Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of August 5, 2026.
Body
STAFF:
Clifford Friedman - Human Resources & Risk Management Director
Jose Rodriguez -Human Resources & Risk Management - Assistant Director
CITIZEN ADVISORS:
Dr. Jennifer Durocher, University of Miami
PUBLIC GUEST:
Pamela Perez-Melms - Cultivate Behavioral Health & Education (Via Zoom)
Crystal (Via Zoom)
Sebastian (Via Zoom)
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 10:01am
MEETING ABSENCE:
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
July 1, 2026
Ms. Chichester addressed a typo under Old Business - 3rd paragraph “exquisite people growing up disable” should be “disabled”
Motion by: Vanessa Bedoya / 2nd Bonnie Blaire / Approved unanimously
SECRETARY REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS' REPORT: None
NEW BUSINESS:
UM Card - Autism Friendly City Designation - Jose Rodriguez
Mr. Rodriguez advised, with the assistance of Ms. Mary Palacio-Pike, that he had reached out to UM Card regarding their Autism Friendly City Designation program, and an application has been submitted. Mr. Rodriguez stated UM has advised they will be making an exception for the City of Coral Gables for 2027. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated this had commenced a while back, however, due to UM waiting list and UM staff issues, it had been pushed back.
Dr. Durocher stated UM is very excited to work with Coral Gables regarding UM Card Autism Friendly City Designation and will be contacting Mr. Rodriguez to set up a meeting. Ms. Chichester asked if the board needs to attend the meeting, however, Mr. Rodriguez stated he will be attending and can then provide updates to the board. Dr. Durocher stated that usually board members do not attend, however, perhaps after initial meeting, it can be further discussed.
OLD BUSINESS:
Director’s Training October 2026 - Jose Rodriguez
Mr. Rodriguez stated after further discussion with the city manager, it has been determined to move away from the play and move forward with similar training which has been offered previously. Mr. Rodriguez stated he would like the board to come up with ideas for upcoming training. Ms. Chichester stated training she conducted a few years ago was regarding showing what an asset a person with disabilities is to your team. Ms. Chichester stated she feels it would be great to further expand on this for this year’s training. Ms. Chichester stated she had an idea of perhaps having a panel where someone with Autism, a person using a wheelchair, people working and living in our community can speak. Ms. Chichester stated it could be like an active Q & A session. Ms. Chichester stated she would like to receive input from the board. The board continued to further discuss.
Mr. Rodriguez advised dates available regarding CMR for both Director’s Training and Employment Pathway Summit with Mr. Eddy Martinez. It was determined October 9, 2026, would be best to host Director’s Training. Mr. Rodriguez advised it would be any time either between the hours of 9:00am to 12:00pm or 1:00pm to 3:30pm. Ms. Chichester stated during last training, there was breakfast offered and asked if it would be the same now. Mr. Rodriguez stated there will be some food provided, Ms. Palacio-Pike stated there is an organization down south which has a coffee shop managed by people with disabilities and they go to events to promote what they are doing. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated perhaps it would be great to contact them to attend the training. Ms. Chichester spoke regarding also having a variety of advocates regarding other disabilities on the panel. Ms. Palacio-Pike spoke, perhaps inviting Miami-Dade County Rachel Regalado be present and provide information regarding their Neuro Inclusion Tool Kit. Ms. Blaire asked what the content of Tool Kit is and was advised it is for municipalities regarding sensory friendly environments (parks). Ms. Blaire stated that part of the training should be advising what has been accomplished by the city within the last twenty years, where city is now and what resources are available. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she has link where further information regarding Tool Kit can be obtained and can be provided to Mr. Rodriguez, to be shared with board. Ms. Blaire stated in addition to visual, hearing, mobility and developmental components, perhaps considering adding elderly population. The board continued discussion regarding structure of training and stated item will be placed on agenda for September meeting.
Employment Pathway Summit - Eddy Martinez
Mr. Martinez advised he will be meeting with City of Coral Gables Chamber, De Moya Foundation as well as others regarding services and incentive programs available. Mr. Martinez stated he will be working to determine how to best proceed with this event. Mr. Martinez shared with board a recent amazing result with his son’s experience and employment opportunity. Mr. Rodriguez advised CMR A had been reserved for two days, Thursday, October 22, 2026, as the setup day and Friday, October 23, 2026, as event day. It was decided to place this item on agenda of upcoming September board meeting for further discussion.
Adventure Day - Parks & Recreation - Ms. Catie Hastings
Ms. Hastings started Adventure Day will be held same as in the past; however, at this time due to the fall season coming up, she would like to take this time to discuss new exciting things happening. Ms. Hastings advised of a new Lego Club with no restrictions or age limit and a cooking class which will be a cooking and art. Ms. Hastings stated these cooking classes will be divided into two, one for teenage participants and another for adults. Ms. Hastings stated the first Lego Club meeting will take place on Sunday, August 15, 2026, and going forth it will be held on the first Sunday of every month.
Incident with Ms. Sando Ward family - Ms. Sando Ward
Ms. Sando Ward shared with board incident which occurred with her daughter and response from school.
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she would address this matter at the next School Community Relations Committee.
City Beautiful Magazine - Ms. Palacio-Pike
Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she had been contacted by City Beautiful Magazine and since she had never seen any article regarding the city’s history of what has been done regarding people with disabilities, she took the opportunity to speak. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated she provided information regarding Autism Flag raising events, UM Card, AIRA, crosswalks and parks programing, along with other services. Ms. Palacio-Pike advised article will be featured in their August publication.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
NEXT MEETING: September 2, 2026
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at: 11:02am
Motion by: Vanessa Bedoya / 2nd: Bonnie Blaire / Approved unanimously
Recommended Action