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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-13, 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, February 13, 2013 The County of Hawai‘i Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities met at 10:25 a.m. on the Mayor’s Lanai, County Building, 25 Aupuni Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720, with Chair Paige De Lima presiding. MEMBERS PRESENT: Paige De Lima, Chair; Wesley Tanigawa, Vice Chair; Jessica Arruda, Pauline Aughe, Chris Cholas, Janice Mancini, James Souza, Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright (Face Time) ABSENT: Laura Tobosa, Jean Navarro. OTHERS PRESENT AND GUESTS: Bill Brilhante, Corporation Counsel; Sandra Arriola, HCOA; Teri Spinola-Campbell, Human Resources; Ku Mei Kern, Interpreter; Donald Haumea, Gail Yoshishige, Cynthia Taylor, Sharon Longboy and Charilou Presiados, UH School of Nursing; Mar Ortaleza, Abled Hawai‘i Artists and Full Life Employment Specialist; Linda Cholas. CALL TO ORDER The Chair called the meeting to order at 10:25 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE NOVEMBER 28, 2012 MEETING P. De Lima asked for an approval for the minutes of November 28, 2012. The P. AugheW. Tanigawa minutes were approved by and seconded by . All were in favor. None opposed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Agenda Items) There were no statements from the public. Members and guests introduced themselves. NEW BUSINESS Committee Members’ Oath of Office Deputy Managing Director, Randy Kurohara did the swearing in of committee members: Jessica Arruda, Pauline Aughe, Chris Cholas, Paige De Lima, Janice Mancini, James Souza, Wes Tanigawa, Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright (Facetime). Randy congratulated and thanked them for volunteering to serve on the committee. Election of Officers Chair: Dr. R. Wagner-Wright proposed that Paige De Lima be chair. It was seconded J. Mancini by . All were in favor. None opposed. Vice-Chair: Dr. R. Wagner-Wright proposed that Wesley Tanigawa be vice-chair. It was P. Delima seconded by . All were in favor. None opposed. Secretary: Dr. R. Wagner-Wright P. De Lima volunteered to be secretary. proposed that C. Cholas Ron be secretary. It was seconded by . All were in favor. None opposed. DISCUSSION FOR THE FUTURE ACTIVITIES P. De LimaP. Aughe was open to ideas the committee should take on. suggested visiting different county departments to see if there are any issues with accessibility, physical or otherwise, and communication. B. Brilhante stated that he was sitting in for Renee Schoen, from the Office of the Corporation Counsel. He reminded members about the Sunshine Law requirements. He suggested that since the topic, Discussions for Future propose Activities is so broad, the members can what areas they’d like the committee to look into, but not the actual subject matter because it was not more specifically agendized. If a meeting at a specific location (site visits) was set, then that location has to be open to the public and accessible as well. Mr. Brilhante requested that before a location was decided upon, someone from the committee should speak with the actual department head to see if that’s something that they can accommodate. P. Aughe inquired if the members were allowed as an individual to go into a B. Brilhante department and come back with issues or suggestions. stated it was okay but to make sure that the area of discussion is agendized. (You went in as a member of the public and there are some concerns or issues you have with accessibility, you can always come back and report it.) If there is a concern and you want it to be resolved, a lot of times Teri is real effective in that. Pauline stated that as a committee, it’s important as an entity that advises the mayor, that he should be aware of it rather than just go to Teri. Agenda item: Site visits to different County offices, facilities, parks and beaches . regarding accessibility for the public Will check with the departments first to see C. Cholas if they are able to accommodate the request. felt it would be more helpful to have an ad hoc committee for accessibility issues go to the department to do an investigation rather than have the whole committee go someplace. Pauline wanted to know if we can propose to make an ad hoc now. B. Brilhante stated that you can propose, but discussion of that would have to be at the next 2 meeting because it was not agendized. There may be members of the public who may want expand on it or maybe think it’s not a good idea. You have to afford them the opportunity to come and talk. J. Souza feels strongly about having Communication be a separate committee and an agenda item. C. Cholas has the memo for the Housing recommendation to the Mayor to go on the next agenda to be approved or disapproved. Dr. R. Wagner-Wright , is the recently retired president of the Eyes of the Pacific Service Guide Dog Foundation. He proposed that the Committee form an Education ad hoc committee which will educate all Big Island residents, businesses, including the public and private sectors of the actual ADA Title III Federal Law and the State of Hawai‘i service animal laws so everyone can understand the definition, what and where they are allowed, if a service animal can be removed. Dr. Wagner-Wright stated, I have been attacked many times §711-1109.4 Causing injury or