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Mayor’s
Disability Council
|
|
Minutes
of
the regular Mayor’s Disability Council meeting
held
on Friday, April 16
at
Rm. 400, San Francisco City Hall.
|
Willie
L. Brown, Jr.
Mayor
|
Members present:
Sergio Alunan, Vincent Behan, Edward Evans, August Longo, Viola Jackson, Damien
Pickering, Frank Marone, Susan Mizner, Walter Park (Chairman), Grace Regan (Co-chairman)
Excused absent:
Michael Kwok
STAFF:
Steve Nelson, Director,
Department of Administrative Services
Jose Caedo, Deputy
Citywide Disability Coordinator
Kofo Domingo, Special
Assistant, Administrative Services
The meeting was called to
order at 1:10 p.m. by Chairman Walter Park. Chairman Parks informed the council
that the minutes to the March meeting will be available at the next meeting.
Co-chair Grace Regan inquired if a "library" of minutes to the Mayor’s
Disability Council meeting had been created. Kofo Domingo informed the council
that staff are in the middle of creating a library of minutes, audio tapes,
and video tapes of the meetings. When available, the library will be housed
with the City-wide Disability coordinator. Jose Caedo added that a duplicate
library will be created in the San Francisco Public Library, were a similar
library is kept for other commissions.
PUBLIC
COMMENT:
Staff from the Asian Art
Museum made a presentation of the project proposal. Mr. James Hillorin, Project
Manager, gave an overview of the proposal, which would convert the old San Francisco
Main Library into the new Asian Art Museum. Tactile drawings of the plans and
other informational materials were distributed. Two Architects, Mark Piaia,
and Ben Wong, from the firm of HOK were introduced, as part of the architectural
team of the project. Working plans have been completed and a building permit
is now being applied for, with construction to commence immediately, and completion
expected sometime in year 2002.
Brief descriptions of some
of the programs and amenities of the proposed facility were described. There
is an historic aspect to the project with preservation of the exterior and interior
of the old main library planned, which includes a full Seismic upgrade. The
Seismic upgrade will exceed current code requirements in consideration of the
value of the Museum’s collection. Accessible features will include the elimination
of the seven levels at the main floor and creation of one single level for circulation.
There will be one small step by the main entrance which is protected by historical
code. Power assisted doors will be provided at the Larkin Street entrance, and
inner vestibule doors, which are the only entryways for the public. Talking
signs are being considered for the main entrance, as well as the other key locations
on the main floor. All elevators, public telephone areas and restrooms will
meet Title 24 and ADA. The museum will provide free admission to the public
on the first Wednesdays of each month, and will have docent assisted tours (with
ASL interpreters) upon request in advance. Audible cassette tours of the permanent
collection, and temporary special exhibitions, with informational signage to
be provided in Braille, and will be reviewed by the Rose Resnick Lighthouse
for the blind, prior to the grand opening.
Mark Piaia, one of the project
Architects from HOK, presented the five issues listed as unreasonable hardship
exemptions. They are: 1. Provision of a wheelchair lift at the staff entrance,
which will be for the exclusive use of employees. 2. The existing exterior ramps
to the building did not meet the 90 degree turning required at the intermediate
landings which is six feet. The length is currently only Five feet, six inches.
3. the main interior stairway handrails of the building are non-conforming.
There is only a center handrail, that is a subject of historical preservation..
There is a proposed removal of the existing historic center handrail, and installed
new handrails that will be conform to the code. 4. The exterior stairs of the
building have 15 and a half inch treads, with two inch nose protrusions. the
code calls for 1.5 inch maximum stair nose protrusions. The retention of the
stairs is requested, with contrasting striping to be provided. 5. An existing
walk-in refrigerator with a three inch high insulation platform is located in
the kitchen area. Since the refrigerator is located on a stone floor which could
not be chipped to accommodate ramping, an exception was requested.
Jose Caedo asked if the
use of portable CD ROM devices was being considered for tours of the exhibits.
