Dearborn Commission on Disability Concerns

Ford Performing Arts Center, Wetroom 1 & 2
November 18th, 2-5 PM

Commissioners and Staff Present:
Cathy McAdam, chair
Cheryl Kreger, vice-chair
Dale Swanson
Nancy Bower
Mary Hodak
Gary Filiak
Sonya Tishler
Jane Nelson Thomas
Susan Fitzmaurice, ADA Coordinator
Peg Watson, Senior Services
Claudia Damian, excused
Kim Hetrick, excused
Mona Ramouni, excused

Guests:
Lynn Von Hatten, SMART
James Beckes
Ray Roberson, National Federation for the Blind
Richard Drake, National Federation for the Blind
Christal Park, DDOT
Geara Schofield, DDOT

Call to Order: 2:05PM
Roll Call
Agenda: No changes.
Minutes: No changes
Michigan Bus Stop
Lynne Von Hatten introduced himself and described his role with SMART. His supervisor is Linda Binford who provided enclosed report and requested he attend this meeting. In October SMART received the finalized plan from the architect Locke. SMART replied that they would review the plan and get back to the architect.
Mr. Von Hatten reiterated that SMART opposes any bus stops being removed, that are not ADA compliant, and present a safety hazard to passengers. SMART accepts that existing bus stops need not be ADA compliant. New bus stops must accommodate buses up to forty feet in length - and allow room for the bus to completely clear the bumpouts when unloading passengers.

Commissioner Filiak asked for details about what SMART considered a safe bus stop. Mr. Von Hatten said new bus stops near bumpouts must accommodate buses up to forty feet in length - and allow room for the bus to completely clear the bumpouts when unloading passengers.

Commissioner Swanson asked how Michigan Ave bus stops compared to the Warren bus stops? Mr. Von Hatten wasn't familiar with these, but our ADA Coordinator replied that the city was not happy with the Warren bus stops as they required considerable more effort by DPW to keep free of refuse and snow.
Ray Roberson commented on the use of orange barrels for bus stops, and the lack of stops between Wyoming and Firestone. He was disappointed that the disability community was not more involved in making decisions with MDOT.

Richard Drake commented that the area near the bowling alley with its orange barrels presented a hazard to waiting passengers.

Peg Watson commented that she was distressed that the city was not consulted as to what design they preferred. She also was very concerned that the loss of any bus stops would present a hardship for many seniors in additions to people with disabilities.

James Beckes understood that when bus stops were removed,they would be replaced when the construction was complete. Some stops had been changed from far side stops to near side stops presenting a danger to passengers who have low vision and are blind. The stop at Michigan and Schaefer had been removed on one corner and this was of extreme concern.

Chair person McAdam responded to Mr. Beckes and said that her understanding was that bus stops could only be put back in the same place if they did not present a safety hazard.

Mr. Von Hatten said that on the plans that Michigan and Schaefer stop is there.

The commission agreed to the following motion made by Chair McAdam, seconded by Commissioner Swanson, and unanimously approved.
MOTION:
The information presented by SMART to be reviewed in depth and addressed by appropriate city departments with recommendations made in writing to MDOT. Also address the slope between the sidewalk and street, and curb cuts.

Update on Senior Services: Peg Watson
The city now operates 3 SMART vans. It operates from 9-3:30 M- F. People 60 years of age or older or with a permanent disability are served. About 25 people a week are taken to doctors appointments ( Described as not adequate). 125 - 150 people a week are served in total. Service is within city limits and is curb to curb. Non emergency medical appointments take precedence. 1-3 Tuesday is set aside for Bank and drug store trips, 1-3 Thursday is set aside for grocery store trips ( with a limit of 2 bags of groceries). It is $1.00 each way ( this will be reduced or waived as needed.) The city must abide by SMART rules.

