MINUTES

Mansfield Advisory Committee

on Persons with Disabilities

Regular Meeting   - Tuesday September 22, 2009

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

I. Recording Attendance:

Present: K. Grunwald (staff), Fred Goetz, Rebecca Arthur (guest), K.A. Easley (staff), J. Tanner, J. Blanshard, W. Gibbs (Chair).

Regrets: J. Sidney, C. Colon-Semenza

II. Approval of Minutes: the Minutes of the June 23, 2009 meeting were approved as written.

III. New Business

a.         Accomplishments for FY 2009 and goals for FY          2010: Goals: There was a discussion regarding the            accomplishments of this Committee in the past year   and goals for the new fiscal year.  Suggestions were     the following: Continue to provide advocacy and         oversight regarding the needs of residents with      disabilities, focusing on access to buildings and          services, transportation and overall quality of life.

            J. Blanshard suggested doing more publicity for this   committee, including contacting T.C. Karmel and the        Daily Campus.  Also, advocate for improved and new             sidewalks (Glen Ridge; path from Juniper Hill to the          Senior Center); continue to pursue accessibility of the            Post Office buildings and other businesses; increased        awareness re: accessible parking issues; refine the      mission and purpose of this committee as an asset to             the community.  Assume responsibility as the ADA   Grievance Committee.

Accomplishments: all goals for 2008/09 were achieved, including successfully advocating for automatic doors at TJ Maxx, meeting with Post Office representatives, and Community Center improvements.  K. Grunwald will email this document to members for their approval.

b.  “Other”: ADA Grievance Committee: K. Grunwald will bring a copy of the formal grievance procedure to our next meeting.

c. HDFS Student: Rebecca Arthur is doing a course project involved with learning about a segment of the community.  She is hoping to look at moving initiatives from this group on to campus and getting students involved in the process.  She is looking for recommendations for supports that the university can provide to students.  F. Goetz suggested that there could be more studies on traumatic brain injury.  W. Gibbs stated that most students with disabilities don’t want to belong to a group that identifies them on that basis.  Students typically have a case manager who will work with them around their concerns.  Overall he explained the role of the Office of Students with disabilities.  Rebecca will be attending these meetings and is interested in developing a link with students on campus.

IV. Old Business

a. Accessible Parking Fines/Signs: K. Grunwald reported that the recommendation for the increase in fines for violations is going to the Town Council on Sept. 28.  Once this is completed the committee will look at identifying the amount of the fine on the sign.  R. Arthur will look into what the fines are on campus.

b. Publicity efforts: J. Blanshard will pursue publicity initiatives.

c. “Know Your Towns Fair”: K. Grunwald reported that information on the Committee was provided.  There was no interest in doing the wheelchair simulation exercise. 

d. Status of other accessibility issues previously identified: no discussion.

V. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 3:30 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Kevin Grunwald