Mr. Hillorin responded that the Audio-Visual equipment being considered was
quite advanced, and the use of the portable CD ROM units will be explored.
Bob Planthold stated his
concerns on what he observed as a flaw in the Mayor’s Disability Council public
comment process. He felt that it was an inappropriate time for the council chair
to allow the Asian Art Museum to make their presentation.
Rob Roth, Chief Executive
Officer of the DeafCon Advocacy and Referral Agency thanked the Asian Art Museum
project staff for their presentation and the inclusion of ASL interpreters for
the programs. He added that there were other types of auxiliary aids available
for the hearing-impaired community such as a built-in loop system, portable
sound enhancement devices, and close captioned videotapes of the exhibits. He
ask that the project staff consider some of these devices and offered his assistance
to staff.
Council member Frank Marone
asked that Rob Roth assist the council to help find a council member that would
represent the Hearing impaired community. Roth replied that his organization
had already made a referral to the council.
Chairman Park reiterated
that the council was seeking two more members, one from the hearing impaired
community, and one from the mental health community.
Bob Planthold commented
that there was a recent attempt to settle a lawsuit by certain taxicab companies
against the City. He said that the pretext was that more ramped taxis for the
disabled would come from this action. Yet, the Paratransit Coordinating Council
(PCC) which had jurisdiction, was never informed nor consulted on this matter.
He also pointed out that there were issues of conflict of interest within the
PCC, citing the fact that some of its members were directly paid by MUNI, the
Paratransit Broker, and various transportation providers. The PCC was advised
by the City Attorney’s office on Conflict of Interest issues, and the PCC had
chosen to disregard this advice.
Al Rose asked that he be
considered for nomination to the Mayor’s Disability Council. He informed the
council of his frustrations in his attempt to obtain a copy of the videotape
of the last Mayor’s Disability council meeting. Mr. Rose also stated his concerns
over increasing numbers of homeless individuals who were disabled. He sited
the fact that three homeless individuals who were also disabled had died of
hypothermia.
Council member Susan Mizner,
who works with the Homeless Advocacy Project informed the council that she would
work with Mr. Rose on this issue.
Council member Damien Pickering
informed the council that he would be in support of endorsing Al Rose as a council
member.
Jose Caedo informed the
council that the videotape requested by Mr. Rose has been ordered and would
be available soon as possible.
Report
From The Chair:
Chairman Park informed the
council that he had hoped that the Mayor’s Office on Disability would have be
opened effective April 1, but that target date has been moved to May. He updated
the council on what has been done, and what remains to be done to make the office
a reality.
Chairman Park proposed an
emergency resolution and distributed copies to the members. The resolution was
on the proposed Assembly bill 1592 which was the " Death with Dignity Act",
which would, in effect make physician assisted suicides easier in California.
The proposed legislation has raised concern and controversy throughout the disability
community in California. Walter read the proposed emergency resolution and asked
the Mayor’s Disability Council vote on the Resolution.
Co-chair Grace Regan stated
her concerns over the possibilities should the Assembly bill pass. She seconded
the proposal to adopt the emergency resolution.
Council Member Ed Evans
agreed that the emergency resolution was needed but asked that some amendments
be made to the resolution.
Council Member August Longo
suggested that language be added to the resolution, stating that the Mayor also
adopt this resolution. He believed that lobbying against the bill will be easier
with the Mayor’s support.
Chairman Walter Park agreed
to amend the last line of the resolution to read, "we urge the Mayor and
the Board of Supervisors....."
Council Member Frank Marone
stated that he was personally in favor of death with dignity legislation, he
suggested amending the resolution to state that the issue should be a private
matter.
Council Member Pickering
suggested that the council, as a body, not take a position against "death
with dignity", but rather, a position against the proposed Bill itself.
He seconded the motion, and requested that the record reflect the council did
not take a position against death with dignity.
