Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 15, 2024 Minutes William H. Farr Mitchell D. Roth Executive on Aging Mayor County of Hawai’i OFFICE OF AGING Aging and Disability Resource Center, 1055 Kino‘ole Street, Suite 101, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720-3872 Phone (808) 961-8600  Fax (808) 961-8603  Email: hcoa@hawaiiantel.net West Hawai‘i Civic Center, 74-5044 Ane Keohokālole Highway, Kailua-Kona 96740 Phone (808) 323-4390  Fax (808) 323-4398 Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities Hawai’i County Building Council Chambers and via Zoom 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1401, Hilo Hawai’i 96720 Friday, March 15, 2024 1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities was called to order at 12:01 P.M. in the Hawai’i County Building Council Chambers and via Zoom, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1401, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720, by Michelle Hiraishi, Chair. 2. ROLL CALL Committee Members Present: Michelle Hiraishi, Chair Christen Zulli, Vice Chair Sandra Schuffler, Secretary Zahava Zaidoff, Committee Member Julia Althoff, Committee Member Tiffany Dela Cruz, Committee Member Committee Members Absent & Excused: Robert Efford, Committee Member ReBecca Bennett, Committee Member Hawaii County Staff Present: Suzanna Tiapula, Deputy Corporation Counsel Meredith Catalini, Office of Aging Pomaika’i Bartolome, Mayor’s Office Lori Enomoto, Office of Aging Interpreting Services (ASL) Present: Kaufmann Interpreting Services Mary R Love Incorporated Eight members of the public in attendance An Area Agency on Aging Hawai`i County is an equal opportunity provider and employer. MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 3. WELCOME; INTRODUCTIONS AS NECESSARY Roll call conducted; members acknowledged by Chair Michelle Hiraishi. A quorum was present. 4. APPROVAL OF THE JANUARY 5, 2024 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES MEETING MINUTES Motion made by Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff to approve the January 5, 2024, meeting minutes. Secretary Sandra Shuffler seconded the motion. No discussion. 6 votes Aye, 0 votes Nay. 5. PUBLIC TESTIMONY ON AGENDA ITEMS Toby Hazel solemnly attested that everything stated will be the truth. Toby Hazel testified on female specific disorders and expressed wanting to communicate with the committee in order to know the committee members better. Toby Hazel expressed her concerns regarding the disabled homeless female population. Deputy Corporation Counsel, Suzanna Tiapula explained that the County is unable to provide personal email addresses of committee members who have volunteered their time. The committee could set a future agenda item to have introductions of the committee members. Karin Ridel solemnly attested that everything stated will be the truth. Karin Ridel expressed difficulties with accessing the committee meeting information online and locating the link. Chair Michelle Hiraishi explained that the committee can add an item regarding meeting accessibility to the agenda for the next committee meeting. 6. PRESENTATION ON FEMALE SPECIFIC DISORDERS Vice Chair Christen Zulli presented on female specific disorders and why the term female specific disability is an important phrase and demographic category. Vice Chair Zulli explained how the term disorder is a nebulous and subjective, and falsely asserts a definitive right way or orderly way, based on not just medical opinion, but on philosophies of behaviors, values of contribution functions, and how a person relates to the world. Vice Chair Zulli explained using the phrase female specific disability to encompass those conditions which exist in their diagnosis as disabilities, and that elevating the phrase, female specific disability to everyday vernacular could lead to better and more specific research filling gaps in medical knowledge, improving information distribution, policy formation, access to quality care and progress, and efforts to eliminate sex bias. 2 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 Vice Chair Zulli explained that per Merriam-Webster’s definition, there are four categories of sexes which are male, female, intersex and hermaphrodite. Vice Chair Zulli expressed that although females represent 49.75 percent of the world’s population, and 49.7 percent in Hawaii, sex and gender bias, which is a preference for one gender over another still exists. Vice Chair Zulli expressed there are twenty million women in the United States with disabilities, and the Disability EmpowHer Network conducted a study investigating why women with disabilities are under educated, under employed, and underinvested in as leaders. When surveying 445 hiring professionals, 44 percent of those respondents had no women with disabilities in leadership or management positions, and 47 percent of those companies had no formal process in place for requests or accommodations. Vice Chair Zulli summarized that the impact of having a female specific disability sits at the intersection of many well-documented bias and inequities, such as race, gender, disability medical bias, workplace discrimination, domestic violence, leadership bias, and education discrimination. Vice Chair Zulli expressed, a robust discourse concerning female specific disability is critical to have in light of continued bias, inequity, and a failure to support females with disabilities across all areas existing in society, and it would be highly beneficial and progressive for Hilo Medical Center to offer a specialized therapy suite to provide a safe and therapeutic space for women and families, within the new birthing center they plan to create. 7. PRESENTATION BY CORPORATION COUNSEL REGARDING ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that all the materials regarding Robert’s Rules of Order were provided to the committee members and are available to the public at the meeting and also online. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff asked for an explanation regarding unanimous consent. Committee Member Zaidoff explained having been in other meetings, where if the chair states that if there's no one opposed, then the motion passes through unanimous consent. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that for the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities meetings, it would be wiser to provide opportunities for the committee members to physically and verbally indicate their agreement and disagreement. Committee Member Julia Althoff asked how individuals who have joined the meeting via Zoom can access the documents provided at this meeting. 3 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that if this is an agenda item for the next meeting, Corporation Counsel can work with County Information of Technology, Mayor’s Office, and Office of Aging to gather ideas on alternative strategies of how to access the agenda, documents, and links on the County website. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff suggested a standing item be listed on the agenda for the next meeting, such as access to the committee, so individuals can point to that specific agenda item when testifying. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that one of the concerns about a standing agenda item, is Sunshine Law requires that notice is provided to the public about what will be discussed during the meeting. 8. CORPORATION COUNSEL; REMINDER ON POLITICAL CAMPAIGN RESTRICTIONS FOR ALL COUNTY OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained any discussion of campaign or candidates is not appropriate in this forum. The Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities meetings are to address the concerns of individuals with disabilities. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff asked if committee members are able to campaign outside of the committee meeting, on behalf of candidates. Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that campaigning can be done only as an individual, and committee member positions cannot be referenced while campaigning. 9. DISCUSSION OF THE GOALS OF THE MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Motion made by Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff to accept the goals for 2024 of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities. Secretary Sandy Shuffler seconded the motion. Chair Michelle Hiraishi opened the floor for discussion. Committee Member Julia Althoff shared the possibility of inviting Civil Defense to speak with the committee on their plans specific to disability for disaster response and recovery; to have ASL interpretation available at the various county events, and to partner with the Voter Accessibility Advisory Committee to do voter outreach with the various disability organizations. Secretary Sandra Shuffler expressed the need to bring awareness to the Mayor and businesses regarding employees with disabilities. Committee Member Julia Althoff suggested listing an agenda item for an upcoming meeting to discuss employment specifically, because October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month where the Mayor does a proclamation, and DD Council will be hosting a legislative forum. 4 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 Vice Chair Christen Zulli suggested inviting an individual from vocational rehabilitation to speak on what they do in their department to help people with disabilities gain access to employment opportunities. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff explained that vocational rehab is a State agency that has two to three employees in Hilo and one in Kona, but with enough notice, it may be possible to have an employee present at a meeting, and the committee could ask the Mayor to make some changes in the October proclamation. Chair Michelle Hiraishi suggested that it could be an agenda item for the next committee meeting. Committee Member Julia Althoff offered to do a presentation on the state of employment regarding individuals with disabilities in Hawaii County. Committee Member Tiffany Dela Cruz expressed a goal to improve ASL services, addressing the issue of homeless individuals with disabilities, and working with the County to help train the stray animals in the community to possibly make them support animals. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff expressed having a goal to do a presentation around neurodivergent, to make the County Council meetings and the Health and Human Services Committee more accessible to individuals that are neurodivergent. Committee Member Zaidoff expressed concerns while testifying on Zoom during County Council meetings, and things that the committees, commissions, and County Council can do to make meetings more accessible for those with the diagnosis that fall under neurodivergent to participate. Committee Member Zaidoff asked if the 988 crisis line phone number and other resources can be listed on a laminated flier that can be posted at the various County parks. Vice Chair Christen Zulli spoke about the possibility of Hawai’i County Human Resources doing a presentation or providing documentation regarding Hawai’i County policies and procedures regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff suggested the possibility of creating a PIG, so two committee members can take the responsibility of researching the policies of various companies regarding employment for individuals with disabilities. Chair Michelle Hiraishi read the suggested goals for the 2024 of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities as follows: Request for Civil Defense to do a presentation regarding the process for disaster and recovery specific to individuals with disabilities. Request to have American Sign Language at various Hawai’i County events. 