death and most people are not aware of HRS to a service dog: “Any person who commits the offense of causing injury or death to a service dog shall be punished as follows: (a) For a first offense by a fine of not more than $2,000, imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both; and (b) For a second or subsequent offense by a fine of not more than $5,000, imprisonment of not more than thirty days, or both. (3) Any person who is convicted of a violation of this section shall be ordered to make restitution to: (a) The person with a disability who has custody or ownership of the service dog, for any veterinary bills and out-of-pocket costs incurred as a result of the injury to the service dog; and (b) The person or organization that incurs the cost of retraining or replacing the service dog, for the cost of retraining or replacing the service dog if it is disabled or killed. (4) As used in this section, "service dog" shall have the same meaning as in section 347-2.5. [L 2002, c 259, pt of §1; am L 2011, c 175, §9]HRS.” Dr. R. Wagner-Wright stated to the committee that under the ADA both Title II and Title III relate to Service Animals – covering government and public accommodation – for example: ADA Regulations for Title II as printed in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010, and effective on March 15, 2011. The Department of Justice's regulation implementing Title II, subtitle A, of the ADA which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in all services, programs, and activities provided to the public by State and local governments, except public transportation services. ADA Regulations for Title III as printed in the Federal Register on September 15, 2010, and effective on March 15, 2011. The Department of Justice's regulation implementing Title III of the ADA, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of 3 disability in "places of public accommodation" (businesses and non-profit agencies that serve the public) and "commercial facilities" (other businesses). P. AugheW. Tanigawa inquired if we were still going to have ADA Day. was open for discussion. Issues were brought up about whether to still do ADA Day. It was decided to put it on the agenda and see if the committee could get sponsors to help out or work with Mar and the Able Hawai‘i Artist. P. De Lima would like to finish with the Water Department making sure it is more accessible and to finish the rest of the County websites to make sure that they are accessible too. C. Cholas would like Emergency Preparedness be on the agenda regarding issues of accessibility, shelters, and communication. He’s concerned that the county is not prepared for people with disabilities in cases of emergencies like earthquakes or floods. P. De Lima would also like to bring up the Police and Fire’s relationship with the disability community as first responders. Another agenda item would be Education and Communication. P. Aughe attended the DCAB informational meeting regarding the disabled parking. She found that it was really apparent that making sure that the handicap parking are to be used appropriately was not a priority for the police. To her it T. Spinola-Campbell puts her in a precocious position. found it very informative. The person in charge of that program, Bill Nakamatsu, is very committed to that program. Chris asked Jessica, as a parent of a child with disabilities, if there were any particular things that need attention on the County level. In response to Chris’ comment, Jessica stated that it’s hard to go to the beach sometimes. Alisa has Mobi mats on the weekdays and her child is in school at that time. So she takes her son to Hapuna where it’s level but she has to carry him on her back to get to the beach. If Mobi mats were available on the weekends, that would be wonderful. Also the big strollers would make it easier too. Janice stated that something more permanent was needed like a walkway. The strollers were more for people who has someone to help them, not if you do things for yourself. Paige stated that Cynthia Taylor is here to find out more about programs for her child. Cynthia was wondering if the committee could talk about education for children with disabilities. There aren’t enough programs or help for children with autism. Their needs are not being met. J. Mancini stated that the Mayor said the County would be working on Richardson’s but they were going to start with the building first and not beach access. She feels that it’s more important to get access to the beach first and then worry about the building second, as opposed to the other way around. Chris suggested recommending that to the Mayor. Add Employment as an agenda item. 4 Report of the County of Hawai‘i, Equal Opportunity Officer, ADA Coordinator, Teri Spinola-Campbell T. Spinola-Campbell stated that they had their annual conference call with the court on Russell versus the County of Hawai‘i, which was an update on parks projects and where the County stands. Richardson is in the design phase still. So the court was generally pleased with where we are. She also worked on an informational book for county employees and service animals. It was released to the County departments. ANNOUNCEMENTS The next meeting is scheduled for March 27, 2013, at the ADRC building, at 10:00AM. ADJOURNMENT P. De Lima adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandra Arriola Recorder/Transcriber 5