Meeting Information

· Copies of the Mayor’s Disability Council Meetings are available in the AV section of the San Francisco Main Library.

5 REPORT FROM THE CO-CHAIRS

Sergio Alunan reported that Governor Davis pulled out of the Dare Care and that an amicus brief is being filed on behalf of the University of Alabama versus Garrett case by Minnesota.

6 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR

Walter Park gave a summary of activities of the Mayor’s Office on Disability

· The Garrett vs. Alabama case is going to the Supreme Court. It could impact Title II of the ADA adversely, or even abolish Title II of the ADA.

· A Chinese delegation visited the office in June, discussed access, and took a tour of accessibility modifications to historic City Hall.

· The curb ramp inventory project conducted by the Department of Public Works is in progress.

· The office has a summer intern, Ben Nagy from Hungary. Ben is working on a number of projects. Along with two other interns, Ben is conducting a housing survey with the Chinatown Community Housing Corporation.

· MOD receives 40-50 complaint cases per month. In June the office assisted in helping make an accessible path of travel to a disabled couple living in a small in-law unit. The office also made it possible with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Department for a disabled prisoner in San Quentin to retrieve his wheelchair.

· The department of Human Services assists with special circumstance needs such as wheelchair ramps, grab bars, and other accessible items. For more information call 415 557-5251.

· A ballot measure will be placed on the November ballot to make San Francisco libraries accessible. The Library will be invited to attend a Council meeting in September or October.

· MOD has been in discussion with the author of Access 2000 Guide in order produce an updated version with opinions.

· A suit was filed against the City concerning Laguna Honda.

Claudia Center announced that in order to file an amicus brief in the Garrett case, an advocate agency should contact the Bazelon Center in Washington, DC. For more information call 202-467-5730.

7 COMMITTEE REPORTS.

REPORT FROM THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE:

Richard Rothman, Chair or the Employment Committee gave a summary of the activities of the Employment Committee:

· The Committee met with Marilyn Ridgeway from the California Department of Rehabilitation. She spoke on the history of Rule 15 and Rule 34/15 which is an entryway into the Civil Service System of people who are severely disabled and don’t have to complete the civil service exam.

· Next year the committee will encourage City departments and colleges to hire disabled interns. Andrea Gordine, head of Human Resources will send out a memo to City Departments outlining the procedures for recording reasonable accommodations. A report will be provided to the Mayor’s Office on Disability this October.

· The Employment Committee meets the third Tuesday every month in City Hall, Room 421 at 4:00 p.m.

REPORT FROM THE PROGRAMMATIC ACCESS COMMITTEE:

Damien Pickering, Chair or the Programmatic Committee gave a summary of the activities of the Programmatic Access Committee.

· The Committee has taken a systematic change and is now reviewing an umbrella of issues. The current focus is an analysis of the City contracts process in reference to disability access components and products that the City purchases. For more information please call 415 431-1481 Ext. 250.

· The Programmatic Access Committee meets at the Rose Resnick Lighthouse, 214 Van Ness Avenue on the first Friday every month at 1:30 p.m.

8 ACTION ITEM - COUNCIL APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION

The Council approved a resolution thanking Susan Leal, City Treasurer, her staff and William Wolverton, General Manager of the San Francisco Federal Credit Union for their effort in developing the first fully accessible Talking ATM in the United States.

8 DISCISSION ITEM - PRESENTATION OF APPRECIATION CERTIFICATES

Susan Leal, City Treasurer and John Wolverton, General Manager of the San Francisco Federal Credit Union were presented certificates by the Council and Richard Skaff in appreciation for helping to develop the first fully accessible Talking ATM in the United States.

SAN FRANCISCO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT - SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESENTATION

Sally Chow, Associate Superintendent for Student Support Services is responsible for a series of meetings related to disability issues special education, services and recreation affecting children. She gave a summary on how the assessment process in performed. She explained how accommodations and modifications are made. In-service training for administrators and teachers is also performed. Dr. Anita Grier is the head of the ADA Compliance.

CONSUMERS IN ACTION FOR PERSONAL ASSISTANCE (C.I.A.P.A.)

Luis Calderon from (C.I.A.P.A.) a consumer organization working to improve home care services. The organization is launching a non-partisan voter registration campaign called Vote 2000 to help people with disabilities to register to vote. For more information about Voter 2000, call Bob Planthold at 415 397-2588 or fax 415 397-2587, Website address is [email protected] Bob Planthold announced that there is a new number 711 that a person can call and have text read to them.

9. DEPARTMENT OF PARKING & TRAFFIC

Mary Ellen O’Brien, ADA Coordinator for the DPT and her staff gave a summary on the progress made by the department since their last meeting with the Council.

· Sidewalk obstruction citations through the month of June are up 14% over last year.

· Red painting of curb ramps on Market Street passed through Planning Commission.

· Citations issued for vehicles parked on the sidewalk reached 108,000 through the end of June.

· Citations for Bus Zone violations reached 10,000 through the end of June.

· Citations for parking in Disabled Parking spaces near 2000 through the end of June.

· Citations for misuse of Disabled Placard reached 362 through the end of June.

· Wheelchair access reached 1,574 through the end of June.

· Violation fine for parking in the red increased to $103.

· Blue zone count for the City is over 500. Average of two new blue zones added per month.

· Bond Yee received the employee of the month award.

· Number of pedestrian accidents decreased from 1050 down 800. This is a 25% decrease in 4½ years.

· Through Supervisor Mabel Teng, the Board of Supervisors has set up a Pedestrian Safety Task Force made up representatives in various City Departments.

· Testing is being done on different types of timing for pedestrian signals, educational plates, crosswalk striping and community meetings are being held to educate the public on parking safety issues.

Ed Evans expressed concern about the lack blue zones, white zones and the illegal use of handicap placards in his neighborhood.

The number to call for disabled placard abuse is (415) 553-1631 and the hotline number is (415) 554-9818. Mary Ellen O’Brien’s main line is 415 255-3950.

In regard to a complaint about blue zone parking spaces at restaurant at Pier 43,

DPT does not have jurisdiction over Port property.

Michael Kwok inquired about handicap placard parking. DPT offered an explanation: a person with a handicap placard may park in a green zone, in a blue zone and at a parking meter for an unlimited time. They may not park in a white zone or a red zone.

A Community Parking Officer Program has been established and includes 12 districts, which are divided by police districts. This program runs two 8-hour shifts. The officers work with individuals on a one-to-one basis to resolve access issues.

Richard Skaff announced the Architectural Transportation Barrier Compliance Board (ATBCB) a Pedestrian Right-of-Way Committee meeting on August 16,17 and 18 at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. This meeting relates to the issues of pedestrian safety and function for persons with disabilities and the public right-of- way. Policy makers representing city, county, state and federal governments and visitors from the Department of Transportation in Washington, DC will be in attendance. The Mayor’s Office on Disability will also be hosting a reception honoring the ATBCB in City Hall’s North Light Court on Friday, August 18, 2000 at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

PUBLIC COMMENT

· Bruce Alison reported that he spotted handicap placards being sold at flea markets. Mary Ellen O’Brien stated that he should call Traffic Control or her number 255-3950.

· Enid Lim voiced her concern about sidewalk impediments to pedestrians and wheelchair users.

· Frank Courtney is disturbed by speeding traffic in his neighborhood.

10 CURB RAMP INVENTORY SURVEY - DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

Susan Ferreyra, ADA Disability Access Coordinator, stated that there is a problem with education and enforcement of sidewalk regulations. DPW is currently in the process of educating businesses on requirements for sidewalk display. Ms. Ferreyra suggested that a Council meeting be scheduled to cover sidewalk obstructions. Ms. Ferreyra explained that the Public Works is undertaking a survey of all the curb ramps in San Francisco. The goal of the survey is to assess every intersection in the City to determine where curb ramps are and the condition of existing curb ramps. The inventory will be linked to the GIS or Geographic Information System the Base Map for the City. This information will be used to determine funding for installation of curb ramps. By the end of July, survey of 2500 of the possible 7500 intersections will be complete. The curb ramp survey does not cover Treasure Island or the Airport, which will install their own curb ramps. Susan Ferreyra can be reached at (415) 557-4685.

11 SELF-EVALUATION AND TRANSITION PLAN REPORT

Logan Hopper of Hopper & Associates reported that the Self-Evaluation Transition Plan’s (Draft) deadline for completion is August 31^st. This draft will consist of the analysis of the survey data for nearly 1200 facilities. Mr. Hopper also mentioned that if the Library bond passes $100 million would become available for library improvements.

Logan Hoppers’ responsibility is to produce a draft of the original data to the Mayor’s Office on Disability and at that time it will be analyzed.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Bruce Allison inquired as to whether lack accessibility would place some libraries in a priority category.

12 REQUEST FOR FUTURE AGEANDA ITEMS

DPT Blue zone unit to report on blue zones.

A discussion on sidewalk obstructions.

ANNOUNCENENTS

Grayce Regan reminded the community to call MUNI to report accessibility issues and leave the date and time that incident occurred. The number to call for accessibility complaints is 923-6142 or call Grayce Regan’s hotline at (415) 543-6222 Ext. 185 except Saturday, Sunday or a Monday holiday.

Peggy Coster announced that Supervisor Bierman will chair a Public Health and Environment Committee hearing on how Medicare payment policies and practices affect persons with disabilities in San Francisco. [Check meeting location] Also, a City Budget meeting will be held on Thursday, August 24, 2000 in City Hall, Room 400 at 1:00 p.m. [Check meeting location]

13 PUBLIC COMMENT

Robin, who is disabled, complained about her loss of housing due to a broken elevator in her apartment building.

The Mayor’s Office on Disability is at present conducting an accessible housing survey. With regard to elevator maintenance, under the ADA there is a maintenance access feature requirement. Also, Fire Department regulations mandate that elevators must be maintained. There is an Elevator Safety Department within the State Cal OSHA, California Occupational Safety Unit. The Building Department’s Disability Access Division and the Housing Division of the Department of Building Inspection Disability Access Division may be of some assistance.

Ed Evans suggested that Robin call Raphael Torres, department head in the Department of Building Inspection who handles disability related issues.

14 ADJOURMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 4:19 p.m.