For seniors who do not use the vans, they can get 20 bus tickets per month to ride main line buses. The vans do not connect to DDOT. Transfers are not accepted by Dearborn's vans. SMART connector's new # is (866)962-5515.

Peg also discussed the need for talking crossing signals. The mayor had wanted one at Michigan & Schaefer, and she had hoped for one at Michigan & Monroe. She has had money set aside for this purpose for some time, but has received no response from MDOT regarding her desire to purchase them.

Commissioner Hodak asked how far in advance reservations needed to be made. Peg replied 2 days in advance or ASAP.

Ray Roberson asked if the return trip needed to be to the originating location - and Peg replied no.

Richard Drake expressed disappointment that no weekend service was available or assistance in carrying packages. Peg replied she would love to provide more extensive service but that is just not possible at this time.

Commissioner Hodak asked if drivers were trained how to tie down wheelchairs. Peg replied that the drivers are trained to SMART standards. The buses are checked everyday, as are the lifts. Caregivers over 18 are also permitted to ride.

Ray Roberson commented that Sunday service to go to church was especially wanted.
Commissioner Filiak asked about holiday service and Peg replied there was none. She also mentioned that there was SMART signage on the van. She also left flyers describing the services.

ADA Coordinator Report: Susan Fitzmaurice
The library construction was slated to start this week, it is unknown if it has. TTY training is planned as soon as the 3 Uniphones ordered are received – they are on back order. Alternative format continues to be discussed with Mary Laundroche.

A visitability bill was described and a copy of it enclosed in the minutes packet, along with a web link you can go to to follow the progress of a bill as it moves through the Michigan legislature.

An article that describes the changes to IDEA and its ramification to families with children who have disabilities was included in the packet.

Commissioner Swanson commented that the unisex accessible restroom on the second floor on city hall has no signage.

Chair McAdam suggested that Mary Laundroche be asked to come to a future commission meeting in hopes of moving the issue of alternative format forward more quickly.

Public Comments
Ray Roberson commented on the procedure to certify riders for paratransit. He also said that Dearborn Heights had opted out of SMART service and this had caused problems for Dearborn residents.
Richard Drake wants the city bus service to begin at 7AM

Chair Report: Cathy McAdam
Thank you to all for a great DAD.
Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns has meetings at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation from 10 AM to 3 PM on March 18, May 20, September 16, and November 18 next year. Commissioners and guests are encouraged to attend these meetings.

We had 22 local students participate in disability mentoring day including 7 Dearborn high school students. The evaluations from the students were very positive. This program gets more popular every year and local businesses have been very supportive.

There was a brief discussion about how to encourage more committee participation. *Commissioners were reminded to encourage people to write a letter of intent and to provide one letter of reference if they were interested. Committee members did not need to be Dearborn residents to participate.
Great Lakes ADA conferences were described. They are excellent and are online audio conferences with real-time captioning. HYPERLINK "http://www.adagreatlakes.org/PnServices/AudioConferencing/schedule.shtml" \l "2005Session2"Http://www.adagreatlakes.org/PnServices/AudioConferencing/schedule.shtml#2005Session2
Vice-Chair Report: Vice-Chair Cheryl Kreger reiterated Chair McAdam's thanks for a job well done during Disability Awareness Day. The Famous People Players performance was a wonderful community event. Over 400 students participated. It was a great cooperative venture.

Disability Awareness Day: Commissioner Dale Swanson. ( see reports)

Funds received as noted by ADA Coordinator differ from Commissioner Swanson as $500.00 from Great Lakes has not yet been received. Commissioner Swanson paid for one DAD bill from Commission funds.
There was a discussion about what to do relative to DAD next year. Commissioner Swanson said if we can get John Kemp to come we should have vendors again. Our ADA Coordinator said that many vendors had contacted her about coming to this year's DAD – including both vendors who had come last year and those who had not. Chair McAdam Asked that we evaluate our options, and requested that it not be on Wednesday so that it does not conflict with Mentoring Day. We need to finalize plans at January's meeting.

