: Susan Mizner, Director; John Paul Scott, Deputy Director for Physical Access; Ken Stein, Program Administrator; Joanna Fraguli, Deputy Director for Programmatic Access; and Mabel Martinez, Council Clerk.
2. ACTION ITEM: Reading and Approval of the Minutes
The September minutes were approved unanimously.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT: Items not on today’s agenda, but within the jurisdiction of the MDC.
There was no public comment
4. INFORMATION ITEM: Report from the Chair.
Council member Bennin announced the Fabulous/Activist Bay Area Lesbians with Disabilities exhibit at the San Francisco Public Library.
At the 20th ADA event, Mayor Newsom pledged to make the Board of Supervisors Chambers accessible before he left office. The new chambers have completed design plans and have been approved by the Historic Preservation Commission.
The three new council members – Christine “Wendy” James, Roland Wong, and Idell Wilson
-- were sworn in yesterday by Mayor Newsom. The new members introduced themselves.
Council Member Bennin also thanked the two Co Chairs for their outstanding leadership.
5. INFORMATION ITEM: Report from the Director of the Mayor’s Office on Disability.
Director Susan Mizner welcomed the new members to the Council and thanked the continuing members.
Director Mizner reported on the Department Of Justice (DOJ) Advance Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRMs), which seek public comment on the possibility of revising the ADA regulations to address accessible web information and services, movie captioning and video description, accessibility of Next Generation 9-1-1, and accessible equipment and furniture and the ADA.
There are three opportunities for in person comment at Public Hearings. One in Washington DC , the second in Chicago, and the third in San Francisco. The San Francisco meeting will be held on Jan 10th, at the Marriott on 4th St between Market and Mission. Visit the DOJ website to see the proposed regulations at www.ada.gov/anprm2010.htm.
Director Mizner said that the Paul Longmore ceremonial item was bittersweet. We will miss him enormously, but are honored to have illustrious speakers to share their thoughts of him.
6. CEREMONIAL ITEM: Remembering Paul Longmore.
The speakers were Cathy Kudlick from UC Davis, who spoke about Paul’s contributions to disability history scholarship, Larry Paradis from Disability Rights Advocates, who spoke about Paul’s activism, Ann Cohen from Disability Health Access who urged the Council and others to continue Paul’s activism, and Gene Chelberg from San Francisco State University, who spoke about Paul’s charismatic, warm, and humorous personality. Donna Calame, director of IHSS Public Authority, also spoke in tribute to Paul Longmore.
Director Mizner announced the details of the SF State Paul Longmore memorial [now passed]. and thanked the speakers. She said how fortunate it was that Paul had given such a wonderful speech at the 20th ADA Anniversary Celebration this year.
7. INFORMATION AND DISCUSSION ITEM: Disability Access at the Temporary Transbay Terminal.
Philip Sandri and Edmond Sum from the Transbay Joint Powers Authority management team gave a presentation on the temporary terminal. The Temporary Terminal will be the outdoor location for CalTrans, Greyhound, and MUNI buses for seven years, while the new grand Transbay Terminal is being constructed.
Members of the disability community had expressed concerns that preparation for people with disabilities had been insufficient.
The Transbay Joint Powers Association (TJPA) had worked with the Mayors’ Disability Council’s Physical Access Committee on the design, and John Paul Scott at MOD and Kevin Jensen at DPW had reviewed plans. However, there were concerns that the programmatic portion of the work was insufficient.
Speakers from the Lighthouse, Bryan Bashon and Cathy Abrahamson, gave some history in which the Lighthouse had raised its concerns and the JPA had hired the Lighthouse to help with the process – but unfortunately, only shortly before the Terminal was opened.
Among the challenges that were identified, included: Accessible Pedestrian Signals that were misplaced, and giving information that was not useful to a blind or low vision user; few benches to rest on, and no public restrooms.
Edmond Sum pointed out many of the features of phase two. Currently there are a minimal amount of benches but there will be a 50% increase in phase two. Two additional ticket machines will be added. There will be lighted crossings mid street to get on and off the island. There will also be canopies on site with wind screens to shelter patrons.
The audible warning has been changed to state that an “uncontrolled crossing light” has been activated. Braille maps will be provided to patrons during phase two.
Mr. Bashin expressed his concern that the Lighthouse has not been involved in the design, and points to a larger issue this highlights. Mr. Bashin feels projects in the City are being constructed without the usability being considered as an integral part of the planning process. Blind and low vision individuals do not drive and rely on public transit so he wants the community to be an integral part of the planning stages.
Council member Chan did a site visit on October 14, 2010. She observed that the Clipper purchase machine had Braille, an earphone jack, and a button to press for audio assistance. She expressed concern about the lack of shelter, seating, and unavailability of restrooms. She suggested the Clipper ticket booth be relocated closer to the crosswalk so individuals do not have to walk another half a block.
Public Comment:
Howard Chabner the Lighthouse to send representatives to the Physical Access Committee meetings or the other advisory groups to the TJPA.
Council member Bennin asked if there will be a designated Paratransit taxi stop area, and the training bus drivers receive regarding the crosswalk without a signal.
Mr. Sandri responded that there will be a Paratransit zone with an accessible loading zone, and that there will be full scale training with all the agencies and a supervisor manning the cross walks.
Council member James expressed concern about the shelters for people waiting for buses and asked if the machines be able to function on rainy days.
Ed stated canopies will be available with windscreens. They are made to accommodate forty passengers. They are good for rain protection and are currently used at Oakland airport. The ticket machines used are weatherized and will function well outside. Restrooms were not installed due to safety issues.
Council member Wilson and Wong commented on wanting the charts and maps to reflect the location of accessible features.
Co Chair Parsons suggested it would be helpful to have within the transit center a map showing the best path of travel for people with disabilities.
Director Susan Mizner Co Chair Parsons and Council member James and Mark Brown urged the JPA to open the existing restrooms in the new terminal.
Jul Lynn Parsons would like to hear back after Phase Two about orientation trainings and restrooms.
8. INFORMATION ITEM: The November Election – Access to Information, Polling Places, and Voting Machines.
Denise Van Alstine from the Department of Elections let the Council know that poll worker trainers received training from Disability Rights California. The class involved an overview of accessible polling places, a comprehensive manual and instructional videos on You Tube. She also said that poll workers are now able to request ahead of time on their applications, any accommodations to participate in the hiring process.
There is a voter assistance hotline if there are questions staff cannot answer. The phone number will be posted at each polling place.
In the voter pamphlet there is information on accessible voting as well as contact information on how to get the pamphlet in audio form, large print, or Braille.
Currently 95% of polling places are accessible. (Director Mizner added that the density of poling places in San Francisco is higher that legally mandated. The only reason we do not have 100% accessibility is because we have more polling places than are required to ensure convenient locations in every community.)
Council member Bennin asked if the You Tube videos were captioned. Council Member Senhaux said that they were.
Co Chair Woodall asked if the voter guide is online. Denise said that it is available online. To access the manual go to SFElections.org.
9. INFORMATION ITEM: The 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
Deputy Director John Paul Scott announced that after 20 years, a new ADA disability standard was published by the Department of Justice on September 15, 2010. The civil rights portion takes effect March of 2011, replacing the previous architectural access guidelines. Also, recreational standards have been added, the new guidelines harmonize with building codes, and the guidelines are streamlined. The Department of Justice has not yet adopted the 2009 ADA Amendments Act.
The Mayor’s Office on Disability has assembled a weekly study group for the City’s ADA Coordinators to assess how the new guidelines will impact policies and procedures. Much of the City’s work is already complete, as San Francisco has anticipated many of these new access standards and included them in the new library renovation and construction, outdoor spaces, and in bond work.
10. INFORMATION ITEM: Report from the Disability Disaster Preparedness Committee.
Carla Johnson began by welcoming the new council members.
September was Disability Disaster Preparedness month. This is the month to take the time to build kits with a fresh supply of food/water, examine emergency plans, and establish a location to reunite with loved ones after a disaster. Also to take the time to schedule a training, take a first aid class, or establish a plan on where to meet in the event of a disaster.
October is the anniversary of the Loma Prieta Earthquake. In honor of the anniversary, California is having a statewide drill entitled the Great California Shakeout on October 21 at 10:21 am. Everyone should participate: drop to the floor, cover, and hold on. What about people do who cannot drop? A little bit more planning is needed. Make sure you know your surroundings, and get away from the hazards. To protect yourself cover your head. For more information go to www.shakeout.org. The MOD website also has information on disaster preparedness.
At the last Disability disaster Preparedness Committee meeting, Rob Stengel did a presentation on a city wide shelter data base. It shows all the potential emergency shelter sites with information gathered from surveys that show accessibility at each location and plans on how to set up a shelter for people with disabilities. At a future meeting a committee member will demonstrate the national shelter system.
There will not be a November meeting, but the subcommittee will continue to work on Statements of Understanding (SOU). Four SOU’s have been signed and Carla Johnson is expecting another three or four to come in soon.
11. INFORMATION ITEM: Report from the Physical Access Committee.
Howard Chabner stated that the October meeting was well attended. The meeting discussed two items. The first was the proposed North Beach Library project which would be located in the triangle parcel of land. Currently the library is not accessible. There are
proponents who want to renovate the library or alternatively build an extension onto the existing building. No matter the alternative chosen, a more accessible library will result.
The Historical Preservation Commission voted to have the library be designate a historical landmark, but the final decision rests with the Board of Supervisors.
The second item was the Van Ness Bus Rapid Transit evaluation matrix. There are three proposed designs. The current survey tool is a complex matrix and the PAC wants to make it more usable for people with disabilities. At the September meeting a list was made of factors/considerations that impact people with disabilities. At the October meeting the list was finished now the list can be given to MUNI to create a survey.
The next meeting will be on Friday November 12, 2010.
12. PUBLIC COMMENT: Items not on today’s agenda, but within the jurisdiction of the MDC. Each speaker is limited to three minutes.
Mark Brown wanted to thank DPW for the accessible curbs installed downtown, as well as the street lights between 100 and 500 Eddy Street and between 100 and 300 Turk Street.
Ms. Taha discussed her many barriers to getting adequate care for her daughter who is disabled. Co Chair Woodall suggested she contact the MOD so they can help resolve her situation.
13. DISCUSSION ITEM: Correspondence.
None
14. DISCUSSION ITEM: Council Member comments and announcements.
Council member Bennin announced that October is disability awareness month.
Co Chair Parsons asked Director Mizner about the appropriateness of addressing employment for people with disabilities at an MDC meeting. She stated that the Reasonable Accommodation procedures of the City places a burden on the person with a disability.
Director Mizner said that they might want to have a longer discussion about this at the Executive Committee Meeting. The main focus of the MDC is public access to government activities, services, and resources as well as to make sure that City departments comply with the ADA. If a systemic issue is present then we can have a conversation and place it on the agenda for an upcoming meeting.
The next MDC meeting will be held on November 19, 2010.
15. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 pm