Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

Ford Performing Arts Center, Studio A
September 18, 2003
5-7PM

PRESENT
Nancy Bower
Claudia Damian
Gary Filiak
Kim Hetrick
Mary Hodak
Cheryl Kreger (arrived late)
Cathy McAdam
Mona Ramouni
Dale Swanson
Jane Thomas
Susan Fitzmaurice

Sonya Tishler, excused

1. OPEN MEETING: 5:08PM

2. ROLL CALL

3. MEETING MINUTES
Motion to approve by Dale, seconded by Kim, unanimous approval.

4. RECREATION

Denise Toepfer
Summer activities include pool parties and picnics.
Request ARC/ VSA/ Dearborn Rec, etc. al sit together at DAD
Sept. 25th 10AM - Meet w/ Greg Orner
braille dyno tape brailler available in Susan’s Office

5. DALE SWANSON

Read report
Decided on location of posters

6. PUBLIC COMMENTS

Linda Smith, Downtown Development Authority - also works for US Court system. Expressed her interest in the work of the commission.

BREAK

7. AWARDS
Cheryl motioned” I would like to approve the nominations approved by the committee. Kim seconded. Unanimous approval.

8. BUDGET
Oct 7th - we need to go before Council to get an expense budget, at present we have only a revenue budget

T-SHIRTS
Kim motioned: I move to make a $1,500 t-shirt order. Dale seconded, Unanimous approval.

Tshirt color will be decided upon by Dan and designer

9. ADA

Report read

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ADA Coordinator Report (Susan Fitzmaurice)

1. Conference
I learned more than I could ever describe. I now really now know how to measure ( and I thought I did before.) A tool-kit of ADA measuring tools will be available soon and I plan to purchase one as ADA Coordinator. The tools have ADA required measurement specs highlighted on them.

2. Homecoming.
a. I went to the homecoming meeting with Gary. We discussed some minor parking concerns near the entrance to the food tent and delivery vans will be given a specified temporary parking area that will not obstruct the entrance.

b. The issue with the carnival rides was discussed. And although the committee was sympathetic- they felt it was an issue to be taken up by legal and not the homecoming committee. Contracts are created by legal and should be clear about obligations under the ADA. Wade Amusements may be the only carnival company that is available- so this is not over yet. Next meeting September 23 at 2 PM.

3. Construction

a. Library .The auditorium plan has been finalized. Snow library has been finalized. The plans are in the hands of the city and the architect is simply waiting for the city to say the word to proceed.

b. City Hall.
City Hall construction is imminent. Everything is finalized and bathroom fixtures, etc. are ordered and being awaited.

4. TTY
a. I have been making a few TTY calls everytime I go in. In general no one answers. Water/Engineering and Human Resources are the two departments that are consistently answering.

b. We have several departments that had no one attend training. And we need to purchase one more phone for the health department. Before ordering another phone I thought we should reevaluate who has phones to be sure we have as many as we need.
c. We will need one more training session. I think we should reserve spaces for the departments who have no one trained - and then allow the others spaces for others in trained departments.

5. Sidewalks

Sadly the way sidewalk projects are decided upon is during early fall and winter when the pavement has its problems. By the time we had Town Hall the side walk projects for this summer were already scheduled.

A number of sidewalks that were redone this summer were done very badly and will have to take priority to be redone. Gary brought to my attention the sidewalk on one street and it turns out the issue with that sidewalk was present at many other similar sidewalks. These sidewalk will have to take priority to be redone as they are not only not ADA compliant, but make it impossible for a wheelchair user to travel the sidewalk.

I investigated the Mercury hotel discussed at Town Hall. If seems ADA compliant in terms of access, but I reported it to Building & Safety as permits are required for sidewalk planters. Building & Safety reported back that they inspected and approved the planters.

6. Black-out

I received approximately 9 calls complaining about the city response to the black-out. Many focused on the lack of telephone service. I have wondered if the city might not need a back-up cell-phone system. Another complained that she needed ice as she had had surgery the day before. Another said she had no idea what was going on and was afraid to leave her house. She suggested a van with a bull-horn that goes thru neighborhoods giving out information. When I suggested to this women she contact her neighborhood association she told me her NA was once great, but now did nothing.

7. I will be in Chicago for a TASH conference December 4- 7 and will take that week off.
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10. HOMECOMING
Discussion of Homecoming committee’s lack of interest in the ride issue - considering it a legal problem and not theirs.

Kim motioned: I move the Commission chair follow up with the Homecoming committee, Wade Amusements, and legal. Seconded by Claudia. Unanimous approval.

