HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004-09-01-COD-min.pdf Commission on Disability Minutes
Wednesday September 1, 2004
4:00-5:00pm
Attendance: Michael Novack, Victoria Buckley, Len Morse-Fortier, Sue Cusack,
Michael Martignetti,Dan Perez, Chuck Cole, and Arthur Katz (guest)
Absent: Jennifer Aliber, Bill Kennedy (Selectmen Representative)
Bicycles/skateboards:
We are gathering forces to make a presentation to HDC requesting more signs (and the
replacement of missing signs)prohibiting skateboarding, roller skating and bicycling on
the sidewalks. Signs will be proposed where people most likely leave and enter the
bikeway LPS will also he suggesting from additional bike racks from the HDC.
Bill Hadley Mike Novack, Captain Sargent went around town, took pictures, identified
areas where the signs are missing. We are forming a coalition with the LPD, Bike Path
Committee (Len), Town Center Committee (Len), COA (Sue), Chamber of Commerce
(Sue), and Selectman (Sue). The (name) after each committee is the point person to build
the relationship with the Commission on this issue.The goal is to leverage other
community groups in support of a common goal. The Minuteman will be asked to cover
the meeting when it is scheduled.
In the meantime, the LPD have been handing out red "courtesy cards' to build awareness
about the sidewalk prohibition. To date, the LPD have handed out almost 100 cards. Dan
mentioned that he has noticed a difference in recent weeks. Captain Charlie Sargent noted
that the LPS have been very aggressive in the effort to build awareness and that the
courtesy cards ill also be inserted in the local tax bills.
Victoria will be making copies of the approved sign and offering it to store owners to
place in store windows. (Not an HDC jurisdiction issue.)
Minuteman Special Article:
Arthur Katz, a Lexington resident, and part time stringer for the Lexington Minuteman,
and supported by Susan Bushey, editor, is writing an article about accessibility in
Lexington. He is focusing on: here we are; this is where we want to go; and what are the
issues before us. So far he has interviewed Bill Hadley Mike Novack, Sue Cusack, and
Captain Sargent.
Victoria brought the following issues to his attention:
1. mentioned the back drop of the 93 audit and the proposal to prioritize the
accessibility of the audit.
2. raising consciousness
3. identification of a grievance protocol
4 evolve from a committee to a commission
5. coalition building examples: Lexpress
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It was noted that most of the public buildings have been made accessible such as Center
Fire Station, Carey Hall. As a result of the Mass Office on Disability visit to Lexington
polling sites, the town will be grading the path to the back door, and putting in a curb cut
at Clarke Middle School.
Other Issues Raised:
Dan Perez: Visitability (universal design strategies in housing), he would like to
encourage high number of accessible housing in Lexington. Conversations with the
Harriet Cohen–Fair Housing committee were discouraging. He was told there would not
be sufficient interest or support to adoption of the standards by realtors or the Planning
Board. Sue suggested that we could initiate a Warrant through Town Meeting to
encourage bid incentives for housing developments like 40B with the goal to introduce
the visitability standards that applied to fair market and low income housing
opportunities. Dan was concerned about the message that would send(promoting low
income housing for people with disabilities—would prefer a larger vision).
Len Mores-Fortier noted that the progressiveness supported by the committee is absent in
the larger community (Hayden, historic sites, Walgreen's parking lot renovation—round-
about pathways)
Lexfest
Commission for the Blind (goggles) and the Deaf and Hard of Hearing will be in
attendance. Our table will include: –complaint form, League of Women Voters article,
possibly a wheelchair accessible activity?
Carey Lecture Series and HP Parking
Sometimes there are inadequate numbers of HP spaces for the lecture series. This issue
should not be on the sponsors but the owners of the event, next year the locations will be
at the Museum of our National Heritage and Hancock Church. Chuck experienced denial
of access at a Museum event. They unapologetically ran out of HP parking and accessible
seating and they said he could not help him. Nancy Shepard is in charge of the Library
Lecture series. We need to develop a strategy for discussing this. Chuck will start
conversations with the sponsors with a possible follow-up by Victoria with Nancy
Approved July/August minutes
Next meeting on the October 6th
Respectfully submitted by Sue Cusack