2014-06-18, Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes

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Recreation Report for the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities June 18, 2014 Alisa Mitchener, Recreation Specialist, 961-8681 All nine pool chair lifts are ready for summer season. Pools have flotation equipment by request, if needed, due to a disability. I conducted staff discussion and review on allowing caregivers to serve participants of the opposite gender in the pool’s locker rooms. I’m conducting Aquatics Orientations at Pahoa and Laupahoehoe Pools to train agency caregivers and personal assistants. Lifeguards have been briefed on including kids with disabilities in learn to swim programs and teaching strategies have been shared for individual students. I attended a workshop offered by the Job Accommodation Network and the East Hawaii Business Leadership Network on the value of employing people with disabilities. They are accepting nominations of businesses that are committed to the employment of people with disabilities. Contact Raymond “Kauwa” Elia, Business Relations Inclusion Coordinator, Big Island Workplace Connection, Ph: 981- 2860 ex 228 Summer Fun P&R is serving approximately 1800 children in our annual Summer Fun Programs Island wide. I conducted staff training on inclusion for 125 summer hires. I published an article in the Hawaii Recreation and Parks Society magazine on a team building activity for summer staff training. The goal for each team was to create a super-device using LEGO to make a difference in the life of a child with disabilities. Their device must help someone do something, change attitudes, or “bust” barriers. An extra environmental point was given for “Green” devices. The activity promoted bonding among staff before the program and gave them a way to connect with the keiki they serve. Creativity does not come with instructions. What will you build this summer to make our world a better place? 10