11. TRAINING

Cathy: In 3 years we have taken on many tasks / Public perception is that we are doers. Need to identify priorities, future planning, and goal setting.

Cheryl asked and agreed to facilitate a portion of the next meeting to set goals for the rest of this year.

Claudia commented we need to look at long term goals.

Kim said we need to be perceived as a resource, but also coordinate and delegate some activities to the city as it is their responsibility.

Cathy: We need to continue to define what is the role of the commission and the role of the ADA coordinator.

Cathy moved: We as a commission need to develop a strategic plan and move forward with it at the November meeting for its first hour.
Seconded by Claudia. Unanimous approval.

12. COMMITTEE REPORTS

Offered as written

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Education/Employment
8/7/03 - 6:00 PM
Present: Mary Hodak, Cathy McAdam, Nancy Bower, Dale Swanson, Cheryl Kreger, Susan Fitzmaurice
Guests: Paul Smith, Director of Secondary Education - Dearborn Public Schools

1. Accommodation at Dearborn Schools in response to the Commission's letter of July 26, 2003 regarding H.S. graduation ceremonies in clarification of procedures to ensure ADA compliance.
Paul Smith discussed this in a four point plan dealing with:
a. Publication of ways to receive accommodation
b. Specified seating at events
c. More extensive signing and signage at events
Added suggestions: Large print, TTY listed, portable signage, speaking software
d. Providing adequate parking and access
Goal statement by Paul Smith is that the schools must always anticipate issues related to accommodation.
Paul Smith can be contacted via email - SmithLP@Dearborn.Kl2.MI.US

2. Follow-up for work-shops for Dearborn Disability Day on October 22, 2003.
Adaptive Sports with Kevin Mitchell will not be doing a specific workshop, but will engage in all day long continuous demonstrations
Sharing Senior Issues - AARP
Independent Living - Panel at 11:00 AM.
Home Adaptations - Karen Murphy
Employment - Valerie Murphy (employer perspective) & Cathy McAdam (consumer perspective)
Special Education - Dr. Cheryl Kreger - Reported that she will bring others to assist at 10:00 AM.
VSAarts will present an interactive arts experience at 2:00 PM.
Keynote: Robin Jones- Director of Great Lakes Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center Mark "Doc" Andrews of WOMC Radio at 12:00 PM. Mayor Guido at 3:00p.m. to present Awards
Discussed assistance for setting up DAD - suggested were the Key Clubs at Fordson contact Rosa Scaramucci and at DHS contact David Cobb for student volunteers for 10/21/03
Suggested getting transportation for Special Education students to attend from 10:00-12:00. Dr. Kreger would send parents of Special Education students notification of DAD 3 weeks prior to the event
Discussed availability of Day Care Center for DAD

3. Follow-up for Award nominations
Concerns expressed that only 2 nominations had been received
Suggested to notify secondary staff in school system about the awards and give information regarding a link to the web page.

4. Presentation to ACCESS
A Program Director from Accesss would be attending the Commission meeting in Nov. Presentation from the Commission is being planned to help educate the Access community about our activities with Mona and Cathy being involved.

5. Other Business
Hodak attended Project Healthy Living and discussed involvement for the next year.
Next Meeting on Thursday, October 2, 2003 at 6:00 PM. in the Board Room of Dearborn Public Schools A
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13. COMMISSIONER REPORTS

Claudia Damian
Claudia asked if Susan had followed up with Robert Creamer contact and she had.

Kim Hetrick
Kim stated he needed to pull back from his responsibilities as much as possible until the end of the year.

Cheryl Kreger
Cheryl stated that the graduation irregularities were an embarrassment and continue to be looked into. New policies are being put into place to prevent it from ever happening again.

Mona Ramouni
Mona discussed the meeting she, Cathy and Dale had at ACCESS.
OCT. 29th inservice planned at ACCESS.
Flyers are still hoping to be translated into Arabic.

ACCESS will be attending the November 20th meeting.
Mona spoke at WAyne Center for over an hour on cultural diversity and answered many questions.

Nancy Bower
Nancy stated she had been sending out DAD flyer to many mental health agencies in the area.

Mary Hodak
Mary discussed the program to register your special needs.The Senior Alliance 734-722-2830 TTY????

Dale Swanson
Dale pointed out the articles that had been in the Press & Guide

Cathy McAdam
Cathy asked if anyone was available to do a presentation at Sacred Heart Teen program and Kim said he could do it with Cathy as back up.

14. Meeting Adjourned 7:10