Montgomery County, MD

COMMISSION ON PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Meeting Summary Points

March 12th, 2008

Welcome and Approval of December Points – Nelson Jackson, Chair, convened the meeting and the summary points for the January 2008 meeting were approved as written.

Aaron Kaufman, Commissioner, led the Commission inheld a moment of silence in memory and tribute to Councilmember Marilyn J. Praisner.

Presentation: “Continuing Dialogue on Commission Priorities and Unmet Needs” – The Honorable George Leventhal, Councilmember, Montgomery County Council and Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee/Member, Transportation & Environment Committee

Mr. Leventhal thanked the Commission for inviting him back. He is continuing to work on access at various facilities and has requested that the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT) create a cost estimate for installing automatic doors in all restrooms in every County facility. He is still waiting for that report. In regards to the Moderately Priced Dwelling Unit (MPDU) program, the entire MPDU law is being reviewed to ensure significant preference for residents with disabilities in large MPDU developments. He is in full support of the current Customized Employment Public Internship Program. Unfortunately, due to the current economic status some things we would like to do may have to be deferred until next year. He is always thinking of people who need the most attention including issues people with disabilities face such as access, facility improvements, housing, and employment.

Mr. Leventhal then opened the floor to questions and comments.

Issues Identified that are Impacting People with Disabilities:

1. MPDU Accessibility - Jackie Simon, Commissioner, said she was grateful for how quickly Mr. Leventhal responded to the MPDU accessibility issues that were brought to his attention at the prior meeting. The Commission continues to recommend that all accessible units be offered to eligible persons with mobility impairments first.

2. Red Brick Pavers - Jackie also noted that she has acquired several wheelchairs for Councilmembersthe Planning Board and County staff to use at the upcoming meeting in the new Rockville Town Center to negotiate the pavers themselves and understand the challenges people have been comes across. Jackie reminded Mr. Leventhal that she is still trying to get the zoning law changed for elderly and disabled individuals and suggested they both have their own separate category.

3. Access Issues on 2nd Avenue, Cameron and Fenwick - Harold Snider, Commissioner, said that five months ago a meeting was held in Silver Spring concerning ADA violations at the block of Cameron Street and Fenwick Lane. Mr. Tom Street promised he would work with the codes required for these violations. Harold helped to identify other items that needed to be fixed and to date Mr. Street and DPWT have not created a plan to take care of those items. He asked Mr. Leventhal to look into the project and see if it could move along faster.

4. Audible Pedestrian Signals - Harold also noted that five years ago the County made a commitment towas to install audible pedestrian signals in Silver Spring’s redevelopment area. These signals have still not been installed. AnotherOne area that needs these signals is at the corner of Cameron and 2nd Avenue.

5. Council Metro Access Hearing - Harold would also like to have the Council hold another hearing about MetroAccess as the service continues to be a problem for County residents. There are continued missed and late trips.

6. Maintain Commitment to Existing Disability Programs - Aaron Kaufman, Commissioner, expressed his concern about the upcoming 2009 fiscal year and the new operating budget. He hopes that the Council will maintain program funding at the current levels. Mr. Leventhal wants everyone to understand that the current economic status is temporary and some things may be deferred or put on hold for a year, but the Council will do their best to maintain funding and they aware of the programs that affect the people who need the most help. He also noted that the general election for the new Councilmember is May 13th and they will be sworn in at the end of May.

7. Support for Supportive Housing Rental Assistance Program - Tonya Gilchrist, Commissioner, had heard there would be budget cuts made to the Supportive Housing Rental Assistance Program (SHRAP). She knows of several individuals who have been helped by this program. Mr. Leventhal explained that in the Council’s budget savings he has put all the money back into the program with some of the money coming from the Housing Initiative Fund. He encouraged Tonya and others to relay to the Council specific cases to put a human face on the issue.

8. Increase Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities - Harry Bodansky, Public, asked what the Councilmember’s would be able to do to encourage companies headquartered in Montgomery County to employ individuals with disabilities. He also asked what Montgomery College was doing to enable students with disabilities to pursue a secondary education to increase their chance of employment. Mr. Leventhal stated that Montgomery College had recently spoken with the Council and he will ask about their interaction with students with disabilities. As for working with organizations to employ people with disabilities, he suggested having officials and staff from the Department of Economic Development speak to the Commission to discuss this issue further.