Council Member Mizner, appreciated
the sensitivity to the issue, and the desire to allow death with dignity for
persons who need it. She added that this was not a private matter between patient
and physician, since the latter could be criminally prosecuted for participating
in such an act. She supported Damine’s amendment to clarify that the Mayor’s
Disability Council was not taking a position against death with dignity, and
she offered a friendly amendment. She suggested that the council to strike the
second paragraph, referring to any allied legislation, because it would indicate
that the Mayor’s Disability Council was opposed to any legislation relative
to death with dignity no matter what form it took. Council Member Mizner requested
that in the future, any legislation or matters that would be under consideration
for emergency resolution, should be presented for review ahead of time. Because
she had not had the opportunity to fully view the legislature, she will abstained
from voting on this emergency resolution.
The emergency resolution
was amended, the resolution will now state that the Mayor’s Disability Council
was opposed to the said Bill, and that the council urged the Mayor and the Board
of Supervisors to join in opposition. Chairman Park called the question on the
resolution opposing AB 1590, the vote was: Park (Aye), Grace Regan (Aye) Sergio
Alunan (Aye), Vincent Behan (Aye) Ed Evans (Abstain), Viola Jackson (Aye), August
Longo (Aye) Frank Marone (Aye), Susan Mizner (Abstain), Damien Pickering (Aye).
The resolution was approved.
Chairman Park reminded the
council that at the request of the council a committee on Information and Technology
was formed to discuss the issue of the City Hall`s Committee rooms and touch
screen panels within them which were not useable by blind persons. As the head
of that committee, Damien Pickering reported that there was a working group
addressing the issue. Yomi Agunbiade, of the Office of the City Architect, is
the lead person for the group. A report and additional information is expected
to be presented by the working group. Council member Pickering added that Jose
Caedo has been doing some work on this issue.
Mr. Caedo informed the council
that Director Steve Nelson had requested that staff identify funds for possible
use for hiring consultants for this purpose. Mr. Caedo informed the council
that he drafted a policy guideline regarding programmatic access for visually
impaired members of Boards Councils, or Commissions during official meetings,
copies were then sent out to all the ADA Coordinators.
Chairman Parks requested
copies of the guideline for the council members.
COMMITTEE
REPORTS:
Council member Pickering
introduced a resolution on Talking Signs to the council for voting. Council
Member Mizner inquired whether the resolution was noticed on the agenda. The
resolution had not been noticed therefore the council could take no action on
it.
Council Member Marone requested
that there be a standing agenda item in the future that would refer specifically
to committee reports.
Bruce Allison inquired about
how many schools or elementary schools presently had talking signs.
Jose Caedo responded making
reference to his September 1998 memorandum to the Citywide Disability Coordinator,
recommending infra-red audible signage at public facilities including schools.
Council Member Marone also
responded because he works closely with the School District. There were no talking
signs in the schools, he offered to work on this matter with Bruce Allison.
Teresa Postelo, an Orientation
and Mobility specialist of the San Mateo County Unified School District, testified
that her visually impaired students who use the talking signs were very enthusiastic
about the device because it decreased their dependence on others for cues and
direction.
Jerry Koons encouraged the
use of remotely activated infra-red audible signage since it gives the blind
dignity, independence, and choice. He cited City Hall as a wonderful example.
Dr. Bill Geary, of the Smith
Kettlewell Eye Research institute, spoke on the point of dignity that these
Talking signs provide the visually impaired
Council Member Pickering
suggested that a vote on the resolution be taken during the meeting.
Chairman Park informed him
that it would be inappropriate, and that the council will vote on the resolution
at the next board meeting after it has been properly noticed.
