DISABLED PERSONS ADVISORY
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
A meeting of the Disabled Persons Advisory Board of the
Those
present:
COMMITTEE MEMBERS: John
McConville, member
Lisa Huchler-Smith, Secretary
David Rogers, Chairman
Ann Piccinotti, Vice-Chairman
Liz Harbison, member (absent)
OTHERS: Scott
Fegley, Supervisor Liaison (absent)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Ms. Huchler-Smith moved,
Mr. McConville seconded and it was unanimously carried to approve the
MAILING RESULTS TO LOCAL BUSINESS OWNERS REGARDING
Mr. Rogers stated very
few envelopes were returned and he has not heard from any other businesses
asking for information.
PRESENTATION TO THE LMT SENIORS
Mr. Rogers stated that
approximately fifteen people attended the presentation and the attendees asked
good questions, stating that some questions were not relevant to what the DPAB
does. Mr. Rogers stated one woman
informed him that her husband has a speech problem and uses a speech device to
help him speak through typing words. She
stated she and her husband have had problems when calling 911 for
assistance. Mr. Rogers stated this issue
relates to the importance of the Yardley-Makefield Emergency Unit receiving and
inputting information about residents with disabilities. Mr. Rogers stated he distributed “File for
Life” magnets that can be affixed to the refrigerator with a person’s vital
information and medical history.
Mr. Rogers stated he and
Ms. Huchler-Smith also distributed the Yardley-Makefield Emergency Unit’s
informational card to the seniors to fill out and returned the completed cards
to the Emergency Unit.
DISABLED PERSONS ADVISORY BOARD LIBRARY
Mr. Rogers stated the
Board now has a filing cabinet located on meeting room “C” in the
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LMT EMERGENCY UNIT
Mr. Rogers stated on his
last visit to the LMT Emergency Unit he asked where they were with inputting
information into the Emergency Response database. The Emergency Unit’s response was that they
are waiting for a response from the second mailing that was going out soon.
BUILDING PERMITS
Mr. Rogers reported that
there have been no new permits filed.
Mr. Rogers stated a new
accessible playground was recently completed in Bensalem. The Board discussed ideas to build and
accessible playground in
Mr. Rogers discussed
that the Township is looking to make one of the Township pools accessible for
the disabled in the near future.
NEED FOR ID CARDS
Mr. Rogers stated that
Mr. Fedorchak positively responded to his request for ID cards for the
Board. Mr. Fedorchak gave him the name
of a printer to contact that the Township uses and Mr. Rogers would give the
printer the information about the Board for the cards. Mr. Rogers suggested having the cards printed
with name of the Board, telephone number, address and web site but leave the
Board members names off the cards for each member to fill in.
MEMORANDUM REGARDING ACCESSIBLE PARKING
Mr. Rogers stated he is
working on the memorandum.
REACHING OUT TO CUSTOMERS WITH DISABILITIES
Mr. Rogers stated he is
aware of a ten-lesson course for business people teaching them how and why to
make businesses accessible, presented by the Easter Seals of New Jersey. Mr. Rogers stated he would put information on
the Board’s website to link people to the information about the course.
Mrs. Huchler-Smith asked
how the Board could persuade the Board of Supervisors to put money in the
budget for additional improvements to the Township Building. Mr. Rogers stated he talked with Mr.
Fedorchak about the need for lighting improvements on the exterior of the
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Township Building. Mrs. Huchler-Smith also suggested installing
five-pound pulls on the exterior doors.
Mr. Rogers stated he would send Mr. Fedorchak a memorandum about these
items the Board wants included in the budget for improvements and accessibility
as well as an accessible playground.
Mrs. Piccinotti
suggested if bright lighting is an issue at the Township Building than improved
lighting could be along the paths or walkway.
Mrs. Huchler-Smith asked if the Township owns the library building. She stated the library doors also should be
modified to five-pound pull doors. Mr.
Rogers stated he would inquire into the ownership of the library.
Mrs. Huchler-Smith reported
that she talked with someone at McCaffrey’s about the accessibility issues at
the store. She stated she would
follow-up with McCaffrey’s in October to see if any resolution has been
reached. Mr. Rogers stated he has been
checking on whether the carts have been blocking accessibility at Super Fresh
lately and they have not.
The Board
scheduled the next meeting for Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30 p.m.
The meeting was
adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Respectfully
Submitted,
Lisa Huchler-Smith,
Secretary