Title
Advisory Board on Disability Affairs Meeting July 6, 2022
Body
QUORUM: In Person Reached
CALL TO ORDER: Meeting was called to order 10:00am
MEETING MINUTES APPROVAL:
June 1, 2022
Motion by: Philippa Milne / 2nd Haley Moss / All approved unanimously
SECRETARY’S REPORT: None
BOARD MEMBERS REPORTS: None
NEW BUSINESS:
Business Survey - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta provided a draft of a survey which will be reviewed and when ready can be made available to the City of Coral Gables Chamber, so that they can then distribute to their business members to determine how many of them employ individuals with disabilities.
Ms. Liebl expressed concern regarding once distributed to the businesses via the Chamber, the email may just be deleted, and no action taken. Ms. Liebl stated that perhaps it would be best for the city to attach data gathered of the actions the city has taken and then distributed. Ms. Liebl stated it would be a great idea to advise the businesses of the intentions of the Commissioner’s office of highlighting these businesses.
Ms. Elejabarrieta again advised distribution of the survey will be conducted by the Chamber. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it would be best to keep it as simple as possible for the chamber.
Dr. Durocher asked once this information is received back, what will be done with this information. Ms. Palacio stated originally this is for Commissioner Regalado’s office who would like to conduct various events, such as job fair, create a map of business considered divergent friendly establishment, etc. Dr. Durocher stated it may be a good idea to add a question which identifies the zip code of the business along with sentence or two as introduction of the purpose of the survey.
Ms. Moss expressed it would be best to also provide language which can better identify the various disabilities. Dr. Durocher sated perhaps providing a listing of some of the disabilities would be helpful.
Disability Awareness/Acceptance Month - October 2022 - Ms. Palacio
Ms. Palacio stated she has been in contact with the Chamber which is open to the idea of having someone speak at their breakfast. Ms. Palacio stated perhaps Dr. Oliva can be the person who speaks.
Ms. Palacio stated perhaps having the participants of Project Victory be introduced at the Chamber breakfast and the duties they will be performing.
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it may be good to identify a city business who has employed people with disabilities and speak to as their experience with these employees.
Ms. Moss stated she would be ok to address the Chamber at this breakfast and she will provide necessary information to Ms. Palacio.
OLD BUSINESS:
Re-Cap July 4, 2022, Event - Ms. Palacio
Ms. Palacio stated she attended event with her family. Ms. Elejabarrieta asked Board if anyone had attended and if there was any feedback. A few present expressed they had attended, and it was a great event. Ms. Palacio advised she had purchased ticket and everyone there was very helpful. Ms. Palacio stated she did observe several people utilizing the wheelchairs with the large wheels on them.
Ms. Elejabarrieta shared statics received from Ms. Hasting. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated there were two requests regarding accessible parking, about forty rides given to pedestrians with mobility issues, approximately twenty rides provided by shuttles and there were several accessible restrooms throughout the area. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated there was also an accessible area which was well attended and appropriately sized. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated an after-action meeting will be taking place where they will evaluate and address areas which need to be addressed and improved.
Mr. Zuriarrain stated they were glad to be able to bring back a lot of the ADA adjustments made. Mr. Zuriarrain stated they tried to guide attendees to go the regular route whereas they can park and then get a ride to site. Mr. Zuriarrain stated next year will be challenging to figure out different ways to proceed since the lots being used for parking will no longer be available.
Project Victory
Ms. Palacio stated wanted to speak regarding Project Victory commencing in the fall in the city and what is the city doing to get prepared to work with people with disabilities. Ms. Palacio advised she had discussed this with Ms. Moss who advised she can be the person who directors can speak with. Ms. Moss stated sometimes what folks think people with disabilities need to succeed is not what they really need.
Dr. Durocher expressed that it may be best to first evaluate the program, training, and steps which the school system will be providing. Dr. Durocher stated finding out what is their process starting a new site could be critical to guide us on what needs to be done.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she has been informed by the school system there will always be two professionals on site. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated school personnel will be working throughout the summer, and the city will be meeting with them both. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated they will be coming in, visiting the departments and reviewing the job opportunities as well as task available. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated the school personnel already is aware of the students and their skill levels. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated if there would be a problem, the professionals will be called in, which will already be on site. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it will be mentioned to school personnel perhaps a collaboration can be conducted together with Ms. Moss and UM Card beforehand. Ms. Palacio stated she believes conducting this with the directors sometime in August would be great.
