2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 Gavin Newsom
Mayor
Susan Mizner
Director
Jack Fagan
Jul Lynn Parsons
Co-Chairs
Raphaella Bennin
Norma Block
Elizabeth Grigsby
Tatiana Kostanian
Sarah Estes Merrell
Richard Ow
Denise Senhaux
Amy Wishnie
F. Ross Woodall
Mayor’s Disability Council
Minutes
15 June 2007
1 ROLL CALL
Mayor’s Disability Council Members Present: Norma Block, Jack Fagan, Tatiana Kostanian, Sarah Estes Merrell, Richard Ow, Jul Lynn Parsons, Amy Wishnie and F. Ross Woodall.
Excused Absent: Raphaella Bennin, Elizabeth Grigsby and Denise Senhaux.
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.
Jack Fagan, Co-Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:05 p.m.
2 APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
The Council approved the agenda of the June 15, 2007 MDC Meeting.
3 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The Council approved the Minutes from the May 18, 2007 MDC Meeting.
4 PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comment.
5 REPORT FROM THE CO-CHAIRS
Co-Chair Fagan reported that he was absent from the previous MDC Meeting due to a fire in his apartment building and spoke about the difficulties he faced as this was the second time this year has happened to him. He wanted to acknowledge the Red Cross for their assistance and resources. In addition, Co-Chair Fagan offered some advice including the importance of obtaining renter’s insurance and having ready an “emergency bag” with necessary items for one to take in case of an emergency. He said it would have been helpful if he had an “emergency bag” with his insulin for his diabetes because paramedics do not carry insulin. He noted that emergency shelters during earthquake and/or natural disasters do not have medications for cholesterol control, diabetes, etc. This is an issue that MDC will continue to work on in the Disability Disaster Preparedness Committee Meeting.
Co-Chair Fagan reported on two issues from a previous MDC meeting – the need for additional wheelchair seating on buses serving Laguna Honda Hospital, and the lack of seats in the waiting area at San Francisco General Hospital. Peter Strauss, Municipal Transit Agency, reported that the buses to Laguna Honda will be replaced soon with new, hybrid buses that have more wheelchair seating. Co-Chair Fagan stated that SFGH now has adequate seating in their waiting area due to MOD’s follow-up.
6 REPORT FROM THE DIRECTOR OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE ON DISABILITY
Ms. Mizner reported on the following:
* An update on the access features in Golden Gate Park, where JFK Drive is closed to motor vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays. The access features include accessible parking, accessible drop-off zones, accessible trams and signage. There is an increase of accessible parking spaces from 12 to 28 on Saturdays, and 27 on Sundays. In addition, there has been an increase of van-accessible spaces, including six at the east end of Golden Gate Park near McLaren Lodge. For more information on other areas of van-accessible spaces, please contact MOD or SFMTA. One of the drop-off areas is at the underground garage for de Young Museum. The City is working on purchasing permanent, built-to-order accessible trams. Accessible ramp taxis were provided while temporary trams are brought up to speed. MOD and the Department of Recreation & Parks are working together on signage and information. Their websites are one resource they are using to increase the public awareness about access to the park.
* Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director for Programmatic Access for MOD, has been working with other City’s departments on the Better Streets Program, to create design principles that will make SF’s streets more welcoming and more accessible to people with disabilities.
* MOD has completed the Blind and Low Vision Priorities Project and will be reporting on findings and recommendations on the needs of people who are blind and low-vision as well as implementation measures at a future MDC Meeting.
* MOD will be collaborating with Independent Living Resource Center on the ADA Anniversary Celebration, Thursday, July 26th from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at City Hall in the North Light Court.
7 TRANSIT EFFECTIVENESS PROJECT (TEP) – SURVEY OF MUNI RIDERS WHO ARE SENIORS OR WHO HAVE DISABILITIES. PRESENTATION BY SALLY ALLEN, PROJECT MANAGER, CONTROLLER’S OFFICE AND PETER STRAUSS, MUNICIPAL TRANSIT AGENCY (MTA).
Ms. Allen stated that TEP is the first effort in over 25 years to review San Francisco’s Muni system, internally and externally, in an effort to improve service. TEP was developed in partnership with the MTA and Controller’s Office to provide funds and resources to assist with transit service improvement.
MTA knows that public outreach is essential so the survey was created for the community to provide feedback and offer recommendations and suggestions. The survey deadline is July 30th
and is available on www.sfmta.com/tepaccess or from MOD. MTA has worked on outreach strategies for seniors and people with disabilities, including community briefings and networking with agencies including the Independent Living Resource Center, Lighthouse for the Blind, and Planning for Elders. The Muni Accessibility Advisory Committee, MOD, and some of other community advocates will review the findings and provide suggestions.
Ms. Allen provided a summary of the main objectives and goals for this project. The project objectives include improving overall performance and providing faster, more convenient transportation that reflect current travel needs. The three phases of this project are data collection, research, and exploring potential areas of improvement. A couple of the areas that MTA will focus on are services planning, and improving on-time service.
For more information on TEP and upcoming community briefings, contact (415) 701-4599,
e-mail address is [email protected] or www.sftep.com.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Jerry Grace inquired about which MUNI underground train line goes to the Mission Bay and to Cal Train Station.
8 COMMUNITY LIVING / ASSISTED LIVING – PROJECTS AND VISIONS
Co-Chair Fagan provided the introduction to this topic. He stated that community input is important especially for those who are living in Laguna Honda who want to live in the community, instead of a long term care facility. He welcomed suggestions to assist the City in providing more opportunities for seniors and people with disabilities to live in the community.
Marie Jobling, Co-Chair of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC), spoke about the need to create more community-based housing alternatives. She stated that it is all about choice and one should not be residing in an institution because of lack of alternatives. Ms. Jobling said that there are approximately 150 residents at LH who can make the transition to live outside in the community in assisted-living, supportive housing and other places in the community. She stated these residents want to be a part of the community, in housing that respects privacy, recognizing that they can be a valuable asset to the community, with an improved quality of life.
Liz Gray, Director of Long Term Care Services at the Department of Public Health, said that the “waivers” have increased the financial assistance to $77,000 to assist with purchasing services for residents who want to live in the community. This was a result of several community groups’ advocacy. She pointed out that there is not enough housing available to LH residents who choose to live in assisted-living housing in the community.
Margot Antonetti, Deputy Director of Housing at the Department of Public Health (DPH), explained DPH invests in housing because it affects the health outcomes of their clients, including people with disabilities who are homeless. Her staff is working on providing housing tailored to the individual client’s needs, to provide exits from institutions such as LH, and to declare homelessness a health issue. Ms. Antonetti spoke about developing more affordable and accessible supportive housing, including in buildings leased by the City. In addition to providing housing, they provide on site services such as case management, social activities, health clinic, etc.
Anne Hinton, Executive Director for Department of Aging and Adult Services, spoke about the community living fund which is being used to assist people to live in the community. The fund has 3 million dollars set aside for the coming fiscal year and it will be helping to purchase goods and services for clients. Ms. Hinton stated that is a team collaborative effort with other organizations including the Department of Public Health and the Housing Authority. She said that 74 clients within the past two months have benefited from the community living fund.
John Thomas, Program Manager at Laguna Honda Replacement Program, spoke of the original plan to have 4 buildings constructed with 1,200 beds with 140 units for assisted living facility. Currently, they have been authorized to build 3 of the 4 buildings for a total of 780 beds. Mr. Thomas also stated that they will be exploring ways to build up to 250 units for assisted living.
Larry Funk spoke about the preliminary report from the Laguna Honda Replacement Program. He defined “assisted living” as a safe place to live that provides personal services and health care for people who require assistance with the activities of daily living. Mr. Funk described assisted living as a residential facility that includes support services, where one chose to live voluntarily, and 75% of the residents will be 60 years or older requiring varying level of care and supervision. He said that younger adults with disabilities would live there as well, but that their needs must be compatible with other residents.
Ms. Mizner concluded the presentation by stating that the City has a history of generously spending funds and resources on providing health care and housing to SF residents. However, the City needs specifics to make sure that funds/resources are spent effectively, efficiently and appropriately. She said that there is a need for more specific data on the numbers of people needing independent housing; the comparative costs of a skilled nursing facility and supportive housing in the community; and specific data on people who are waiting to leave LH.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Herb Levine, Executive Director of Independent Living Resource Center SF, stated that “assisted living” should also include choice, community integration, community living, and inclusion.
Elissia Gershon, Protection and Advocacy, stated that she disagrees with Laguna Honda’s proposed “assisted living” program. She felt it would be more like an institution because there would be designated times to eat, to socialize, etc. Ms. Gershon said that her understanding of “community living” is the ability to choose when you want to eat or when to wake up instead of depending on a standard schedule. She would like to see more location options in community living, instead of building assisted living at Laguna Honda Hospital.
Meg Cooch, Planning for Elders, expressed her desire to see more people from nursing homes integrated to community living with in-home supportive services. She expressed her concern about the assisted living waiver, which doesn’t allow in-home support services to be provided once people make the transition to supportive housing.
9. REPORT FROM THE DISABILITY DISASTER PREPAREDNESS COMMITTEE.
Deferred to next meeting due to lack of time.
10. REPORT FROM THE EMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE.
Deferred to next meeting due to lack of time.
11. PUBLIC COMMENT
William Farrell expressed his concerns regarding the need for more law enforcement patrolling the United Nations Plaza due to skateboarders causing difficulties in the pathways for seniors and people with disabilities.
Walter Paulson spoke about his recent success at the Special Olympics. He encouraged more involvement from the community.
12. CORRESPONDENCE
No correspondence.
13. COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTS AND ANNOUCEMENTS
Co-Chair Parsons suggested a future agenda item for an upcoming MDC Meeting more law enforcement on sidewalk path of travel complaints by people with disabilities.
14. AJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00PM