2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 Norma Block
Acting Chair
Vincent Behan
Ed Evans
Elizabeth Grigsby
Michael Kwok
August Longo
Denise Senhaux
Walter Park
Council Secretary
Mayor's Disability Council
Minutes
20 December 2002
1:15 p.m.
1 ROLL CALL
Mayor's Disability Council Members Present: Vincent Behan, Norma Block, Ed Evans, Elizabeth Grigsby, Michael Kwok, Denise Senhaux.
Absent: August Longo.
Mayor's Office on Disability: Walter Park, Director; Ken Stein, Program Administrator;, Josie J Lee, Acting Council Clerk.
Acting Chair, Norma Block called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. and welcomed newly appointed Council Member Denise Senhaux.
2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The agenda of the December 20, 2002 Mayor's Disability Council (MDC) meeting was approved.
3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
The minutes from the meeting of October 18, 2002 were approved with the following amendments:
Vince Behan made the following corrections:
1) The correct spelling of the speaker's name under the public comment section -Item 8 is "Jeanne Lynch". It is noted that "he" should be "she".
Norma Block stated that the Chronicle article under Section 9 - Segway Scooters was not written by Bruce Livingston.
The minutes were approved as amended.
4 PUBLIC COMMENT.
- Al Rose, resident of San Francisco requested the need for a second signal time sign and painted yellow demarcation zone lines at the crosswalk of 19th and Holloway Street.
- Jerry Grace, resident of Oakland invited interested people to attend the MTC, Metropolitan, Elderly and Abled Advisory Committee Meeting on Thursday, January 16, 2003.
- Pamela Dale, an opera singer requested support in banning theatrical fog and smoke from public venues, rock concerts, the ballet, the opera and inside buildings. These chemicals can cause permanent disabilities such as asthma, and vocal cord dysfunction, and represents a danger both to performers as well as the public. They are easily purchased at Target and K-Mart stores.
- Fred Dunn, a resident in San Francisco who uses a service dog reported on his difficulties with the San Francisco Police Department and Muni while boarding Muni with a service dog without "proof" of being disabled.
5 REPORT FROM THE CO-CHAIRS
None.
6 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR
Walter Park reported on the following:
- MOD staff participated in Yolo County's Annual Disability Awareness Day and spoke with the Board of Supervisors of Yolo County on accessibility.
- Sacramento has appealed the Barden Case to the Supreme Court. The San Francisco City Attorney and San Francisco Department of Public Works will not be supporting Sacramento in this appeal. The Board of Supervisors adopted a resolution to urge Sacramento to withdraw their appeal.
- Ken Stein, Program Administrator at MOD and The Mayor's Office on Housing are working together to complete the Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing, required by HUD.
- MOD met with members of the blind community to discuss Talking Signs and a needs assessment for people with disabilities who are blind.
- MOD has spoken with the Market Street Merchants Association about adding additional Talking Signs in retail stores along Market Street..
- Josie Lee, Secretary at MOD, has updated the contact list of departmental ADA Coordinators posted at MOD's website: www/sfgov.org/sfmod/adacoordinators.htm.
7 COMMITTEE REPORTS.
- Harry Mar, Programmatic Committee Access Chair reported that the subcommittee for Programmatic Access met on Friday, November 6, 2002 to discuss website accessibility for the disabled.
- Harry also reported that Governor Gray Davis signed Law SB 105 which requires that State acquisitions of electronic technology be accessible. More information will be offered at the next Programmatic Access Committee meeting scheduled on Friday, January 3, 2003.
8 SUICIDE PREVENTION - PRESENTATION BY EVE MEYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, S.F. SUICIDE PREVENTION, ON SERVICES TO PERSONS WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES
Norma Block stated that suicide rarely happens without a warning. Feelings of hopelessness, fatigue, loss of zest, crying, trouble with sleeping, and eating can be triggered from stress, depression, confusion and loss of control. In 1962, San Francisco Suicide Prevention became the first crisis center in the United States to rely on trained volunteers to provide services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These services include: Mental health information, suicide crisis lines, referral, workplace crisis services, AIDS, HIV, night line, drug line, relapse prevention line, speakers bureau and linea nocturna.
