Commission For Persons With Disabilities

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Special Meeting July 12, 2018, 6:00 PM Room 319, Norwich City Hall Minutes • Call to Order: The meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM. • Attendance Present: Kevin Harkins, Cynthia Litton, Lottie Scott, Chair Elanah Sherman Absent: Victor Harley, Laurie Ann Messore Others present: Brigid Marks, City ADA Coordinator • Determination of Quorum: It was determined that a quorum was present (4/6). • Approval of June 7, 2018 Minutes: On a motion from Kevin, seconded by Elanah, the Minutes were unanimously approved as presented. • Citizen Comments: None • Communications: None • Old Business 1) Commission Vacancies: No news 2) Disability Awareness Week (Tuesday, October 9 – Saturday, October 13, 2018, Otis Library): Elanah reviewed the schedule (see below). Kevin reminded the group that the original plans called for an event that would include municipal officials. Elanah said that she will organize a municipal roundtable, with potential panel representatives from the following departments: Police, Fire/Emergency Management, Recreation, Human Resources, and Public Works. Kevin suggested that the City produce a proclamation for the Week. He will contact the Mayor regarding this matter and the group agreed that Kevin and Elanah would create draft language to be presented to the Commission for approval at the September 1 meeting. Kevin suggested that invitations to the events be sent to key organizations. The group came up with the following tentative list of organizational invitees: Backus, UCFS, Chamber of Commerce, Reliance House, Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut, media, and arts groups. Elanah reported that she and Julie Menders met with the Mayor and that effective communication expenses would be paid out of the Mayor’s budget. The Mayor also asked that the Commission provide him with a schedule of events as soon as possible so that the Week  will be included in all relevant City calendars, including that of NCDC and the Global City Initiative. Kevin communicated that a local resident with a disability suggested that the Week include a public walk to trouble spots at sidewalks and crossings. Elanah will invite the Registrars to participate in the Resource Fair and will incorporate disability voting rights into her ADA presentation. Brigid will ask NPU for funding to create at least one banner. The Commission will provide banner language to Brigid at the August meeting. Kevin agreed to be media contact. Elanah reported that she has emailed invitations to all Greater Norwich area legislators for the legislative panel. Melissa Marshall, Coordinator of the Connecticut Cross-Disability Alliance, will be co-moderating with Elanah. Confirmed schedule (all events at Otis Library): Tuesday, October 9: ABCs of ADA (Elanah), 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM. This event will be part of the library’s Lunch ‘n Learn Series. The library will provide pizza and beverages. Wednesday, October 10: Resource Fair in Community Room, 12:00 PM– 6:00 PM. Special Needs Trust presentation in Community Room, 6:30 PM – 7:45 PM. Thursday, October 11: No events scheduled because of forum in Cromwell. Friday, October 12: Jazz Concert at 7:30 PM featuring trumpet player Ricky Alfonso in the library atrium. This event is funded by Otis. Saturday, October 13: Legislative Forum, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM. Service animal demonstration, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Both events in Community Room. 3) By-laws Update: Phone attendance policies still under review by Corporation Counsel. 4) Federal candidates’ forum in Cromwell: Elanah encouraged members to attend the forum in Cromwell on October 11, from 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM. As the Commission is an official sponsor of this event, members are expected to spread the word and build attendance. • New Business 1) REV UP (national initiative to increase voting by people with disabilities): On a motion from Kevin, seconded by Lottie, the commission unanimously voted to participate in this initiative. • Adjournment: On a motion from Lottie, seconded by Cynthia, the Commission unanimously voted to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 PM. The next meeting will be at 6:00 PM on Thursday, August 2 at Norwich City Hall, Room 319. Minutes written by Ivery Stakley on July 14, 2018 and revised/submitted by Elanah Sherman on July 17, 2018.