Mayors Committee for People with Disabilities

Hampton Mayor’s Committee for People with Disabilities Meeting Minutes April 12, 2018 Members Present: Liaisons Present: Evelyn Alston Marie Giles (HCS, Sp. Ed. Coord.) Jane Hobbs Maurice Wilson (Fire Dept.) LaVerne Johnson Mark Kincaid (Police Dept.) Kennard Dukes Sara Snowden (Emerg. Mgmt.) Vivian Austin Tyrell Mullen Barbara Stewart Ellen Shackelford Valda Claiborne Excused: Guests: Debbie Epperson Felita Williams – Special Olympics NN Pat Brown Alicia Cook - IEPCIL Irene Ferrainolo Ronald Roberts – Hampton Resident Absent: Larry Townsend The meeting was called to order at 3:10 pm by Chair, Jane Hobbs. Roll was called and guests were welcomed. Minutes for March 8, 2018 were approved as presented. Treasurer’s Report for 2018 was prepared & read by JaVerne Johnson. Beginning Balance (3/1/2018) $ 20,189.69 Deposits: (balance from Holly Days) + 200.00 Total (INCL. DEPOSITS) $ 20,389.69 Expenses: 3/9 #1450 – Affordable Printing (spr. Newsletter $ 734.00 3/13 #1451 – Versability (newsletter mailing) 153.91 3/30 #1452 – HCFPWD Foundation (scholarships) 5,000.00 Total Expenses $ 5,887.91 Ending Balance (3/31/18) $ 14,501.78 1 | Page Liaison’s Reports: City Manager’s Office – Mr. Bond was not available for today’s meeting as he was attending another meeting. Education – Hampton City Schools – Ms. Giles reports, the literacy program is going well, and since the program has increase in growth, it will be adding the children receiving special education services to the middle school population. There are academy internships available for students with autism. The Hampton Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) will have its’ Parent Resource Fair on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at the Rupert Sergant Building on the first floor conference room, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., there will be vendors from various organizations to share pertinent information. It is free and open to the public. Codes Compliance – No representative available Parks & Recreation – No representative available Emergency Management – Ms. Snowden stated she will be the representative who will attend the meetings going forward. She has reported that the department is in the process of conducting a regional shelter exercise for people with disabilities to be held on June 29 – June 30th, 2018. Ms. Snowden encouraged people with disabilities to participate in the training, which will assist planners of emergency drills, how to best serve those with unique needs. She stated there will be a planning commission session on Wednesday, May 16th at 9:30 am located at 1304 Big Bethel Road Fire Station 11, Hampton VA, regarding the drill exercise. She stated anyone interested in attending, to park in the back of the building. For more information or questions/concerns, you may call Ms. Snowden at (757) 726-0649 or email her at: sara.snowden@hampton.gov . Fire Department – Chief Maurice Wilson, sadly reported that there has been 2 fatalities recently in fires. As a result, the station has been busy. He reminds us to pass on the word FYI – smoking while using oxygen is a danger, as it is flammable, and should ALWAYS be avoided. He also, suggested that individuals please check smoke detectors and offered assistance for anyone, who may need theirs checked. He reminded us that smoke detectors have a life of 10 years. Police Department – Sgt. Mark Kincaid reports that the fire operations and police department have a joint effort in assisting residence of Hampton. In addition, the police department is seeking financial assistance to purchase an expensive piece of equipment, totaling about $25K to aid in lifesaving events for consumers, which would not cost them anything. He will keep us apprised on the process. Hampton University – No representative available 2 | Page Subcommittee Reports: Accessibility – Ellen Shackelford reports that she has been in contact with Mr. Jason Mitchell of the Hampton Public Works Department, who stated the uneven parking lot at 1 Franklin Street at the Sargent Building has been repaired. She initially called 311 to report the issue and was given a ticket number to track the process. Within a couple of weeks the work was completed. The next project Ms. Shackelford would like to tackle is the front of the City Hall curb cut (same side of the Hampton Police Department), for it does not offer an easy transition from the sidewalk to the street. She will keep you apprised of the issue. Transportation – Ms. Pat Brown reports: AS OF MAY, 22 2018 THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES MADE TO ROUTE 118 WHICH GOES NEAR LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE. THIS WILL EFECT 7 0F THE 9 DISABLED PARATRANSIT RIDERS WHO ARE EMPLOYED THERE. MV TRANSPORTATION AND HRT IS NEGOTIATING WITH LANGLEY FOR A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. SENSITIVITY TRAINING WAS GIVEN TO PARATRASIT DRIVERS FROM NORTH SIDE AND SOUTH SIDE BY TWO PARATRANSIT RIDERS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT ALL DRIVERS RECEIVE HANDS-ON SENSITIVITY TRANING AS PART OF THEIR INITIAL TRAINING. WE WERE INTRODUCED TO RODNEY DAVIS WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR HRT, HE RIDES HRT DAILY. PARA-TRANSIT RIDERS ARE TO CONTINUE TO BUY TICKETS FROM FARM FRESH; HOWEVER, YOU SHOULD CALL BEFORE GOING THERE. RIDERS CAN STILL BUY TICKETS FROM TRANSFER CENTERS IN HAMPTON AND NEWPORT NEWS AND AT TINY GIANTS AT 930 LASALLE AVE. IN HAMPTON. HRT IS NEGOTIATING WITH WALMART FOR A POSSIBLE LOCATION TO BUY TICKETS. