Meeting Minutes

Members Present: Michelle DeMarco, Terry Horwitz, Doug Johnstone, Susan Miriam, Toni Schiff, Jo-Ann DiOrio, Ken Russo

Members Absent: None

Others Present: Rik Kapler

Minutes of the October 18, 2006 Disability Commission meeting were read and approved.

Old Business:

Wheelchair Accessibility Brochure: Doug discussed Visitor Services Board grant application and January 16^th deadline. Doug will complete a draft of the application requesting funding for printing of 2007 brochure and bring to next meeting to finalize with the Commission. A December 4^th meeting was scheduled to finalize the VSB grant application. Michelle discussed solicitation canisters to raise money for the brochure printing. Commission members to come to next meeting with fundraising canister ideas at no cost, and placement of canisters. Melinda Ancillo to devise a graphic as discussed at the Commissions May 10, 2006 meeting.

PTV: Michelle discussed need to utilize PTV PSA’s to raise sensitivity on disability issues and recommended a subgroup form to create/develop PSA ideas. Susan Miriam and Rik Kapler volunteered to help Michelle develop PSA’s. Doug suggested a PSA on the 2007 Wheelchair Accessibility Brochure once it is created. Susan suggested a PSA soliciting comments from visitors and residents alike on their experiences in Provincetown as it relates to disability access and related disability issues.

Library Handicapped Parking: Susan discussed the photos of the handicapped parking at the Library as it currently exists and said that she briefly spoke with Debra DeJonker-Berry, who said that she had tried to address the Library’s handicapped parking issues a while ago without success. Susan will meet with Debra to determine what her original plans were for Library handicapped parking, and how the Disability Commission can work with the Library to enhance the handicapped parking there, with plans to make a proposal at the March 2007 Traffic Hearing. Susan will also invite Debra to the January Commission meeting if needed.

Handicapped Parking Survey: Volunteer Rik Kapler said that he will have the handicapped parking survey completed by the January Commission meeting and will bring his findings to the group at that time. Any Traffic Hearing proposals can be decided at that time based on survey results and Commission discussion.

New Business:

Health Facility Access: Toni expressed difficulty with access to Outer Cape Health’s Provincetown office, specifically the front entrance door that has no automatic button opener, and other issues related to physically entering the building via wheelchair. The Commission voted unanimously to have Toni and Terry write a letter on the Commission’s behalf detailing the specific concerns of disability access. Discussion ensued regarding other health facilities in town and potential access issues. The Commission determined that each heath related facility be reviewed for disability access. Michelle asked if Senior Volunteers may be available to conduct these surveys, once they have been trained on what to look for. Doug will recruit volunteers from the Senior Volunteer program for this purpose once the program resumes in January.

Next meeting scheduled for Monday, December 4, 2006 at 11:30 am.

Motion to adjourn by Terry, seconded by Doug.

Meeting adjourned at 11:00 am.

Respectfully submitted by Terry Horwitz