MINUTES
Mansfield Advisory Committee
on Persons with Disabilities
Regular Meeting - Tuesday February 24, 2009
2:30 PM - Conference Room B - Audrey P. Beck Building
I. Recording Attendance: Present: K. Grunwald (staff), J. Sidney, J. Blanshard, K.A. Easley (staff), J. Tanner, W. Gibbs (Chair)
II. Approval of the Minutes: The minutes for the meetings of December 23, 2008 and January 27, 2009 were accepted as written.
a. “Other”:
· J. Tanner asked if UConn is subject to ADA requirements. W. Gibbs stated that they have their own guidelines to adhere to. She raised concerns about access to the remodeled Dairy Bar; she does not feel that the door is accessible. Wade will look into this.
· J. Blanshard raised concerns that snow was plowed on to the brick walk from the Town Hall to Rt. 195, making this inaccessible for someone using a wheelchair. K. Grunwald will follow-up on this.
· J. Sidney raised concerns about the fact that one of the maintenance staff of the Community Center has been laid off. K. Grunwald raised the question as to how this is under the purview of this committee. Members feel that it presents a potential health and safety issue. J. Sidney also feels that this speaks to issues of inclusion. She would like to know who to contact about this, and how this impacts on service.
K. Grunwald will follow-up. He pointed out that the Community Center has a mechanism in place for customer feedback, and he encouraged members to utilize this.
a. Follow-Up re: a web page for this committee: W. Gibbs and K. Grunwald distributed copies of the design for this committee’s web page. Members are asked to submit materials to K. Grunwald to be posted.
b. Committee Goals for 2009: there was some discussion about using the web page to raise awareness about this committee. K. Grunwald distributed a draft article for publication and requested feedback/revisions from members. There was also some feeling that enforcement and compliance with accessible parking issues be identified as a goal, along with access to public buildings. There continues to be concern about access to the library. K. Grunwald will contact Louise Bailey about this. Members suggested that she use the sign from the Buchanan Center asking parents to watch their children.
c. Use of the family dressing room at the Community Center: Copies of the new Community Center newsletter were distributed with an announcement about use of the accessible dressing rooms. There was some concern about how the announcement was worded, but overall members felt it was a positive step. Some asked if the announcement can be posted on the door of the family dressing room.
d. Status of other accessibility issues previously identified, including parking violations: K. Grunwald announced that representatives of the Post Office will be attending the March meeting to address accessibility issues.
Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Grunwald