Portland Disability Advisory Committee

City of Portland Portland Disability Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes October 10, 2018 Mandy Levine, Portland’s Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Specialist, convened the meeting of the Portland Disability Advisory Committee (PDAC). • In attendance: AnneMarie Catanzano, Rabih Dow, Yura Yasui, Lisette Belanger, Jessica Russell, Michelle Ames, Haley Pass, Obie Harrington-Howes, Karen Perry, Jill Johanning, Certified Interpreting ASL interpreter Arricka, John LeMieux, Joey Brunelle, Linda Weare • Board members not in attendance: Diane Leavitt, Ken Shapiro, Derek O’Brien, Steve Leighton, Bud Buzzell • The September 12, 2018 meeting minutes were approved. • Sharing of eligibility criteria (“individual member residing in Portland” versus “representing….”) in social media and on the City’s website: all in attendance are fine with continuing to provide this distinction. • Update on Public Service Announcements (PSA) • Mandy thanked Rabih for his great feedback and resource sharing so that the PSAs are accessible for the blind and visually impaired. She has shared this guidance with Portland Media Center. We hope to receive the final drafts soon. • Creative Trails art exhibit: confirmed for January 7 – 18, 2019 in the rotunda and 1st to 2nd floor stairwell of City Hall (see http://www.creativetrails.org/home-2-line-and-logo.html) o Mandy will invite Director Scott Miller to join us to brainstorm the sort of messaging we want to convey. o Perhaps we could do some sort of opening event. • Speaker series update: Mandy and Linda Weare shared that the following speakers agreed to provide a one-hour presentation, open to the public. The timing and more additional specifics have not yet been discussed. • Kathy Adams OTL, ATP, Program Director of Maine CITE, State of Maine’s Assistance Technology (AT) Program, speaking to Assistive Technology for Living and Working. • Kristin Aiello, Esq., managing attorney at Disability Rights Maine, providing a general training on Titles I, II, and III of the ADA with a discussion of reasonable accommodations and modifications. • Peter Baker, LCSW, Program Director at Alzheimer’s Association. o Linda Weare shared that they do trainings on the 10 signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, coping mechanisms for caregivers, communication and other topics. o AnneMarie indicated that the 10 signs presentation is a good starting point for the general public and it’s a one-hour presentation with 30 minutes for presentation. • Jane Margesson, AARP, and Sheriff Kevin Joyce, Financial Fraud and Exploitation • We are also interested in the following speakers/topics: o American Red Cross and Portland Fire Department: fire safety training o Caregiver resources • Speaker series subcommittee: AnneMarie, Rabih Dow, John Lemieux volunteered to be part of a subcommittee that will meet outside of the monthly PDAC meetings to explore the following ideas that were raised at the PDAC meeting: o Two talks on the same day (one during the day and one at night at 5:15 pm) to access as many people as possible, perhaps on different days and at different locations? o Rabih recommended a session on inclusivity: communication techniques and how to interact with individuals with disabilities. o Coordinate with the Chamber of Commerce and Portland Downtown? o Live stream the meetings for PDAC meetings? o Southern Maine Agency on Aging presentation and others? o Location?  If at City Hall: put out more disabled parking spot signs  Barron Center has ample parking  Portland Public Schools especially for evening sessions  o Could Portland Media Center videotape the sessions and attach them to our website? o Mandy emailed AnneMarie, John, and Rabih after the PDAC meeting so that they can arrange a time to meet. • Determination of next major PDAC initiative(s) • Another educational campaign? • Annual award and acknowledgement of a local business that is inclusive? METRO did this last year with bus drivers. • Wheelchair simulation event? • Fair of local resources and social services? • Mural representative of people with disabilities. Connect with local resources. • ADA 29th anniversary event in July? Disability Rights Maine has their annual Pride event o Michelle has a contact with Party Palooza • Upcoming meeting dates, all from 11 am to 12 pm in Room 24 in the basement of City Hall 2018 • November 7th • December 5th 2019 • January 9th • February 6th • March 6th • April 3rd • May 1st • June 5th • July 10th • August 7th • September 4th • October 2nd • November 6th The meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm. Respectfully Submitted, Mandy Levine City of Portland Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Specialist