2001-10-24 - Commission for Residents with Disabilities - Minutes Board orCommission: ❑ commission on Residents With Disabilities
Document Type: ❑A e
g nda 0 Minutes
Meeting ate: 10/24/2001
Type of Meeting: ❑ Regular Meeting
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR BUFFALO GROVE COMMISSION
FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 2001
I. Call to Order—The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m.
II. Roll Call—Commissioners present included Chairman Kahen, Commissioners Chorney, Sussman,Verson,
Weiner,Holm, Spallone,and Gottlieb. Also present were Liaisons Versten and Summers.
III. Approval of Minutes—A motion to approve the minutes of the 10/3 meeting was made by Comm.
Sussman and seconded by Comm.Verson. Motion Carried.
IV. Chairman's Report—Chairman Kahen reviewed correspondence—an email from Art Malinowski,
Director of Human Resources,regarding additional concerns relative to a Village-coordinated program wherein
volunteers would drive persons with disabilities around on errands,doctor visits, etc.
Chairman Kahen noted that holiday season was arriving and therefore meetings would need to be
rescheduled. It was agreed that the upcoming schedule of meetings would be November 28th, December
19th, and January 23rd.
V. Commissioners Reports—
Comm. Sussman asked if the village News' could be delivered to school and employers in Buffalo Grove
so that employees may read it on breaks or over their lunch. Liason Versten indicated that the newsletter
should currently be received by all addresses within the village.
VL Sub-Committee Reports
A. Public Info Sub-Committee—Comm. Spallone stated she would like to write and submit and
article for the village News'newsletter,regarding parents with disabilities who are raising children.
B. Goal Setting Ad-Hoc—see Items for Discussion, below.
VIL Items for Discussion
Chairman Kahen noted that the October 23rd ADA Presentation by Robin Jones had gone well. The Commission
agreed and stated they had acquired some additional knowledge of the ADA that would prove beneficial to them.
Chairman Kahen encouraged Commissioners to bring forward goals for next year. Ideas given discussion include:
1. Begin a Village-run shuttle service for persons with disabilities and seniors.
• It was understood that this goal would require looking into the cost of a van,or a
potential donation,maintenance issues,insurance,liability,employees to drive the vehicle, etc.
• It was also suggested that partnering with Park District may also be an option.
• It was noted that this type of program has been suggested and brought forward by the
Joint Commission on Aging previously.
2. Have automatic door openers installed on Village buildings, as appropriate-Chairman Kahen
rioted that,due to the weight and difficulty to open,he would like to see an automatic opener on the front door to
the Village Hall, as well as possibly the lower level entrance.
• It was also noted that automatic door openers might be well placed at the Chamber of
Commerce building, Police Dept public entrance as well as the future Arboretum Clubhouse and banquet facility.
• Liason Versten noted the budgeting of the Capital Improvements Plan(CIP)would
start soon and that it would be good to get the door openers into the CIP Budget review process.
• Chairman Kahen estimated that retrofitting existing doors with these openers would
cost approximately$1,500 to$1,800 each, but further research would be needed to derive an accurate estimate.
3. Initiate an emergency alert pager program-Liaison Versten stated it might be timely to review
the emergency pager program for persons with hearing disabilities that cannot here warning alert sirens.
4. Make Village website accessible-Liason Versten stated he would like to learn more about
accessible websites and modify the village current website to be accessible.
5. Parents with Disabilities Support Group—Comm Spallone stated she would like to see if support
exists to begin such a group. It was agreed she will write an article for the'Village News.' See VI Sub-Committee
Reports, A.Public Info Sub-Committee.
6. Ask or encourage businesses and/or landlords to volunteer additional space for handicapped
parking—Chairman Kahen noted he would like for the Commission to get involved earlier in the planning process
and ask for voluntary compliance with a series of requests. Requests would be laid out in a document given to the
developer at an early stage of the planning process.
7. Address the issue of lines in grocery stores and the need for dedicated check out assistance
services to handicapped customers.
8. Encourage businesses to go above and beyond code in meeting the needs of persons with
disabilities. It was noted that a sensitivity training pamphlet could be prepared and handed out to village
businesses to post in employee break rooms.
VIIL Staff Liaison Report -No report.
IX. Questions form the Audience—None.
X. Other Business
XI Adjournment—Motion to adjourn made by Comm Sussman and seconded by Comm Chorney. Meeting
adjourned at 8:45 P.M.
Next Meeting:
Regular Commission meeting,November 28,lower level conference room at Village Hall.