Meeting Information

Richard Rothman announced that the Employment Subcommittee will be meeting the third Tuesday of each month. Meeting announcements will be sent to everyone on the Mayor’s Office on Disability’s mailing list. To add your name to the mailing list, call the Mayor’s Office on Disability at 554-6789.

Michael Kwok requested that any updates regarding assembly bill AB155, work incentive relating to employment, be brought to the attention of the Council.

Luis Calderon, from IHSS Authority, said anyone in need of a home care worker can call 981-4477. Mr. Calderon asked for assistance in endorsing a budget to raise wages, give benefits to home care workers, and to increase access for seniors and people with disabilities.

Wayne Sherman thanked MOD staff for promptly assisting him with an accessibility issue. Mr. Sherman requests the removal of the front row seats in Room 400 so people using wheelchairs can occupy this space.

MOD announced that City Hall faculty manager is working on a solution regarding the front row seats in Room 400.

Barbara Wenger from the University of California’s Disability Statistics Center pointed out that the University has a disability statistics center and focus groups. For statistical questions, she can be reached at 502-5217, the TTY number is 502-5216. The website is dsc.ucsf.edu.

7 RECREATION AND PARKS - ACCESS FOR CHILDREN

Tony Leung, Architect & Planner and Departmental Physical Access ADA Coordinator for the Department of Recreation and Parks, stated that about 30% of Recreation and Parks facilities are partially accessible. During the planning phase of construction projects, they identify the accessible components needed, review it with the disability access coordinator, and then submit the plans to the Building Department for a permit. Some of the recently completed projects include the 10^th and Fulton site, the Mission Playground, the Page and Laguna site, The Clubhouse home of Project Insight, the Jose Coronado Play House, and the Martin Luther King Pool. Some projects in progress that the Department of Recreation and Parks is developing include accessible building equipment standards such as standardizing the toilet fixtures, toilet accessories, door hardware, signage and making sure the material manufacturers comply with accessibility standards. They are also working on guidelines and accessibility components for temporary permit events.

Linda Woo, Assistant Superintendent of the Northern Division 2 and Departmental Program ADA Coordinator, discussed the two recreation programs for people with disabilities that the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department provides. The first program is "Project Insight" which has programs for people who are deaf, blind, visually impaired, and people with other disabilities; it serves preschoolers to senior citizens. This program provides after school and therapeutic gardening programs, and outdoor and cultural excursions. "Project Insight" collaborates with many other Bay Area agencies such as The Rose Resnick Lighthouse for the Blind, the University of California Center of Deafness, and the San Francisco Unified School District.

Their second program is under the assisted recreation division and serves children, teens, and adults with developmental, emotional and physical disabilities. Activities include homework assistance, arts and crafts, various sports, music, and holiday/seasonal celebrations. Some of their collaborations include the Ulloa Elementary School, which is for children with disabilities ranging in age from 6 to 12. The newest collaborative program instituted in January of this year is the Starr King Elementary School for children 6 to 12 years old living in the inner city with disabilities. The Recreation and Parks Department is working on a pilot program to include children with autism at two of their day camps, one located at Pine Lake.

Elizabeth Goldstein, Director of Operational and Physical Planning for Recreation and Parks, spoke about the passage of Prop A & C allowing for the Department of Recreation and Parks to become more proactive towards their physical facilities. The Department completed an 18-month assessment study with different communities around the City and a physical analysis of their recreation and park facilities to assess their needs. One of the most important conclusions from the assessment study was that the Recreation and Parks Department Facilities is in need of almost $400 million dollars worth of investment. With the passing of these bonds for $110 million, and the State Park bond for almost $600 million, this department will be able to work on many facilities in the next ten years. As the Department of Recreation and Parks begins this process they will be meeting with the community around each of these projects to determine what is necessary and desirable in each facility.

Mr. Marone asked the number of facilities Recreation and Parks Department oversees. Ms. Goldstein pointed out that Recreation and Parks has 230 facilities ranging from 3Com, mini parks, to Golden Gate Park. There are 9 municipal pools and 14 recreation centers. Frank Marone questioned what Mr. Leung meant by his statement that 30% of the departments facilities are partially accessible. Ms. Goldstein informed him that there is no simple answer or exact number to identify which sites are completely accessible.

The Co-Chair noted that the Council’s main interest is on full accessibility for individuals affected by a disability, not just groups of people with disabilities having access to facilities like the Recreation Center for the Handicapped.

For questions, referrals, or information regarding accessibility at a particular park, call Recreation and Parks’ general number at 831-2700.

