HomeMy WebLinkAbout2001-05-23-EC-rpt.pdf Enablement Committee
Town of Lexington
Report to Human Services Committee
Re: Enablement Committee Progress
May 23, 2001
Introduction, Purpose of the Enablement Committee
The Enablement Committee has been in existence for 20 years and for the greater part of
that period has served as a subcommittee of the Human Services Committee. Rick
Safford who was a member of the Human Services Committee served as a member, also,
of the Enablement Committee and acted as a liaison between the two committees. There
is no such liaison currently
State and federal legislation, e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act, requires that rules and
regulations be enforced at the local level. Steve Baran who is staff to the Human Services
Committee as Human Services Coordinator is also staff to the Enablement Committee
and has been appointed by the Town Manager as the Americans with Disabilities Act
Coordinator The Committee serves to educate the public about responding to
architectural and programmatic barriers. It "enables" both people with disabilities and the
general public to achieve a better quality of life by overcoming those barriers.
Recent Committee Progress
1 Handicapped parking space in front of the post office; also handicapped parking
space in front of Vinnie Testa restaurant on Waltham Street.
2
2. Peter Chalpin, Director of the Engineering Department, has ordered a sign to be
placed in front of town hall indicating that there is handicapped access at the rear of
the building. He has also ordered three signs for the interior of the building pointing
to the location of the elevator These are due in two weeks.1 Peter Chalpin indicated
further that there would be at least one or two more handicapped parking spaces
behind Town Hall in two years after the library moves back to its original location.
3 Wayne Brooks, Director, Department of Public Works (DPW)Highways Dept., has
no funds to spend on curb cuts and crosswalks. He will put in new markings for
crosswalks on Mass. Ave. Hancock and Bedford Streets now Wayne will request
this in the FY 2002 budget. Meanwhile, he will try to get some work done this year
even though he has no funds.
4 We met with Rick Barry Liberty Mutual, Bedford Street. Rick has found a contractor
t- and is waiting for an estimate to make the driveways accessible. Depending on price,
either the contractor or town will do driveways. Liberty will pay the town, if
necessary to do the work.
5 Steve Baran and Linda Vine will clarify in the town phone menu what are Steve's
titles under Human Services.
Needs assessment (including assignments to members of the Enablement Committee)
1 The Vision 2020 Report will be reviewed to see if there are any references to plans
for people with disabilities (Jill Manning).
' He will not order a handicap sign for the rear of the Visitors' Center until the ramp at that location is in
compliance.
3
2. The rear of CVS needs to be made accessible. According to state law for architectural
access, all entrances to public buildings must be accessible. This can be accomplished
by installing a switchback ramp. Who owns the building (Darlene Adams)?
3 The Committee will check to determine if Wilson Farms is required to have (a)
separate bathroom(s) for customers and (b) handicapped accessible bathroom(s) (Pat
Gardiner).
4 There is one handicapped accessible space in the rear which has not been painted in
the rear of 44 Waltham St. there has been no elevator inspection; the elevator is too
small for a wheelchair; the widths of doors are too small, and the door handles re not
in compliance (Darlene Adams).
5 The Committee met with Margaret Donovan representing Cary Library and expressed
concerns regarding handicapped access to new library See as attachment response by
Carol Mahoney Director, to these concerns.
6 We met with the Recreation Committee requesting access for people with disabilities
to the Old Res and pool through a discount similar to that already granted to seniors.
Our committee felt that it was undignified for under-60 people with disabilities to
have to ask for scholarships Also, the Recreation Committee bulletin does not
mention the availability of scholarship discounts. The Enablement Committee is
awaiting a formal response from the Recreation Committee. Pam Varrin of the
Recreation Committee told our committee of new handicap-accessible innovations at
the Res.
7 The Adult Day Care Center in Lincoln needs hall handrail and bars in bathroom.
Steve Baran spoke with Heather Sweeney, Director of the Social Services
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Department, who agreed to make arrangements, if possible, through Minuteman
Vocational High School.
8 Steve Baran's position and the Enablement Committee need to be more well known.
Examples include an article in the COA Newsletter, the phone book, etc.
To be done
1 The Committee will meet with Lexpress town and company representatives regarding
lack of respect shown by drivers to elderly patrons, unsafe driving, a lift which is not
in working order, and lack of knowledge of weekend driver(s) on how to operate the
lift.
2. The Pay as you Throw representative plans to attend the next meeting of the
Enablement Committee.
3 The library elevator is not handicapped accessible since a handicapped patron must
request a key in order to use the elevator The elevator has no braille signs.
4 Following the issuance of a comprehensive report on architectural barriers in
buildings under sown auspices approximately 10 years ago (on file in Stew Baran's
office), Peter Chalpin said that he did detailed cost estimates regarding the removal of
these barriers and submitted them to the Town Manager What is the status of action
following Peters estimate
5 Pursue outcome of request for curb cut and crosswalk modifications submitted to
Wayne Brooks. Heather Sweeney said she would discuss these with Bill Hadley,
DPW Director
5
6 Steve Baran and Barbara Barrows walked through and measured non-compliance
issues at the Visitors' Center and Buckman Tavern and produced a report.
5
6 Steve Baran and Barbara Barrows walked through and measured non-compliance
issues at the Visitors' Center and Buckman Tavern and produced a report.
Barbara Barrow, Member, Enablement Committee