2008-09-05 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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headphones similar to what you use in the airplane, but the speaker amplified. The National Center for Accessibility recommended William Sound Products and multi channels so they could have audio description for the blind and another channel for language interpretation for non English speakers. They want their interpreters to be better trained for audio description for people who have limited sight or blind. L. Duwall asked MCPD to let her know of other accommodations that people need. A. Mitchener offered some blockbuster movies with audio descriptions, books from the National Federation of the blind, and audio description training for L. Duwall to borrow. L. Duwall stated that audio description helps everyone understand what to look at, what to focus on, and it enhances the program across the board. L. Duwall said that they have accessible campsites. TheKulanaokuaiki Campground is located down the Hilina Pali Road. It was made accessible about five years ago. The Namakanipaio Campground will be upgraded soon. The National Center for Accessibility came out to the park and did a whole assessment of all their visitor facilities and programs. The administrative facility will be assessed later due to funding issues. The deficiencies were put into a software program which is getting better at identifying deficiencies just for accessibility. However, the program does not account for program deficiencies so all the interpreters got together and walked through the park with a blind person. The next step with this project is to write a transition plan of what needs to be upgraded, how much it’s going to cost, and start implementing it. E. ADA TRAINING FOR EMPLOYERS – M. GLEASON M. Gleason reported there is nothing new. M. Gleason reported that Tom Brown was unable to attend today’s meeting to discuss the county buses at the Hilo pier. Secondly, MCPD wanted an update on the transition plan from the Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Public Works. However, it was not forwarded in time for today’s meeting and it should be available at the next meeting. NEW BUSINESS J. Navarro reported that the Mobile Care Van which serves persons with disabilities and the uninsured and underinsured wants to know if this is the appropriate venue to request some funding assistance. They are $80,000 shy of making it through June 30, 2009. M. Gleason responded that the committee has a limited budget which has to last until the end of the fiscal year. A. Mitchener mentioned that there is a time when non-profit organizations approach the County Council for funding and they would be the proper venue. J. Navarro said they have done that and the allocations have been smaller this year. 3