Ed Evans questioned the logic in closing the gates on the South side of Boedeker Park causing people with disabilities to go up a steep hill to get access through the north entrance. Mr. Evans would like to see more programs, centers, and a swimming pool for people with disabilities in the Tenderloin area.

Recreation and Parks responded that it will probably not be building any new facilities in the Tenderloin due to the lack of available land.

The website for Recreation and Parks is [email protected]. For programmatic access issues call Audrey Jones-Taylor at 831-2748. Tony Leung, the physical access coordinator, can be reached at 831-2769. The TTY for office is 242-5700.

Vincent Behan asked when the entrances and the bathroom in the panhandle from Baker Street to Stanyan Street would be made accessible. Mr. Behan also asked about whom to call regarding ruts that have been made in the dirt by garbage trucks. Richard Skaff, MOD, responded that there is currently an accessible bathroom project that is planned for the Panhandle area. Mr. Behan was referred to call the main number or Deborah Learner, from the Recreation and Parks Planning Department, at 843-2741.

Grayce Regan stated that Camp Meagher’s TTY number, 242-5700, is never answered. Recreation and Parks will check this line and have the problem fixed.

Mr. Marone commended the Recreation and Parks Department on Silver Tree Camp being fully physically accessible.

MOD staff discussed a recent project in Golden Gate Park that has made the Lodge, where the main administrative offices are located, fully accessible including bathrooms and front door access. The Golden Gate Log Cabin is also accessible. Many pathways through Golden Gate Park are being rebuilt with correct curb ramps and a new signage system.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Teresa Gallegos asked that the Tenderloin parks hire additional staff to help integrate children with disabilities into their facilities and help provide them access to the equipment in the parks.

Barbara Wenger encouraged people with disabilities to join the Recreation and Parks’ Advisory Committees.

Elizabeth Grigsby asked if there were enough staff and water lifts to help children with physical disabilities access the swimming pools. In reply, Rec and Parks answered that there are a total of ten pools. Out of these pools, there are three pools that have new water lifts, two pools have lifts that haven’t been installed, and two are ordering the lifts. The main concern is that not enough aquatic staff are available and the budget will not allow for more certified staff.

Allison Stewart, the project director for Operation Access, spoke about her agency, which has a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration. The program’s goal is to increase access to recreation services for people with disabilities in San Francisco. Over the last 2 ½ years, Operation Access has trained 180 of the San Francisco Recreation and Parks directors on awareness issues, disability rights law, and on inclusive recreation practices in a 32-hour disability awareness training. Operation Access can go to a site to assist Recreation and Parks on deciding how to make changes to a program. Operation Access has implemented a youth leadership and job placement program, which has placed 48 youth with disabilities in jobs in Recreation and Parks. Ms. Stewart can be reached at 338-6887 and her e-mail address is [email protected]

Chelsea Dare, the Recreation Coordinator of the Recreation Partnerships Program, spoke about this pilot program of the United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate. This program can provide a link between adults and children with developmental disabilities and recreation facilities in San Francisco by training staff and volunteers on inclusion and introducing persons with disabilities to the recreation community. This program seeks to provide volunteer support to help individuals access recreational classes and activities and to help guide participants through any enrollment process and help negotiate fees and membership costs. This is an excellent resource to use the program’s volunteers to help meet the staffing constraints that exist for the Recreation and Parks Department. Ms. Dare can be reached at 298-5474.

Karen Baker, from Support for Families of Children with Disabilities, explained that their agency provides the community with information, education, and parent-to-parent support and support for anybody that takes care of a person with a disability. This organization can work with other agencies to offer technical support. There are currently 120 volunteers, 10 full-time staff, and 5 support group leaders and they have staff proficient in Spanish and Chinese. The top priority of parents in the program is recreation; parents often feel their children are excluded because of physical access barriers and perceptions. Ms. Baker can be reached at 469-4518 and her e-mail address is [email protected]

Peggy Costner asked if there was a policy that determines the water temperature of the department’s swimming pools and if there is a way to have warmer water. Recreation and Parks staff will look into Ms. Costner’s request. Claudia Reinhart is the Northern Division Supervisor in charge of the aquatics program and can be reached at 292-2111. The Southern Division Aquatics Program supervisor is Lynn Greenlaw, she is located at Lewis Street Playground and her number was not available at the time of the meeting.

Michael Williams, Director of United Cerebral Palsy of the Golden Gate, mentioned the Recreation Partnership program’s children’s therapeutic swim program. He pointed out that the Recreation Center for the Handicapped has warm temperatures and is open to the public. His program, operating at Davies Medical Center, also has warmer temperatures. For more technical information call Yvette Sang at 510-832-7430 ext. 12 or contact their web address at www.ucpgg.org.