HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-12
Nantucket Commission on Disability
Minutes
January 12,2005
Present:
Mickey Rowland, Dick Moran, Kim Horyn, Phillip Gallagher and Brenda
McDonough
Linda Williams, Cecil Richrod and Dave Dennis
Absent:
The meeting opened with the members reviewing November's minutes, which
were unanimously approved.
Topics:
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Accessible Taxi: =:: ~
. The Commission members reviewed the three, taxi applicant' s l~t~rs of inWnt.
The first applicant's application has been sent to the police depaitilent for~eir
approval. :::,< ~
. The members reviewed the accessible taxi regulations and discussed the (,.j
following: U1
o The accessible taxi must operate 18 hours a day. It was suggested that this
taxi operates on a set schedule each day, possibly 6:00 AM to midnight.
o Phil wondered if this taxi would accommodate an emergency during its off
hours. The Commission discussed how this may work and decided that the
taxi should operate the same hours each day. Ambulances should handle
medical emergencies during the hours that the taxi does not operate.
o This taxi will provide service to all the Island.
o Mickey suggested that the accessible taxi driver keep a record of all the
disabled passengers so the actual demand for this service will be
documented. If the demand is high, then maybe a second accessible taxi
will be needed.
o The Commission will provide sensitivity training to the person granted
this taxi license. During this training the driver will be educated on the
needs of the disabled. We will discuss some accommodations that some
disabled passengers may require such as transportation to the early ferry.
o Kim wondered whether this taxi service would give preference to people
with mental or behavioral disabilities? Kim described times where this
preference would have helped her immensely when traveling with her
daughter. This evolved into a discussion as to whom this taxi service will
accommodate. Phil stated that physical disabilities are the obvious reasons
for the accessible taxi. Now we have to define which disable individuals
have preference to this service and include that in the Accessible Taxi
Regulations. He also stated that Kim should have preference to any taxi
when she is faced with a difficult situation with her daughter. Brenda will
contact MOD and see if taxi companies are required to provide an
accommodation to passengers with mental or cognitive disabilities and
then proceed from there.
o The Commission agreed to define a disabled person who has preference to
this taxi service as any wheelchair user or any person who must use the
accessible taxi because the other taxis are unable to accommodate them.
o It was suggested that the person granted this license will be required to
sign an affidavit stating that they received these regulations and will
comply with all regulations.
Curb Cuts:
. The members received an updated list of curb cuts and crosswalks that the
DPW have installed. Included in this list are curb cuts and crosswalks that we
will request to be installed or ones that need repairs. The members were asked
to look around the Island for other curb cuts and crosswalks that could be
installed or need repairs and give their list to Brenda.
Brenda McDonough
Facilitator
GO PATRIOTS!
STILL LOVE THOSE SOX!