02-13-1992 Minutes
I
,
ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
2-13-92
Members Present: Robert Hunt, Ernest Cole, Nell Hanchl~tt, Howard
Allen, Phyllis Anderson, Michelle Campbell, Mary Ellen Rudick
Others Present: Michael Morgan, Asst. City Manager, Janice
Pankratz, Peter Brown, Kathy Farres, Kansas Speciality Dogs.
December Minutes: Ernest questioned the letter that was to be
sent to City requesting higher level of fining for parking
violations involving disabled parking. Peter will invE~stigate
whether or not at this point the City has reliable means to
determine the actual number of violators. This will be discussed
further at next meeting.
Minutes were approved.
New Business:
A. Kansas Special tv Doqs: Kathy Farres, a "foster mot:her" for
yellow lab. puppy, Dolly Madison, attended meeting to explain
the Kansas Specialty Dog program out of Washington, Ks.
Phamplets were distributed.
This is a program that raises large breed dogs to beco~e
"assistive" to persons with various disabilities. As pups they
learn basic commands from their "foster parent" who has them "on
loan" free of charge for 12-16 months. They then are brought
back to training center in Washington for more extensive
training. The public and local businesses have been receptive to
"trained assistive dogs", but the pups still in training are
often not admitted into grocery stores and restaurants to
practice their commands.
B. Hearinq Grievances/Providinq Recommendations: Michael
Morgan, Assistant City Manager, distributed background
information A.D.A. He commended the Accessibility Advisory
Board for its efforts in providing a forum for accessibility
issues in Salina. He stressed that the Board would hear
grievances within a process, first step being that grievances for
public buildings would first be heard by M. Morgan and referred
to us secondly to assist in a solution. Mr. Morgan agreed to
provide Board with as much pertinent information as possible
prior to the meeting in which the grievance would be heard.
Mr. Morgan views the A.D.A. as a means for the City and its
citizens to "negotiate and communicate" toward a solution rather
than the city play the roll of adversary with threats of
litigation, although this would still be an option.
.
,
The process would be kept informal. Education of the public is
an important issue. As the public becomes more aware, more
situations with necessary interpretation would increase.
Phyllis Anderson added that the A.D.A. offers so many
solutions/options which can be adapted depending on the
circumstances. Mr. Morgan added: "A.D.A. is an opportunity to
make things better, not all right."
Michelle distributed sample Accessibility Complaint forms from
the state of Illinois.
C. The election of officers will be held at the March meeting.
Peter will have a roster of Board members and their term of
service at that meeting.
D. Possible change of meetinq dav: Ernest asked if Thursday at
4:00 p.m. was a convenient time for other members as hE~ had
another commitment immediately following this Board's meeting.
General consensus was to maintain our meeting time.
Subcommittee Reports:
A. Bi-center Sub-Committee - Nell Hanchett reported that she and
Susan Duerksen met with Bi-center staff. They both felt it was
a profitable meeting and that it opened the door for feedback
between their staff and this Board. Changes completed and
proposed were submitted to the Board in a report by Ken Kary.
Discussion between sub-committee and their staff included:
installation of removable chairs in front row for wheelchairs
(could stay if no persons using chairs bought tickets), available
companion seating, not having disabled persons stand in line for
purchasing tickets, installation of full-length mirrors in
bathrooms and lowered towel dispenser.
Regarding early purchasing of tickets by persons with
disabilities, this Board felt that advertisement in newspaper
with universal logos for disabled persons displayed in the ad
would alert those persons that accommodations have been made.
Also educating the public through P.S.A. and radio talk shows
such as Kansas Live on KSAL were mentioned to "get the word out. II
B. strip Mall Sub-Comittee - Phyllis Anderson reported that her
committee viewed the Galaxy Center parking area on their own
time. A handicap parking sign is posted at each end of the
strip in front of stores. One third of the way in from each end
there is a parking space plus ramp space, but this is apparently
not wide enough. Phyllis said she questioned the actual number
of spaces available for handicap parking.
Peter will ask Mike Peterson to take a look at the parking
situation at Galaxy Center.
I,
,
Some establishments were mentioned as still not having
appropriate parking signage or sizing i.e. K-Mart and Asbury
Hospital.
Meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellen Rudick
Recorder