2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998
Gavin Newsom
Mayor
Susan Mizner
Director
Jul Lynn Parsons
F. Ross Woodall
Co-Chairs
Raphaella Bennin
Elizabeth Grigsby
Tatiana Kostanian
Sarah Estes Merrell
Denise Senhaux
Mayor’s Disability Council
Minutes
20 June 2008
1 ROLL CALL
Mayor’s Disability Council Members Present: Raphaella Bennin, Tatiana Kostanian, Sarah Estes Merrell and Denise Senhaux.
Excused Absence: Elizabeth Grigsby, Jul Lynn Parsons and F. Ross Woodall.
Mayor’s Office on Disability: Susan Mizner, Director; John Paul Scott, Deputy Director for Physical Access; Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director for Programmatic Access; Ken Stein, Program Administrator; and Howard O. Wong, Council Clerk.
Sarah Estes Merrell, Acting Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:03 p.m.
2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The Council approved the agenda of the June 20, 2008 MDC Meeting.
3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Minutes for MDC May Meeting deferred to next meeting due to lack of quorum.
4 PUBLIC COMMENT
William Farrell commented on parents abusing children with disabilities. He encouraged parents to seek counseling and education on effective parenting.
Walter Paulson acknowledged an individual named Max for his dedication and services as a Special Education teacher and encouraged support of the Special Olympics.
5 REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Council Member Benin reminded the public that the MDC and MOD are accepting nominations for Awards for Excellence to individuals, programs or departments who have improved access for people with disabilities, to government programs, activities, facilities or services.
6 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY
Ms. Mizner gave a report on the following:
* City’s budget for next fiscal year is in progress including possible lay-offs and proposed service cuts in many City Departments including the Department of Public Health and Human Services Agency. MOD encourages the community to attend public budget hearings and provide testimony on how important these services are.
* Litigation regarding access continues to take a large portion of MOD’s staff time, but it has helped us see how much the City has done to remove barriers throughout SF.
* John Paul Scott, Deputy Director for Physical Access, has been working on barrier removal throughout San Francisco, and will provide a report to the Council soon.
* Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director of Programmatic Access and Mr. Scott have both been working together to incorporate universal design throughout the newly released Better Streets Plan to make streets safer and more accessible.
* Jim Whipple, Access Compliance Officer, and Ms. Mizner attended the opening of two new affordable housing projects with 100% adaptable units, which Mr. Whipple had reviewed the plan and site reviews for.
* SF Municipal Transportation Agency’s Board of Directors unanimously adopted the Accessible Pedestrian Signals Installation Policy. Members of the public who are blind or low vision may request the installation of additional signals by calling 311.
7 SFMTA (SF MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY) CENTRAL SUBWAY PROJECT, APPLIED UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRINCIPLES. PRESENTATION BY SFMTA CENTRAL SUBWAY PROJECT AND SFMTA ACCESSIBLE SERVICES.
Project Engineer Albert Hoe and architect Judy Van Soldt presented the Central Subway Project and how they incorporated universal design features in the project.
Mr. Hoe reported that the project started in the late 80’s and early 90’s to improve transportation along the corridors. The 4th St. corridor is the T line that is a rail transit service to Visitation Valley. The Central Subway Project is actually the second phase of the T-Line, which will take passengers to Chinatown.
Ms. Van Soldt then highlighted the following universal design features:
* Equitable use – the design incorporates common station entrances; similar travel paths for all, and level boarding at train doors
* Flexibility in use – the design accommodates a range of individual preferences and abilities.
* Simple and Intuitive – the design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills or current concentration level.
* Perceptible Information – the design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities.
* Tolerance for Error – the design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions.
* Low Physical Effort – the design can be used efficiently and comfortably, with a minimum of fatigue.
* Size and Space for Approach and Use – Appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation and use regardless of user’s body size, posture or mobility.
During discussion and comment, staff and Council members suggested additional features to be considered, including:
* Larger elevators, as they are likely to be the preferred mode of travel (as opposed to escalators).
* Elevators operating without the need for pressing buttons (as they will have only one or two stops, they can move based on load sensors).
8 UPDATE ON ACCESS FEATURES IN GOLDEN GATE PARK AREAS CLOSED TO MOTOR VEHICLES ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS. PRESENTATION BY SUSAN MIZNER, DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY.
Ms. Mizner reported that there are two trams that run every 15 minutes free of charge. They are accessible and operated by knowledgeable and safe drivers. In addition, there are accessible drop-off zones and accessible parking. MOD and the Department of Recreation and Park worked together to create a brochure on access in Golden Gate Park, as well as signage for the park. One can also call 311 for additional information because they have been updated as well. The website for the park is going through some final editing.
9 PRESENTATION OF PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY VIDEO
After presenting the short Public Right of Way video, Ms. Mizner thanked Jack Chin, SF Government Television (SFGTV), for assisting MOD and the MDC Members to create the video as a public service announcement on how the Accessible Pedestrian Signals work and some of the things the public should be aware of to keep the path of travel free for the public, including seniors and people with disabilities.
10 REPORT FROM THE PHYSICAL ACCESS COMMITTEE
Howard Chabner, Chair of the Physical Access Committee, reported the committee has been discussing the disability access to the proposed new cruise ship terminal at the Port of SF; providing updates on SF General Hospital access renovations; working on accessible signage replacement at City Hall; as well as the new MUNI bus shelters with accessibility features including light switches for those waiting for the bus so MUNI drivers can see riders waiting for the bus.
11 REPORT FROM THE DISABILITY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director for Programmatic Access, provided the report on behalf of F. Ross Woodall, the Chair of the DDPC, in his absence. The Committee has been working to develop mass care with support teams and shelter operations with accessible features. Also, she stated that MOD is planning with other City departments to participate in a huge drill with a siren and text messaging to test out their protocols and response time on October 21st. Ms. Fraguli reported that the Disaster Registry Program has been discontinued due to the budget cuts in the Department of Public Health. The Health Services Agency has taken over the most vulnerable people in the program and will be prioritizing their needs and assigning case workers to them.
12 PUBLIC COMMENT
Michael Kwok spoke about the need for more resources and education to prepare for any upcoming disaster. He pointed out that we can learn from other countries’ protocol on disaster preparedness for the disability community especially with the recent disaster in China.
13 COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Council Member Bennin asked Ms. Mizner to speak more about the upcoming ADA Anniversary Celebration. Ms. Mizner announced that it will be held on Friday, July 18th from 11:30AM – 1:00PM in the South Light Court at City Hall in lieu of the MDC August Meeting. She stated it will be a brief program with an awards presentation along with networking and food to celebrate the progress that the disability community has made.
14 AJOURNMENT
Acting Chair Merrell adjourned the meeting at 3:35PM.
Minutes – Mayor’s Disability Council – 06/20/08
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