Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Workshop November 14, 2015 2015 Accomplishments Effective Communication/Taxis * Disability Advocacy Awards (ongoing). Refine and improve process * Ethnic Fest and Proclamation Reading. 25th Anniversary (ongoing) * Mental Health subcommittee created. Ad-hoc 2016 * ASL Video—Communicate with deaf comm. * COD brochure * Created PowerPoint presentation (ongoing) * Educated COD on deaf/blindness * Participated in the UWT Dis. Fair * Banner * Terminology/messaging (not accomplished; move to 2016) * Met with Pierce Transit (taxis) * Met with Yellow Cab * Contract created for Yellow Cab * Met with TACID Board * Created a list of benefits to have a taxi in COT Web Accessibility and Employment * Web: Conducted at least 3 classes. Scheduling as needed. Completed. (Idea: Visually impaired. No online course—resource issue. No carryover) * ADA testing process: Complete * Web Gatekeepers: Managed by City. No carryover * Changed language on job lists, removing discriminatory language * Ongoing: Hiring person with intellectual disability * Training for interviewing: Ongoing * Neogov site upgrades: No leverage * Municipal Code update. Roadblocks. Ongoing in 2016 * Employment discrimination investigations—ongoing * Employment position paper * Built solid relationships Emergency Management and Build/Design * Staff and commissioners reviewed Fed requirements and cases to understand risks * Awareness workshop at TACID (one done, another scheduled at STAR Center) * Sheltering Issue: Inventory of usable public facilities being done and determining if they are accessible (movie theaters, churches, Tacoma Dome, etc.) (Red Cross was only schools) * Ongoing goals: Away from registries. Instead, the training-->connect to ALERT SYSTEM (Pierce County) * Dome-->Review issues in other Cities * Memorandum of Understanding at County level (no) but will revisit this goal. What’s the objective? Housing and shelter focus to meet City’s needs * City properties retrofits: Status review: Done * Pierce Transit-->New Executive Director attend Commission meeting to discuss status * ADA Transition Plan-->Core Work * Update needed (minimally every 4 years)-->2008(!) * Proposed: * Review in sections * Conversation with Department Directors: Commissioners provide input, recommendations, ideas to help set direction for City’s work * City Building Codes: Sue Coffman; Lisa Wojtanowicz-->(life safety)--> Elevator ruling (for residential) understood * Code review process (aligning code, loopholes being closed. Accomplished role of COD to collaborate.). When TMC [Tacoma Municipal Code] goes to decision-making body, COD first look done. * Spot audits done as requested (ad hoc) * Parking enforcement staff: complaints, etc. The “sting” effort: biggest issue is persons who work downtown all day with placards rather than pay for parking (more than City employees) * Advancement of curb matrix (prioritized). “Just” needs funding $. * Did review light link rail proposals and gave feedback (priority areas near hospitals, curb cuts was addressed) * New Amtrak train station review done Other accomplishments * COD commissioners: All positions are filled * Adjusting to change made by City Manager Broadnax. How we work with City Departments. Administrative changes done * Stronger relationships built and maintained. COD feels a part of the City’s work * Use of Position Papers: good tool for COD (e.g., Ethnic Fest work done) 2016 (Effective Communications/Taxis) * Taxi to be moved forward to 2016 * Ethnic Fest participation * Advocate of the Year: Improve process (automate) * Mental Health: Individual placement/employment with DVR * Terminology/messaging * PowerPoint presentation to present to community councils, meetings, etc. 2016 Themes * Homelessness; mental health; brain issues; Western State: one theme. Identify role of Commission. Participate in City efforts. Reminders. Let City know what’s happening. * Maintain existing employment committee. Hand off to HR—expect updates. What does HR need help with? * Taxis—project. Bring reports to Commission * Utilize Effective Communications Committee to prepare communications. Concern: adds a layer. * Build relationship with Human Rights Commission and Human Services Commission. (Discrimination, training) * Suggestion: Work on one area in depth * How to measure/influence City’s Strategic Plan * Emergency management: Resource allocation to better address issues for people with disabilities * Engage TPD—training regarding people with disabilities. TPD: Find out what barriers TPD has or sees * Pierce Transit shuttle—Can’t get services—in process. Transportation * (Comment: “Three-legged stool” analogy—Transportation/Employment/Housing) * Build/design: Transition Plan update. What do next steps look like? Training? Committee Structure Mental Health research (suggestion: create Position Papers) * JoAnn—chair * Devin * Mike * Susan * Sheryl Effective Communications: External Focus Includes Disability Advocacy Award subcommittee * Luke—chair * Krystal * JoAnn * Gary * Devin Commission-run projects Time limited; project ends at some point * Taxis: Krystal—chair; Devin * Strategic Plan (Tacoma 2025): Roxanne—chair; Sheryl; Mike * Transition Plan: Gerrit—chair; Roxanne; Sheryl; Krystal City-run/External Projects (Liaison role) Ongoing; provide updates; develop relationships; organize presentations (have standard format) * HR (includes employment): Gary * Office of Equity and Human Rights: Sheryl * Parking: Gerrit * Emergency management: Todd * First responder (TPD and TFD)/Department training: Devin * Code changes: Roxanne * Web: Gerrit * Neighborhood and Community Services/Human Services: JoAnn