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Commission on Disability Meeting Minutes December 3, 2015 Members Present: Victoria Buckley, Chair; Nate Finch; Julie Miller; Len Morse-Fortier; Francine Stieglitz; Sue Cusack Town Liaisons: Fred Lonardo, Building Commissioner; Joe Pato, Chair, Board of Selectmen; Linda Vine, Deputy Town Manager; Harry Mackay, Council on Aging Agenda: November 2015 minutes Minutes from last month were approved with minor edits. Demonstration by Nathalie Rice of the AutoMarks Voting System Nathalie provided us with a full demonstration of a voting system designed to provide greater access and independence for voters with vision, hearing, mobility, literacy needs. There were some concerns about the age of this system and whether there were new options available. Areas of concern related to limitations in navigation, audio output and the visual interface. Members brought up concerns about using the system with different disabilities as well as how to let voters know that this option is there to be used for voting if needed or desired. Many people may not know about AutoMarks. Continued discussion about planning what we need to do to better address needs of citizens with hearing and visual issues Len Morse-Fortier will be writing a letter to the Lexington Minuteman in an attempt to build awareness in the community about the Commission, our mission, our commitment to providing support and enhancing equity and access to all programs and services in Lexington. Update on Center Streetscape from Board of Selectmen meeting on 11/30 Following up on the concern that the current preliminary plan showed only 5’ of concrete next to the stores, which is problematic for the following reasons (as given via email to John Livsey, Town Engineer, from Chair): The area next to the stores cannot be counted on for walking due to overhangs, door 1. openings etc. – so I think you need to allow about 1.5-2 feet as an apron before you start counting sidewalk width. A regular-sized wheelchair needs a 5-foot turning radius; the big chairs need 7 feet. 2. For someone to walk alongside a wheelchair or for two wheelchairs together, add another 3. 2-3 feet. For people to pass, add another 2-3 feet. 4. For aesthetics, having a huge brick area for those who do not have ambulation issues and 5. is not a very much smaller area (as is shown, 5 feet to 15-26 feet, or 20-33%)inviting or fair at all and sends the wrong message – exclusivity as opposed to inclusiveness.