Commission for Citizens with Disabilities

AGENDA Commission for Citizens with Disabilities Health Conference Room Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd., AH 60005 September 12, 2024 6:30 PM I. CALL TO ORDER II. ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A. Approval of June 11th, 2024 Minutes IV. REPORTS A. IL Able V. OLD BUSINESS A. Transportation B. Disability Employment Awareness Award C. Presentations a. Guardianship/Estate Planning b. Other Updates D. Commissions Calendar VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Frontier Days Review B. Updated Brochure VII. OTHER BUSINESS VIII. PUBLIC COMMENT Anyone wishing to speak on a subject not on the Agenda may speak at this time. Please limit your comments to three minutes. A. Nafia Kahn, Advocacy Manager, Progress Center for Independent Living IX. ADJOURNMENT Page 1 of 9 Persons with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services, such as an American Sign Language interpreter or written materials in accessible formats, should contact Erin Mercado, at 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, emercado@vah.com or 847/368- 5793. Page 2 of 9  THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COMMISSION OF CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES Health & Human Services Conference Room 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd, 60005 June 11th, 2024 6:30 P.M. I. CALL TO ORDER The Regular Commissions of Citizens with Disabilities was called to order by Chairman Letwat and seconded by Commissioner Calibraro 6:32 p.m. in the Buechner Room at Village Hall. II. ROLL CALL Present: Sheryl Letwat, Chairman Seth Goldberg Eva Mullinax Roxanne L. Calibraro Beth Deiter Jennifer Durkin Pamela McVoy Brian Harrison David McCallum Also present: Erin Mercado, Liaison, Social Worker, ADA Coord. Stacey Shein Stapleton, Interpreter Arlen Gould, Board of Education, Guest Lorri Grainawi, Guest Denise Reyes. Guest Emma O’Connor Brooks, Guest III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Calibraro to approve amendments of May Minutes, seconded by Commissioner Harrison, and approved by unanimous consent. IV. ANNOUNCMENTS A. Commissioner Goldberg shared his former contact with CEO of Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, whom Commissioner Goldberg reports, has offered a Zoom meeting with The Commissioners in regards to transportation needs for those with disabilities in NW Suburban Cook County. No formal meeting/presentation has been scheduled yet. B. Liasion Mercado announced an opportunity to collaborate with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library or AHM L, which Commissioner Deiter first inquired about and promoted the idea. Page 3 of 9  A ‘Job Seeking for Individual with Disabilities’ informative presentation by Trevor Nowak, MA has been formally approved by AHML staff and Mr. Nowak himself, to welcome The Commissioners at the presentation, introduce themselves, briefly promote the Disability Employment Awareness Award and how to apply, who The Commissioners for Citizens with Disability are, and have a resource table. C. Commissioner McCallum announced that he is employed at a local grocery market and there is potential for others with disabilities to work there as well. V. OLD BUSINESS A. . TRANSPORTATION a. Transportation Summit The Commissioners discussed and confirmed there is no scheduled meeting, at this time, for the next Transportation Sub-Committee. Liasion Mercado will keep all informed as updated. b. Private Pay Transportation Resources Commissioner Mullinax mentioned a Non-Emergency Transpiration resource which was sent to The Commissioners prior to the meeting, BriteLift. Commissioner Harrison reported the price he knows to be four dollars a mile. B. FRONTIER DAYS The Commissioners obtained tee shirts for the event. The Commissioners held a group discussion about finding additional vendors to work with for group tee-shirts at next year’s Disability Day of Fronter Days. Commissioner Durkin mentioned a local vendor called Provisions: Apparel – Light Provisions. The final schedule for planning was confirmed amongst the Commissioners. The following was confirmed and agreed upon in discussion: Chairman Letwet confirmed arrival time is 9:00 a.m. at the Rec Park swimming pool. Individuals start arriving during the opening time of 9:30 a.m. for wristbands. Apart from individuals already signed up to volunteer for pictures, stickers, and greeting, Commissioners Mullinax and Durkin also offered to help where/when will be needed. C. PRESENTATIONS Commissioner McVoy reiterated the dates Steve Raminiak is available, which is Tuesday September 24th, 2024, from 7:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m. Commissioner McVoy, Chairman Letwat, and Commissioner Harrison conversed about confirming what the title of the presentation will be and agreed Mr. Raminiak would best suggest a formal title. Commissioner Durkin and Commissioner McVoy and Chairman Letwat mentioned they can help to promote the presentation at local schools. Page 4 of 9  Liasion Mercado agreed to create an online registration link, reserve a room, and inquire further about the hybrid option for the presentation. