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2002-04-24 - 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: 04/24/2002 Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING APRIL 24, 2002 I. Call to Order-The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. II. Roll Call - Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Chorney, Verson, Gottlieb, Holm, Weiner, and Spallone. Also present was Staff Liaison Summers. III. Approval of Minutes-A motion to approve the minutes of the 3/20 meeting was made by Comm. Chorney and seconded by Comm. Verson. During Discussion on the motion Comm. Verson requested a correction to the minutes, indicating that Section V. should read "IEP" in place of"AEP." Minutes approved as amended. IV. Chairman's Report- Chairman Kahen reported that the Buffalo Grove Days Commission is in favor of the idea of having a wheelchair basketball team play at Buffalo Grove Days against the Village Trustees, Police Dept, etc. The commissions collaboratively agreed on a Monday afternoon, between 1:00 and 5:00, basketball game during Buffalo Grove Days. Chairman Kahen and Comm. Verson both indicated that they are having trouble reaching Corey Bell, of the wheelchair basketball league, and will continue to pursue contact. Comm. Verson asked if the commission had any funding to cover the team's travel expenses. Chairman Kahen indicated that Ronald McDonald is now booked for the Buffalo Grove Days disabilities event. He also indicated that Comm Weiner is pursuing 300 water bottles and 300 hats for Buffalo Grove Days promoting the Commision for Residents with Disabilities. Chairman Kahen reported that Dominick's has submitted a plan to increase the number of handicapped parking stalls at their new Plaza at Buffalo Grove store. Comm Holm asked about whether revision to handicapped parking requirements (Illinois Accessibilty Code) should be pursued for parking lots where variations are required. Chairman Kahen reported that Officer Ed Wagner, of the Buffalo Grove Police Department, had responded to the commission regarding the department's communication with the hearing impaired during a traffic stop. Officer Wagner indicated that officer's are taught the sign language for "drivers license" in police training and that additional communication takes place in writing. In events where writing does not establish effective communication, the department has five officers with expertise in this area that can translate. The commission requested that a letter be sent to the police department thanking them for proactively planning for this scenario. Chairman Kahen passed out "Report on Handicapped Parking Violations" forms. He asked that the commissioners keep these forms in their cars and fill them out when violations are noted and return them to Phil Versten. A letter will then be sent to the registered owner informing them that the vehicle was seen parked in a handicapped stall without a proper permit. Chairman Kahen discussed the upcoming Buffalo Grove Fine Arts Festival. The commission expressed interest in providing a golf cart shuttle from the parking lot to the event. The commission discussed specifics related to operating and signage for the golf cart shuttle. Chairman Kahen also indicated that he had been informed that the festival will have a disability preview session one morning. He asked that Ghida Neukirch, Assistant Village Manager, be informed of the commission's intent to operate a shuttle and that her comments be pursued. He also asked that she be informed of his desire to attend the Arts Commission meeting regarding the festival so that efforts could be coordinated. V. Commissioners Reports - None VI. Sub-Committee Reports A. Community Service and Accessibility Sub-Committee - Chairman Kahen informed the commission that this committee has not met since the previous commission meeting. Chairman Kahen reported that the police department has stated that an emergency pager program would dedicate resources to protecting a small sub-group of the population whereas resources should be directed to serve the population at large. Commissioners suggested the service could be supported by a service fee (to cover the monthly pager cost) or funding grant. Chairman Kahen reviewed the Arlington Heights and Naperville emergency pager programs including pager codes and costs, where provided. Comm. Gottlieb indicated that if the village were to financially support the program they would need to find a way to ensure people have disabilities that require this service. Chairman Kahen indicated that other communities require a doctor to fill out a form validating the disability. Comm. Gottleib asked if the program could also be configured to automatically dial those with a TTY and give them a message. Comm. Spallone reported that 4 parents with MS met at the first parents with disabilities support group meeting. The group is planning a Memorial Day picnic and will invite Steve Zalusky from the Daily Herald. Comm. Spallone also passed around a set of tapes titled "Taking Resposnsibility For Your Choices" for the commission to review. B. Business Community Awareness Sub-Committee - Comm. Weiner reported that Phil Versten had published a request for presenters able to speak on issues of Government Benefits, to include: SSA, SS I Medicaid, AABD, TANF, MANG, & KidCare Medicare HBWD Program QMB Buy-In Spenddown programs Legal Documents, specifically 15.1 and D4a trusts Guardianship issues, specifically Plenary, limited versus Powers of Attorney Family Communications, to include Life planning for today and the future, and the interaction of siblings versus parents Comm. Weiner indicated any individual interested in speaking should present qualifications to Phil Versten prior to May 3, 2002. The presentation will take place May 23, 2002 and last approximately one hour with time following for questions. The commission asked that the group "Special Kids, Special Families" be informed of the upcoming presentation and that the event be posted on the commission's web site. The commission also asked if the marquee sign at the Public Service Center could be used to promote the event. Comm. Verson stated she called Wal-Mart and Target to inquire about "assisted shopper programs." Wal-Mart stated they did have such a program but did not publicize it. If one inquires at the help desk they will assign an employee to assist you throughout the store. Target indicated they did not offer such a program but that several employees were available throughout the store to assist those with special needs. Comm. Verson suggested the commission develop a letter or award system to promote those business which offer services to assist the disabled. Chairman Kahen indicated the village already has a Golden Bison" award to recognize businesses that help the community. Comm. Weiner suggested the commission develop an "assisted shopper" program and send it out to large retail establishments in the community and surrounding areas. Comm Holm suggested along with that letter the commission request that any store providing a service let the commission know what services are provided and how so that additional ideas could be generated and shared. C. Public Awareness Sub-Committee -This committee has not met since the previous commission meeting. The committee asked if the commission had any ideas for articles to write and post on the commission's web site. Articles should be submitted to Phil Versten for publication on the website. The committee noted that articles should remain generalized and avoid areas which could create liability situations. Chairman Kahen also noted commissioners should review various websites and provide a list of any links that would be appropriate for the website. Staff Liaison Summers cautioned against providing external links that have not been thoroughly reviewed by the commission or village as a whole. He suggested that if any external links are to exist (he will check with Phil Verston regarding appropriateness of external links) the website should at a minimum display a disclaimer stating "The Village of Buffalo Grove and the Commission for Residents with Disabilities cannot be held responsible for any information contained on a website located outside the Village of Buffalo Grove domain," or some deviation thereof. This could be provided on the commission's website or as a pop-up when an external link is selected. D. Schools Sub-Committee - No report. E. Advocacy/Legislative Sub-Committee -This committee has not met since the previous commission meeting and did not have a report. VI I. Items for Discussion - None VI I I. Staff Liaison Report- None IX. Questions form the Audience- None. X. Other Business - Comm. Chorney, Gottlieb, and Holm attended the Senior Expo on 4/23 and distributed information about the commission; they reported the event appeared to be larger than last year. They also noted that the commission did not have a sign identifying it as the "Commission for Residents with Disabilities" and that in future years it would seem appropriate to have signage to that effect. Comm. Chorney noted that June 1, 2002 will mark the ten year anniversary of the Commission for Residents with Disabilities. Comm Spallone suggested a group picnic to celebrate the occasion. XI Adjournment - Motion to adjourn made by Comm. Verson and seconded by Comm. Chorney. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 P.M. Next Meeting: Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at 7:OOpm, lower level conference room, at Village Hall.