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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-04-07 Nantucket Commission on Disability Min utes April 7, 2004 Present: Mickey Rowland, Dick Moran, Cecil Richrod, Kim Horyn and Brenda McDonough Absent: Barbara Grey, Dave Dennis and Linda Williams The meeting opened with the members reviewing March's minutes, which were unanimously approved. d OJ Topics: ~;]:': ~,"'I' '- := z Accessible Taxi: r.-' I. ; ...... co . re. f""T1 . :J:::> The Commission members received a copy of the memo that Mickey seRf to Libby concerning the accessible taxi. Mickey told the members that Lib~ would talk to Selectmen and hopefully get the accessible taxi on the Board of Selectmen's agenda in the near future. Public Awareness: . The Commission discussed at length about a possible T.Y. interview with one of the program hosts ofthe Nantucket television stations to raise accessibility awareness on the Island. This would coincide with a press release in hopefully both Nantucket newspapers. The Commission agreed that the tone of this accessibility awareness would be positive. The following are the topics and point of interests that the Commission discussed: 1. Discuss the transportation to and from the Island. Discuss the difficulties that a disabled person encounters once they arrive on the Island such as transportation, negotiating the streets and sidewalks, and access to public buildings. 2. Visit new projects that are in compliance such as the Nantucket Tennis Club. 3. Visit Main Street and discuss the access problems facing historical structures and mention how some businesses worked with their historical structure to create access. 4. Point out the accessible parking spaces around Town and in private and public parking lots, and talk about the general public abusing these spaces even for just a minute. Raise the awareness level that these spaces are for our disabled residents and visitors only. 5. Show all accessible sites. 6. Have a disabled person in a wheelchair with us during the interviews so that he/she can give their experience trying to negotiate Nantucket. 7. Advertise that the COD would like "One Business per Week" to become accessible. We will focus on ADA compliance in accommodating a disabled client, and compliance with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board's 521 CMR, which deals with the architectural aspect of access in new and renovated buildings. 8. In our press release and television interview, mention businesses that are in compliance and businesses that have become compliant with our help. These businesses will receive a "Blue Ribbon" from our Commission for their cooperation. 9. Use Kitty Murtagh's as an example that all new public construction must meet all accessibility codes. New building plans should include all the accessible features of the building. Please keep this initiative in mind while you wander around our Island. I would appreciate you informing me of any other topics that we could discuss on camera and in the newspapers. Tom Hopkins . The COD could either host or co-host a meeting with the Builder's Association where the builders, architects, engineers and any other group involved in the building and design of public buildings would attend. Tom would answer all questions regarding disability access. We could advertise with the Builder's Association about this meeting and send letters to the appropriate individuals and groups that would attend. . We could also co-host a meeting with The Chamber and Tom. Maybe we could have a wine and cheese meeting at AK Diamonds, White Elephant, Harbor House or the Golf Club. SSA . Ifwe do not hear from Gina Barbosa, then we will get on the SSA's agenda to implement a policy for disabled travelers. Parking Patrol . It was discussed that maybe the Parking Patrol should leave stickers on vehicles that are illegally parked. The stickers would say that they are illegally parked and that they could receive a $100 fine. Brenda McDonough Facilitator GO SOX!