Citizens' Advisory Commission on Disabilities

CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES Deaka McClain, Chair Chris Karadjov, Member Stephen Adams, Member Gretchen Swanson, Member Nubia Flores Cedeno, Member Kim Vuong, Member Victor A. Garate, Member TELECONFERENCE CITIZEN'S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES VIA TELECONFERENCE PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER N-29-20 ISSUED BY GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM PUBLIC COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED BY EMAIL TO HEATHER.VANWIJK@LONGBEACH.GOV PRIOR TO AND DURING THE MEETING CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair McClain at 1:00 PM. ROLL CALL Commissioners Stephen Adams, Victor Garate, Nubia Flores Cedeno, Chris Present: Karadjov, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong and Deaka McClain PRESENTATION JT Nagayama, City Clerk Specialist, City of Long Beach, gave a presentation on the City's recruitment efforts for the new Independent Redistricting Commission. This commission was approved by the voters in November 2018, and will be comprised of 13 members and 2 alternates. The application period opened on April 1, 2020 and will close on June 30, 2020. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES Page 1 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 1. 20-017CA Recommendation to approve minutes from the May 14, 2020 meeting of the Citizen's Advisory Commission on Disabilities. A motion was made by Commissioner Vuong, seconded by Commissioner Garate, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 6 - Victor Garate, Nubia Flores Cedeno, Chris Karadjov, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong and Deaka McClain Absent: 1 - Stephen Adams STANDING COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Page 2 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 2. 20-018CA Recommendation to receive and file monthly report by the Accessibility, Transportation & Services standing committee or adopt recommendations this committee would like to make. Commissioner Garate reported that the committee met on June 27th and discussed 5 topics: 1. Possibility of recommending clear masks be used at voting centers in the future 2. Discussed postings on social media should be more obvious and accessible to people with disabilities; important information is not being received 3. Long Beach Transit confirmed that both drivers and passengers are required to wear face coverings 4. Mobile COVID-19 testing needed for people who could not leave their homes for various reasons (this service is now offered by the City of Long Beach) 5. Schools reopening post-COVID-19 and what that looks like for students with disabilities; need to be vigilant in advocating for needs Commissioner Cedeno mentioned that the CDC has guidelines on their website specific to the reopening of schools and recommended commissioners become familiar with that resource. Commissioner Cedeno agreed that there is cause for concern as these guidelines tend to leave out students with certain disabilities. LBUSD has not created their plan yet, but are compelled to follow federal guidelines. Commissioner Cedeno also commented that distance learning has both pros and cons, and while the CDC guidelines provides an outline of how schools might open, she fears that these guidelines could provide an excuse (mandate vs. recommendation) for not being more inclusive for students with disabilities in the classroom as classes start to resume on campus. Chair McClain and Commission Swanson both brought up masks in public and concerns about people with hearing and speech disabilities that may not be able to wear masks, nor be able to effectively communicate with business employees wearing masks; Commissioner Swanson asked how these concerns can be translated in a meaningful way to the City's business network? Commissioner Vuong suggested CACoD make a recommendation that masks not be required for some people in businesses, discussion ensued. Chair McClain suggested that the committee come back next month with a recommendation. Commissioner Garate recommended the City announce and advertise the availability of mobile testing; Heather Van WIjk mentioned that the press would start today. Page 3 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Garate, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Stephen Adams, Victor Garate, Nubia Flores Cedeno, Chris Karadjov, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong and Deaka McClain 3. 20-019CA Recommendation to receive and file monthly report by the Youth, Employment & Programs standing committee or adopt recommendations this committee would like to make. Commissioner Swanson gave an update on last month's report. Commissioner Cedeno suggested that the committee spend more time discussing the immediate impacts of the digital divide, especially with budget talks starting to happen within the City. A motion was made by Commissioner Vuong, seconded by Commissioner Cedeno, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Stephen Adams, Victor Garate, Nubia Flores Cedeno, Chris Karadjov, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong and Deaka McClain OLD BUSINESS Page 4 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES 4. 