
Communication Committee Meeting 9/6/05
Present: Chair: Dale Swanson, Cathy McAdam, Cynthia Parrelly, Mona Ramouni, Nancy Miko, Sobhi Berry, Karen Dukatz-DeVitis
1) Karen Dukatz-DeVitis from Ford joined us to discuss the event at noon in the Theatre. One concern is Public Relations and coordinating with the city.
- The title of this program is: Navigating Individual Education Planning: Finding pathways to possibilities for children with disAbilities. It will bring in many Ford employees.
-They will need an exact break down of the day for publicity.
2) We have approximately 30 venders confirmed as of this meeting.
3) Dale discussed floor plan for both the Great Room and Studio A and there was agreement on the set up.
4) Cyndi suggested HFCC’s Assistive Learning program might be interested in a booth and will follow up on this.
5) Cyndi suggested that we take the reception info off the flyer is that is not open to the public. Nancy commented on the layout for readability of the schedule. I have a new version of the flyer today.
6) Strategic Plan: Reviewed current plan and noted will be updating it.
To Do:
1) Logistics regarding volunteers. We will ask Mary to coordinate again. Cyndi will also check on students from HFCC.
Proposed:
- Sign-in tables - Vendor Fair
3 9:30 AM - 2:30 PM 6 Total
-Reception table
2 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM 2 Total
- Entrances (Information/Escorts)
4 At each entrance from 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM 8 Total
-Parking lots
2 South 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
2 West 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM 8 Total
- Inside (Runners/Information/Escorts)
4 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM 8 Total
2) Signers
- Workshops
- Town Hall
- Ford Group
- John Kemp
- Awards
3) Dale will contact CDTV regarding video of speakers.
4) Cyndi will explore radio spot with HFCC station.
5) Awards: No nominations turned into date: discussed follow up with those who stated an interest and developed some strategies for reaching out. All committee members had ideas for contacts.
- We need to set-up a Committee to review nominations. Dale will not be serving on that committee.
6) Sobhi Berry will follow up on finding a Arabic translator for our flyers.
Commissioner Swanson noted that press releases were going out each week. Chair McAdam stated that 200 people were expected for the Ford workshop and it was hoped people attending would stay for John Kemp. The topic of the workshop is IEP -Independent Education Plans. ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice will check on Jhn Kemp’s flight plans.

Access Committee - Sept 1st
Attending: Sonya Tishler, Cathy McAdam, Gary Filiak, John McFarlin and Marsha Luetijen.
Patti Gilbert is going to be joining our committee also but was unable to attend. We are fortunate to have so many new committee members and look forward to some real "digging in and getting the jobs done".
Topics discussed:
Voting Accessibility Issues: Once I get a full list of all of the polling sites, we will need to re-visit all of them for compliance. We will not be looking at architectural issues this time as the grants have not come in yet to remedy those issues. What we will be looking at are the "man made problems". We, as a committee, will divide the areas to cover to address the issues of making sure that the doors that ARE accessible are not locked, that the accessible booths are actually set up and ready to use, tools (i.e., magnifier, ruler, large print information) are laid out and ready to use. No one should have to ask for any of these. These will be checked on election day in November.
Knox Boxes: Have the Communications Committee place the info regarding the Knox Boxes on our web site and people would contact us to request one and we in turn would turn that request over to the fire department to handle the distribution. There was some confusion as to how many we had agreed to fund from our transition funds....
It was decided to put on website information about Knox Boxes. Then forward any requests to Fire Department. Whether ADA transition funds could pay for Knox Boxes will be explored as will sign language interpreters. It was expected that both would be.
Emergency Preparedness: Also discussed was the possibility of passing along all of the emergency preparedness information to the Communications Committee to work together to put this information on our web site as well as the possibility of placing the information in with water bills also. We discussed setting up a format on our web site as a "Did you Know?" and "What Would You Like to Know?" informational article.
i.e.. Did You Know:
1. Commission on Disabilities has information on
Emergency Preparedness.
2. Knox Boxes are available.
3. You can be placed on a priority list for use in an
emergency, (oxygen, life saving equipment, etc.)
Then a column, for "What would you like to Know?"
We also discussed the possibility for attending Neighborhood Association meetings. This would have a two fold purpose. To make them aware of our Commission and to hopefully engage their help in making their neighbors aware of each other in case of emergencies and help that is available.
We definitely have our work cut out for us but I think we are all looking forward to the challenges and accomplishments.
Submitted by:
Sonya Tishler with help of Marsha's notes as well
From our former Access Chair Claudia Damian
Hi everyone;
I just wanted to update the Commission on the tty test calls I have been doing. There were four calls made over the past 6 weeks. Three out of the four calls were good. The other call, we had problems with the connection, the time and the response. I have been keeping Paul Klink informed of all the calls I have been making. I have just started a new series of test calls today and the call was good; it was from tty to 911. I hope all is going well for everyone.
Claudia

Education Committee Report August 31, 2005
We welcomed Ndieh Aun and Nancy Leonard to the committee. The meeting was also attended by Mary Hodak, Nancy Bower. and Cheryl Kreger.
Both the content of the workshops and the time schedule for DAD was discussed. There was some ambiguity about the time schedule for the day and the committee recommends that three things be discussed at the commission meeting. The committee definitely recommends that a Town Hall meeting be run along with DAD. This function offers an important vehicle for citizens’ needs regarding disabilities to be made public and later addressed by the commission. The event will be evaluated again to determine whether or not it should be a separate offering and not along with DAD.
1. Suggested topics for workshop include: The 10 Commandants and Panel on Preparedness. Speakers could not be engaged for specific topics for seniors.
2. The committee recommends the 10 Commandments and the panel in the morning and the Town Hall meeting in the afternoon. The schedule should be discussed at the Commission meeting, as well as whether or not the panel and Town Hall meeting should be separate or joined.
3. The committee recommends buying and disseminating booklets regarding ways to address the needs of disabled individuals. A sample will be shown at the commission meeting. Cost is $5.50 each.
4.If seniors were coming, it was recommended that a continental breakfast be made available. Now there is no specific offering for seniors.
It was decided that Gary Filiak would again get donations of water and pastries as he did last year. Coffee could be provided by Shield’s. It was noted that many seniors like tea. Shield’s does not have tea so ADA Coordinator Fitzmaurice would bring tea bags.

15. Commissioner Reports
Commissioner Filiak complimented the new brochure. He said that the recreation conference he attended was really interesting, he learned a lot, and was looking forward to sharing the information he learned. He said about 200 people attended the conference from all over the US.

16. Adjournment: 9:05 PM
Motion by Commissioner Tishler, seconded by Commissioner Bower.

Attachments included in packet:
Running a Meeting
Neighborhood Association List
Voting Check List
Contact Lists for commissioners and committee members