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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-11-04 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Friday, November 4, 2005, 10:30 a.m. Aupuni Conference Room PRESENT: Ted Yamanaka, Vice-Chair; Betsy Whitney, Secretary; Michael Gleason, Jack Matsui, Laura Tobosa EXCUSED: Lawrence Scadden, Chair; Denise Cowdrey, James Souza GUESTS: Mallory Kaipo, CNA; Howard Marks, DD Council; Alisa Mitchener, Recreation Specialist-Department of Parks and Recreation; Teri Spinola-Campbell, ADA Coordinator (Equal Opportunity Officer) CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m. An introduction of committee members, staff, and guests wasmade. APPROVAL OF MINUTES M. Gleason made a motion to accept the minutes of September 2, 2005. L. Tobosa seconded the motion. The motion was passed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ISSUES None. TREASURERS REPORT The treasurers report was reviewed. M. Gleason made a motion to accept the treasurers report as submitted. L. Tobosa seconded the motion. The motion was passed. CORRESPONDENCE A. Copy of letters from Mayor H. Kim to John Hartman and Karleen Stillman regarding the violation of Justin Kapono Tokioka rights to have an ASL interpreter at the Pony Club Ball Game TEAM REPORTS A. EDUCATION/PUBLIC AWARENESS TEAM € M. GLEASON No report. B.RECREATIONTEAM€L.SCADDEN No report. C.TRANSPORTATION TEAM €B. WHITNEY Noreport. Hawaii County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer A. Mitchener reported on the quarterly issue of Impact from the University of Minnesota and its special feature meeting transportation needs of youth and adults with developmental disabilities. She likes the series of training curriculum offered by Easter Seals called Project ACTION that discusses travel training for people with disabilities. She offered to share it with anyone who wants to coordinate some training with staff or individuals. D. NOMINATING TEAM € M. GLEASON/L. TOBOSA/B. WHITNEY M. Gleason reported that an interested applicant who applied is from Honokaa, but she works at Kona Krafts in Kona. Therefore, the team suggestedre-advertising in the newspaper for interested applicants and to urge persons with disabilities to apply. A. Mitchener suggested that H. Marks make an announcement at the DD Council meeting in Kona. T. Spinola-Campbell said she will make an announcement at the Legislative Forum in Kona. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. VOLUNTEER PARKING VIOLATION ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM UPDATE € SGT. D. VERIATO Sergeant D. Veriato submitted program statistics for the Volunteer Disabled Parking Enforcement Program for July to September 2005 which was distributed to MCPD members. B. UPDATE FROM DCAB € C. FLEMING/N. OLESEN/K. SHAW The October report from K. Shaw, DCAB was distributed to MCPD members. The November report was not distributed since there was not ample time to make it accessible for all participants. C. ADA COORDINATORS REPORT € T. SPINOLA-CAMPBELL T. Spinola-Campbell provided her report as the ADA Coordinator for September and October 2005. ADA Coordinators report attached. D. PARKS AND RECREATION REPORT € A. MITCHENER A. Mitchener provided a report on Aquatics and the Recreation Division. The report is attached. E. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS € L. SCADDEN B.WhitneyreportedthatsheattendedaconferenceinWashington,DCandtwo weeks later attended a conference in Honolulu for Associated programs for Rural IndependentLiving.Manydiscussionswereheldregardingpeoplewithdisabilities and the hurricane such as people being separated from their guide dogs at the shelter.AfterHurricaneKatrina,therewere800peoplewithdisabilitieswhohad been living independently in their homes, were working, and were taken to nursing 2 homes. They couldnt get out of their nursing homes because when they were flown from wherever they were to the nursing homes, their wheelchairs were left at the tarmac at the airport with noidentifying tags. Therefore, many counties are now reviewing their disaster plans and discussing making agreements with the Centers for Independent Living, Red Cross, National Guard, and people with accessible vans. These agencies need to work together. They need to understand that the services that can be provided during an emergency are very valuable. H. Marks reported that the Department of Health is heading some kind of statewide initiative on emergency preparedness. NEW BUSINESS L. Tobosa reported there was a Medicare Education Forum sponsored by the State Executive Office on Aging held at Aunty Sally KaleohanosLuau Hale. A person who has a disability or an elderly person who has early stages of Alzheimers or dementia will have a difficult time understanding what to do because its a complicated plan. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ISSUES H. Marks reported that there will be an East Hawaii Legislative Forum on November 17 at Wailoa State Park, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. H. Marks said he has been in touch with Hawaii Disability Rights Center and there seems to be some confusion regarding natural guardianship. The issue has been straightened out and the Attorney Generals Office will speak to the appropriate agencies to have them educated that there is no such thing as natural guardianship. An effort is underway to have the old law removed legislatively. H. Marks mentioned that he wrote a resolution on missing persons for the State of Hawaii. He will share it with MCPD when its in a presentable form. He also wrote a bill regarding missing persons which is very broad. H. Marks stated that he has been hearing that HCEOC and Coordinated Services for theElderlyhavebeendenyingpeoplewithdisabilitiesaccesstotheirtransportation systems. However, this is not true. M. Gleason said that he heard a comment by one oftheHCEOCadministratorsthattheycantfindemployeestobedrivers. H.Marksindicatedthatfostercarehomesaredisqualifiediftheyhavecatchmentwater. However, foster homes for children are not disqualified. Therefore, the policy needs to bereviewedsomoreoptionsareavailableforpeople. The East Hawaii Developmental Disability Committee and the West Hawaii Developmental Disability Committee wrote a letter of concern to Medicaid regarding dental care and access to care on the Big Island. The State Mental Health Division and the Medicaid office referred it to him to find out how many people on the Big Island are having trouble accessing dental care, specifically pain management services and how many are there who need to be flown to Honolulu. 3 ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting will be held on Friday, December 2, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. in Kona. Location to be announced. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 11:45 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, _______________________________ JEAN VIERNES, STAFF SECRETARY 4