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
15 February 2008
1 ROLL CALL
Mayor’s Disability Council Members Present: Elizabeth Grigsby, Tatiana Kostanian, Sarah Estes Merrell, Jul Lynn Parsons and Denise Senhaux.
Excused Absent: F. Ross Woodall and Amy Wishnie
Absent: Raphaella Bennin
Mayor’s Office on Disability: 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.
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 February 15, 2008 MDC Meeting.
3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Council could not approve the Minutes from the January 18th meeting due to an initial lack of quorum.
4 PUBLIC COMMENT
William Farrell encouraged clear-minded positive responses to problems.
Star Love expressed her frustrations on the poor access in her neighborhood’s sidewalks. She stated that she has been working with the Department of Public Works and SF Police Department to resolve this issue. Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director of Programmatic Access encouraged Ms. Love to contact MOD for additional follow-up.
5 REPORT FROM THE CHAIR
Co-Chair Parsons reported that there are two additional openings on the Mayor’s Disability Council. She 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
Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director of Programmatic Access reported on behalf of Susan Mizner, Director of MOD:
* MOD is working on 3 lawsuits against the City regarding access in the Public Right-of Ways. This has limited staff time for other work.
* MOD has been working with the Municipal Transit Authority (MTA) and non-profit disability organizations on the Transit Effectiveness Project.
7 REPORT FROM COUNCIL MEMBER ELIZABETH GRIGSBY ON HER PARTICIPATION IN THE PARTNERS IN POLICY MAKING PROGRAM.
Council Member Grigsby reported that she has been educating legislators in Sacramento for the past 8 months on the issues of importance to the disability community. Some of the primary concerns include providing more resources and supports for parents with young children with disabilities, and increasing full inclusion of students with disabilities in the schools. Council Member Grigsby was encouraged by the dialogue and discussions that took place.
8 PRESENTATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADOPTING THE CITY OF SAN FRANCISCO’S TRANSITION PLAN FOR CURB RAMPS AND SIDEWALKS.
John Paul Scott, Deputy Director on Physical Access said that the Transition Plan for Curb Ramps and Sidewalk can be found at the MOD’s website at www.sfgov.org/mod in the “What’s New” section. The Plan’s goal is to ensure that the City creates accessible paths of travel in the public right of way for people with disabilities. He stated that the plan has received funding and commitment in the City’s 10 Year Capital Plan. Mr. Scott also reviewed how the curb ramp and sidewalk priorities for access are assessed and updated. MOD works with the Department of Public Works on addressing barrier removal. The City welcomes feedback from the public. Public complaints or requests drive the majority of the construction and renovation in the City’s annual curb ramp plan. He also reviewed the additional funding for the sidewalks including the maintenance and repair programs. Mr. Scott recommended that the MDC draft a resolution to support the ADA Transition Plan for Curb Ramps and Sidewalks. It will then be brought before the Board of Supervisors and the Mayor for final approval.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerry Grace asked why certain sidewalks are in a state of disrepair. Mr. Scott responded that repairs are based on priorities and public complaints.
Byron Yan spoke of the need for more curb ramps and improved sidewalks access in Chinatown.
William Farrell expressed concern re: the State’s budget cuts’ impact on the ADA Transition Plan.
COUNCIL MEMBER DISCUSSION
Council Member Merrell inquired about the procedures of drafting a resolution and the deadline for it. She also asked about how the cost was determined. Mr. Scott responded that the Council can work on drafting it by next regular MDC Meeting in March.
Council Member Kostanian spoke about two intersections that need curb ramps, including 8th & Market and Church & Market. Mr. Scott responded that they are currently working on these intersections due to complaints from the public.
Co-Chair Parsons inquired about how to maintain the funding for the ADA Transition Plan. Mr. Scott responded that the City’s Capital Plan Committee has shown strong support, but it needs further review from the Committee to assess it for the City’s budget. He stated that he and the Director of MOD are optimistic that there will be continued funding.
9 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ACT UPDATE
Maria Iyog O’Malley, Mental Health Services Coordinator from Community Behavioral Health Services, provided background information on the Mental Health Services Act. It was a proposition approved by California voters in November 2004, and enacted into law in January 2005. It involves a task force of City departments and the community, who have assessed the need for services for the community. Ms. O’Malley reported on their work in the last year, which included providing funding for community based agencies and mental health agencies. In addition, she stated they received funding to provide more housing units for people with mental illness. This has also allowed them to increase their caseload so they can assist more individuals. For this fiscal year, they will provide funding for Workforce Development and training for people with disabilities. Ms. O’Malley stated that this year, they will also focus on prevention and early intervention. For more information on the Mental Health Services Act, visit www.prop63.org.
