Minutes of April 7, 2008 Commission On Disabilities meeting:
Members Present: Rob Loud, Jim Spindler, Adeline Naiman, Debbie Dorsey, and Anita Scheipers.
Meeting convened at 11:00 am.
Discussion and Action Items:
1) Minutes: The members present approved the minutes of the March 3, 2008 meeting. They will be placed on the web site and kept in hard-copy form in the Selectmen’s office.
2) Notices: Rob Loud provided information to the Commission on the following notices received:
· House of Representatives Citation recognizing Kitty Stein
· Legislative day at the State House on April 22
· Drumlin Farm’s approved pathway slope variance from Mass. Architectural Access Board
· The April 2 swearing in of all newly elected or appointed officials by the Town Clerk
· Lincoln Recreation Dept. notice about attempts to establish additional informal HA parking for several of their daytime programs
· Lincoln Open Space Plan acceptance and publication
· Mass. Registry of Affordable Housing – It was agreed this information will be placed on the town website.
· Mass. Rehabilitation Commission’s Home Modification Loan Programs - It was agreed this information will be placed on the town website
· MassMATCH Assistive Technology Act Program – It was agreed this information would be placed on the town website.
Anita Scheipers also agreed to forward the three above-mentioned state programs information to the Council On Aging.
3)~~~~~~~~~Voting Path Handrail: Adeline Naiman raised the issue of the voting walkway hand-railing at the Smith School. She stated the school administration and the town building department will work to see the railing installed, but raised an associated concern of the HA parking being moved to an area distant from the walkway entrance, which requires people to cross the traveled way of incoming cars. She asked if it were possible to look into establishing one or two temporary accessible parking spaces at the curb near the walkway entrance. Rob Loud stated he had already discussed this issue with Police Chief Mooney – who stated he and the school administration are looking into what further accommodation can be made for accessible
parking.
Adeline also mentioned that she had used the new accessible voting machine and found it excellent and easy to use but could benefit from a large-print instruction sheet to be placed at the machine for future elections. This would prevent the need for an instructor to stand over a voter’s shoulder explaining the machine. The Commission agreed it was an appropriate suggestion, and Anita Scheipers agreed to send a letter of request to the Town Clerk. Adeline also requested the Town Clerk attempt to find a better chair to place at the machine – one which has a higher seat and which has arms. Anita agreed to pass this along to the Town Clerk as well.
4) Lincoln Road sidewalk: Debbie Dorsey announced she had been approached by a resident from the Ryan Estate regarding what steps must be taken to have a sidewalk installed along the south side of Lincoln Road to allow residents from the Ryan Estate to safely access the church, bank and other business on that same side of the street. To safely access the bank, etc., Ryan Estate residents must either walk in the street or must cross Lincoln Road near Wells Road, use the mall sidewalk and then re-cross Lincoln Rd at some point before the railroad track. Concern was expressed at the difficulty this might cause elderly or disabled residents. It was agreed that while this situation might justify a sidewalk to
be considered, it was agreed by the Commission that the best action would be to advise impacted residents to petition the Selectmen and the Highway Dept. to look into what might be required to install a sidewalk on the south side of the road. It was also suggested that the owners of the various business along that side of the road should be informed as well – as their participation may help spur action to be taken.
It was also suggested that road signage may be needed in that area of the road to warn drivers of the potential pedestrians crossing the street, or of people walking in the road; especially with the mall construction adding to the chaos of the area. Anita Scheipers agreed to ask the police department to look into whether temporary or permanent advisory signage might be considered for this area.
5) Other Business:
· Adeline Naiman requested that the upcoming COA lecture series on independent living be videotaped and aired on cable for those who are unable to attend. Anita Scheipers agreed to contact the COA to see about getting this done.
· It was agreed by all that the new Asst. COA Director, Pam Alberts, should be added to the email distribution list to encourage future COA involvement.
· Rob Loud expressed doubt about how messages of concern on accessibility are raised so as to avoid the appearance of whining and of backlash by the non-disabled public. Adeline pointed out that legislation requires accessibility for all residents and that residents who voiced concern were merely stating their rights. Anita Scheipers agreed by saying it is the responsibility of the Commission on Disabilities to speak up for our disabled residents, and we must be available to promote awareness and to help deal with such issues in the most effective and diplomatic way possible. Jim Spindler and Debbie Dorsey echoed these sentiments.
· Rob Loud and Anita Scheipers updated the Commission as to the ongoing efforts of the Lincoln Conservation Commission and the City of Cambridge in making the Harrington conservation trail accessible.
· Jim Spindler requested that the next meeting agenda include discussion about setting some short and long-term goals for the Commission.
· Debbie Dorsey requested that commission membership be discussed at the next meeting.
6)~~~~~~~~ Next Meeting: The next meeting was set for Monday May 5, 2008 at 11am.
7)~~~~~~~~~Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
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