Council member Sergio Alunan,
chairman of the Transportation subcommittee reported that its members attended
the recent meeting of the San Francisco Public Transportation Commission. He
commented on the process, especially on how neutral the subcommittee members
were on the process to choose the new Paratransit Broker. Council Member Alunan
said that he was appalled at the Commission’s decisions and findings not to
heed the MUNI staff recommendation to award the contract to Intellitrans. Alunan
reiterated that he was neither for Intellitrans nor for Cerenio Management Group,
and had worked successfully with the latter company, as Vice chairman of the
Paratransit Coordinating council. He wanted to appeal and defend the efforts
of Karen Young-Simmons who put in much time on the evaluation process. He also
commended Commissioner Cathy Knox for having the integrity to vote the way she
did, and noted that she was the only disabled commissioner. Alunan proposed
that the MDC Transportation subcommittee work towards being included to serve
on the next evaluation panel.
Co-Chair Regan said that
she also attended the commission meeting and was appalled with the behavior
of the commissioners, with the exception of Cathy Knox and Karen Young-Simmons.
She agreed that this council should definitely get involved in the process.
Council Member Evans observed
that this was a prime example of Commissions not listening to the needs of the
consumers.
Council member Marone, chairman
of the Children and Education subcommittee presented a report on the committee
efforts to develop an outreach network to bring in children and their families
into the process. He was recently appointed into various committees within various
organizations. They include: appointments as a member of the High Risk Infant
Inter-Agency council, member of the MUNI access Advisory committee, and now
acts as the MAAC secretary. Marone had also been invited to attend Recreation
and Parks Department Task Forces on renovation and upgrades of Parks and playgrounds,
to make suggestions on disability access. He had also been submitting updates
of the MDC activities to a newsletter published by a local support group called
Support for Families of Children with Disability. Council Member Marone could
be reached at (415) 753-5695, Post Office Box 22429. San Francisco, CA 94122.
He was also contacted by a legal agency which outreaches to families of children
with disabilities to ensure that certain monies from the State to the School
District for renovation include a specific provision for access. He had also
been invited to join the Common Advocates for Youth, as well as being involved
with mental health issues at the department of Public Health. In this connection,
there was a new program called therapeutic Behavior Services for children in
school and in the community who needed this support. He will make a presentation
in May to families, advocates, and providers describing this service.
Council Member Marone proposed
the inclusion of a child or school-age person to the MDC. Regarding the Committee
on Resources, he expanded its scope and changed the name to the Committee of
Resources and Information. The primary of this group is the compiling of resources
and information related to accessibility and funding for items or services that
would assist toward independent living for a disabled person. A binder containing
articles and information related to this issue had been compiled.
Co-Chair Regan introduced
Sgt. Mike Sullivan, ADA Coordinator, of the San Francisco Police Department
who presented a report on the state of the emergency 911 and TDD system. He
reported that the SFPD is the lead agency on this system. The SFPD and other
agencies are working with community groups on blind calling, testing, and follow
up on these calls. There has been outreach, including a class for children doing
a literacy program at the Main Library to teach children aged 4 to 10 how to
use a TDD, and make a 911 call using this device. Effective 1 July, 1999, the
SFPD will cease to have management authority over the 911 center. this will
be administered by the Office of Emergency Communication, which will provide
a combined 911 center. Police, Fre, and Ambulance dispatch will be combined
in this one location. There is an after hours emergency program that can be
utilized by the SFPD, SFFD, Ambulance Services, and the SF General Hospital.
This service is available from 5 p.m. through 9 a.m., of the following day,
Monday through Friday, with 24 hour coverage on the weekends and holidays. Two
interpreters, one male and one female are always on call, to address gender
sensitive issues. He gave a specific example and said that the primary pager
person will respond within 15 minutes, and other particulars may be then arranged.
This program had been quite successful.
Council member Marone asked
if there was sufficient funding for this service. Sgt. Sullivan responded that
the SFPD had provided $18,000 to carry out the pager program through the end
of the Fiscal Year, and monies could be work ordered to the new office. As originally
envisioned, each Department would work order funds, with the amount allocated
per Department decreasing as the number of Departments allocating funds increased.
This basically acted as a retainer, and the actual rate for the interpreter
service was $50/ hr. The Police Department has funded the entire program until
that time. It was hoped that more City Departments will be involved in funding
the program, and he was hopeful that with Jose Caedo’s assistance, these could
be centralized in the Office of Emergency Communication.
