Commission For Persons With Disabilities

Commission for Persons with Disabilities Regular Meeting Minutes December 5th, 2019, 6:00 PM Room 319, Norwich City Hall Present: Committee Chair Elanah Sherman (by phone), Kevin Harkins, Cynthia Litton (by phone), Mark Marcy, Julie Menders, Kevin Saythany, Excused Absence: Amy Dudek. Others Present: Brigid Marks Call to Order: Because Elanah was attending by phone, Vice-Chair Kevin Harkins called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present (7/8). Approval of Minutes: On a motion from Mark, seconded by Kevin S, the November 2019 Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved as presented. Citizen Comments: None. Communications: None. Old Business: Westgate Shopping Center - Update: Mark reported that there is no update. Norwich Census Committee - Update: Elanah reported that, because she is sick, she was unable to attend the last Census meeting. No update. Charging Stations Sub-Committee - Report: The November meeting was cancelled because Chris Riley was unable to attend consequent to weather-related emergencies at NPU. Julie proposed that in-person meetings be suspended and replaced by email communication and regular updates. Members agreed that email communication sounded reasonable. Julie will contact Chris sometime this month to find out if he has an update. Disability Awareness Week 2019 - Discussion/Debriefing: Members discussed each of the activities and assessed each one’s value and success. • Voting Rights for People with Disabilities (WICH radio). Kevin represented the Commission on the show. The show was successful (as it was last year). Both Registrars participated. Community members called in. Should be repeated next year. • Stuart Hawkins presentation (DNEC). This year, Stuart’s presentation was on public benefits and it was presented at DNEC rather than at the library. DNEC staff attended, but only one member of the public showed up. This event may not be repeated. • ADA Title I workshop conducted by CHRO staff (Otis). Elanah was disappointed in both the quality of the presentation and the fact that it did not address ADA (as had been agreed), but only CT state statute. Also, only about 12 people attended. Members want to explore another ADA event for next year. • Disability Sensitivity Workshop (Otis). This event attracted very few people. Only DNEC staff and some Commission members attended. Since several members thought the content was very good, it was suggested that co-sponsorship with Three Rivers be explored for next year. • Resource Table (Otis). The table was designed as an alternative to last year’s Resource Fair, which very few people attended. This year’s event was no more successful. Cyndi suggested having a table outside Stop and Shop next year. • Municipal Roundtable (senior center). Although the panelists were excellent, very few people attended. This event may not be repeated. • Legislative Panel Discussion (senior center). This was the most popular event of the Week. Many members of the senior center, as well as City employees, attended. (Brigid said she had encouraged Department heads to send people to events; she also reported that one department head, Deanna Rhodes, had made attendance at one event a requirement for her staff.) In more general discussion, some members, including Kevin H, said that publicity should start earlier. Elanah suggested finding co- sponsoring organizations for every event; she also suggested that each event have a Commission member as coordinator. Several people thought an event in collaboration with Artreach would be a good idea. 2020 Calendar – Meeting Time/Room Confirmation: The Commission will continue to meet the first Thursday of every month, but with a time change – instead of at 6:00 PM, meetings will begin at 4:00 PM. The new time will take effect in January. New Business: None. Adjournment: On a motion from Mark, seconded by Kevin S, the meeting was adjourned at 6:55 PM. The next meeting will be at 4 PM on Thursday, January 2nd, 2020 at Norwich City Hall in Room 319. Meeting Minutes written by Ivery Stakley, revised by Elanah Sherman.