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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-06-18, 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, June 18, 2014 The County of Hawai‘i Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities met at 10:15 a.m. at the Aging and Disability Resource Center at 1055 Kino‘ole Street, Hilo, Hawai‘i. MEMBERS PRESENT: Wesley Tanigawa, Vice Chair; Pauline Aughe, Chris Cholas, Janice Mancini, James Souza, Laura Tobosa. ABSENT: Paige De Lima, Jessica Arruda, Dr. Ron Wagner-Wright, Raelene Souza. OTHERS PRESENT AND GUESTS: Renee Schoen, Corporation Counsel; Sandra Arriola, Aging; Alisa Mitchener, Teri Spinola-Campbell,P&R; Jesse Floyd, DD Council; Clayton Honma, P&R; Tara Trujillo, Interpreter; Sam Nagasawa, Karen Riedel, Paul Pascua, Ron Amundson, Kauila Haumea, Gail Yoshishige, Pam Cabreira, Sada Anaud Kaur. CALL TO ORDER Chris had a question about what the by-law states regarding the amount of meetings a member misses before they can be removed from the committee. Renee stated that there is an HRS provision about that and she has discussed it with Paige. Letters were sent out to people who have not attended meetings. Dr. Ron has expressed his need to be removed from the committee. W. Tanigawa, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order at 10:15 a.m. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE APRIL 16, 2014 MEETING W. Tanigawa called for a motion to accept the minutes of the April 16 meeting. L. TobosaJ. ManciniJ. Souza moved to accept the minutes. seconded. recused himself because he didn’t attend that meeting. Everyone else was in favor. Motion passed. STATEMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC (Agenda Items) J. Floyd stated that there is a statewide push to emphasize employment options for people with disabilities. They are trying to get the different agencies to work collaboratively to increase employment opportunities. He feels it is important for the county to recognize its role as being a collaborator/facilitator to bring diverse groups with business to the county to increase the perception that we can come to recognize what barriers exist and what things work in order to provide valuable services. Jesse would like this committee to take more of an active role in that area. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Report from Recreation Ad Hoc W. Tanigawa stated that the next item on the agenda is Report from Recreation Ad Hoc Committee. Although a meeting was not held, J. Mancini, C. Cholas and P. Aughe offer the following suggestions from discussions and phone calls with A. Mitchener. J. Mancini read the attached report. (See Attached Report - Recreation Ad Hoc Committee) Review of nomination. W. Tanigawa inquired if there was any feedback from the committee regarding R. Schoen nominations. stated that the committee would be receptive to receiving nominations from the public and then the members would review it, edit it or whatever, and then present it to the entire committee. P. Aughe explained to the public in attendance what the nominations were for which is the committee would be creating a process in which we can recognize or the mayor could recognize people who are doing really good work in the community in various areas. So, we thank the public for always showing up. NEW BUSINESS W. TanigawaClayton Honma welcomed who is the Director from the Department of Parks and Recreation. C. Honma stated that Parks and Recreation has a four year completion plan and is being monitored by the courts. The courts identified a few projects that they wanted completed. A plan of what the cost would be was given to the courts along with a timeline and timeframe of completion for each project. Currently about 30% of it is completed. The plan came out to about $15.5 million over four years to be spent on ADA improvements. That was incorporated with other renovations for other facilities as well too. The following are the completed renovations: the Kulaimano Community Center, Waiakea Rec. Center, Laupahoehoe Senior Center, the Kohala Senior Center, Waiakea Uka Gymnasium and Ballfield. The most recent completion has been the Honokaa Rodeo Arena. We’ve done the Panaewa Equestrian Center. There is still quite a bit on the list to complete, however, Richardson’s Ocean Park is next on our list. 2 Several projects that the courts want done are the Municipal Golf Course, the drag strip, and the zoo. Those are really unique items for the county and they want to see the county get it done. We spent way more money than what we were required to spend originally. However, we have to address our ADA concerns out there and we’ll continue ADA upgrades to our facility. It gives the courts confidence that we are progressing at a rate that they are comfortable with and we’re going to get the job done. All the projects that we do is ADA accessible and any concerns or challenges that come up, we have guidance from Alisa Mitchener in our department, along with Teri Spinola-Campbell from HR to help us figure the funding and guidance in taking care of some of the day-to-day operational issues. That’s kind of where we’re at right now. S. Nagasawa inquired if Parks was going to work on the beach access first at Richardson’s. C. Honma stated they would be doing