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THE TAXI CABS THAT DISPLAY A PARATRANSIT SIGN ON THE DASH BOARD FIND A MORE VISABLE WAY TO IDENTFY THEMSELVES. Awards Luncheon – No representative to report Teachable moment/Education – Ms. Alicia Cook, from Insight Enterprises Inc., Peninsula Center for Independent living shares information regarding the services for the youth participants receiving services from the center. Youth Transition Services include: Assistance with independence, career development, employment preparation, and integration into the community. Qualifications to become eligible are: A student with a disability with an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), it is important that the student attends the meeting, along with teacher, parents, and transition coordinator, so they may vocalize their thoughts, opinions, feelings, suggestions, and wants for their own future. 3 | Page The requirements for the program are: The individual must have a disability, have an IEP and range in the ages of 14 to 24. The range of services included, for youth transition are as follows:  Independent Living Skill Training  Money Management/Budgeting  Employment Skills  Health Eating/Nutrition  Basic/Easy Cooking  Housing options  Sex Education  Volunteer Opportunities  Transportation options  Recreational Activities  Components of Self-Determination  Self-Advocacy For more information regarding center services for youth/adult, please contact the IEPCIL at: 757-827-0275 or visit the web at: http://www.hvacil.org Teachable moment/Education #2 – Ms. Felita Williams, from Special Olympics Hampton / Newport department joint effort to support Special Olympics in raising money for The Battle of the Bands this event will be held on Sunday, May 20, 2018 from 1 pm to 6 pm at Newport News Moose Lodge #1119 on 60th street in Hampton VA They will be hot dogs, chips and drink for a donation of $5.00. All proceeds will help the organization purchase equipment and assist with the cost for the Olympians to attend the state games. Moneys acquired will be distributed between Newport News and Hampton organizations. For more information about the program/events, please contact Ms. Williams at: 757-812-2872 or send an email to: fanthomas@cox.net or you may contact Ms. Jane Hobbs at 757-869-3528 or send her an email at: ablerus123@gmail.com Legislation – Ms. Jane Hobbs and Barbara Stewart have visited the General Assembly to lobby for the lack of education for youth with disabilities, as they made their requests and voiced concerns of additional funding for the purpose of services & education. In addition, the concerns for students with disabilities who have been cared for all their lives by the hands of their parents/family members, who have provided support to them, who themselves are now disabled. Questioning the decision makers about who cares for these students/youth with disabilities when they no longer have the support of their loved ones as a result of their physical inability to continue caring for them. Ms. Hobbs and Ms. Stewart shared similar stories and state the trip/visit was well worth the time they spent presenting. Publicity / Public Awareness – No representative to report 4 | Page Old Business – No old Business New Business – Ms. LaVerne Johnson stated a letter was received from Versability resources on January 26, 2018 (letter on file for records), as the organization gave gratitude for the gift received. A flyer of the 2017 Successes was enclosed in the letter as well. In addition, she stated the letter from National Day of Prayer is scheduled for May 3, 2018 – participants are asked to pray for 2-3 minutes during the National Day of Prayer Ceremony (letter on file for record). Also, Holistic Wellness Expo of Hampton Roads – Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Marriott City Center in Newport News, VA 740 Town Center Drive, Newport News VA 23606. For more information regarding this event: www.linkhr.org or contact Rachel at: 757-595-1953 ext. 207 or email her at: r.gibson@linkhr.org The meeting was adjourned by Jane Hobbs, chair, at 4:25 PM. **Next meeting: Thursday, June 14, 2018 at 3:00 – 5:00 PM** 5 | Page