Council member Pickering
expressed concern over possible loss of momentum in the progress as a result
of the changeover of management. Sgt. Sullivan explained that the bulk of the
responsibility lay with the SFPD, which received approximately 2/3rds of all
911 calls. Regular meetings with community have been held on this subject through
the past three years by the SFPD, and all the knowledge learned, including technical
and staff training will be carried over to the new center. His role will be
to ensure that these things continue over after the change in management. Community
and other concerned groups will also continue to be involved, including expertise
from hearing impaired individuals.
Chairman Park asked if there
was any tracking of data on how effective the pager system was, or if the system
was actually being implemented. Sgt. Sullivan replied that he was receiving
the bills from BACA, and his relationship with BACA was such that staff would
usually report to him on what had occurred either positively or negatively on
a service call by an interpreter. the SFPD and Sgt. Sullivan are able to go
back to the individual officers and investigate the matter.
Chairman Park suggested
the implementation of a tracking system to see how timely the interpreters respond
to a call.
Council Member Marone inquired
if there was a way that the 911 TDD system enabled the dispatcher to monitor
the screen and caller’s number in case the latter was having difficulties from
the TDD location. Sgr. Sullivan explained that all calls entering the 911 system
will display the calling location’s address on the dispatcher’s screen. There
were two types of 911 calls, one silent, and the other, voice. This is they
same with the TDDs. As long as the line connection is open between the caller’s
TDD and the center, the address remains onscreen. The dispatcher goes through
a series of prompts that include voice, text and tone prompts that appears on
the caller’s TDD inquiring as to the nature of the emergency. In a few seconds,
if there is no response from the caller, officers are dispatched to the address.
He stated further that depending on what type of equipment was being used by
the caller, the dispatcher could hear what was occurring at the caller’s location.
Rob Roth commented that
he had heard much about Sgt. Sullivan’s work, and that there was a debt of gratitude
for what has been performed. He said that he was involved in 911 training in
Washington State, and that there was a need for constant retraining of the 911
operators because of the stressful nature of the job which caused a high turnover
rate. He added that it was crucial to provide the hearing impaired community
with training on using the 911 system, since there were many types of hearing
disabilities, and depending on one’s impairment, the 911 system could be accessed
in different ways, including a distrust of the system. He concluded with a short
history of the terms for the actual communications device for the hearing impaired,
and informed the MDC that the now universally accepted term by the hearing impaired
community was " TTY" which was also now the Federal Communications
Commission approved term.
Chairman Park inquired from
Rob Roth on the lather’s opinion or experience with similar 911 or pagers systems
in other places. Roth replied that while he had no personal experience with
911 calling, a similar pager system in Seattle, Washington was a life lifesaver
and well worth the cost.
OTHER COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS:
Chairman Park said that
he wanted all committee reports in writing around one week prior to the next
MDC meetings. He wished to limit all public comment to three minutes per speaker,
although under the Brown Act, public comment time in general cannot be limited.
He will limit public comment at the beginning of each meeting to 12 minutes,
with the rest of the comments to be allowed at the end of the meetings.
Council Member Marone stated
that the task of the MDC was to ensure that the disabled community be fully
integrated into the process as a matter of right, and not as a mere courtesy.
He said that he would appreciate it if he were to receive any information such
as the agenda, committee reports, or the architectural plans distributed that
day.
Council Member Pickering
said that time should be provided for the production of information in alternative
format such as Braille, or tapes, and he offered to provide input on this matter.
Council Member Marone requested
for a transcript of the stenographic notes, and asked that each council member
be introduced more fully and specifically during roll call for the public’s
benefit so that they would understand each committee or interest the members
represent.
Council Member Evans said
that he believed that the MDC members should be provided with training on the
ADA so that they could do their jobs better, a and restated his request that
a committee on Housing be created.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned
at 4:00 p.m.