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
Amy Wishnie
Mayor’s Disability Council
Minutes
18 January 2008
1 ROLL CALL
Mayor’s Disability Council Members Present: Raphaella Bennin, Elizabeth Grigsby, Tatiana Kostanian, Jul Lynn Parsons, Denise Senhaux and F. Ross Woodall.
Excused Absent: Sarah Estes Merrell and Amy Wishnie
Mayor’s Office on Disability: Susan Mizner, Director; Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director for Programmatic Access, Ken Stein, Program Administrator; and Howard O. Wong, Council Clerk.
Jul Lynn Parsons, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:10 p.m.
2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The Council approved the agenda of the January 18, 2008 MDC Meeting.
3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Council approved the Minutes from the November 16, 2007 MDC Meeting (there was no meeting in December 2007).
4 PUBLIC COMMENT
Ernestine Patterson thanked MOD staff for their recent help and expressed the importance of having a will, power of attorney and advance directives. She recommended arranging for the following:
* A Medical’s power of attorney
* A Banking’s power of attorney to take care of finances
* Making a will to decide who your property will go to
* An advanced directive
William Farrell spoke about interpersonal relationships between people with disabilities. He felt that these are discouraged and therefore, would like to see more education and communication for the community.
Amy Hartman Carson thanked Council Member Grigsby for attending the Partners in Policy Making meetings in Sacramento during this past year.
Nora Balmis said that she would like the federal government to provide more funding for programs and services to people with disabilities so they can have more of a well-balance life.
5 REPORT FROM THE CO-CHAIRS
Co-Chair Woodall reported that two Council Members have resigned from MDC - Norma Block and Richard Ow. Mr. Ow has been appointed by the Mayor to serve as a Commissioner for the Aging and Adult Services Commission (AASC). The MDC presented Mr. Ow with a Certificate of Appreciation for his services and contributions to the Council for the past 3 years. Mr. Ow stated that he is thankful and grateful to MDC and MOD and is looking forward to working on the AASC.
Ms. Block was not present to receive her Certificate of Appreciation. The Council expressed appreciation for her insights and dedication to the Council for the past 5 years.
Co-Chair Woodall stated that due to the two resignations, there are two additional openings on the Council. He encouraged people to turn in their resumes and cover letters to MOD. E-mail to [email protected], or contact (415) 554-6789 if you would like more information.
6 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY
Ms. Mizner reported that:
* Budget woes – major deficits at both the State and Local levels. The Governor’s proposed cuts would disproportionately affect seniors and people with disabilities. MOD will assist in connecting the community to advocacy efforts to discourage the cuts.
* The Capital Planning Committee has recommended expanding the prioritization of disability-related projects, including curb ramp construction as well as barrier removal in facilities.
* A lawsuit against the City about Laguna Honda (LH) for violating ADA requirements and the Olmstead decision has reached a proposed settlement, now being considered by the Board of Supervisors. The settlement would bring 500 people out of LH using a combination of money from skilled nursing waivers, and rent subsidies from the City.
* MOD has consulted with MTA (Municipal Transit Authority) regarding the pilot review of double-decker buses. There is no ADA requirement for people to get to the second floor of the buses (because MUNI buses are used for transportation, and are not tour buses), however, the current layout of the buses presents access barriers.
* Supervisor Jake McGoldrick has brought up legislation that City government Commissions, Taskforces and Advisory Committees reflect more diversity. Co-Chairs Parsons and Woodall requested that the Board of Supervisors include people with disabilities as well in the definition of “diversity”. Supervisor McGoldrick agreed to that change.
7 PARATRANSIT UPDATE – ISSUES AND CONCERNS. PRESENTATION BY KATE TORAN, SF MTA PARATRANSIT ADA COORDINATOR.
Kate Toran provided an update on efforts to improve Paratransit service. The current vendor, Mobility Plus (MP), started last year and has been providing more staff trainings, changed its management, and trying to meet the community’s needs. Ms. Toran pointed out that the complaints have decreased and on-time reliability has increased. Also, the ramp taxi program has 25 additional ramp taxis available for wheelchair users. MP’s management meets quarterly with Paratransit staff to talk about on-going challenges, problem-solving, daily operations.
Ms. Toran stated that although there has been some improvement, they continue to face on-going challenges including working with the dialysis centers. She spoke about the need to improve communication between the two parties. She encouraged people to attend the quarterly meetings with dialysis representatives to provide feedback and problem solve. The next meeting is on Thursday, February 28th at 10:00 am in the Paratransit Broker’s office. For more information contact Kate Toran at (415) 701-4440 or [email protected].
COMMENTS BY SOCIAL SERVICES PROVIDERS AND CONSUMERS
Robert McCarthy, consumer, expressed his frustrations with Paratransit saying that they are often late picking him up to go to and from work. He noted that he has been utilizing the service for 3 years on a daily basis to his job and back home. He cannot understand why they are always late picking him up, given that he has had a regularly scheduled ride for the past 3 years.
Byron Yan, Independent Living Resource Center, has used lift van Paratransit for the past 17 years and he has noticed the service is not consistent. He noted that there have been some improvements initially, but not consistently. He shared two recent experiences that they were very late. Mr. Yen expressed his frustrations regarding being put on hold for a long period of time when he is calling to inquire the status of his ride, and spoke of the poor customer service that he receives.