Ms. Milne shared with board her son participated in Project Victory at Coral Gables Senior high school for five years and it was a great program. Ms. Milne stated they know what they are doing, and it is not a new program.
Ms. Liebl stated it is great how everyone is trying to get on board, however this is a moment where marketing needs to be conducted. Ms. Liebl sated pictures, videos and other marketing needs to be done.
Ms. Liebl stated this is the time the board ask if the city can provide backing regarding marketing. Ms. Palacio stated this is something that does need to be done.
Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Ms. Patin of the city’s communication department has been advised regarding the project and documentation will be conducted from the beginning.
Ms. Palacio stated the goal is to present a success story and provide update perhaps in a couple of months, like in October for Disability Employment Awareness Month. Ms. Elejabarrieta stated it would be a bit early regarding providing an update, however it is a good idea to perhaps introduce the Project Victory interns of the program at city commission meeting for October and if they are ok with it, some can even speak. Ms. Elejabarrieta expressed it is a great idea to work in collaboration with the school system.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado Office - Ms. Palacio
Ms. Palacio stated she had spoken with Ms. Amanda Maldonado, from Commissioner Regalado’s office who provided an update regarding their efforts. Ms. Palacio stated Ms. Maldonado advised their office has partnered up with the Greater Miami Chamber and Visitor’s Bureau to provide disability employment training and jobs for divergent people. Ms. Palacio stated they will be hiring divergent people as greeters for the summer throughout the City of Miami and Visitor’s Bureau. Ms. Palacio stated the Visitor’s Bureau has also been in coordination with UM Card regarding providing training to their employees.
Ms. Palacio advised as well of other efforts being conducted by Miami Dade County Commissioner Regalado’s office, such as trainings, a law discussion event coming up, their allocation of budget funds towards teacher trainings and the highlighting of businesses in Coral Gables who have hired or will do so divergent individuals.
Adventure Day For All - Update - Ms. Elejabarrieta / Mr. Zuriarrain
Brief various discussions conducted regarding upcoming event, such as increase of food trucks, best logistic of food trucks, and extending resource information. Board agreed to discuss this topic during next August board meeting. Ms. Elejabarrieta will send out email to board asking for ideas.
My Squad - Recap - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta provided recap regarding three events. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she would be sending out July flyer once again due to an error in date. Board provided feedback on a recent event and Ms. Milne addressed regarding some new participants attending. Ms. Milne also spoke regarding possible meals made available and how to best proceed.
Ms. Elejabarrieta spoke regarding the need to expand attendee participation. Mr. Zuriarrain spoke of looking forward to perhaps in future hosting events at other locations as well. Ms. Palacio extended invite to an upcoming event to Ms. Moss and Dr. Durocher to obtain their intake.
Holiday Park - Mr. Zuriarrain
Mr. Zuriarrain provided update regarding continued efforts and accessibility regarding Holiday Park.
Mr. Zuriarrain spoke regarding perhaps in future hosting other events at this location.
Granada Golf Course - Update - Ms. Elejabarrieta
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated concrete benches in area which were in bad condition and not accessible have been removed. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised city is in talks with contractor to place detectable warns at end of path on the Anderson side. Ms. Elejabarrieta also advised city is waiting to hear back from consultants as to whether city can open a crosswalk on the Segovia side that would connect the Granada path to the crosswalk on the Segovia side.
Ms. Liebl wanted to bring up issue regarding scooters being parked in the middle of the sidewalk on Miracle Mile and if there is anything that can be done. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised Commissioner Anderson has addressed this concern and city is working on trying to figure out best way to processed with this issue.
Ms. Elejabarrieta stated Chief Hudak has advised Police is looking into upcoming training for the police department. Ms. Elejabarrieta advised she will follow up regarding police training.
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
NEXT MEETING: August 3, 2022
ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 11:14am
Motion to Adjourn: Philippa Milne/ 2nd Motion: Haley Moss / All approved unanimously.
Recommended Action