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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-29 Committee on People with Disabilities Minutes MAYOR’S COMMITTEE ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES c/o Hawai‘i County Office of Aging, 1055 Kino‘ole Street,Suite 101, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 MINUTES-Amended Wednesday, June 29, 2011 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. PRESENT: James Dias Souza, Jesslie Hook, Edeltraud Hanoa, Wesley Tanigawa, Paige De Lima, Laura Tobosa, EXCUSED: Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright, Jean Navarro, Dareth Pung-Boteilho, Teri Spinola-Campbell, Howard Marks, Elwood Kita and Deidre Sumic OTHERS PRESENT AND GUESTS: Alisa Mitchener, P&R; Alan Parker, HCOA; Renee Schoen, Corporation Counsel; Ku Mei Kern, Interpreter; Luana Ancheta- Kauwe, HCOA; Janice Mancini; Pauline Aughe, Jessica Arruda; Brian Kamau, Vincent Zamora; Donald Haumea, Gail Yoshishige, Stephenie Oshiro, and Nalani Davis CALL TO ORDER Paige De Lima calls the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 20, 2011 MEETING P. De Lima asked for approval of the minutes, W. Tanigawa made a motion to approve the minutes and seconded by J. Hook. Minutes approved. STATEMENT FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS : None. NEW BUSINESS A. Report of Ad Hoc Committee 1. Employment Ad Hoc Committee – Jean Navarro – Not available. 2. Education Ad Hoc Committee – Paige De Lima/ Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright. P. De Lima chairs the Education Ad Hoc Committee, and Edeltraud Hanoa and Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright are members on the Committee. The purpose of the Committee is promoting public awareness and networking in the community. P. De Lima also has a website. If anyone wants to serve on the Ad Hoc Committee, please let P. De Lima know. One of the things they did through the Mayor via Hawai‘i County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer Teri Spinola-Campbell was to coordinate all County websites to be accessible. R. Schoen explains that the Ad Hoc Committee is trying to coordinate and provide information for the disabled community in this County -- a one-stop resource place where information can be obtained about all of the resources available in the County. P. De Lima comments that we need to have a more inclusive society. We need to network and communicate. P. De Lima started her website to try to start something to get the information out there. 3. Transportation Ad Hoc Committee – Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright/Laura Tobosa – L. Tobosa reports that the committee did not meet because of scheduling. Margaret Dohanas –a person from the community and a member of the Statewide Independent Living Council has volunteered to sit on the Transportation Ad Hoc Committee and loves working on Transportation. Upon Dr. Ron’s return, we can schedule our next meeting. 4. Recreation Ad Hoc Committee – Alisa Mitchener and Wesley Tanigawa. A. Mitchener reports that she and W. Tanigawa combined Recreation and ADA Day together. W. Tanigawa thanked Alan Parker for getting the Proclamation completed and signed by the Mayor. There were about nine participants that were willing to have informational booths. W. Tanigawa is looking at 10 more participants for next year. A. Mitchener further reported that they are having the Mobi Mat Beach Day at Richardsons Beach starting this Friday. It will be available stth every Friday, starting July 1 through September 16 at Richardson’s Beach from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Beach access mats are placed on the sand for people with walkers and wheelchairs to make it to the water. There are also flotation devices for swimming and lifeguards on duty. You will need to bring the support that you need because there is no personal assistance. Beach day will occur in rain or shine unless there is stormy weather. There will also be signs posted on the accessible parking sign in the parking lot if there is beach day or not. Janice Mancini asked whether there was going to have more handicap parking for large vans. A. Mitchner responded, “no” but there is a long term plan in place. P. De Lima inquired about an area for drop off. A. Mitchener will research. As time gets closer to the ADA Day, there will be an AHA Day at the Prince Kuhio Mall. P. De Lima said she received an email and wants to know if the Committee wants to participate. A. Mitchener wants to 2 have a table at the Mall. It may be a combination of the introduction of the Mayor’s Committee with flyers and brochures. 