Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of December 11, 2020.
Body
Illuminate Coral Gables Power Point Presentation (Exhibit 1)
Ms. Catherine Cathers, Arts & Culture Specialist Historical Resources & Cultural Arts.
Ms. Cathers conducted a power point presentation regarding the upcoming Illuminate Coral Gables event, which will be commencing President’s Day weekend and available for one month. Ms. Cathers
reviewed different aspects of this temporary project, where various artist and organizations in collaboration with City of Coral Gables will come together to present this event as a world class art exhibition.
Power point presented illustrated various works and exhibitions which will be featured during this event. Ms. Cathers stated exhibition will be a variation of art forms throughout the City such as lighting of
buildings, an animated piece at City Hall, an augmentative reality experience which is currently available via your phone as well as other art pieces. Ms. Cathers advised Board that even though there will
be a presentation of pedicabs, at this time they will not be available for the public to ride. Ms. Cathers stated it is hoped that at future similar events, this will be made possible.
Ms. Liebl requested if it would be possible to obtain a map of all the exhibitions to compare with map of the best crosswalks for community attending these exhibitions to utilize. Ms. Liebl stated recently
while riding bicycle and trying to cross LeJeune, there is no audible crosswalk. Ms. Liebl stated she believes it is difficult for members of the disabled community especially those with sight disabilities,
to cross LeJeune and she feels it should be looked into in order to identify best crosswalks to be utilized when visiting this exhibition. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated at this time even though City of Coral Gables
does have some audible crosswalks throughout the City, there are none in Downtown. Ms. Cathers advised Board they are utilizing some of the ADA matts available to facilitate the community in approaching
the buildings. Ms. Cathers stated the exhibition can also be viewed from a far.
Mr. Sando asked how an individual with a disability that wants to ride a pedicab be accommodated or obtain a reservation to ride one. Ms. Cathers advised at this time due to the current COVID situation,
it is highly unlikely there will be riders allowed on the pedicabs. Ms. Cathers stated they are looking into inviting the pedicabs back for the following year’s exhibition.
Ms. Cathers asked Board for their assistance regarding some of the pieces which have sound elements and if there is anything that should be looked into since there are members of the disability community
that are sensitive to noise. Ms. Cathers advised some of these exhibitions will be available only via cell phone, therefore it would be the choice of person attending exhibition. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated
for those exhibits that project a story in words not music the City should provide close captions. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated that the City should disclose which exhibits will have music/sound to alert those that may
be sensitive to sound.
Holiday Park - Ms. Mary Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike advised that the children from her school were able to visit the Holiday Park and had a great experience. Ms. Palacio-Pike advised she had an opportunity to walk through the park and found
it would be easy for families with children with disabilities to maneuver throughout the park. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she called families who had not yet been to the park and advised them of this.
Ms. Liebl stated the accessibility for wheelchairs at holiday park is better, however feels there are no activities which they can participate in. Ms. Kofkin advised there are activities available via cell phone
which everyone can participate in. Ms. Palacio-Pike advised they were made aware of such activities because Ms. Kofkin was present to advise. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated they will make sure more signage
is made available to advise of this. Ms. Liebl stated perhaps for next year there may be like musical instruments or other type of activity for individuals that use wheelchairs. Ms. Palacio-Pike also asked
regarding signage in reference to participants who are unable to wear mask. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated there is no signage however staff is aware of possible exceptions to that rule and that so far, there had
not been an issue addressing these individually.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board of date for families with children with disabilities to visit the Holiday Park. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised it would be December 22, 2020 for a few hours and will be a
ticketed event. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised those interested will need to contact Parks & Recreation directly regarding registration and obtaining of tickets for event.
Mr. Sando advised Board Ms. Palacio-Pike was the recipient of the Cruz-Whitehurst Advocacy Award presented to her by UM-NSU CARD (University of Miami-Nova Southeastern University
Center for Autism & Related Disabilities) for her dedication and commitment to the autism community.
Ms. Liebl shared with Board that while looking at most current City video, she recognized a child who was featured, and contacted his mother to advise her of same. Ms. Liebl stated mother expressed
her gratitude to the City of Coral Gables for all its efforts and services toward the disabled community and how difficult it is for her now to obtain same services at their new home elsewhere.
City of Coral Gables Business & Mask reference Hearing Disable Community Members
Ms. Liebl advised after reviewing numbers provided Mr. Adi Asavaid, CEO Biacumen and conversations with Ms. Kofkin, she noticed City of Coral Gables has a large community of hearing disabled residents.
Ms. Liebl stated she would like to provide some assistance at this time to this community. Ms. Liebl stated due to the mandatory and necessary use of masks, it has been very difficult for these community
members to communicate with others. Ms. Liebl stated masks do not allow for the person’s lips to be read. Ms. Liebl stated she conducted research and found some good quality clear mask that can help
with this situation. Ms. Liebl stated it would be of great assistance if the City of Coral Gables would look into purchasing these types of masks and provide same to the local business. Ms. Liebl stated City
may be able to contact businesses, make them aware of this need in the community and provide them two masks. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated she would contact Ms. Belkys Perez, Assistant Director of Economic
Development to discuss this.
OLD BUSINESS:
Update re: Voluntary Information Database Program for Individuals with Disabilities - Ms. Raquel Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board regarding status and progress of Voluntary Information Database program which will soon be available. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Board after further research it has
been determined all information provided by participants will be public records, there are no exceptions. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised participants will be made aware of this fact. Mr. Sando advised perhaps the
questions asked can be scaled down to less specific ones, such as no personal information.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None.
NEXT MEETING: January meeting date to be determined