HomeMy Public PortalAboutWCOD Meeting Minutes June 2009_201401101411558750Watertown Commission on Disability
June 17, 2009 Meeting Minutes
Attendees: Alex Liazos, Kim Charlson, Anne Doughty, Fred Isaacs, Carol Menton,
Marilyn Petitto Devaney, Bob Hall
Vincent Piccirilli- District C Town Counselor, Steve Magoon - Community
Development Et Planning Director, Greg Jones - Massachusetts Mentor, Chris
Demos - Resident and new owner of Watertown House of Pizza
Steve Magoon came to seek input for a home consortium report. He is required to
reach out to the community and assess housing issues experienced by disabled
residents. Discussion followed regarding the need for more accessible housing in
general; accessible housing needs differ (i.e. someone with low vision has
different needs than someone in a wheelchair).
Greg Jones of Massachusetts Mentor gave a presentation. He agency provides
community -based services to people with developmental disabilities. Mr. Jones
provided Program Brochures which will be available at the Personnel Office. An in-
depth presentation will be made at the Watertown Free Library at 1 p.m. on June
24th.
Mr. Chris Demos would like suggestions for making his business accessible. He was
shown a copy of the accessible dining guide and the WCOD website where he can
look at the entire 2006 document, given an Accessible Business Guide. It was
suggested that he put his menu in Braille or large print and have it on his website,
train to staff during orientation so that they are comfortable with disabled
customers. He would like to put in an automatic door opener but because of the
expense that may take awhile. ADA Business and Technical Assistance Center is a
good resource for Chris. Bob suggested he look into the tax benefits for
accessibility.
Minutes: It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to approve the minutes
of the May 20, 2009 meeting.
Treasurer's Report: It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to approve
the Treasurer's report.
Committee Reports - Fred talked about the years of service the SPED Community
has received from Suzanne Gervais, President of the Massachusetts Association of
Special Education Parent Advisory Councils. She's stepping down. Federation for
Children with Special Needs will take over. SPEDPAC presented an award to Laurie
Thomas, the out -of -district placement coordinator who is being laid off by the
school department. SPEDPAC will be developing next year's programs.
Closed Captioning - Carol talked about the closed captioning meeting with the
Cable Access Board on June 2nd. "We've agreed that captioning needs to
happen." To do it right, Cable Access Board would like to do the cable news first
because it is a scripted program and will be easier to do.
Bob Kaprelian stated that there is equipment that needs to be purchased. The
other program they would like to target are the Town Council meetings. "The
costs are still a work in progress". Jerry Field of the Cable Access Board has
outlined the steps, work flow plan, evaluate equipment and then determine the
costs. Bob is recommending that the technical costs be the Cable Access Board's,
but the operating casts be the responsibility of the WCOD.
Gayle said she had been in touch with Cambridge COD and they don't do closed
captioning of City meetings because local cable companies are exempt. This is why
we are not finding another community that has already done local cable closed
captioning.
Town Counselor Piccirilli talked about the Town Council's support for accessibility
and that the Town Council Chamber will be upgraded, so this is a good time to be
talking about closed captioning.
What's next: determine the cost of CART services for town council meeting
coverage and get WCOD support for the operational cost.
Kim Charlson - gave a follow -up on the Saltonstall Braille Trail event - it went
well. She would like to recommend a Braille plate on the monument that says
what the present plate says. She'll get a price for a Braille plate and would like
WCOD support it at the next meeting.
The next meeting is July 15th. Guest speakers will be Emily Berheide of UCP and
the task force for artists. Marilyn will chair the meeting.
It was moved, seconded, and passed unanimously to adjourn at 9:05 p.m.