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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-09-02 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes-prattch May-August Summer 2005 MCPD Report Parks and Recreation Alisa Mitchener Aquatics: Shower Complaints: (Stemming from enforcing the health requirement to take showers) Lack of shower wheelchairs, showers too far to walk to, shower accessibility in Honoka'a, and solutions for patrons with disabilities wearing street clothes for swimming. Privacy complaints: Public complaints at KCAC about use of women's restroom to provide changing accommodations for a teenage male with a female attendant Creating procedures for family changing stalls in the KCAC locker room. Will post public awareness statement on bulletin board wall at the entrance to the locker room. Will mount acrylic sign holders on accessible doors to show public stall is occupied by member of the opposite gender. Warning calls at the entrance did not work due to the acoustics of the mazelike floor plan and the sound of running showers. Any other suggestions? Shower curtains were installed in Kawamoto Pool Restrooms Other accommodations: KCAC special request for patron to enter the pool via a very large air mattress and the assistance of two aides. Most of the patrons attending the aquatic exercise programs have some form of disability. Begin tracking attendance through P&R public survey. Policy improvements: Creating policy for professionals and agency volunteers who bring clients or groups during public swim (needs to go for public hearing with final pool rules). Created PA orientation packets for aquatic safety which require PA registration and emergency information. Packets also contain tips for aquatic activities for patrons with sensory issues and behavioral or attention challenges. Summer Fun Report Policy Improvements: Updated Summer Fun Staff guide Parent Handbook, and disciplinary action forms. Created behavior assessment kit. StaffTraining: Case scenarios from the trenches, communicating with parents, interpreting behavior,coachingtipsforkidswithADHD,reasonableaccommodations, adapting activities, and definitions of direct threat and essential eligibility. Individualsitetrainingincludedstaffawarenessandemergencyplansfor hemophilia, selective mutism, and seizure disorders. Enrollment: 21 kids were registered with disabilities this summer. I created modification and emergency plans. Parent support, information, and referral was included. Last year 29 were registered. Change may be due to DOE keeping skills trainers on campus for academics instead of out in the community during the summer. 23 kids were not registered with disabilities but were referred to me for assessment /observation/problem solving. Many children showed signs of mild to severe oppositional defiance disorders, and attention or behavioral challenges. Other problems included families at risk (TRO's), foster parents changing mid program, and intense sibling rivalry. It may be important to begin to identify locations that are serving large numbers of kids with behavior and attention challenges so we can better support staff based on actual community need instead of our current 1:20 ratio. The Puna district has intense need. I received two requests for speech pathologists to work on site during the programduetothechild'sIEP.OurtransitionplancallsforRecreationtobecome more involved with the DOE. Our role and responsibilities will need to be clearly defined in this arena. Will we be responsible to refer children with behavior/ attention challenges for formal assessment for Spec. ed? This seems to be a necessary but delicate situation. I served in the Pahoa Summer Fun program for 18 days leading children's activities and field trips due to staff being called to military duty. It was a valuable experience that will enhance staff training. Announcements: th Web cast Sept 7 at 9am with the National Center on Accessibility: "Recreation Access: Research to Practice". Requires RealOne Player or Windows Media player. Will send e-mail with ATRC survey for Equipment loan bank. Please mark the Recreation and Leisure Category when it asks what you'd like to see more of in the loan bank. Recreation activities promote health, inclusion, friendship building, and community involvement, which may all lead to better employment options. I have suggestions for musical instruments, toys, speech and sensory devices, farm and garden equipment, floatation devices, all terrain wheelchairs, and demonstration videos.