Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of December 1, 2021.
Body
QUORUM: Reached in Person
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting commenced at 10:10am
Holiday Park - Ms. Elejabarrieta / Ms. Kofkin
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board Holiday Park will be opening this upcoming Friday, December 3, 2021. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated there will once again a date and time available specifically for families with children with disabilities to attend. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it would be Sunday, December 19, 2021, from 9:00am to 11:00am and families will be required to register. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised registration is already open.
Mr. Sando stated it was a great event last year however, there was very little participation and feels information should be better distributed to the community. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised once flyer is available, it will be provided to all.
Follow Up: Ms. Palacio
Ms. Palacio stated regarding having “follow up” of meeting being sent to let Board members of what needs to be done prior to next meeting. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated further research and clarification from law department needs to be conducted regarding this due to the Sunshine law. Ms. Milne asked if a Board member finds an interesting article and would like to share it with the Board, could it then be emailed to staff and have it distributed in that matter. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it would be ok to distribute as information not as a directive to take any type of action. Ms. Dietz suggested perhaps the information can be added to the agenda as a “To do list.”
Review Resolution: Self-Contained Classrooms (Exhibit 1) - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta conducted review of pending resolution regarding Self-Contained classroom.
Board expressed interest and discussed rewording resolution whereas instead of requesting a self-contained classroom in an elementary public school, that it would request self-contained classrooms for students with disabilities in elementary, middle and high schools. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised resolution will be updated as requested by Board and will be emailed to all.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she will request to be placed on the agenda for the School Community Relations Committee upcoming meeting on December 17, 2021 and will present Resolution. Ms. Sando advised School Community Relations Committee has been made aware of resolution and have stated they are supportive.
Board agreed it would be best for representatives of both, Advisory Board on Disability Affairs and School Community Relations Committee be present to present the resolution at commission meeting in January.
Motion to approve Resolution regarding Self-Contained Classroom as per changes discussed by Board.
Motion by Blake Sando / 2nd Motion: Philippa Milne / All approved unanimously
G.U.I.D.E. - Ms. Palacio / Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Palacio shared with Board registration has been open and she currently registered her son and is awaiting meeting with police department. Ms. Palacio stated there have not been many registrations. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised currently only six families who have registered. Ms. Liebl asked regarding having any post cards or flyers available. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised there are post cards available and will be distributed.
Alzheimer’s Month - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised during the last commission meeting in November, Commissioner Menendez issued a Proclamation concerning Alzheimer’s, and it was the first time G.U.I.D.E. program after going live was officially promoted targeting this population which could benefit from this service. Ms. Sando asked if the Senior Citizen board would be made aware of this service. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised along with Ms. Palacio they attended the Senior Citizen’s board meeting prior to program going live sometime in October, information distributed, and they expressed interest in the program.
Communities of Excellence - Ms. Palacio / Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Palacio advised of telephone conversation in conjunction with Ms. Elejabarrieta and Ms. Mary Snow, who oversees the education part of the Communities of Excellence Baldridge Award program. Ms. Palacio stated Ms. Snow was advised of city’s efforts regarding self-contained classrooms at city schools and how Ms. Snow mentioned the lack of a self-contained classroom within the city is the missing link. Ms. Snow stated if the city wishes to be part of the Communities of Excellence, the city needs to have this type of classroom available. Ms. Palacio advised Ms. Snow is also part of the Mayor’s Blue-Ribbon Committee and she is on board with this effort. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated Ms. Snow will be kept up to date regarding this effort.
Best Buddies - Employment - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board of current positions available at the Senior Adult Activity Center and how Best Buddies was contacted. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised city in the past has been in communications with Bes Buddies and upon further review, it has been determined this employment opportunity may be a great start point for this program. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised interested candidates from Best Buddies along with their job coaches came to the Senior Adult Activity Center to get a better idea of job and location. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated there were two interested candidates of which both would be qualified for the position. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised how they came prepared and asked questions. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised the candidates process regarding applying for the positions. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated she hopes both candidates apply, and city continues building relationship with Best Buddies.