9. Design for Life Montgomery - Jackie Simon, Commissioner, gave an update on Design for Life Montgomery and said the program is receiving a lot of positive response. Several builders have come forward with a commitment to build visit-able and possibly live-able homes. Commission staff haves created a PowerPoint presentation that is available online that anyone can show. Betsy Luecking, Staff, said she recently went to a builder’s breakfast and spoke with several builders who are very interested in the program and love that it is voluntary and that Permitting is involved. With the Council’s help, they have been able to form greater partnerships with the builders. 75% of the permits issued so far have been for renovations

Sharon Freiman, Commissioner, asked if the Council had considered offering incentives to builders. For example, if builders build a live-able or visit-able home then the County will fast track all of their permits. Mr. Leventhal agreed with the concept and encouraged the Commission to invite officials from Maryland-National Capital Parking and Planning Commission and from Permitting Services to raise their consciousness about these issues, to help them understand and get them involved. While he is able to pass bills, they do not necessarily get acted on immediately.

10. Require that Designated Disability Parking Spaces Are Closer to Entry - Aaron Kaufman, Commissioner, asked if the Council could pass legislation that would encourage parking garages and parking lots to place designated disability parkinghandicapped spots closer to the building entrance. Sometimes accessible spaces are located far away from entrances and curb cuts.

11. Support for Call n’ Ride Funding - HHe also asked if the Council is planning on preventing Call n’ Ride services from being cut in the new fiscal year. Mr. Leventhal said the Council is not going to propose cuts to Call n’ Ride. If it is in the County Executive’s budget, the Council will figure out what makes the most sense, which may include moving priorities around or including tips with the coupons. He encouraged Commissioner’s to tell the Council personal stories in regards to the program.

12. Public Input on Budget - Sharon Freiman, Commissioner, asked if the Council had considered offering incentives to builders. For example, if builders build a live-able or visit-able home then the County will fast track all of their permits. Mr. Leventhal agreed with the concept and encouraged the Commission to invite officials from Maryland-National Capital Parking and Planning Commission and from Permitting Services to raise their consciousness about these issues, to help them understand and get them involved. While he is able to pass bills, they do not necessarily get acted on immediately.

Tonya Gilchrist, Commissioner, asked if there were any Council public hearings coming up in the near future. Mr. Leventhal wasn’t sure of the exact dates* and will let Betsy know. Nancy Aldous, County Council Liaison, said there are also several town hall meetings that will be taking place so the public can discuss the budget with the County Executive. He will be holding a Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, March 20th, 2008, at Briggs Chaney Middle School – 1901 Rainbow Drive, Silver Spring, MD. The meeting will start at 7:30pm.

* There will be a County Council Town Hall Meeting for the Clarksburg area on Wednesday, March 19th, 2008, at Little Bennett Elementary School – 23930 Burdette Forest Road. The meeting will start at 8:00pm. A pre-meeting reception will begin at 7:30pm.

Mr. Leventhal thanked the Commissioners and he will continue to be in contact with the Commission.

Update from the Chair –

Nelson Jackson, Chair, encouraged all Commissioner’s to attend the Steering Committee next Wednesday night, March 19th, being held in the tan conference room at 401 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.

Nelson Jackson, Chair, noted that he addressed County Executive Isiah Leggett and Uma Ahluwalia, Director of Health and Human Services, last week and it went very well. Ms. Ahluwalia was very receptive and she appreciated the input made by the Commission in regards to including people with disabilities in all Workforce Diversity Initiatives.

Nelson also noted that the World of Possibilities Expo is coming to the Montgomery County Fairgrounds on Friday, May 2nd and Saturday, May 3rd. The Commission is partnering with Caring Communities and the World of Possibilities Expo along with the Commission on Aging. The Commission will have a booth present at the Expo. More information will be sent out soon. He encouraged Commissioners to volunteer to work at the booth.

