HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-01-03-COD-min Commission on Disability
Minutes from January 3, 2019
Members: Victoria Buckley (Chair), Sue Cusack, Shaun Grady,Julie Miller, Leonard Morse-
Fortier,Janet Perry, Francine Stieglitz
Town Liaisons: Kelly Axtell, Assistant Town Manager;Joe Pato, Selectman;
Rod Cole, Capital Expenditures Committee; Bonnie Teitelman, Council on Aging
Minutes: December Minutes reviewed and approved.
Including Samuel: We would like to encourage community participation at the co-sponsored
film "Including Samuel" on Thursday,January 17th, 2019, 7:00-9:00 PM (Snow Date: Thursday,
January 24th), Lexington Venue. The film will be followed by a discussion moderated by Joe
a �� Il lr"11 Sw U.al ,�Il Ir 11 p n IrY�U.aIII IrY� n Sw lr`� Ir"71 Il lr"11 '~
Petner, PhD. Please RSVP at
9098.. Space is limited.
Commission Outreach: We discussed developing two different outreach strategies, one where
we would create a periodic but predictable schedule to meet with the public and listen to their
needs and concerns. At our next meeting, we will work toward establishing a regular schedule
at accessible locations in places like the Library, Town Hall, and the Community Center. We will
publish our schedule through the Minuteman, the Town website, and other community
listservs.
Our second strategy is to identify committees in Lexington where we can share information and
build awareness about our work and identify strategies to support each other in meeting the
needs of our community. We'll make a preliminary decision about the groups that we would
like to meet with during our February meeting, but examples include the Lexington Special
Education Parent Advisory Council, the PTA Presidents, the Human Rights Committee, and the
Mental Health and Wellness Task Force. We hope to launch this outreach effort with a visit to
the Council on Aging at their February 6t" meeting.
Streetscape Ramp: We are still waiting to test a sample of the new ramp design proposed for
the Streetscape project. Once it is built, we will prepare a brief report of our observations.
Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee: Len Morse-Fortier shared information about his
participation in the Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee, an ad hoc group formed by
the Planning Board. Their mission is to propose a comprehensive plan that helps the
community to engage in future planning that aligns to a vision or commitment to a suite of
priorities, such as zoning. Sub committees will be set up to deal with different issues/themes.
The state requires that a plan be developed every 10 years. The Committee's next meeting is
Tuesday,January 8t". One or two more of these events are scheduled through the rest of the
month.
1
Commission members offered the suggestion that this committee adopt strategies that
integrate a commitment to design/plan projects that support a people-first orientation. This
approach can be integrated into plans related to transportation, traffic flow, access to
community service, housing, and more. Within the context of housing, this could take the form
of visitability standards that incorporate inclusive and accessibility construction practices and
design features like a flush entry way into a home, 36-inch wide doorways, bathrooms that
anticipate a possible roll-in shower without major reconstruction, etc. Adoption of these kinds
of standards would support our inclusive community values as well as ensure residency in one's
home across a lifetime. For more information about this national trend in design and planning,
see INittr.)s//visitabiVity.org
Next Meeting: Our Next meeting is scheduled for February 7t" from 5:45— 7:OOpm in the Parker
Room, G-15, ground floor of Town Hall.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Sue Cusack
2