Town Hall Meeting: Vice-chair Cheryl Kreger
Three good issues had been presented that need follow-thru: 1. condo mailboxes, use of public restrooms, and integration of developmentally disabled citizens into community life. Chair McAdam will write a letter of support to place mailboxes of people with disabilities near their front doors. The Education committee will follow-up on the THM items to clarify info and assign tasks as appropriate - clarifying which restaurants are specifically not letting people use restrooms, /concerns re recreation trips. Susan Fitzmaurice will contact Carol Murchison to find out more details regarding the needs of the people she described as needing community opportunities and provide info to the education committee for follow up.

BREAK

Voting Follow-up
Chair McAdam thanked commissioners for their effort in doing spotchecking. She said that it was important to keep a record of what we find and to point out both successes and problems related to accessibility. Our ADA Coordinator provided synopsis of spot checking results. According to Vice-Chair Kreger, Asst. Superintendent of Special Education - the elevator at DuValle does not need to be locked. Access committee will issue a formal report with key changes needed to make all polling sites accessible. Report to be sent to both DPW and the City Clerk.

Committee Reports

Communication & Awards
Need to start planning for next years events beginning in January. Send via ENEWS a note reminding people we will have awards again. Need to determine a procedure to decide if those nominated for awards (especially those we do not know) are deserving of award. Awards need to be determined before last Commission meeting before DAD so commissioner can participate in the selection.

Education Committee
Met in September to plan Town Hall Meeting. Vice Chair Kreger commented that Commissioner McAdam had done a “fine job” facilitating the Town Hall.
The Chamber of Commerce is asking for volunteers for their speakers bureau/ central registry for Dearborn schools. This is a good opportunity for Commissioners to get the word out about disability issues.
Next meeting January 12, 6PM

ACCESS Committee
Thrilled that the PAC now has Braille throughout. Planning to invite the new city representation on emergency preparedness to next Access meeting. In Commissioner Damian's report there is a reference to inaccessible features at the PAC when it should be the Straford Theatre in Ontario. Commissioner Kreger commented reference to a comment in the report that the schools must adhere to federally required language – even if it is not the currently preferred language. Commissioner Swanson noted that some of the issues in the report were defined as Recreation issues when they were in fact Parks (DPW) issues.

Visitability Committee
The Commission should write an official letter in support of the bill and also ask Mayor if he would support. ( New note: Bill was tabled the next day until next legislative session.)

Commissioner Reports

Commissioner Thomas: Extreme budget cuts are harming people with developmental disabilities.Social service agencies are operating on a shoestring.

Commissioner Filiak: He reported to ADA Coordinator that there was a missing curb cut a new parking lot construction at Centennial Library and noted the situation had been remedied.

Commissioner Hodak; She spoke of how wonderful the volunteers had been and how much they were happy to help.
Commissioner Kreger provided new contact information.

Strategic Planning
There was a discussion of the next step in the strategic plan. It was agreed that there needs to be a specific format developed so that all reports look identical. This will ease the transition of translating the strategic plan into an annual report. A format will be finalized at the next commission meeting January 20th

Adjournment: 4:55PM

Committee Reports:

Access Committee
The Access committee will assist the City of Dearborn in the identification, prioritization and removal of physical and communication barriers to City programs and services and to develop policies and practices which promote full participation by citizens with disabilities.

To help maintain full access for all people with disabilities to all city programs and services.
Homecoming
DDAD
Commission meetings

2. To assist the City of Dearborn to prepare for future emergency events in order to assure safety for persons with disabilities.
Write pertinent information to enclose in a pamphlet or post on a website that will assist people with disabilities in emergency situations.
Explore having Red Cross presentations in conjunction with the city to prepare for emergency situations that include handling of persons with disabilities.

