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2003-04-23 - Commission for Residents with Disabilities - Minutes Board or Commission: ❑ Commission on Residents With Disabilities Document Type: 0 A e g nda 0 Minutes Meeting ate: 04/23/2003 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING April 23, 2003 I. Call to Order—the meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. in the council chambers of Buffalo Grove Village Hall. II. Roll Call —Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Chorney, Gottlieb, Holm, Klassman, Sussman, Verson, Weiner, Dumrauf, and Morton. Also present were staff liaisons Versten and Swieca. I11. Presentation—David Kuriniec, a Stevenson High School student with cerebral palsy who has met and discussed disabilities issues with several U.S. congressman, discussed his views on a variety of subjects related to disabilities, including: • State gov'ts should impose a cap on premiums so that everyone can have affordable health insurance. • Not all so-called "accessible" restrooms are truly accessible if a door must be pushed or pulled open. Those doors should be removed and replaced with "L" shaped entrances, such as in airports. • Supports Senator Max Cleland's (GA) efforts to fund the special education requirement to the full 40% originally envisioned with the bill when passed in 1975 , not just the 15% it is at right now. • Schools should be relieved of the funding of proper learning environments for students with disabilities. • Accessible seats should not be at the very front of movie theaters, because they then require the disabled person to maneuver through a crowd, only to get a stiff neck from viewing the film from so close. • How kids can properly interact with persons who have disabilities: 1) ask before you assist, and 2) don't make snide remarks. • Every building should have an automated entrance. • His newsletter is available from his web site at www.differentabitity.org. His e-mail address is breakthewall 2004@yahoo.com IV. Approval of Minutes—A motion to approve the minutes of the 3/26/03 meeting was made by Comm. Dumrauf and seconded by Comm. Verson. V. Chairman's Report— Chairman Kahen read a notice regarding the ACS Relay for Life event that was sent to all commissions who may be interested in forming a team for the event. Chairman Kahen announced that there would be one golf cart— a four-seater—for the Buffalo Grove Invitational Art Festival. Also, Amy Amdur will partner with the CRD to promote the preview for persons with disabilities. They will supply us promotional post cards which we will label and mail out to addresses in our database. The preview is on the web site and was publicized in the last Village News. It was suggested that it also be published on cable Channel 6. Chairman Kahen announced that developers would be asked to voluntarily include additional parking spaces when submitting plans for new commercial construction. The following language is now included on the letters that are issued following a building permit to strip a parking lot: The Village of Buffalo Grove Commission for Residents with Disabilities respectfully requests that the owners of parking lots, when striping or restriping the parking lot, consider exceeding the number of handicapped parking spaces required by code. Chairman Kahen announced details of the lending closet agreement we have in our dicsussions with William Peterson, Vernon Township Supervisor. Vernon Township has agreed to extend the services of the Vernon Township lending closet to ALL of Buffalo Grove, in exchange for item donations to the closet from ALL of Buffalo Grove. To donate equipment to the Vernon Township lending closet, or to inquire about a piece of equipment, the Village is encouraging people to call the Township at 847-634-4600. Item donations can also be dropped off at Village Hall or at the Buffalo Grove Fire Department's Administrative Headquarters at 1051 Highland Grove Drive during normal business hours. The item donor fills out a form, which goes with the item to Vernon Township. The Township then contacts the resident for follow up thank you and a letter of receipt. For safety reasons, anonymous donations cannot be accepted. It was suggested that the lending closet be promoted in the Village News, on the webs ite and on channel 6. The new Trustee liaison can promote it at an upcoming board meeting. Chairman Kahen passed around the checklist from ADA.gov and noted that they are a great reference site. He said they make available CD-ROMS of reference material. He will order a few and distribute them in the near future. Next Chairman Kahen reported on BG Days. Discussion continued on where to place the wheelchair basketball exhibition. It was noted that the RIC Express will have an exhibition game first among it's own members, and then will play a second exhibition game against Village officials. Fun and Food will not have Ronald McDonald, but they may be able to send the Hamburglar or the Grimace. Benny the Bull will be there. Discussion continued on whether or not to register a CRD entry into the BG Days Parade. Commissioner Verson is handling. Possibly just a golf cart with kids and commissioners walking alongside distributing flyers, etc. VI. Sub-Committee Reports— Community Service and Accessibility Sub-Committee Chairman Kahen reported that Postmaster Mike Wingstrom liked the handicapped service signs we created for him, and that they are on display in the lobby of the post office. Commissioner Susman asked about the ambulance hook-ups for wheelchairs. Staff liaison Swieca explained that the Washington Company makes one and they are $400. The Fire Department will probably start with one. Liaison Swieca also assisted with language concerning the signature line of our diabilities survey, relative to HIPAA requirements. Business/Community Awareness Sub-Committee The sub-committee will meet in early May at Commissioner Sussman's house to discuss programs related to business awareness and sensitivity, etc. Public Awareness Sub-Committee An article about the lending closet will go in the summer '03 Village News as well as on the web site, channel 6 and the subscriber e-mail. Schools Sub-Committee No report. Legislative Sub-Committee - No report. VII. Items for Discussion—None. VII. Staff Liaison Report—None. VIII. Other Business — Chairman Kahen will represent the CRD at the Senior Expo on April 29. IX. Adjournment — Motion to adjourn made by Commissioner Chorney and seconded by Commissioner Verson. Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 28, 2003 at 7:OOpm, lower level conference room, at Village Hall.