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 09/21/23 
Commission Members In Attendance:
Andrew Carr on zoom x Kathleen Kane on zoom x
Hannah Belcher, Town Council Liaison John Morgan x
Denise Quist x Jon Rodis on zoom x
Karla Murphy x
GUEST SPEAKER: Greg McClay: Director of Winthrop Public Library 
A. Roll call
B. August 30 Minutes approved
C. Director of Winthrop Public Library- Greg McClay 
o The Winthrop Disability Commission will work with the library to
apply for grants through MOD 
o The library currently has three projects which are not yet funded
(they are working with Rachel Kelly, grant writer for Winthrop) :
1. The back of the library needs to be made accessible; only
one entrance is currently accessible (front of library)
2. The new wing of the library is not accessible – Children’s
Room is set down
3. The Hazlett Room is not accessible 
o Can use the same product to resolve accessibility issues, which
consists of a lift; Greg will share a video describing the product and
will send cost breakdown 
o Everything (multimedia equipment) in the Hazlett Room (which is
not accessible) will be duplicated in the Bergman Room (which is
accessible) 
o Discussed software: Libby app, National Library link for
vision-impaired; some software might result in bad experience if
there is no staff training in use of software

o Members discussed adding a handicapped parking spot (or 2?) to
front of library near accessible entrance 
o Summary for Library Section of the 1996 ADA Transition Plan was
shared with Greg; essentially most recommendations have still not
been fulfilled; they had also recommended lifts as a solution 
o Best Practices for interacting with people with disabilities to put in
library 
o Issues with elevator as well—need key and key is lost 
o We will contact Evan George from MOD to see if he will come and
speak to the Commission and invite Greg
D. Bylaws were ratified
E. Next Month’s Guest
Evan George from MOD or Kathy Dixon from COA
F. WCOD webpage needs editing: add minutes, check spelling (Winthrop)
G. Update on Resource Guide 
1. Flipbook was displayed and reviewed; some additions
recommended 
2. Will send out flip book to commission when complete 
3. Diane Grant is obtaining costs
H. Speaker Series
1. Flyer for Kathleen’s presentation was displayed: Kathleen will
approve
2. Will be held in Harvey Hearing Room, 6 p.m. Wed., Oct 25
3. Other topics: Estate Planning (Kathleen): SSI/SSDI (Jon
Rodis)
4. Put in town blog, WCAT
I. Other
1. White Cane Awareness Day is Oct 15 th ; there will be an event
at the State House in the Great Hall on Friday, October 13,
2023 from 11 A.M. to 1 P.M.
2. Unfinished business

a. Distribute Tax Incentive flyer
b. Update 1996 Self-Assessment and ADA Transition
Plan
c. ADA Accessibility Survey by high school students
(Hannah)
J. Public comments 
o A town hall employee, parent of an adult child with a disability,
gave positive feedback on the Resource Guide.
K. ACTION LIST:
1. Arrange next month’s speaker: Evan George or Kathy Dixon
from COA (Karla)
2. Fix web page (misspellings, add minutes) and check
commission email (some are bouncing back (Denise)
3. Finalize flyer on guardianship and forward to Denise to distribute
(Karla/Kathleen/Denise)
4. Send flipbook and costs to commission members (Karla) 
NEXT MEETING DATE : Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023, 6 p.m., Harvey Hearing
Room (zoom link to follow)
Respectfully submitted,
Andrew Carr