Minutes
Winthrop Commission On Disabilities · from the Town's website · 3 pages · 78 KB
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Winthrop Commission on Disability Meeting Date: Date 08/30/23 Commission Members In Attendance: Andrew Carr x Kathleen Kane on zoom x Hannah Belcher, Town Council Liaison x John Morgan x Denise Quist x Jon Rodis on zoom x Karla Murphy x GUEST SPEAKER: Jeff Dougan, Assistant Director for Community Services at the Massachusetts Office on Disability A. Roll call and everyone in attendance: ● Karla Murphy, Chair ● Jon Rodis, Vice-Chair ● Andrew Carr, Secretary ● Denise Quist ● Hannah Belcher,Town Council Liaison ● John Morgan ● Kathleen Kane ● Jon Rodis B. Minutes approved C. Jeff Dougan of MOD presented an overview of MOD ○ MOD's role in commission explained. ○ Commission boundaries discussed. ○ MOD supports local commissions with referrals and documents. ○ New website information–many workshops are listed on the MOD page; can sign up for updates by email ○ Finding Your Way Around: best resource in commonwealth https://www.mass.gov/info-details/ fi nding-your-way-around-organizations -serving-the-disability-community ○ Reviewed MOD grant cycle and process–too late for this year but consider for next. ○ Connecting communities to resources. ○ Housing resources and assistance. ○ Building an accessible global world. ○ IT support for the towns, including website accessibility standards; working with state agencies for universal design. ○ Need a Self-Eval and Transition Plan to be eligible for grants– Winthrop has a Self-Evaluation Plan from 1996 that needs updating; Jeff will forward that to Denise and she will email it to committee members. ○ Can link up with Evan George, about grants–he oversees ADA Program Grant ○ Went over bylaws template–Winthrop is using the template ○ Section 8j and Section 22G reviewed. ○ 22G includes funds raised from fi nes which would come back to the commission to purchase wheelchairs, library materials, a ramp, etc. ○ Tax Deductions for small businesses when updating accessibility features; $15,000 for barrier removal for a business with less than 30 employees ○ ADA checklist for existing facilities: www.adachecklist.org ○ Check in now and then with Jeff D. Library ○ John Morgan spoke with Greg (head librarian); there is a capital plan in motion ○ Invite Greg to the next meeting, Mary Lou Osborne, and the town manager. ○ Denise will send an email inviting them to the next meeting E. Update on info session by Kathleen Kane (guardianship vs power of attorney vs health care proxy, supported decision making): ○ Late October ○ Zoom and in person (Kathleen will attend in person) F. Resource booklet update: Karla is working with Diane–approx. 80+ pages Will provide a cost estimate by the next meeting. F. ADA Accessibility Survey: Hannah suggested using high school students to conduct the surveys using their community service hours; Denise will get in touch with Lisa Howard G. Winthrop Life at Large grants: Andrew is researching various grants that could be helpful to town departments, such as the library. H. Bylaws: Andrew circulated proposed bylaws by email; we will discuss and ratify them at the next meeting I. Quarterly update to the commission on money in 22G J. Future meeting Topics: ● Collaboration with other town departments ● Grants Review ● Resource Booklet ● Information Sessions / Drop in at the Senior Center Next Meeting Date: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 at 6 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Andrew Carr