2006-04-07 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES J. Hartman reported that he was given the privilege of being pushed the length of the Kuakini Highway renovation by Allan Simeon from the county to offer suggestions. He was shocked by the inaccessibility of some sidewalks along Kuakini Highway. Most of the sidewalks are not five feet wide and there is no real turn outs for an oncoming wheelchair. There suppose to be a turn out for every 200 feet. The sidewalks are roughly four feet, six inches to four feet, nine inches wide on both sides of the street. Where the sidewalk crosses a driveway, there is a curb ramp at eight percent which is within certain guidelines, but its not in the guidelines for the project that they were doing. The county is looking at it as an ADA issue and it is really more of a 504 issue. On the sidewalk, there are telephone poles with guy wires hanging down. All of these poles are supposed to be removed by Helco and Hawaiian Telcom. The waiting period to get these poles removed from the sidewalk can go until the end of the year. The guy wires are an absolute hindrance for a visually impaired person who does not have an assistant. On the makai corner of Palani Road and Kuakini Highway, there is a telephone pole and electrical control boxes which makes the sidewalk impassible in a wheelchair. On the opposite corner where the Shell Service Station is located, there is a button-controlled signal. The lowest part of the curb cut is beneath the drainage. When there is water present, a person standing there to access the light will be standing in water, dirt, or mud. J. Hartman said that he will file a complaint with the federal highways administration in Washington, D.C. on this issue. J. Souza asked if the construction companies are required to follow the ADA law. J. Hartman responded that they dont know what rules to use. ADA is different from 504. The city, state, or county comes under 504, but they design everything under ADA. J. Hartman thanked T. Spinola-Campbell for doing a marvelous job as the ADA Coordinator. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting will be held on Friday, May 5, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. in the Aupuni Center Conference Room. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:35 a.m. RESPECTFULLYSUBMITTED, _______________________________ JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY 4