HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommission on Disability Issues (2) Commission-Ability Assistance 11.13.2021
Minutes
Present: Phyllis Jones, Stacey Leibowitz, Don Stewart, Jeff French, and
Linda Byers
Public: Carly Jones
• The meeting started at 12:11pm.
• The meeting minutes from October meeting have been approved.
• We will create an account for commission members and the public to
have access to the meetings. We can post the agenda ahead of time.
• Diversity Commission: Phyllis made an email introduction for Don to
the Commission chair. There has not been a response as of today.
Stacey Leibowitz, the Ability Assistance Secretary provided Don with
the Diversity Commission Chair's contact information so he can
contact her directly.
• Parent Advisory Council: Linda has been reaching out but no response
yet.
• S2467: To change the name of the Commission to Ability Assistance is
in the 3rd Reading and will hopefully be approved soon.
• North Andover CAM Explorer program for middle school through age
22. This program offers students the opportunity to learn media for a
very low fee. There are scholarships available for those who may have
economic difficulties.
• Successful show: We discussed how NA CAM is accessible for people of
all levels and ages. People can easily access the studio and if they have
a physical challenge and can learn how to do all the behind the scenes
technology and/or have their own show and create podcasts, etc.
• December 11th show: We will be featuring a state legislation
Delegation and will have a round table discussion about the current
legislation on the table around disability. Currently, most legislation is
focused on mental health concerns, particularly in the wake of COVID.
• There are committees that do not have representation for North
Andover currently. There is no one yet on children and Families and
Persons of disabilities. We will invite all four legislators to stay for
the Commission meeting afterwards.
• Looking for ideas for the show in the new year:
• Family Ties have some useful resources along with organizations
that can be featured as guests on the show. www.Familtytres.org-
families of Youth.
• Soldiers returning from Afghanistan: Many are traumatized and
coping with PTSD and are not getting the help and assistance that
they need. Phyllis has reached out to Joe LeBlanc who oversees
Veteran Services in North Andover and in Boxford, to see if about
him being a guest on the show.
• Stacey has a contact that may be able to connect us with the
Disabled Veterans of America.
Crosswalks: Phyllis will attend the town meeting on planning on
November 17th. We need more cross walks for the new sidewalks. There
are also no bike paths either. If there is no bike path, it is legal to use the
sidewalk if there is a disability. Same situation applies to an electric
wheel chair.
New senior center: Don has followed up with new Director- Asking for
new chairs with rails. It is easier and safer to get out of. All doors have to
hall push buttons.
Talent Show: on CAM- could there be copyright issues-maybe have a
snippet of talent after the monthly show -Do a spotlight. Can be a rolling
process.
Open meeting Accessibility webinar: Outside Meeting Accessibility is an
issue. We have been told in the past regarding Town Meeting there have
to be reasonable accommodations made both in person and access to
meetings for those with either mental or physical impairments.
Obligations were covered in the webinar. As an FYI Cart Service in and of
itself is not a reasonable accommodation when an ASL interpreter is
requested as they are two separate languages.
Once a quarter Mass Office on Disability offers trainings- for example on
disability development. How to contact someone for reasonable
accommodation.
Could do a show on safety signs.
Municipal ADA grants for buildings.
Public comment: one open spot on the commission. Application put forth
by Carl Jones has not been acted upon by the Select Board. Vote taken to
request Select Board to take action on application. No opposition to
request.
There were 2 issues recently at the schools which required 1 ockdowns.
Parents learned about them after the fact or when kids were texting their
parents. High School had a "soft shutdown". An issue was brought up
regarding concerns for children with mental health or cognitive health
concerns and what is done for them in such situations.
New NA Ability Assistance Zoom Account now setup for members and the
public to access for future meetings.
Meeting adjourned at 1:59pm
A Y
roved b Commission o 12112021
pp