MINUTES
Mansfield Advisory Committee
on Persons with Disabilities
Regular Meeting - Tuesday June 24, 2008
2:30 PM - Conference Room B - Audrey P. Beck Building
I. Recording Attendance: K. Grunwald (staff), Bill Hammon (guest), W. Gibbs, J. Blanshard, C. Colon-Semenza, J. Tanner.
Regrets: J. Sidney, Jacqui Kelleher
II. Approval of the Minutes for the Meeting, May 27, 2008: noted that there should be clarification re: who is responsible for writing any letters on behalf of the committee (K. Grunwald); correct spelling of Wade Gibbs name in Section III.g. Minutes approved with those corrections.
b. Follow-up to questions raised at the May 27 meeting:
· It was suggested that J. Blanshard and J. Sidney will serve as Co-Chairs of the committee.
· K. Grunwald stated that his role is to provide staff support to the committee and serve as a liaison to other departments. The role of the committee is to look at issues that may have an impact on Town policy, and to advise Department Heads, the Town Council and the Town Manager. The committee can also encourage dialogue around these issues.
· Minutes are posted on the website only after they have been approved.
c. Update on accessibility issues: Bill Hammon, Director of Facilities Management, talked about the fact that there is a difference between compliance with the ADA and meeting peoples’ needs. He reported that the entrance door to the Town Hall by the Tax Collector’s office will have an automatic opener added, and a bench will be placed there as well. A ramp is being built to provide access to the playground at the Goodwin School. Automatic door openers have been installed to the bathrooms in the Town Hall, and the “lip” on the entrances will be removed. Bill will check with Louise Bailey on the concern about accessibility to the library. We have also explored installing assistive listening technology in the Town Council Chambers, with input from resident Mark Ross. Bill will keep this committee informed of any changes.
d. Plans for “Know Your Towns Fair”: Sept. 6: Discussion regarding facilitating a “wheelchair simulation” exercise at the fair. Handouts will be provided on the committee and “People First” language. K. Grunwald will send an outline of the activity to committee members.
e. “Other”: on July 1 the Disability Advocates Coalition will be sponsoring a forum on transportation.
a. Approval of draft Mission Statement: approved as written.
b. Election of Committee Chair: J. Blanshard and J. Sidney were discussed as co-chairs. There was no formal action, given that Joan was not present.
c. “Disability Etiquette” and People First Language: K. Grunwald provided handouts on these issues.
d. Funding opportunities for accessibility improvements: K. Grunwald explained that he is looking for funding to add an additional accessible changing room in the family changing area at the Community Center. All funding sources appear to require some level of matching funding. He will pursue this with Curt Vincente.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Grunwald