Eve Meyer, Executive Director of San Francisco Suicide Prevention gave a presentation on the agency services available for people with disabilities.
Psychiatric disabilities are often invisible to people who do not know what to look for. Feelings include feeling frightened and feeling unable to cope with everyday tasks. Having trouble distinguishing between what is real and what is not real. It is very difficult during the holidays, when there are reminders that a person with psychiatric disabilities are "different" and caregivers are often away on vacation. The number and acuity of calls tend to increase.
Services are available by phone from a community person on a 24-hour basis.
In the months ahead, when the Health Department is making cuts to Mental Health Services, the Suicide Prevention Services would like to ask for support in maintaining as many mental health services as possible.
Elizabeth Grigsby inquired on how volunteers are trained to keep their composure and to handle a person in crisis.
Eve Meyer stated that volunteers are given six weeks of classroom training and another six weeks of on-the-line training where somebody is sitting right next to them. It is important to inquire about the seriousness of the problem by asking the person "How do you want to kill yourself?" rather than "Why do you want to kill yourself?" It is also important to ask if the person is thinking about suicide since people don't always volunteer that they want to do so.
Michael Kwok requested the contact phone number to find out more about the services.
The San Francisco Suicide Prevention Administration contact number is: 415.984-1900;
San Francisco Suicide Crisis Line: 415.781-0500; National AIDS/HIV Nightline: 415. 434-2437 or 1.800.273-2437; Linea Nocturna (Spanish Language Line): 415. 989-5212.
PUBLIC COMMENT
- Ms. Meyer responded that when speaking to the young people, the idea is not to tell them "not to kill themselves" because it would upset their family, but to tell them "how to take care of each other when they are in a crisis" due to the fact that youths will not tell adults their intentions but will tell their peers. Teachers are given the same information in hopes that it would help intervene when the young have been suicidal and have helped each other by going to an adult to seek help.
- Norma Block expressed her appreciation for the excellent program and thanked Eve Meyer for her presentation.
9 ELECTION OF OFFICERS
- Ken Stein stated that the MDC Executive Committee held a meeting and decided that Norma Block would be the acting chair until there is an election of officers.
- Norma Block thanked Ken Stein and acknowledged the decision.
10 CORRESPONDENCE
None
11 PUBLIC COMMENT
12 MEMBER REQUESTS FOR FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
- Ed Evans asked that the following items be addressed at future MDC meetings:
He would like the representatives from the Department of Parking and Traffic to attend the MDC Meeting to focus on enforcement of vehicles parked on sidewalks which causes safety hazards for pedestrians and people with disabilities.
He would like representatives from the Department of Public Works to attend the MDC Meeting to discuss the poor quality of sidewalks in San Francisco. Many disabled persons have trouble walking over sidewalks due to poor conditions. DPW needs to notify property owners who would be legally responsible (should pedestrians be injured) to upkeep the sidewalks.
Elizabeth Grigsby would like the City of San Francisco to place curb cuts on both sides of the street rather than one side of the street.
13 COUNCILORS' COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Michael Kwok and Ed Evans feels that it is important to start getting funding for curb cuts and to improve sidewalks in San Francisco.
- Ed Evans would like to have a resolution regarding funding declared for curb cuts, sidewalks and pedestrian rights -of-way placed on the next ballot .
- Ed Evans wished everyone a safe and Happy New Year. He invited those who are watching from home to become active on the MDC committees to come and support future MDC Meetings.
- Michael Kwok announced that there will be a forum to discuss Paratransit and its equipment for transportation put together by the Elderly and Disabled Community on January 19, 2003 beginning at 1:00 PM, location to be determined. Those interested may contact Abbi, 415. 703-0188 x307.
17 ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 2:17 p.m. to Room 421 to light holiday refreshments.