the building, bathroom and parking first. Beach access would be more on the operational side. The building needs to be renovated because of the hazardous materials that are coming off of the building and the age of the facility. Some plants and trees will be removed and the patio area is going to be expanded out as well. For Richardson’s itself, Clayton doesn’t know how far up to the beach they’re going to go. S. Nagasawa spoke about the path being really uneven. She stated that working with the disabled and bringing people to county programs that are happening at Richardson’s is like an obstacle course, and it’s suicidal trying to get these folks from the parking lot which is right over to where mobi mat starts. Without help, some people can’t even go. That should be a priority. R. Amundson wanted clarification whether the patio area was going to be accessible from the outside of the building or if you have to go into the building. The difficulty with making it accessible through the building is that the building is sometimes locked up so people can’t get to the patio. C. Honma said he didn’t know exactly but would look into and get back to him. A. Mitchener spoke with Parks planners and was informed that there will be a pathway from the parking lot along side the staff parking, continue with the pathway that exists now on the right hand side, and it would expand into a broad walk situation to the point that goes down past the house. It will end at the plumeria tree where the sand becomes hard packed. That’s actually where our mobi mats begin. The parking lot is going to be expanded. There will be four accessible parking stalls. So that connects the parking lot alongside the right hand side entrance. You go down around the right side of the house. They are going to level the slope from the patio down to the sand, and have a small picnic table. There will be no showers there because of environmental issues. C. Honma stated that the upgrades were for the Hokulia and their educational teachings. The hazardous materials and some of the paint were removed, and 3 the building was painted. The patio is going to be expanded too. Clayton will review the plans with the Parks planner then he’ll share the details with anyone who is interested in wanting to know what it will look like. A. Mitchener inquired if a tour of the Hokulia exhibit could be organized for people who use wheelchairs. Clayton stated it could be done after the Summer Fun program and it will continue to be open until September, whenever construction starts there. So there will be opportunities for everybody else to get in. We could tie it in and educate everybody here and see what they are doing with the Hokulia and have the direct hook up to them on the boat itself. It sails for a little bit and it will rest for about four months as the storms go by and they’ll go back on the ocean after four months. There is a lot to be educated about the Hokulia. We can all share and learn. Going back to one of the ideas that the Recreation Ad Hoc committee suggested, P. Aughe stated that she understands that there are standards in the terms of ADA and what you as a county are required to meet. She is recommending that maybe asking or inviting people with disabilities to look at the designs in a more practical aspect, because standards don’t always translate to realistic. It’s an extra step and it goes above and beyond what is required, but Pauline feels like Hawai‘i County is a county of wanting to be inclusive, having that aloha spirit. C. Honma agreed. He stated that they follow the law as best as they can all of the time, but like you said, some of the times the law just doesn’t cover it all. It’s good to be considerate and cognizant of those concerns and issues and we’ve been working on being conscious and doing those things. Sada Anaud , member of the public, reiterated that when the county does these ADA improvements to make it safer for the disabled, they are making it that much safer for abled body people as well. That lowers the liability for the county. So, it’s not just for the disabled people, it’s for everyone. According to Clayton an example of that would be the Ainaola Park. Everyone uses the paths that are made for accessibility rather than just walking the regular paths. At Yano Hall, the stairs are a lot more dangerous than the actual accessibility ramp because there are railings. Our elderly people prefer to use the accessible ramp even though it’s a little bit longer. It’s a much safer route and a more well used route than the regular access that they do have. Clayton stated that Sada Anaud was absolutely correct on that, and he agrees that it is for everyone. We just did Honokaa arena and we’ve had cowboys that have finally come out because it’s now accessible for them to get into the bleachers system. It’s not just making it accessible but it also upgrades the facility as far as the look goes and accessibility to our bleacher system. BREAK: 10:45 – 10:50 W. Tanigawa resumed the meeting after the break and inquired if there were any C. Cholas more questions for Clayton? had some questions regarding Kalakaua Park. He stated that all the blocks from ancient times are obstacles waiting to 4 cause accidents for people that are using white canes or people with chairs. The gaps