Disabilities Planning Committee minutes 11/13/08
Disabilities Planning Committee
Town of Westport
Minutes
November 13, 2008
Members absent: Richard Squire, Ralph Sousa
Public attendees: Ann Chandanais, Mike Guilmette, Selena Howard, Sally Moran, Kelly Pelletier, Marilyn Whalley
Introductions: New people included Kelly Pelletier of WePac (Westport Parent’s Advisory Committee, and Marilyn Whalley, the consultant working on the Town grant application for home rehabilitation to Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
Judson, 2nd by Nelia Williams; vote was unanimous.
a) Department of Justice videos were distributed for review by participants, with the possibility of being shown on Westport Cable Channel 17.
b) Several handouts were distributed for review and consideration of their use as part of public education. These included tax incentive information for businesses that remove barriers.
c) Video tape individuals experiencing difficulty using town or business facilities.
d) Invite newspaper reporter to observe and photograph people experiencing difficulty.
e) Write newspaper articles on specific topics.
f) Prepare and distribute handout that explains purpose of Commission at Town Meeting; Mike Guilmette will work on this.
g) Distribute handout through WePac.
h) Mail information to businesses using Town list of businesses kept by Town Clerk’s office.
i) Make businesses aware of incentives, speak to Westport Business to Business; Elaine will arrange.
j) Videotape Westport Business to Business session and show on Channel 17
k) Other organizations to speak to include Lions Club, Westport Women’s Club, WePac.
a) Prepare a survey to learn more about needs of people with disabilities; advertise on scroll, post on website, distribute through Council on Aging newsletter- the Evergreen
b. Norma Judson’s draft individual survey was distributed for
Comments and edits.
c. Norma’s survey for businesses would be used once there is a
Commission and people will be trained to conduct surveys
d. Elaine will send copies of surveys used by 2 other towns
b. The HP Parking at the High School during voting is too far from
the voting entrance and the curb cut. A more appropriate place
would be a well-marked area along the stone wall on the north
side of the driveway. This should be looked into.
c. HP parking at Free Public Library is not adequate; it was noted
that the renovations and new addition will improve the situation.
d. Difficult to hear at Board of Selectmen meetings. Suggestion to
discuss with Cable coordinator about the function of the
microphones so that they provide amplification within the
room as well as for the cable audience.
f. Housing Authority at Greenwood Terrace has significant access
problems that can only be addressed by the state agency DHCD,
that owns it; suggestion to speak with Governor’s appointee to
Housing Authority and Representative Rodrigues.
.
3. Reviewed and accepted Powers and Duties from sample bylaws.
a. Discuss problems with municipal services and buildings
b. Share simple solutions for access problems that can be publicized.
c. Complete a draft of the survey.
Town of Westport
Minutes
November 13, 2008
Members present: Denise Bouchard, Norma Judson, Elaine Ostroff, Nelia Williams.
Members absent: Richard Squire, Ralph Sousa
Public attendees: Ann Chandanais, Mike Guilmette, Selena Howard, Sally Moran, Kelly Pelletier, Marilyn Whalley
Meeting called to order at 2:01 PM.
Introductions: New people included Kelly Pelletier of WePac (Westport Parent’s Advisory Committee, and Marilyn Whalley, the consultant working on the Town grant application for home rehabilitation to Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD).
1. The minutes of October 14 were approved as revised. Moved by Norma
Judson, 2nd by Nelia Williams; vote was unanimous.
2. Educating the public
a) Department of Justice videos were distributed for review by participants, with the possibility of being shown on Westport Cable Channel 17.
b) Several handouts were distributed for review and consideration of their use as part of public education. These included tax incentive information for businesses that remove barriers.
c) Video tape individuals experiencing difficulty using town or business facilities.
d) Invite newspaper reporter to observe and photograph people experiencing difficulty.
e) Write newspaper articles on specific topics.
f) Prepare and distribute handout that explains purpose of Commission at Town Meeting; Mike Guilmette will work on this.
g) Distribute handout through WePac.
h) Mail information to businesses using Town list of businesses kept by Town Clerk’s office.
i) Make businesses aware of incentives, speak to Westport Business to Business; Elaine will arrange.
j) Videotape Westport Business to Business session and show on Channel 17
k) Other organizations to speak to include Lions Club, Westport Women’s Club, WePac.
3. Survey
a) Prepare a survey to learn more about needs of people with disabilities; advertise on scroll, post on website, distribute through Council on Aging newsletter- the Evergreen
b. Norma Judson’s draft individual survey was distributed for
Comments and edits.
c. Norma’s survey for businesses would be used once there is a
Commission and people will be trained to conduct surveys
d. Elaine will send copies of surveys used by 2 other towns
2. Accessibility issues in Town Buildings and Services
a. Marilyn Whalley explained that the grant that she is writing for funding from DHCD will include funding for an updated ADA Transition Plan. The initial plan was written in 1994 and needs review and updating. The ADA requires a plan that both details the barriers to town services and facilities for disabled people as well as the timeline for removing the barriers. She will be soliciting more input throughout the town about the barriers and need for an updated plan.
b. The HP Parking at the High School during voting is too far from
the voting entrance and the curb cut. A more appropriate place
would be a well-marked area along the stone wall on the north
side of the driveway. This should be looked into.
c. HP parking at Free Public Library is not adequate; it was noted
that the renovations and new addition will improve the situation.
d. Difficult to hear at Board of Selectmen meetings. Suggestion to
discuss with Cable coordinator about the function of the
microphones so that they provide amplification within the
room as well as for the cable audience.
f. Housing Authority at Greenwood Terrace has significant access
problems that can only be addressed by the state agency DHCD,
that owns it; suggestion to speak with Governor’s appointee to
Housing Authority and Representative Rodrigues.
.
3. Reviewed and accepted Powers and Duties from sample bylaws.
4. Next meeting
a. Discuss problems with municipal services and buildings
b. Share simple solutions for access problems that can be publicized.
c. Complete a draft of the survey.
Meeting adjourned at 3:25 PM; Diane moved, Nelia 2nd , unanimous..
Submitted by Elaine Ostroff based on notes recorded by Denise Bouchard
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