Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-10-17, 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 Wednesday, October 17, 2012 The County of Hawai‘i Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities met at 10:15 a.m. in the ADRC Training Room, 1055 Kinoole Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720, with Chair Paige De Lima presiding. MEMBERS PRESENT: Paige De Lima, Chair; Wesley Tanigawa, Vice Chair; Pauline Aughe, Jessica Arruda, Chris Cholas, Jesslie Hook, James Souza. EXCUSED: Edeltraud Hanoa, Jean Navarro, Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright, Laura Tobosa. ABSENT: Janice Mancini, Dareth Pung-Boteilho. OTHERS PRESENT AND GUESTS: Renee Schoen, Corporation Counsel; Alan Parker, HCOA; Sandra Arriola, HCOA; Teri Spinola-Campbell, Human Resources; Jesse Floyd, DD Council; Sheree Matheson, Interpreter; Sam Nagasawa, Aloha Independent Living; Joyce Imaino. CALL TO ORDER The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 MEETING P. De Lima called for approval of the minutes. MOTION:P. Aughe made a motion to approve the minutes. It was seconded by J. Souza . All were in favor. None opposed. Minutes approved. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Agenda Items) No statements from the public. NEW BUSINESS Mr. Ron Amundson, Disability Rights Hawai‘i, Wheelchair Accessibility Issues with Hilo Medical Center and County of Hawai‘i. W. Tanigawa stated that he attended a Disability Rights Hawai‘i meeting last month and they talked about the Hilo Medical Center situation so he asked Chris to address Disability Rights Hawai‘i’s functions and any information regarding the situation with Hilo Medical Center. He also discussed this with Teri who has already been working with Mass Transit as well as Hilo Medical Center. C. Cholas stated that Disability Rights Hawai‘i which has been around for about 14 years is a non-profit agency and advocacy group made up mostly of people in the Hilo area. They advocate for better County and public facilities, etc., on any area of concern for people with disabilities. The agency has worked with Teri from HR, with Alisa for Parks and Recreation, and Public Works, Traffic Division. We’ve tried to build a pretty close relationship with the County so that anything the County does is following ADA and anything that has to do with respect for disability rights. And this County has been really good working with Disability Rights Hawai‘i. It’s a nice working relationship. Individuals may come to our group and say, had problems with this or that, and then we’ll maybe write a letter to that person or we may refer it to the agency I work for, Disability Rights Hawai‘i, for legal issues. It’s grassroots. Regarding the hospital issue - a bus stop was put in below the hospital, but there is no accessible walkway to the hospital from the bus stop, only stairs. A person who cannot do stairs has to walk on Waianuenue Avenue which is not a very safe path to be walking on. So Disability Rights Hawai‘i met with Ms. Julie Beth Ako from the Hilo Medical Center. She brought her plans of the parking and Disability Rights Hawai‘i gave some recommendations including making a ramp. The problem is the way the driveway to the hospital is configured, we’re not sure a bus can make the turns. The problem with the ramp is money and how long it would take before they had the money to put it in. In the meantime one thought was if we can get the bus around there and drop off at the back entrance of the hospital, the side entrance, but that would be a temporary fix. The hospital is looking about switching their parking lots. So that’s the kind of issues that Hawai‘i Disability Rights tries to take on. Things that just benefit everyone that have a disability thing. On November 9, some members from Disability Rights Hawai‘i will be doing Access Trekking. We pick a park trail either in Volcano or Lava Tree State Park and just see how accessible it is, and then have a picnic. We’ve worked really close with Alisa Mitchener to get Mobi mats in. I think that was one of the things that we really pushed for. And I hear a lot of good things about using that service, and hoping that Richardson’s will get completely accessible. Our president is Danny Johnson. I’m one of the vice chairs, and Ron Amundson who has just retired as a University Professor is our secretary. The Board has seven members. T. Spinola-Campbell stated that when she became aware of the problem from Ron Amundson, she informed the Department of Public Works. Her understanding of the 2010 ADA Standards is that when the County installs a bus stop, the County is responsible to provide an accessible route in the public right-of-way to the boundary to their facility. The Hilo Medical Center is 2 responsible to provide access to their facility. We’re in the process of exploring and working together cooperatively. W. Tanigawa said it sounds like things are in order as far as with the county working on this. Wes thanked Teri and Chris for their input. Ad Hoc Committee Reports It was decided to dispense with committee reports. C. Cholas just wanted to announce that for Housing, they did a recommendation to be addressed to our current Mayor, but feels it would be more appropriate to wait for the election. Basically, it’s just recommending to our Mayor to look at promoting visitability in housing and encouraging the County to adjust the Building Code with an amendment that makes visitability part of Building Code. Report of the County of Hawai‘i, Equal Opportunity Officer, ADA Coordinator, Teri Spinola-Campbell – See attached report. Report of the County of Hawai‘i, ADA Recreational Specialist, Alisa Mitchener – See attached report. ANNOUNCEMENTS A. Parker reiterated that this committee is co-terminous with the Mayor so you have to go through the selection process again. He stated that this has been a great experience for him with all of the members. There was discussion on whether to have a November meeting or just a get together. It was decided to discuss what our challenges were in the past and what we would like to accomplish in the future for the mayor, or for the public, and to network as a group of individuals. R. Schoen suggested that we agendize it as a goal discussion type of meeting, that is open for the public. It was decided to have the next meeting on November 28 on the Mayor’s Office Lanai, if permission is granted. ADJOURNMENT Paige adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Arriola 3