Belinda Lyons, Executive Director of the Mental Health Association (MHA), reported that the vision of the Mental Health Services Act is about transforming our mental health system to a prevention and recovery model that looks at how people can thrive and live within the community rather than on managing the symptoms. She stated that the planning process includes people with mental illness to assist with how services are planned and designed because they are the ones who receive the services. The group does not focus solely on managing the symptoms, but on reducing the symptoms. Ms. Lyons spoke about providing resources and services so that people won’t fall through the cracks, become homeless, or end up in jail due to their mental illness. She encouraged the public to get involved and provide feedback at the planning meetings. For more information on this and upcoming meetings, visit www.mha-sf.org.
10 THE LAGUNA HONDA CHAMBERS SETTLEMENT
Elizabeth Zirker, Attorney for Protection and Advocacy, reported that her agency, along with Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF), AARP Foundation Litigation, Independent Living Resource Center in SF (ILRCSF), the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, and the law firm of Howrey LLP brought a class action lawsuit on behalf of six residents of Laguna Honda in October 2006. The suit alleged discrimination in the form of unnecessary institutionalization under the ADA because the residents prefer, and have been determined to be capable of, living in their own homes and in the community. She stated that a Settlement Agreement was reached in November 2007. The purpose of the settlement agreement is to enhance community-based living options through the provision of services and housing, to class members.
Ms. Zirker stated that the Settlement Agreement needs to be formally approved by the Board of Supervisors, the City’s Health Commission and the Court. Currently, she stated hat the Health Commission has approved the Settlement, but they are waiting for the Board of Supervisors’ full review which is expected soon.
Liz Gray, Director of Long Term Care from the Department of Public Health reported that her department has been working with another City department, the Department of Aging and Adult Services, to assist the clients in the most effective and efficient manner when they moved out of LH into community-assisted living with services and resources in place for them after their discharge. She stated that their goal has always been to keep the individuals living in the community whenever possible in the most integrated and least restrictive setting. They are seeking providers to assist with the follow-up when clients are living independently in the community. Ms. Gray spoke about one of their providers, ToolWorks, who has been helpful with their services, resources and support.
COUNCIL MEMBER DISCUSSION
Co-Chair Parsons praised the Department of Public Health for their efforts to try to make sure that people “don’t fall under the cracks” and reiterated the importance of seeking more service providers for community living to make it possible for individuals to be able live independently in the community.
Council Member Grigsby commended the Department of Public Health in getting ToolWorks involved as a service provider for individuals who make the transition to community-assisted living. She encouraged them to continue to assist in making it possible for residents to move out of LH into community living.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Herb Levine stated that the Settlement does not prevent individuals going to Laguna Honda (LH) for long term care because it is all about choice. He stated that there are those who will benefit from community living outside LH if given a choice.
Howard Chabner expressed his support for long-term care at LH because he knows there are those individuals who made the personal choice to go to LH for total care due to their medical condition. He agreed that people should have a choice about whether or not to live at LH or in the community.
11 REPORT FROM THE PHYSICAL ACCESS COMMITTEE
Howard Chabner, Chair, reported that the Committee discussed SF’s General Hospital’s renovation including having accessible bathrooms in each patient’s room; reviewed the ADA Transition Plan on curb ramps & sidewalks and capital budget for building and facilities; and assessed MUNI’s Central Subway project.
12 REPORT FROM THE DISABILITY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE
Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director for Programmatic Access, reported that the Committee discussed the development of a service delivery model to support people with disabilities and seniors who may be in emergency shelters following a disaster. She stated that SF has been selected to participate in a program by the California Department of Social Services in a functional assessment to identify service needs and resources for people with disabilities.
13 REPORT FROM THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE
Darlene Rutkowski, Chair of the Employment Committee, reported that the Committee has continued to refine its power point presentation to encourage companies to increase employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She stated the Environmental Protection Agency will be one of the first agencies to review their presentation because they expressed an interest in increasing the number of people with disabilities in their workforce.
14 PUBLIC COMMENT
Jacqueline Patterson said that she would like to see an alternative to the current implementation on construction standards for physical access to medical cannabis dispensaries. She noted that the dispensaries are all different depending on the communities they serve and therefore, there should be one standard rule of implementation for all, and that they should be assessed on a case by case basis.
15 CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence
16 COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Co-Chair Parsons announced that the American Red Cross will provide a free CPR Course Training on Saturday, March 8th. The SF Trainings will have sign language interpreters. For more information on the training, visit www.redcrosscprsaturday.org or call (415) 427-8044.
17 AJOURNMENT
Co-Chair Parsons adjourned the meeting at 4:00 PM.
For additional information, please contact:
Mayor’s Office on Disability
401 Van Ness, Room 300
San Francisco, CA 94102
415.554.6789 voice
415.554.6159 fax
415.554.6799 TTY
email: [email protected]
Minutes – Mayor’s Disability Council – 02/15/08