[NOTE: These minutes are made available to the public prior to Advisory Committee for People With Disabilities acceptance.]
One member of the public who was not able to attend was having some problems with transportation. She has been working with Connecticut Transit and they have been very responsive. She is having trouble with the drivers for Dial-a-Ride as far as consistency. They all seem to have their own rules as to how and where the passengers can sit. One adult boarded the bus and there were no straps for her.
A MOTION was made by Frank Meunier, Jr. to accept the minutes of the May 23, 2007 meeting. Seconded by Joan Haines. All were in favor, MOTION CARRIED.
Christine Taylor has been in contact with Mark Ritter of Key Services. She made them aware of summer picnic and hopes to make a visit to the group home soon.
Individuals from three different group homes participated at the Special Olympics this year. They competed in 3-4 events and each participant won at least 2 medals.
The last meeting for seniors was in May. There are no meetings during the summer. The next meeting will be in September.
Participation at the Senior Net program has been good. Attendance at the Senior Meals Program is steady but we would like to see more seniors attending.
Natalie Morrison attended a First Responder Professional Needs Course. A lot of the information related to autism can be used for the Summer Camp Programs.
Thirty-five athletes participated at the Special Olympic Regional Games in May. Twenty-five of them went on to the State Games held over a 3-day period at Southern.
Unified Bocce started last Wednesday, June 13th. There are 7 athletes and unified partners participating. Unified Golf began Monday, June 18th with 13 athletes and unified partners.
Summer Programs begin Monday, June 25th. Adult Programs are ongoing.
The Park and Recreation Department received a $100,000 grant from the State for Millwoods.
The Summer Picnic will be held Friday July 27, 2007 from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at Millwoods. Anyone interested in helping please call Natalie Morrison at 721-2952.
There was a discussion on how to increase participation of special needs children in the Town of Wethersfield's after school and summer programs. Carol Keenan suggested having a representative from the Board of Education come to WACPD meeting to discuss this issue.
A MOTION was made by Frank Meunier, Jr. to approve of a donation for the Summer Picnic as needed. Seconded by Jim Grise. All were in favor, MOTION CARRIED.
The Third Annual Roaring Thunder Motorcycle Ride is Sunday July 29th beginning at Gengras Motors in East Hartford and ending at Foxwoods. Meal vouchers will be provided for all the riders. Foxwoods is also providing the Grand Prize of a Weekday Getaway and dinner for two. There will also be bus trip provided on that day and those taking the bus will also receive meal vouchers and play tickets. This event is to benefit Special Olympics.
Copies of the Resource Booklet have been distributed to the Town Manager and the State Library for the Handicapped in Rocky Hill and the Wethersfield Library.
Steve Kirsche said the Town Council has discussed how the WACPD can help provide input to the Building Committees for construction plans. Right now blueprints are required to meet ADA Compliance but sometimes only by the bare minimum. It would be useful to have someone sit in during the design and construction phases to suggest what may be appropriate in the future. The Town Council would like to offer the WACPD the opportunity to elect someone from their Committee to be included in all Building Committee meetings and correspondence. Although the liaison would not be a voting member they will be able to provide input during meetings.
A MOTION was made by Frank Meunier, Jr. to elect Jim Grise as the liaison for the Building Committees. Seconded by Christine Taylor. All were in favor, MOTION CARRIED.
There was a discussion the problems at CVS with their handicapped ramps and lack of a covered entrance. Joan Haines pointed out that Walgreen's right next door has done an excellent job of meeting the needs of the handicapped and she thought that the handicapped might boycott CVS in favor of Walgreen's because of this. They also discussed the handicapped ramp accessing the library and the lack of a covering for protection. Steve Kirsche said unfortunately a covered ramp was not in the Town's budget.
Christine Taylor said she went to a meeting called Eye Opener which is a program helping older adults with severe vision loss. She has some regulations she received from that meeting on ADA Compliance. Christine said she would distribute copies at the September meeting. She suggested inviting Candace Lowe of Independence Unlimited to speak at a WACPD meeting. She is very knowledgeable about ADA Regulations.
Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
**The next WACPD meeting will be held Wednesday September 19, 2007.
Respectfully submitted,
Eileen A. Knapp
Recording Secretary