20-020CA Recommendation to continue discussion on COVID-19 pandemic and its affects on the disability community in the City of Long Beach, provide updates to action items specific to last month's discussion and approve any recommendations this commission would like to make to the mayor, city council or city manager. Chair McClain stated that there still seems to be a messaging disconnection between the City and the disability community. Commissioner Swanson suggested an educational presentation(s) through CACoD to the community that may help some people get more comfortable with this new way of living, especially in their homes, and understand what in-home services they may need as we move out of the reactionary phase of Covid-19 and into the recovery stage. The suggestion of educational presentations was supported by several commissioners. Commissioner Cedeno commented that CACoD is under-utilized and that the commission should do more outreach to get the public involved, including personal connections and networks. Heather Van Wijk reported that the City's equity team hosted a listening session on May 21st the disability community. During the listening session, several gaps and barriers, as well as resources, were identified, including: digital divide, distance learning and the impact on children with various disabilities as they re-enter on-campus school settings, masks and their affect on hard-of-hearing and deaf residents, different closed-captioning apps, access to testing for those who cannot leave their homes for various reasons, and educational opportunities. Mrs. Van Wijk also announced that discussions had begun to put together a accessibility resources collaborative, modeled after the aging services collaborative. This is a result of the May 21st listening session. Lastly, Mrs. Van Wijk confirmed that the City had activated the Monday-Friday mobile testing unit. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 562-570-INFO (4636). In response to a comment made by Commissioner Garate, Heather Van Wijk reported that a recommendation on CACoD's behalf was made to both the police and fire departments regarding the need for clear, see-through masks, and to consider having them on hand to support the City's effective communication obligations. Additionally, Mrs. Van Wijk stated that the same recommendation had been shared with the City's liaison to business improvement districts. Page 5 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES A motion was made by Commissioner Garate, seconded by Commissioner Vuong, to approve recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: Yes: 7 - Stephen Adams, Victor Garate, Nubia Flores Cedeno, Chris Karadjov, Gretchen Swanson, Kim Vuong and Deaka McClain COMMUNITY APPRECIATIONS UPDATE AND DISCUSSION Commissioner Cedeno reported that because of Covid-19, all council presentations had stopped for now, including the one that was being planned for Dr. Levay (Camp Nugget, CSULB) in July. Commissioner Cedeno stated that community-member appreciations should be done on the widest platform possible and suggested that CACoD delay these types of honors until they can be done in person. COMMUNITY EVENTS REPORT AND DISCUSSION This was a discussion specific to the annual CACoD events held each October, including Disability Employment Awareness Month (DEAM) resource fair and celebration, and Mentoring Day. Commissioner Garate suggested that the commission come up with a Plan A (in person, socially-distanced events) and Plan B (virtual). Most commissioners voiced support for this suggestion; ad-hoc committees will be formed at July's meeting. AGENCY REPORTS Commissioner Garate reported that he attended the Access Community Advisory Committee. He shared that there is now curbside pickup available through Access (radius of 10 miles), there are currently 6 programs specific to people with disabilities, and same day pickups are currently available (not a typical service). More information can be found at www.accessla.org or 1-800-883-1295. Commissioner Swanson reported that the Administration for Community Living is developing a national strategy that looks at ways we give input to the state and announced a webinar called: State Opportunities to Integrate Services and to Improve Outcomes for Older Adults and People with Disabilities. More information can be found at www.acl.org. Page 6 of 7 CITY OF LONG BEACH THURSDAY, JUNE 11, 2020 CITIZENS' ADVISORY TELECONFERENCE, 1:00 PM COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MINUTES STAFF REPORT Heather Van Wijk reported the following: -Reminded the commission and those watching that Census 2020 efforts were still ongoing -The majority of calls the COVID-19 information line are related to testing -City Council passed the emergency rental assistance program. For more information, go to www.longbeach.gov/lbds/lbcares or call 562-570-5237. -City Council passed 'Ban Together Long Beach' - a basic needs initiative that enhances the coordination and delivery of food and housing security programs -City Council had the first reading of the ordinance related to commission stipends -Next month will be CACoD elections -LB Public Library will launch it's summer reading program virtually ANNOUNCEMENTS AND CLOSING REMARKS Commissioner Swanson reported that the LB Post has established a community editorial board and is currently accepting nominations. Chair McClain shared how much she has valued having a seat on this commission, and reminded us that people with disabilities should be a before-thought and not an after-thought. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS -Executive committee election -DEAM and Mentoring Day ad-hocs -Discussion about community outreach efforts -Invite the city clerk back to share CACoD's perspective on the last election (what went right, what could be done better) -Presentation re: Black Lives Matter and other intersections between race, culture and disability ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Chair McClain at 2:54 pm. Page 7 of 7