2012-2-1, Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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NEW BUSINESS: Discussion regarding Committee’s goals for 2012 R. Schoen explained that the Chair wanted time to discuss everyone’s general ideas regarding goals and strategies for the coming year. It was decided that the discussion could continue in more detail with the ad hoc committees, and that one person from each committee would meet with the Chair to discuss new goals. Some of the goals discussed were: 1. Transportation J. Navarro spoke about the Cornell University’s Social Security Benefits Educator Training that she attended. With all the cuts to SSI and SSDI people have been given a “ticket to work.” There are only a few employment networks where these people can go for employment services. The biggest barrier for them not being able to go to work is transportation. 2. Publicity for ADA Day P. Aughe stated that more publicity is needed for the July 26, ADA Awareness Day, which is the anniversary of when the Americans with Disabilities Act become effective. 3. Housing C. Cholas had concerns about housing. New homes should all have accessibility and visit ability features. A lot of the problems can be solved if you get more universal design standards. 4. Publicity and Public Awareness J. Navarro is hoping that in 2012, the committee could do more to promote itself and suggested a report like a press release for media. P. Aughe suggested more publicity including radio and public access. Dr. Ron would like Education Committee to consider doing some public awareness on the actual ADA Federal Guidelines and the Hawai‘i Revised Statutes 374 Guidelines for Service Animals so people would know what is a service dog, and what is not a service dog. 5. Training P. Aughe feels that one of the goals is to train all County employees across the board on just how to get a better flow in the offices and how they interact with disabled people. They spoke about incidents they had at different agencies and establishments on the island. 2