5. ADA and AHA Day Ad Hoc Committee – Wesley Tanigawa W. Tanigawa would like to use some of the committee monies to purchase supplies for food, drinks, and other expenses for the event. W. Tanigawa is opening the floor for guidance for those who have been on the committee before as to whether is it something that we need to vote on; if so, we need to encumber the funds soon because th June 30 is the end of the fiscal year period for the County. L. Tobosa asked W. Tanigawa if he has any idea of what is left in the budget. A. Parker said no but knows that the funds have not all been expended. Pauline Aughe asked what is involved in the ADA Day. W. Tanigawa th explained that ADA Day on July 26 to: (1) recognize that this law will be in effect for 21 years – Federal Law with Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) with reasonable accommodations and (2) to celebrate accomplishments. We are coordinating this event with the ADRC’s Open House. The public is invited. In the past, ADRC Open House was primarily focused on the Aging. For this year, we want to make it with a focus on people with disabilities and the agencies that serve them but also wanted to have the Aging agencies to come out. P. De Lima is asking for the yearly budget for this committee. L. Tobosa comments that it there should be a vote from the committee on the monies and whether it should be used for ADA Day. W. Tanigawa moved to allow the ADA Day Ad Hoc Committee to use some of the committee’s money towards expenses for ADA Day. L. Tobosa seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously, with no opposition. A. Parker passed out copies of a news article placed in The Silver st Office of Aging Hosts 21 Anniversary Open House Bulletin entitled for Americans With Disabilities Act . George Yoshida got the basic information and A. Parker added to the article. A. Parker mentioned that we have in circulation of about 4,000 people. B. Report of the County of Hawai‘i, ADA Recreational Specialist, Alisa Mitchener – See attached report. C. Report of the County of Hawai‘i, Equal Opportunity Officer, ADA . Coordinator, Teri Spinola-Campbell None. D. Discussion regarding County of Hawai‘i sensitivity to the disabled public [Member: James Souza]. 3 James Souza discussed what he saw as a problem with the deaf community. There is no way for them to contact people for help in their situation and they are feeling helpless. The problem is running water in the toilet. What we are trying to get the water company to see is that if there is a leakage somewhere then they’ll call you and tell you. Most people can hear if their toilet is running but deaf people cannot, and then they get charged with a high water bill. J. Souza tried to have a discussion with the water department and ask questions and they were not very helpful. He asked Nalani from the Hawai‘i Center for Independent Living (HCIL) to help to advocate in this situation. W. Tanigawa asked if there was any agreement between J. Souza and the County. J. Souza responded “yes” and said he thought he signed some kind of agreement when he had the meeting. The water department claimed that J. Souza did not sign the document. J. Souza expressed that he doesn’t know what is going on with them. That’s why I’m feeling helpless at the moment. They said if I don’t pay they will turn off the water. R. Schoen intervened and addressed madam Chair. R. Schoen advised that this matter is before the Committee regarding sensitivity issues. This Committee cannot get involved in a personal matter because they don’t have the authority to do that. If the discussion deals with advice you are going to provide to the Mayor, that is what you are empowered to do, but she would advise against the Committee getting involved in a personal matter. J. Souza comments that it’s not just for deaf people too, it’s not just me, and that others complain as well. P De Lima asked whether he discussed this matter with Teri Spinola-Campbell. J. Souza responded “yes”. An interpreter was present. Teri Spinola-Campbell facilitated the hearing at J. Souza’s request. P. De Lima recommended that J. Souza’s bill and everything that took place be taken up with Teri Spinola-Campbell. J. Souza explains that when he first sat down with Teri Spinola-Campbell, he wanted other deaf people present but he was the only one there. So Teri thought she was only representing me. E. Discussion and vote for a Treasurer for next fiscal year effective July 1, 2011 committee. Wesley Tanigawa felt we need to reinstate the Treasurer position. He recommends Laura Tobosa, the previous Treasurer. The committee unanimously voted to reinstate the position with Laura as the Treasurer. There were no opposing votes. 4 UNFINISHED BUSINESS None. ANNOUNCEMENTS None. NEXT MEETING August 2011 in Kona ADJOUNMENT Meeting adjourned: 11:46 a.m. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: 5