Minutes

Mansfield Advisory Committee

on Persons with Disabilities

Regular Meeting - Tuesday March 25, 2008

2:30 PM - Conference Room B - Audrey P. Beck Building

I. Recording Attendance:

PRESENT: K. Grunwald (staff), J. Blanshard, Curt Vincente (staff), K.A. Easley (staff), Jen Tanner, W. Gibbs, J. Sidney, C. Colon-Semenza

REGRETS: Gloria Bent, Bill Hammon

II. Approval of Minutes: the minutes of the February 26, 2008 meeting were accepted as written.

III. New Business

a. Role of this Advisory Committee: K. Grunwald distributed documents to assist members in thinking about the mission of this committee. The general feeling was that this committee should serve as a resource to the community, and should serve as a central source of information regarding services and publicize its existence. One member described the role as a “watchdog.” It was expressed that there needs to be more awareness of different kinds of disabilities, and that sometimes accessibility is not just an issue for people using wheelchairs. Concerns were raised about access to TJ Maxx, and K. Grunwald will draft letters on behalf of this committee to TJ Maxx and the Eastbrook Mall. Other issues to be addressed include visual impairment, hearing impairment and transportation. K. Grunwald will draft a letter to WRTD regarding changes in the bus schedule.

b. “Other”: none

IV. Old Business

a. Membership status – Jen Tanner was welcomed as a new member to this committee.

b. Update – accessibility issues- Community Center: Curt Vincente provided an update on accessibility issues at the Community Center. He explained that they have added signage in the family changing area, but members sometimes still use the accessible changing room even if they don’t need it. If the Center receives additional funding they would like to make all of the changing rooms accessible. K. Grunwald will explore possible funding sources for this, and will let the Town Manager know. Members discussed attempting to collect data to support the need for accessible facilities. An emergency pull cord has been added in the shower, and there is a work request in to add a pull cord in the toilet stall. The pool lift has been repaired, and will be moved to a new location to accommodate the pool cover. Curt thanked members for their interest and stated that he will continue to be available to address any concerns.

V. Adjournment: meeting adjourned at 3:35 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald