DC Commission on Persons with Disabilities
DC Commission on Person with Disabilities (DCCPD)
June Meeting Minutes
June 29, 2017, 10am-11:30am
441 4th St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
MEMBERS IN ATTENDANCE
Commission Chair Kamilah Martin Proctor
Commissioner Shakira Hemphill
Commissioner Terrance Hunter
Commissioner Silvia Martinez
Commissioner Cheri Mallory
Commissioner Hope Fuller
Commissioner Gerard Counihan
Commissioner Tiffany Smallwood
Christina Mitchell, Chief of Staff
Beatrice Schmidt, Public Affairs Specialist/ Commission Liaison, ODR
MEMBERS PARTICIPATING BY PHONE
Commissioner Dr. Denise Decker
Commissioner Julia Wolhandler
Commissioner Jarvis Grindstaff
Commissioner Travis Painter
PUBLIC ATTENDEES PARTICIPATNG IN THE MEETING
Cathleen Skinner
Joyce Forrest
Lorita Monagan
Brett Rouillier
Mercia Bowser
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Call to Order
The meeting was called to order by Commission Chair Kamilah Martin Proctor at 10:10am.
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DC E-mail Activation
Beatrice went over some housekeeping items including informing the commission that will not be moving forward with using designated DC government email versus addresses as it is not accessible to everyone.
Beatrice stated that she did receive an email from a few of the Commissioners regarding the activation of your DC government email. If the e-mail system it is not accessible to everyone we will not be using it going forward right now until it is made accessible to everyone. Beatrice indicated that the set-up of these government emails is done through the Mayor’s office of talents and appointments and not through the Office of Disability Rights. We will proceed with utilizing the email that are on record right now for all commissioners. Since meetings will be held every other month I'm asking that commissioners be mindful and checking their emails on a regular basis for follow-up.
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Approval of April Meeting Minutes
Beatrice indicated that the meeting minutes for April are required to be voted on and were sent out to appointed commissioners and not to members of the public. Beatrice explained that once the meeting minutes have been voted on they will be made public to view on ODR’s site. Beatrice asked all appointed commissioners if they had a chance to review the meeting minutes and asked if there were any questions regarding the meeting minutes. Dr. Denise Decker made the motion to approve the minutes and Travis Painter second the approval of the meeting minutes.
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Review of Balance Workshop
Beatrice indicated that the DC Commission on Persons with Disabilities recently hosted a balance workshop and Dr. Decker provided a brief overview of the workshop. Dr. Decker stated that the workshop provided information for all individuals including those over 60 to help prevent falls, encourage healthy eating and ways to manage and avoid falls. Participants engaged in modern dance exercise routine as a way to stay healthy. The workshop also allowed individuals to practice hand, arm and leg movements. Handouts for the workshop are in the process of being made accessible for those who would like copies.
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Deaf Awareness Event
Beatrice stated that ODR and Commissioner Julia Wolhandler would like to host a Deaf Awareness Event. The first meeting was held on June 29. Beatrice indicated that the first meeting provided feedback regarding interest in doing a two-part event focused on deaf culture. We are looking at possible venues for this event and working with Julia Wolhandler and Jarvis Grindstaff who are the lead commissioners for this is an event. ODR is looking at the possibility of hosting the deaf awareness event sometime in September keeping in mind that we have to prepare for the Mayor’s Disability Awareness expo which takes place in late October and is one of ODR’s largest events. Beatrice stated she will provide follow-up to the Commission based on the information that Julia and Jarvis provide regarding planning for the Deaf Awareness event.
Public Member Mercia Bowser indicated the Lamon Riggs library could be a good location to host the Deaf Awareness event and Jarvis Grindstaff inquired about conducting the event at Gallaudet University. Beatrice indicated that Gallaudet University is not free including the Reformer building. Commissioner Sylvia Martinez mentioned looking into the Mount Pleasant as another option to host the event.
Beatrice indicated that we discuss the details of the event with Commissioners Julia and Jarvis and will provide feedback to the Commission. Jarvis stated that Julia is currently on deployment and he will make an effort to speak with as he is also soon as possible as he is also out of the country right now as well. Beatrice stated that we will need to arrange a conference call when necessary to discuss further planning details for the event.
Selection of Commission Vice-Chairs
Commissioner Kamilah Martin Proctor stated that she nominated two vice chairs to the Commission who will help out with the work of the Commission moving forward. However, for now Kamilah has chosen to put the vote on hold until further notice.
Background of ODR Staff
Christina Mitchell provided background on her association with the Commission. She explained that she used to be the program administrator to the Commission once it was started under Mayor Fenty and is now the Chief of Staff for the agency.
Brief Overview of Mayors Disability Employment Awareness Expo
Christina provided a brief overview of the Expo which is traditionally held in October during disability employment awareness month. A variety of agencies participate to provide information for constituents and the public. The Expo is slated to happen in October at DOES and we are looking at other venues besides DOES that might work better for this year’s Expo. Public member Joyce Forrest stated that there is a venue location at Minnesota Avenue that could work well for the Expo. The Anacostia Arts Center is another location may be possible for the Expo. Christina stated that ODR’s survey team is looking at a few recreation centers for accessibility where the event could possibly be conducted. As more information regarding the expo becomes available Beatrice will provide follow-up.
Commission’s Strategic Plan
Beatrice reviewed the strategic plan and stated she wanted to ensure that the Commission understood its use. Events should tie into the strategic plan and should serve as the foundation moving forward with the Commission. All events should be structured around the strategic plan. Dr. Decker indicated that the strategic plan should be used in conjunction with the annual calendar already established.
Commissioner Martinez asked if there were goals and more accomplishments that have been achieved also associated with the strategic plan and Dr. Decker agreed to re-send this document to Beatrice (Commission liaison). Christina stated it’s important to think about what issues the community would like to address and making sure that we bring information back information to the proper people. The strategic plan should be a living document and address how the Commission will things get things accomplished.
It’s important to be help make DC a model city and help make the District fully accessible. It’s important to come back with tangible ideas that can get things moving and putting this kind of information in a report that can be provided to the mayor would be great.
Open Comment Period
Commissioner Hunter stated that a lot of people in his neighborhood including the elderly don’t always have access to healthcare facilities. Christina mentioned that it would be a good idea to invite individuals from the healthcare finance agency to discuss this issue and demonstrate statistics of how many people are affected.
Public Member Mercia Bowser mentioned that there is a collaborative on July 11 and Christina mentioned that when the collaborative is prepared to talk to the commission information will be readily shared.
Dr. Decker mentioned that a community forum was held a couple of years ago with Metro when individuals were having difficulty with accessibility issues. She stated that people really stated what the problems were and changes were made. For these kinds of issues it’s important to bring DDOT to address the issues regarding accessibility and healthcare finance to address access needs of the elderly with regard to access to healthcare facilities
Commissioner Kamilah Martin Proctor stated she wanted to address questions and concerns of public members. One of the Public member stated she has a child with autism and intellectual disability. She stated that she is working to try to get an accessible parking space for her daughter. She is currently unable to get a DC DMV placard because the DC DMV criteria does not include cognitive delay, autism or intellectual disability so therefore she has been unable to get a disability parking placard. She states that her daughter receives transportation services through OSSE. The vehicle that her daughter rides on often cannot be located and she states that drivers should not have to pick up their radios while they are driving to indicate their location when a parent calls to locate their child. These buses should be equipped with CB radios.
Commissioner Hunter stated that perhaps geo-tag could be used. However the public member states that if the child has a problem during travel related to their disability there is no way to communicate that information to the bus depot.
Commissioner Martinez stated that many parents in DC with children with disabilities do not speak English and have difficulty navigating the system so this information is greatly appreciated.
Commissioner Cheri Mallory stated she has a similar complaint due to the fact that her mother is 95 years old and she indicated that the disability placard should be provided automatically due to her age. Christina Mitchell (Chief Program Administrator) indicated that the ADA is about equality and we can’t assume that someone has a disability without proper documentation which requires that you apply for a parking placard based on disability. Commissioner Mallory states that it is difficult to take care of her 95-year-old grandmother and a child with autism while trying to navigate parking in her own neighborhood.
Public member Mercia Bowser stated that she encourages people to attend the collaborative meeting on July 11. Commissioner Smallwood stated that a brand-new library located on Rhode Island Ave. does not have an accessible entrance at the back of the library. The bathrooms in this library are not accessible. Christina Mitchell (Chief of Staff) stated that she will follow up with Commissioner Smallwood regarding the accessibility of this library after the meeting.
Kamilah made a motion to adjourn the meeting, and Commissioner Gerald Counihan second the motion to adjourn the meeting at 11:30am.