2003-10-03 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES S. Golden made a recommendation to have one identification card for everything instead of several cards. There should be one identification card issued from the GovernorÓs Office that requires a picture and all the information needed. E. Mason disagreed because the identification cards come from the state, local, or other issuing agencies. In addition, she would not want the person to whom you are giving your identification card to to know all these facts. C. Fleming felt it would not happen because of the new federal information act. The state is very reluctant to issue an identification card which indicates a personÓs disability/diagnosis on it. L. Scadden said that a lot of it has to do with the recognition by local, county, transportation departments, and the like for the recognition or acceptance of the state ID. S. Golden asked if it would be possible to get a commitment from the county that it will not put in county money or change the crosswalk at Kona Alii Condominiums until input is received from disabled people. A. Levin replied that the obligation for Kona Alii Condominium is to meet ADA standards. He will ask the Engineering Department to flag it. He will also urge the manager for Kona Alii Condominiu disabled community. S. Golden, J. Hartman, and C. Fleming volunteered to assist with providing input to get a desirable access. C. Fleming offered to ask DCAB to flag it and he will take a loo better understanding of the issue. D. King inquired about wheelchair accessible buses. J. Hartman responded that there is a county bus that travels up and down Alii Drive, but not all of them are accessible. He suggested contacting the Mass Transit Agency. S. Golden reported that the county is in the process of receiving a $3 million grant to improve transportation in the county. The county plans a dial-a-ride service in the Kona area including the airport in the summer or fall of next year. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting will be held on Friday, November 7, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. in Hilo. Location to be announced. E. Mason announced that October 15, 2003 is White Cane Day and the month of October is White Cane Awareness month. A support group is planning to meet on October 15 at the Kailua-Kona Library and walk down to Alii Drive using white canes. She suggested that the Mayor prepare a proclamation recognizing White Cane Day. L. Tobosa offered to fax last yearÓs proclamation to A. Levin. 5