DISABLED PERSONS ADVISORY
COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
A meeting of the Disabled Persons Advisory Board of the
Those
present:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: John
McConville, member
Lisa Huchler-Smith, Secretary
David Rodgers, Chairman
Ann Piccinotti,
Vice-Chairman
Liz Harbison, member
OTHERS: Scott
Fegley, Supervisor Liaison (absent)
Bob Shamburg
Mr. Rodgers
discussed possible agenda items for the meeting. He suggested the Board discuss if there are
evacuation procedures in place for the disabled in local schools, the golf
course and the handicap accessible playground at Makefield Elementary.
The Board
discussed that they believe many schools do not have evacuation procedures in
place for the disabled and agreed that they need to contact
Mr. Rodgers
noted that Board of Supervisor Steve Santarsiero formed a Regional Township
Committee including the surrounding Municipalities to discuss regional
issues. Mr. Rodgers asked why this Board
could not be a part of a regional Board.
Ms. Huchler-Smith moved to invite other local Disabled Persons Advisory
Boards to this Board’s regular meeting in the fall. Ms. Piccinotti seconded the motion and it was
unanimously approved.
Ms. Piccinotti moved
to invite the local Fire Marshall to the next Board meeting to advise them of
fire regulations regarding public buildings and evacuation of disabled persons
in schools. Ms. Huchler-Smith seconded
the motion and it was unanimously approved.
The Board
discussed having the dates and times of their meetings advertised on the
Township Channel. Ms. Huchler-Smith
would e-mail Mr. Fedorchak about the subject.
The Board discussed ways of informing the public about the Board and
what the Board’s role is.
Disabled Persons Advisory Board –
Page 2 of 3
Mr. McConville
said that he visited the Clubhouse on May 14th with Bill Taylor and
the Clubhouse was 80% complete. The
Clubhouse has handicap bathrooms and handicap accessible water fountains. He noted that the fire alarms did not have
flashing lights to alert a hearing impaired person in the event of a fire. Mr. McConville noted that he would contact
Mr. Fegley about the lack of flashing lights on the fire alarms. Ms. Piccinotti noted that the Fire Marshall
would have to inspect the alarms before the Clubhouse could open. Mr. Shamburg stated that some handicap access
may not be wide enough in places such as the bathroom stalls to transfer from a
wheelchair to a toilet and that should be checked. Mr. McConville said that he would make note
of that to Mr. Fegley with the fire alarms.
Ms. Huchler-Smith asked how are golf carts accessed by a disabled person
if they are on the ground floor off a steep incline and where is chair
storage. Mr. Shamburg suggested that the
Board inspect prior to the occupancy permit being issued.
Mr. Rodgers said
that he sent a letter to Nancy Frick asking her to send plans to the Board to
review for buildings that are open to the public. He said that he has not heard from her yet.
Ms.
Huchler-Smith said that she would contact Ann Langtry about exposure for the
Board in the Township Newsletter. Ms.
Huchler-Smith asked Mr. Rodgers if the Board has a budget. Mr. Rodgers said that he does not think that
they should ask for a budget right now.
Ms. Huchler-Smith asked why do some Disabled Persons Advisory Boards
have budgets and some do not. Mr.
Shamburg said that in some cases the Boards need a library for reference. He said a small budget is a good idea.
Ms.
Huchler-Smith suggested that the Board ask for the plans for North Park
(Memorial Park). Mr. Rodgers noted that
he read in the newspaper that McCaffrey’s might have an upstairs mezzanine
within the store for an eating area. He said that he wonders if there will be
an elevator. Mr. Rodgers said that he
would ask for the North Park (Memorial Park) Plans.
The Board noted
the web-site looks good. Mr. McConville
asked if certain organizations would be linked to the DPAB web-site. Ms. Huchler-Smith said that she would give
Mr. Rodgers e-mail address to Katrina so questions could be forwarded to him.
The Board agreed
to post approved meeting minutes on the web-site.
Ms.
Huchler-Smith moved, Mr. McConville seconded and it was unanimously carried to
approve the February 2004 minutes as written.
Disabled Persons Advisory Board – May 25,
2004
Page 3 of 3
Ms.
Huchler-Smith moved, Mr. McConville seconded and it was unanimously carried to
approve the March 2004 minutes as written.
Minutes were not
recorded for the month of April 2004, as the Board did not meet.
Mr. Rodgers said
that he received a letter from Bexley Orchards Neighborhood Watch regarding a
legally blind woman in their community.
The Neighborhood Watch asked if the Township could install a light
signal at the Oxford Oaks shopping center light for the blind woman as she will
be walking to the shopping center more often once the Super Fresh opens. The Board agreed that Mr. Rodgers would
contact Mr. Fedorchak to address the issue.
Mr. Rodgers will call Mr. Andrews of the Bexley Orchards Neighborhood
Association to let him know the Board received his letter. Ms. Huchler-Smith suggested that if the light
could not be altered a sign could be installed warning of a deaf person
crossing.
Mr. Shamburg
distributed information about different organizations to assist disabled
persons, polling information on how to select polling places that are handicap
accessible, ADA questions and answers, guidelines that would be helpful for the
Board.
The Committee
scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, June 22nd at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was
adjourned at 9:30 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa
Huchler-Smith, Secretary