My Squad - Ms. Kofkin / Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board of next upcoming event on December 15, 2021, Magical Wintery Fun being held at the Senior Adult Activity Center. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised of future programs beginning in January. Ms. Elejabarrieta also advised of a civic Saturday, where they will help with clean up. Ms. Palacio stated she believes that taking them out of the Adult Senior Center for activities is a great idea, however, feels work regarding better promotion of activities is needed.
Ms. Blaire addressed regarding registration challenges faced by folks who wanted to participate in the activities and feels perhaps this needs to be reviewed as it may be a barrier. Ms. Blaire stated most of the participants need the assistance from someone to complete the current requirements for participation. Ms. Blaire also feels having better communication regarding of upcoming events may also be helpful. Ms. Kofkin stated registration is needed, however an interested participant can send a simple email or set up for assistance with process. Ms. Dietz expressed she feels consistence is important, such as keeping event at same place, same time, same date. Ms. Dietz expressed even though change of venue sounds like fun, maybe difficult to maintain attendance.
Board members asked regarding flyers available reference to upcoming events. Ms. Kofkin advised flyer has been made available in the past and information is now available on City’s E News. Dr. Jennifer Durocher stated an idea instead of creating a flyer monthly, perhaps one flyer covering for example Jan/Feb/March, pre-selecting dates, times and locations can be made available. Dr. Durocher stated this advance notice will facilitate scheduling for those interested.
Discussion on Accessibility - Ponce de Leon Corridor & others: Ms. DeZayas / Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta introduced Ms. Melissa DeZayas to Board. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated an email was submitted to Board regarding concern of accessibility on Ponce de Leon Corridor. Ms. Palacio stated residents have also brought to the Boards’ attention issue regarding audible crosswalks. Ms. Palacio stated Board has been discussed these in the past and feels it once again needs to address them.
Ms. Dietz and Ms. Blaire advised during the Miracle Mile project, audible crosswalks were addressed and promised, however upon completion of project were not incorporated.
Ms. DeZayas addressed the Board and explained these two subjects are different and will need to be addressed individually. Ms. DeZayas explained to Board status regarding accessibility and Ponce De Leon project. Ms. DeZayas explained process required via Miami-Dade County regarding audible crosswalks as well as other needs. Ms. DeZayas stated it would commence with a required study and it does take a long time.
Mr. Sando asked if Miami-Dade County builds a new crosswalk, is there any legal requirement they must make it accessible or must provide an audible crosswalk. Ms. DeZayas stated there is not and it would have to be a request from a resident with a disability tied to audible to get an audible crosswalk.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised it would be best if Board would choose a specific concern and proceed in best way to address it. Mr. Sando stated he believes it is easier to concentrate on existing crosswalks and how to make them accessible. Board agreed this discussion requires further attention; therefore Ms. DeZayas will be attending January meeting to further aid and advise best way to continue with process. Ms. DeZayas provided information on ongoing Ponce De Leon project including sidewalks.
Mr. Sando asked regarding resident making a request regarding crosswalk, could he do request on behalf of his son. Ms. DeZayas advised she will go back to the County and gather more information reference requirements.
TO DO LIST:
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she will be updating Resolution and send same to Board
Ms. Elejabarrieta will try to get on the School Community Relations Committee board meeting of December 17, 2021, to address Self-Contained Classroom Resolution
Ms. DeZayas will be gathering from Miami-Dade Country regarding requirements to request an audible crosswalk at existing crosswalks and will advise Board upcoming meetings
Board then can work on identifying specific crosswalks
Ms. Elejabarrieta to work with Ms. Dietz regarding history regarding audible crosswalks on Miracle Mile and will forward information to Ms. DeZayas
January Board meeting - it was determined would be for January 5, 2022
Ms. Milne stated she will not be present traveling
Dr. Jennifer Durocher advised she will be on call
Ms. Palacio requested G.U.I.D.E. information be distributed to Board
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: January 5, 2022
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 11:13am
Motion by Adjourn: Blake Sando /2nd Motion: Philippa Milne / All approved unanimously.