Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting of September 2, 2026.
Body
STAFF:
Jose Rodriguez -Human Resources & Risk Management - Assistant Director
Eglys Hernandez - Human Resources & Risk Management - P/T Administrative Assistant
CITIZEN ADVISORS:
Dr. Jennifer Durocher, University of Miami
(10:07 Via Zoom / 10:18am arrived in person)
PUBLIC GUEST: None
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order at 10:07am
MEETING ABSENCE: None
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
August 5, 2026
Board requested wording in paragraph under Old Business - City Beautiful Magazine - Ms. Palacio-Pike be amended to reflect Ms. Palacio-Pike contacted them
Motion by: Bonnie Blaire / 2nd Wilfredo Jaurequi / Approved unanimously as amended
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS’ REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
City of Coral Gables Workshop / Summit - Jose Rodriguez
The Board discussed having similar event to that Village of Key Biscayne Disability Affairs Board conducted where members of other disability boards throughout Miami-Dade County attended. Ms. Palacio-Pike stated at the end of their event the goal was to have another municipality to host same next year, and it was mentioned that the City of Coral Gables would love to do so. Mr. Rodriguez stated this would be an event in which the board will be the lead and the city can provide space. Ms. Chichester stated it would be best for this to be placed on November 4, 2026, board meeting agenda to be further discussed.
Proclamation Declaring the Month of October as “National Disability Awareness Month” in the City of Coral Gables - Jose Rodriguez
Mr. Rodriguez stated during the month of October there is a Proclamation Declaring the Month of October as National Disability Awareness Month, which this year will be on October 13, 2026, commission meeting early in the morning. Mr. Rodriguez stated the board needs to determine who will receive the proclamation. The board discussed possible recipients and Mr. Rodriguez suggested perhaps the city can acknowledge the board itself, recognizing all its hard work. Mr. Rodriguez stated it would be nice for board members to be present, and one would need to address the commission.
OLD BUSINESS:
UM Card - Autism Friendly Designation - Jose Rodriguez
Mr. Rodriguez advised board he will be having a meeting with representatives of UM Card Autism Friendly Designation tomorrow, September 3, 2026, and will be providing at next board meeting further information. Item will be placed on agenda for October 7, 2026, board meeting.
Adventure Day - Jose Rodriguez
Mr. Rodriguez advised planning is ongoing. Mr. Rodriguez advised Community Recreation staff Ms. Yanessa Rodriguez was not available to attend and Ms. Hastings was involved in an accident on her way to meeting. Mr. Rodriguez stated further update will be available on October 7, 2026, board meeting. Item will be placed on agenda for October 7, 2026, board meeting.
Directors’ Training 2026 - Justine Chichester - (Exhibit 1)
Ms. Chichester provided copies to board of ideas/outline of what could be presented. Ms. Chichester stated she had a wonderful meeting last Friday with the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Special Education Department and thought it would be important to have school representation as part of the panel present at training. Ms. Chichester stated her best friend, who is the Executive Director of Visual Impairments, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Audiology program for Miami-Dade County Public Schools facilitated the meeting. Ms. Chichester stated the meeting was the executive director of transition projects and programs there for people with disabilities coming out of public schools and looking for jobs, as well as with Ms. Rochelle Dorado, of assistive technology. Ms. Chichester stated she believes it is important as well for the hearing impaired. Ms. Chichester stated they are very happy to be part of the panel and want to focus on employment and people with disabilities. Ms. Chichester provided a list of all the panel participants. Ms. Chichester stated that if she listed the participants’ disability, it was cause they themselves disclosed it and are ok with sharing information. Ms. Chichester advised previous presenter, Christopher Fitzmaurice, Exercise Physiologist, University of Miami Desai Sethi Medical Center Executive Health Program, who lives with Autism, is super excited and looking forward to participating once again at this Directors’ Training.
The board agreed it would be best for the training to take place in the afternoon between 1:00pm to 3:00pm. The board discussed having Crystal Academy students at the training as greeters, creating a program and having No Limits Coffee Shop provide light snacks along with coffee as refreshments. Mr. Rodriguez advised staff will be reaching out to No Limits Coffee Shop and request pricing.
Mr. Jauregui asked for whom the training was for and Mr. Rodriguez stated training for directors, assistant directors and supervisors within the city, as an internal training. Mr. Jauregui stated since it is for internal training, now perhaps after it is successful here, perhaps taking it into the commercial space.
The board continued to discuss the Directors’ Training and ways to make resources in place shared with others, assure close captioned is in place during training, perhaps having Dr. Durocher and Jose Rodriguez as part of panel.
Employment Pathway Summit - Eddy Martinez - (Exhibit 2)
Mr. Martinez advised board he had a conversation Miami-Dade County Commissioner Raquel Regaldo who expressed that she would prefer another word be utilized instead of “Summit”, therefore it was updated to Employment Pathway Collab. Mr. Martinez provided update of actions which have been conducted regarding gathering participants, assistance in distributing information to be shared with the community, an infomercial being done with Commissioner Regalado and other organizations familiar with the hiring of people with disabilities. Dr. Durocher asked if this would be like a resources fair and Mr. Martinez stated setup would be like resources fair. Mr. Martinez advised the organizations which will be taking part in event and as addressed same with Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Martinez stated there is a website available where interested participants and businesses who wish to attend can register. Mr. Martinez stated he had asked Chamber if he could attend all upcoming events, where he can promote this upcoming event.
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
NEXT MEETING: October 7, 2026
ADJOURNMENT:
Meeting adjourned at 10:59am
Motion by: Jennifer Ward Sando / 2nd: Vanessa Bedoya / Approved unanimously
Recommended Action