Nelson encouraged all Commissioners to participate in workgroups and committees. Everyone has an equal share in the project and please feel free to participate.

Workgroup Updates –

David Sharp, Commissioner, said he will have a transportation update at the next meeting. He is attending the Council of Governments (COG) meeting tomorrow. They are currently discussing transportation issues, such as funding for Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC), which improves access to job sites and employment-related activities for people who are transitioning from welfare to work or for others with limited incomes. The group is also focusing on travel training.

Harold Snider, Commissioner, noted that County Executive Isiah Leggett is holding a press conference tomorrow for the County’s Customized Employment Intern Project. The Commission should be proud of their advocacyting efforts. Jackie Simon, Commissioner, added that she has drafted a letter in regards to the project and encourages the County to continue efforts to include people with disabilities in the permanent workforce. She also spoke with Mr. Bruce Adams, Director, Office of Community Partnerships, about including people with disabilities in their outreach to racial and ethnic minorities. Mr. Adams said he would speak with Mr. Chuck Short, Special Assistant to the County Executive, as it is certainly an oversight and they will make an effort to include people with disabilities.

Roberta Carlin, Commissioner, said the Health Access & Wellness Promotion Workgroup is going to have their first meeting this month and will have a report at the next meeting. The group will focus on accessibility and health screenings for people with disabilities.

Shane Feldman, Commissioner, said the Communication Access Workgroup recently met with Independence Now and a new staff person who has some hearing loss and experience with people who are deaf. The group will be working with them on systems advocacy in order to help problems and issues and places with disabilities find barriers.

Candace Groudine, Human Rights Commission, wanted to clarify a comment made at the last meeting in regards to audible pedestrian signals and federal mandate. She stated that itIt is not a federal mandate to have these types of signals installed. The state and/or county decide the best practice for such access issues, which must be reasonable and consistent. Harold Snider, Commissioner, says there is a federal mandate that is reserved in the ADAAG Federal Advisory Committee Access Board. Local jurisdictions are is required to install audible pedestrian signals when there is major renovation of a roadway and/or crosswalk. Furthermore, the State Highway Administration (SHA) has had several lawsuits based on these regulations. Candace said that a lawsuit in a particular state is irrespective of whether or not it is a federal mandate. She will continue to research this issue. You Nancy Greene, ADA Compliance Officer stated that the requirement for accessible pedestrian crossways is still in draft. You can view a Q & A document which explains what is required and what is not required on the Federal Highway Administration’s website: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/.

Betsy Luecking, Staff, welcomed Nancy Diehl to the meeting. She is the new Director of Independence Now.

BetsyShe also gave an update on Design Forfor Life Montgomery. The PowerPoint presentation was shown by her and Carly has been shown to the Anne Arundel Commission on Disability Issues on 2/26/2008 and is being shown in Howard County tonight. The Lincoln Park Historical Foundation will also being showing it to several groups and is including a link on their website to the Design for Life Montgomery site. It is also being hosted on the Greater Capital Association of Realtors website. Tonya Gilchrist, Commissioner, was involved in drafting mandatory visitabilityvisit ability legislation. which will be presented on Friday, March 14th, to the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis. Betsy suggested a few changes to the language as it did not apply to new construction or renovation. Tonya noted that the testimony is taking place at 1:00pm in Annapolis at the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee. She encouraged commissioners to attend or e-mail comments to Senator Lenettggett. http://mlis.state.md.us/2008rs/billfile/sb0792.htm

Jackie Simon, Commissioner, added that she is working with a builder who is constructing three developments and making them at least visit-able and some of them live-able. The developments are a town center in Mount Airy, to include a community center and retail center with offices on the second floor and residences above that, and the Briggs Chaney and Derwood area. She has also talked to Royce Hanson, Chairman of the Montgomery County Planning Board, about the pavers at the Rockville library and how she has acquired wheelchairs for her meeting with his staff.their next meeting.

Public Remarks –
None

Next Meeting: Wednesday, April 9th, 2008- Cathy Raggio, Director, Maryland Department of Disabilities will be the presenter.
EOB, 101 Monroe Street,