5 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 Partner with Voter Accessibility Advisory Committee to do voter outreach with the various disability organizations. Committee member to do a presentation or sharing of information regarding employment for individuals with disabilities prior to the legislative forum in October. Availability of County services in relation to disabled homeless individuals. Working with County to help train stray animals in the community in possibly make them support animals. Presentation regarding neurodivergent, to make the County Council meetings and the Health and Human Services Committee more aware and accessible to individuals that are neurodivergent. Request for the 988 mental health crisis lifeline phone number and other resources to be posted at the various Hawai’i County parks. Request for County, State, and Federal policies and procedures regarding reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. Vice Chair Christen Zulli suggested creating a PIG, in order to work with another committee member in researching the policies of various companies in the public and private sector, regarding employment for individuals with disabilities. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that there had been a request to add to the next agenda an item regarding employment for individuals with disabilities, and an item for a presentation regarding neurodivergent. Deputy Corporation Counsel Tiapula explained several other projects that were identified as agenda items such as an invitation for a presentation from Civil Defense and Human Resources. Amended motion made by Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff that the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities accept the nine items as goals for the 2024 year. Vice Chair Christen Zulli seconded the motion. Committee Member Julia Althoff expressed concern regarding some of the items listed as goals, and although extremely important, they constitute more as focus areas. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff explained that all of these nine items can be goals, because a goal doesn't necessarily have to include an action step, in the way that we traditionally look at action steps, and part of what a goal means is a focus area. Amended motion made by Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff that the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities accept the nine areas as both focus areas and goals, for the 2024 year. Committee Member Julia Althoff seconded the motion. 6 votes Aye, 0 votes Nay. Motion carries. 6 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 10. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION ON THE REPORT OF THE BY-LAWS COMMITTEE Motion made by Committee Member Julia Althoff to accept the changes to the bylaws of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, as presented by the permitted interaction group. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff seconded the motion. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff asked Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula if the change to the bylaws, “the presence of more than one- third, plus one” in relation to quorum is acceptable because it is listed as fifty percent in the County Charter. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula confirmed that the change can be made to the bylaws of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities regarding quorum. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff asked how the committee would be able to change the committee’s name. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that the committee can request the committee’s name change through the Mayor. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained that the Office of Aging doesn’t have a County cell phone for texting, which addresses the section in the proposed changes Article III – 5) section E, addition in quotes. E) … Formal communication by committee will be made by email or phone “or text; based upon the preferred communication of the committee member.” Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff explained that the proposed changes to the bylaws will be amended to: E) … Formal communication by committee will be made by email or phone “or text, if available; based upon the preferred communication of the committee member.” Amended motion made by Committee Member Julia Althoff to accept the recommended changes to the bylaws of the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities as amended. Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff seconded the motion. No discussion. 6 votes Aye, 0 votes Nay. Deputy Corporation Counsel Suzanna Tiapula explained the change to the bylaws is within the scope of the County Charter, as stated in Section 13-4. (h) The affirmative vote of a majority of the entire membership to which a board or commission is entitled shall be necessary to make any action valid; except that in the case of a board or commission which has only advisory functions, the affirmative vote of a majority of those present shall be sufficient to make any action valid. 7 MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITES Friday, March 15, 2024 NEXT MEETING AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSION, APPROVAL Chair, Michelle Hiraishi discussed the agenda items for the next meeting on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 12:00 P.M. at the Hawai’i County Building, Council Chambers, 25 Aupuni Street, Room 1401, Hilo, Hawai’i 96720. Introduction of each Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities member Accessibility (attendance/documents) to the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities meeting Presentation and discussion regarding employment for individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities 11. ANNOUNCEMENTS No announcements. 12. ADJOURNMENT Motion made by Committee Member Zahava Zaidoff to adjourn the meeting. Committee Member Tiffany Dela Cruz seconded the motion. 6 votes Aye, 0 votes Nay. The meeting was adjourned by Chair Michelle Hiraishi at 1:38 PM. 8