are more than an inch wide. He wanted to know if there was there anything that could be done to make it accessible, and also the sidewalk around it. C. Honma informed Chris that the sidewalk around it belongs to Public Works. The actual walking path that crosses the park, and the stone stairs, or seating that they have there, that’s been an issue and a challenge for Parks as well too. It is not currently on the priority list as far as accessibility goes. Parks is concentrating on prioritizing resources for the ones the court has recommended. It’s not even good access for regular people that use the park. Clayton stated that the job needs to go out bid to make it all compliant as far as for safety issues. He doesn’t know when Kalakaua Park will be addressed, but it is on our radar to get looked at. C. Cholas also wanted to air some concerns he had about Coconut Island. There are issues on the disabled parking stalls and access aisle next to the bridge. People still use the access aisle illegally to unload things and transport it across the bridge making it unavailable for the disabled person to use. Being close to the bridge is nice if people would not violate the access aisle and if water pooling (flooding) wasn’t a problem when it rains. Chris suggested that maybe Parks might just see if the design could be looked at, then maybe put the accessible parking on the far left slot in that Coconut Island parking lot. It won’t be as close to the bridge but it might be more available to the disabled. Clayton stated that is was something to consider. C. Cholas is also suggesting that it would be wonderful if P&R could have a web page that shows accessibility in all the parks on the island. It would really help, for residents, tourists, anybody. He would know which parks he could go to without having to get there and find out he can’t get into the facility. Chris likes that idea of a website that shows accessibility in our parks and community centers. W. Tanigawa thanked Clayton for speaking to the committee. Housing Ad Hoc Committee regarding Invitation to Stephen Arnett, Hawai‘i County Housing Administrator C. Cholas stated that the Housing ad hoc committee has not been able to meet so there is nothing to discuss. REPORT OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘IEQUAL OPPORTUNITY OFFICER AND ADA COORDINATOR, TERI SPINOLA-CAMPBELL See Attached Report 5 REVIEW FROM COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I ADA RECREATION SPECIALIST, ALISA MITCHENER See Attached Report A. Mitchener gave a short synopsis of the hippocampe wheelchairs and the mobi chairs. The difference between hippocampe and the mobi chair is that the mobi chair can go over the rocks and sand, it can go into the water and it can float out deeper. It makes a difference in the number of transfers and how you access the actual water itself. The mobi chair runs about $2400. ANNOUNCEMENTS W. Tanigawa announced that Dr. Ron has given the committee notice that he is resigning from the committee for personal reasons, so at our next meeting we will probably need to select a secretary and treasurer. So, if any of you think you might want to, please consider this between now and the next meeting. Another announcement is that this is the end of our County fiscal year and Sandy will be updating our committee address and contact information so please give the information to Sandy. Wes just wanted to advise the committee that the contact information is to be used for the ad hoc committee purposes only and keep Sandy informed and updated. NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be on Wednesday, July16, 2014 in Hilo at the ADRC Training Room. ADJOURNMENT Meeting was adjourned at 11:15 a.m. Transcribed by: Sandra Arriola 6 ADA Coordinator’s Report April - June 2014 April: I attended a one day conference the Disability and  Communication Access Board sponsored in Honolulu. Melissa Anderson, Transportation Engineer with the U.S. Access Board presented on Accessible Pedestrian Facilities. Warren Lee, the Director of Public Works, and Casey Yanagihara from the Engineering Division also attended. I conducted Service Animal training for the staff of Hui Malama Ola  Na Oiwi in Hilo. Hui Malama is federally funded to provide health education, health promotion, and outreach to native Hawaiians and others who qualify for their services. May: An amended Request for Modification Procedure (RFMP) was  distributed to our departments and is now posted on the Equal Opportunity Officer’s web page. The amended procedure was submitted to the Federal Court in February prior to our annual conference call in Russell v. the County of Hawai‘i. The new RFMP clarifies its purpose and intent so those making requests have a better understanding of the criteria we use to consider requests. The Job Accommodation Network in conjunction with the Business  Leadership Network conducted “Building an Inclusive Workforce” on May 15. The focus was on reasonable accommodation and the interactive process. The session was well attended by County employees. I coordinated a DCAB training in Hilo on May 20. Mona Higa from  the Facility Access Unit of the Disability and Communication Access Board delivered two presentations on ADA 2010 Standards – “Application and Scoping Requirements” in the morning and “Providing Access to Public Facilities” in the afternoon. The training was targeted to design professionals and attended by County employees and external consultants. ADA Coordinator’s Report April - June 2014 Also in May, I conducted two Reasonable Modification training sessions  for County employees with William Brilhante, Deputy Corporation Council. June Anthony Akamine, Election Information Specialist with the State’s  Office of Elections conducted a session for our Nutrition Site 7 Supervisors (Coordinated Services, Department of Parks and Recreation) on access to voting and the various auxiliary aids that are available at polling stations for voters with disabilities. Anthony left a number of “Hawai‘i Votes” packets, which anyone who wants one can have. There is also a Braille Information Packet. 8 Recreation AD-Hoc Committee June 18, 2014 Although a meeting was not held, committee members Janice Mancini, Chris Cholas, and Pauline Aughe offer the following suggestions from discussions and phone calls with Alisa Mitchener.  Create a P&R page on accessibility on the County Website  Coconut island accessible parking “pools” after rains. Move that parking space closer to picnic use, create curb cut and signs; leave old space as a loading zone.  Recruit new committee members; identify people with potential  Create internships or projects for students to serve P&R in the disability field. Connect to University courses, high school projects, or community service for scouts, clubs, or businesses.  Review ADA design and transition plans and schedule  Create opportunities for people with disabilities to offer input on access design features at Richardsons  Create volunteer system for beach access support. Volunteers could: Install mobi mats  Check beach wheelchairs in and out  Demonstrate proper use of beach wheelchairs  Conduct public surveys of Mobi Mat programs  9 Recreation Report for the Mayor’s Committee on People with Disabilities June 18, 2014 Alisa Mitchener, Recreation Specialist, 961-8681 All nine pool chair lifts are ready for summer season. Pools have flotation equipment by request, if needed, due to a disability. I conducted staff discussion and review on allowing caregivers to serve participants of the opposite gender in the pool’s locker rooms. I’m conducting Aquatics Orientations at Pahoa and Laupahoehoe Pools to train agency caregivers and personal assistants. Lifeguards have been briefed on including kids with disabilities in learn to swim programs and teaching strategies have been shared for individual students. I attended a workshop offered by the Job Accommodation Network and the East Hawaii Business Leadership Network on the value of employing people with disabilities. They are accepting nominations of businesses that are committed to the employment of people with disabilities. Contact Raymond “Kauwa” Elia, Business Relations Inclusion Coordinator, Big Island Workplace Connection, Ph: 981- 2860 ex 228 Summer Fun P&R is serving approximately 1800 children in our annual Summer Fun Programs Island wide. I conducted staff training on inclusion for 125 summer hires. I published an article in the Hawaii Recreation and Parks Society magazine on a team building activity for summer staff training. The goal for each team was to create a super-device using LEGO to make a difference in the life of a child with disabilities. Their device must help someone do something, change attitudes, or “bust” barriers. An extra environmental point was given for “Green” devices. The activity promoted bonding among staff before the program and gave them a way to connect with the keiki they serve. Creativity does not come with instructions. What will you build this summer to make our world a better place? 10 I am working with parents, case managers, and agencies to create individual modification plans and emergency plans for children with extreme medical needs in the Summer Fun program. I provide staff and program support, assessments, and recommendations for Summer Fun from May through July. Mobi Mat Season Starts Friday July 25, 2014 (except Friday August th 15 Statehood Day) and will be offered at Richardsons in Hilo every th Friday until September 26. Mobi Mats, Hippocampe wheelchairs, flotation equipment, and an outdoor rinse hose are made available on Mobi Mat Days for beach access. No personal assistance is provided. Access around the building is still rugged. Purchasing a Mobi Chair would enhance beach access. I’d like to request support from the Committee for a forum for recreation professionals that includes people with disabilities, family members, physical therapists, swim instructors, water safety officers, and agencies to discuss collaboration of aquatics programs and ocean events. The purpose of the forum would be to bring people together to share their experience, describe goals, maximize resources, and create a network to enhance access and inclusive beach and ocean experiences for people with disabilities. Announcements: Deep and Beyond is seeking volunteers for Snorkel Day for people with disabilities on Friday June 27, 2014 at Richardsons. Snorkel Day is also held on the third Friday of the month at Kahalu’u Beach in Kona. The event is from 10am to 2pm. Please call 326- 4400 ex 4017 to volunteer or to register for the program. 11