March 15, 2024 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 Vice Chair Christen Zulli suggested inviting an individual from vocational rehabilitation to speak on what they do in their department to help people with disabilities gain access to employment opportunities. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff explained that vocational rehab is a State agency that has two to three employees in Hilo and one in Kona, but with enough notice, it may be possible to have an employee present at a meeting, and the committee could ask the Mayor to make some changes in the October proclamation. Chair Michelle Hiraishi suggested that it could be an agenda item for the next committee meeting. Committee Member Julia Althoff offered to do a presentation on the state of employment regarding individuals with disabilities in Hawaii County. Committee Member Tiffany Dela Cruz expressed a goal to improve ASL services, addressing the issue of homeless individuals with disabilities, and working with the County to help train the stray animals in the community to possibly make them support animals. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff expressed having a goal to do a presentation around neurodivergent, to make the County Council meetings and the Health and Human Services Committee more accessible to individuals that are neurodivergent. Committee Member Zaidoff expressed concerns while testifying on Zoom during County Council meetings, and things that the committees, commissions, and County Council can do to make meetings more accessible for those with the diagnosis that fall under neurodivergent to participate. Committee Member Zaidoff asked if the 988 crisis line phone number and other resources can be listed on a laminated flier that can be posted at the various County parks. Vice Chair Christen Zulli spoke about the possibility of Hawai’i County Human Resources doing a presentation or providing documentation regarding Hawai’i County policies and procedures regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff suggested the possibility of creating a PIG, so two committee members can take the responsibility of researching the policies of various companies regarding employment for individuals with disabilities. Chair Michelle Hiraishi read the suggested goals for the 2024 of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities as follows: Request for Civil Defense to do a presentation regarding the process for disaster and recovery specific to individuals with disabilities. Request to have American Sign Language at various Hawai’i County events. 5