Michael Kwok, consumer, spoke about the need for more providers. He stated that he was told by the Paratransit Broker that there will be 2 providers to increase service, but Mr. Kwok pointed out that there is still only one provider.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Shaenon Garrity stated that she is co-worker of Robert McCarthy who spoke earlier about Paratransit being constantly late. She had noticed that Parastransit is always late in dropping him off to work and picking him up from work. He works till 3:00PM and Ms. Garrity said that she had observed that Mr. McCarthy has to wait till 5:00PM or 6:00PM frequently for his 3:00PM pick-up. Ms. Garrity stated that the service is inadequate and is a great disappointment.
William Farrell empathized with the consumer’s inconvenience and encouraged the community to write government representatives.
COUNCIL MEMBER DISCUSSION
Council Member Kostanian spoke about the complaints she hears from other consumers who utilize Paratransit at the Dialysis Centers. She expressed her disappointments and frustrations that she doesn’t see any changes and encouraged the public to voice their concerns and complaints.
Council Member Grigsby stated that the previous vendor for Paratransit provided poor customer service, ranging from the phone operators to the drivers. She said that current vendor, Mobility Plus (MP), has improved services and has more respectful drivers. Although, she stated they can be late occasionally, she doesn’t have to wait for hours like she used to with the previous vendor. Council Member Grigsby stated that she was pleased with MP’s service generally.
Co-Chair Woodall asked for more details about the service to dialysis centers. Ms. Toran felt there was miscommunication between the driver and the consumer. She stated that it is something they are working on to improve.
Council Member Senhaux would like to see more data and a better system of tracking complaints because there seems to be conflicting stories about the number of complaints received.
Council Member Bennin asked about the “Secret Rider Program” for riders to monitor the lift van’s daily operations and service. Ms. Toran responded that anybody can participate in this program and fills out an anonymous survey. For more information, contact (415) 701-4440.
8 SERVICE AND SUPPORT ANIMALS – FACTS AND FALLACIES.
Susan Mizner, Director of MOD, gave an introduction, with some facts and fallacies about service animals:
* Dogs are the most common service or support animal, but there are many other types, including cats, parrots, monkeys; as well as snakes for those who are especially allergic to fur or feathers.
* Not all service or support animals have identifying tags or harnesses, and there is no requirement that they must be licensed. The City Department of Animal Care and Control has a tag for dogs only which can streamline and simplify interactions, but it is not a requirement.
* Service and support animals must all behave appropriately in public locations. If they are disruptive or dangerous, regardless if they have tags or licenses, the owner may be asked to remove the animal from the premises.
* One of the major differences between service and support animals is that service animals are all trained to perform some specific task, but support animals may not be trained beyond usual obedience and behavior training.
Judy Choy of Animal Care and Control spoke about how her office processes and registers dogs as service animals. Her office is also an animal adoption agency. She defined a “service dog” as any breed, from a Chihuahua to a Pit Bull, which provides some type of assistance to the guardian/owner and goes everywhere with them to provide that assistance. To obtain a tag for the service dog, one must present proof of SF residency, a letter from a doctor, purchase a SF dog license, and fill out an application at the Animal Care and Control Office. For more information, contact (415) 554-9400, [email protected].
Jim Power, Guide Dogs for the Blind, said that his non-profit organization provides all of its services for free. Mr. Power spoke about basic etiquette for service animal and guide dogs. He said that they are working animals and should not be distracted or petted or offered food. To be eligible for receiving a guide dog, one must be over 16, legally blind, have independent traveling skills, be physically able to manage and work a dog, and provide a safe home. For more information, contact (800) 285-5110.
Andrea Brooks, PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support), stated that her agency serves people with disabilities who own pets and service dogs. Services include a food bank with pet food, free check-ups for animals, subsidized or free veterinarian care, home support, litter box changing, dog walking, transportation to the vet, free grooming, and free flee control. For more information, contact (415) 979-9550 and www.pawssf.org.
Francis Metcalf and Michael Steinbergraber, SPCA, spoke about the hearing dog program. Mr. Metcalf stated that the program likes to go to shelters to find their dogs to train because of their high mortality rate and much in need. Then he proceeded with a live demonstration with one of their hearing dogs, Runner. Mr. Steinbergraber said that he is a client of the program and has had his hearing dog, Coco, for the past 3 years. He said it has helped him accept his disability and it has been rewarding educating the public on what a hearing dog is. For more information, contact www.sfspca.org.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Anaperla Aureoles introduced her service dog, Henry Miller. She stated she supports the Animal and Care Control program because her service dog has been helpful in decreasing her confusion resulting from a brain injury.
Noelle Taylor stated that she lost her dog a couple of days ago due to a housing issue. She spoke of how difficult it has been for her without her dog because she relies on it for support and companionship.
9 REPORT FROM THE PHYSICAL ACCESS COMMITTEE
Howard Chabner, Chair of the Committee, reported that the Committee has been discussing access improvements at SF General Hospital including accessible public restrooms (toilets) in the main hospital building and patient’s rooms with individual accessible showering/bathing facilities. Mr. Chabner also reported that the committee reviewed curb ramps and sidewalks priorities, including how to score defects in curb ramps.
10 REPORT FROM THE DISABILITY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
Deferred to next month due to lack of time.
11 REPORT FROM THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Cassidy Marion, Employment Specialist with SF Vocational Services, reported that the Committee has been busy developing a power point presentation on training employers. He stated their goal for this presentation is to promote employment opportunities and to increase awareness.
12 AJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Woodall adjourned the meeting at 4:10 PM.