Mansfield Advisory Committee on the Needs of Persons with

Disabilities

 

Regular Meeting

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

 

Minutes

 

I.                    Attendance: members:   Scott Hasson, Wade Gibbs, Tom Miller; staff: Sheila Thompson, Kevin Grunwald; interested party: Curt Vincente 

 

II.                  Minutes: Minutes of Sept. 28, 2004 were reviewed and approved.

 

III.                 New Business:     none

 

 

IV.                Old Business:

 

a)     Membership:  It again was expressed that the Committee has need for members who are able to serve

 

b)     ADA Corridor:  No report. 

 

c)      Report on Community Center ADA compliance:  Copies of letters from Scott Hasson (10/13/04) and Curt Vincente (10/25/04) were reviewed by the Committee addressing ADA compliance issues which had been brought to the Committee by resident, Joan Sidney.   Mr. Vincente was present to further inform the Committee that a compliance review report is being prepared by David Hoyle and will be shared with the Committee once this is received.  Mr. Vincente reminded the Committee that the pool lift was selected as a result of the Committee’s review and recommendation, and that this lift provides more advantages to usage, both for individuals and staff, in addition to being Code compliant.  He also indicated that other modifications, such as relocation of a few coat hooks, soap and paper towel dispensers, are being made to allow for more accessibility.  The Committee then toured the Community Center shower facilities, finding that the designated-accessible facilities are compliant.  It was recommended to Mr. Vincente that the Community Center revise its brochures to advise the public with special needs that the Center is not a treatment or rehabilitation facility, and as such, cannot provide special services apart from the facility compliance provided through ADA regulations. Staff are recreation employees and are not rehabilitation or treatment providers. To ask them to perform these duties increases the risk of liability to staff and to the Center, and limits staff availability to users of the Center, in general.  It was also advised that the Center suggest to the public with special needs that individuals be accompanied by caregivers who would be able to assist with the individual’s specialized needs, in order to better facilitate use of the Center’s equipment and facilities.

 

 

 

 

Having completed discussion of all business brought forward, the meeting adjourned at 3:55 PM.  Next meeting is Nov. 29, 2004.

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Sheila Thompson