3. To assure voting access at all poling places in Dearborn for persons with disabilities.
Offer training to poll workers that will assure appropriate access for persons with disabilities
Advocate for state of the art equipment to assure full access to people with disabilities.
Organize a vendor fair with the state
Spot check polls for accessibility.
Register voters at Commission events.

4. To monitor transportation issues that impact the lives of persons with disabilities in Dearborn.
Ensure accessible out-trips for seniors with disabilities
Monitor local parking access.

5. To advocate for improved accessibility in city parks.
Create access to drinking fountains
Promote installation of picnic tables that are accessible to persons with disabilities
Promote installation of playground structures that are accessible to persons with disabilities.
Advocate for emergency phones accessible to persons with disabilities.
Monitor update of restroom facilities for accessibility.
Recommend and monitor creation of pathways that are user friendly to persons with disabilities.
 
6. To assist the City to improve and maintain effective communication between residents and city departments.
Promote access to city programs and services.
Maintain effective 911/TTY services.
Promote closed/open captioning on CDTV.
Promote use of interpreters for the deaf, assistive listening devices for the hard of hearing, and real time captioning for city events and programs.
Promote alternative formats in reading materials, telecommunications, appropriate signage in city facilities, and accessible computer services on the city web sites.

Communications and Awards Committee Report
9/16/04
Jack Raeburn and Emmajean Woodyard joined Cathy, Jane and Dale.
Pathway to Possibilities
Schedule:
10:00AM Famous People Players Matinee
$5.00 per person (approximately 300 Dearborn students (busses provided by Dearborn schools, open to other community schools (RESA), open to the public).
12:00 Noon Town Hall Meeting (open to public)
1:30PM FPP Workshop (open to Dearborn teachers (app. 30), parents of students with disabilities (Cheryl to coordinate)
5:30PM Awards Ceremony (by invitation only – invitee list draft attached).
7:30PM Evening performance by FPP (open to public – ticket info follows)
Tickets for FPP
Matinee performance - $5.00 per person
Evening performance – Box Office Ticket Prices – $27/$24/$19
Discounts available:
Commissioners – 50% off (covered by funds raised)
Groups of 10 or more for people with disabilities – 50% off
Sponsors representatives (2 per) – free
Award winners – free
To Do:
Try to clarify with Jack or Don Bean if descriptive services will work so we know how to advertise.
Check to see if FPP flyers or posters are in and available for expo.
We mention need for signers for town hall/workshop/and awards.
Mayor's forum is scheduled for 9/20 (Cathy, Cheryl)
Jack suggest workshop run for 90 min for 35 to 50 people.  He is still waiting to hear if Dianne (?), the founder of FPP will be running the workshop.
Have video clip. Suggestion: run with the Mayor's forum, Cathy to follow up.
Flyer completion, copying/printing, distribution.

VISITABILITY AND HOUSING COMMITTEE MEETING 8/26/04
PRESENT: SUSAN, DALE AND SONYA

CHARTER STATEMENT; TO 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. (The committee will be working on this to make contacts to gain information that we can work with to move forward. The State is working on a law that will hopefully pass after Labor Day-Laura Toy is one that is working on possible passage of this law. The committee will explore this further upon passage of the law.)

. 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. (Susan will explore the issue further to see what possible realistic incentives can be offered ˆ Dale will discuss the issue further with Dave Norwood)

. To explore potential for all available monies for visitable and accessible housing. (We need to find out where this information exists. Sonya will try to search for information regarding other cities and states to see what they have been able to gain or what they have lacked in securing this information)

The committee has decided to tentatively set October 21 as a possible date to set up a general informational meeting to identify and invite builders, contractors, suppliers and developers. Dale will be contacting Dave Norwood to find out if an evening meeting would be better than a daytime meeting. Once this information is firmed Susan will secure the area to hold the meeting. Dale will supply Sonya with the list of above mentioned groups for contact. The committee will then jointly agree upon the date and time and the content of the written invitations to be sent.