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. DISABILIY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS AWARD The Commissioners confirmed applications for nominees are due at the end of August, 2024. Commissioner Calibraro and other Commissioner consented advertising and the link to apply needs to be posted now. Commissioner Deiter inquired about past winners of the award. Commissioner Calibraro and Chairman Letwat responded about the history of the event including recognition of past winners. Liasion Mercado inquired and received confirmation from The Commissioners that during the September regular meeting the vote is reviewed, chosen, and following is planning further details such as reserving a room for the award ceremony, ordering the award/trophy and cake. B. RAISING AWARENESS Commissioner Goldberg suggested promoting more information about the commission, itself due to the unique nature of the Commission. Also, Commissioner Goldberg mentioned a review of Buffalo Grove’s parallel commission holding several events that he is aware of. Commissioner Goldberg discussed the idea of participating in the VAH parade 2025 and modifying Commissioner’s participation’s expectations such as not needing to have a float. Commissioner McVoy agreed about the library event which was brought up earlier in the meeting, and mentioned The Main Event as an option for location to host an event. Also, Commissioner McVoy mentioned “The Harvest Festival” as a location to provide an advertisement opportunity. Commissioner Durkin added bringing a banner or advertisement to places like said festival could also be advantageous. Commissioner Deiter commented about school events such as Miner and Kirk in which Mayor Hayes attends as good opportunities for additional promotion. Other events mentioned in discussion by Commissioners were National Night Out, Harmony Fest, and Harrison Farmer’s Market. Commissioner Deiter offered to reach out to the Farmer’s Market related to further interest and availability for Commissioner’s to attend during the summer. Commissioner Deiter also mentioned an idea of Commissioner’s alternating weeks of participating at an event for spreading awareness, such as the Farmer’s Market. Commissioner Calibraro reminded Commissioner’s to be mindful about over planning. C. PROPOSAL FOR RESEARCH OWNERSHIP Commissioner Letwat encouraged a proposal in which all take ownership of their ideas when offering research while, also remembering to continue to Page 5 of 9  support each other, The Commissioners stated agreement in unanimous consent. D. ANNOUCEMENT INFORMATION CONTINUED Commissioner Goldberg addressed the need for accessible Ubers and how this can be discussed during a Zoom meeting with the CEO which he in efforts of arranging. Commissioner Deiter suggested The Commission has a list of inquiries ready for Mr. Khosrowshahi, CEO. Commissioners Calibraro, Deiter, and Chairman Letwat shared business information in question about Uber merging with RTA for a program called Uber Wave. Commissioner Goldberg offered to look into the merger further. Commissioner Calibraro asked if The Senior Citizens Commission will be invited at the Zoom/Uber meeting similar to Transportation Sub-Committee inclusion from both Commissions. Commissioner Mullinax emphasized that senior continue to have disabilities and transportation needs in common as well. Commissioner Harrison motioned to invite the Senior Citizens Commission to the Uber meeting when planning is confirmed. All were in favor with the exception of one Commissioner. VII. OTHER BUSINESS A. CALENDAR Liasion Mercado announced she is process of creating calendar chart of content which outlines The Commission’s annual meeting’s as scheduled, events, and details of when to start planning for different stages of said events. Chairman Letwat helped to reiterate the idea and purpose of the calendar. Also, Commissioner Calibraro suggested a Google Doc as a way the document can be shared. B. ABLE IL Liasion Mercado shared information from a representative of IL Able, A federal savings program for people with disabilities and their families. They offered to do presentations for and on behalf of The Commission. C. INDEMNIFCATION PROTECTION Liasion Mercado and Commissioner Goldberg briefly reviewed the Memo sent to Commissioner on Changes in the Chapter Seven Indemnification Corporate Authorities Offices, and Liasion Mercado confirmed she will send pdf copies via email to all members. VIII. PUBLIC COMMENTS Arlen Gould introduced himself as a supporter of individuals with disabilities and a member of the North Suburban Housing Taskforce. He shared his support for those with a variety of illnesses and concerns. Arlen also stated he is looking for Page 6 of 9  community support related to additional communities for support with mental illness and substance abuse in Arlington Heights. He mentioned he will be attending an upcoming Village Board Meeting related to support of an upcoming property/project. Denise Reyes and Emma O’Connor Brook introduced themselves as Owners and Operators & Project Managers of Full Circle Communities. They provided information including handouts, about the project and building proposal in Arlington Heights, in which Arlen was also referring to. The guest presenters named above offered Q & A time including general information about service providers, the application process, and transportation service availability IX. ADJOURNMENT With no further business to discuss, a motion was made to adjourn by Commissioner Goldberg, seconded by Commissioner Harrison, and approved by unanimous consent. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Page 7 of 9  Commission for Citizens with Disabilities 9/12/2024 Item: Frontier Days Review Department: Health & Human Services Item Description: ATTACHMENTS: None Page 8 of 9  Commission for Citizens with Disabilities 9/12/2024 Item: Updated Brochure Department: Health & Human Services Item Description: ATTACHMENTS: None Page 9 of 9