October 18, 2024 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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DRAFT MINUTES – Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Page 5 Friday, October 18, 2024 Vice Chair Christen Zulli pointed out the more appropriate question within an advisory committee to a governing body that sits below the State and Federal is to look at what the Federal Government says and work down from there. Vice Chair Zulli explained that if it’s already listed at the federal level, our jurisdiction on our perception of disability whether we see that as individual committee members is irrelevant. Vice Chair Zulli explained being cautious as to getting into that conversation and doesn’t think that would be our position as an advisory committee, but is on board if someone wants to change the terminology to better match what is accessible via Federal and State. Equal Opportunity Officer/ADA Coordinator Alika Kost acknowledged that there are disabilities due to substance abuse but it’s not a disability if they’re actively using, but after that fact when they’re going through recovery and the rest of their lives. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff stated that she can write a couple of sentences to state the medical community has determined mental illnesses and substance use disorders are illnesses, and therefore people can be disabled from either of those things, and here are recommendations with regards to people with disabilities with mental illness and substance use disorders. Secretary Sandra Shuffler left the meeting at 12:45 P.M. Committee Member Julia Althoff suggested that Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff write a couple of sentences which can be listed at the beginning section of her individual part of the report for the purposes of formatting. Committee Member Julia Althoff asked Corporation Counsel if it would be acceptable for the Committee to provide some educational materials to all Committee members, so individuals who don’t understand about substance abuse being a disability could educate themselves. Deputy Corporation Counsel Inha Kandatsu-Kang expressed that it would be entirely up to the Committee, but any topic of discussion must be about people with disabilities, so it’s important to know the Federal, State, and County definition of disabilities. Committee Member Julia Althoff proposed, putting together a document which gives the Federal, State, and County definition, along with information about substance abuse disorders, so the Committee can educate themselves, and address those adequately going forward. Deputy Corporation Counsel Inha Kandatsu-Kang explained that the Committee members will have to vote on approving portions or the entire report, so it would be helpful if everyone were on the same page about topics that were discussed. Committee Member ReBecca Bennett expressed that the Committee has had discussion about the communication access card with the transit system. Committee Member Robert Efford suggested that if these are our smart goals, they should be on our agenda. County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.