November Minutes

East Hartford Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities Minutes

November 14,2023

1. Call to order at 6:35 pm

2. Roll call: Present - Veronica Rosario, Vanessa Jenkins, Carlos Martinez Rivera, Gary Roy.

                     Absent- Sunilda Caminero, Rachel Botts (excused), Rena Berube

3. Approval of minutes - October 10,2023 Motion to approve made by Veronica, 2nd by Carlos.

4. Chair’s report- 2024 schedule of meetings due 12/1/2023 and 2023 attendance also due 12/1/2023.

Commission 2023 Accomplishments

      a.)Special Olympics Program - Transfer of funds to Parks and recreation for the purpose of transportation in support of our Olympians as well as water and pep rally                 send off attended by Mayor Walsh.

      b.) Accessible meetings- The town’s ADA director along with the Chief of Staff made it possible to have meetings accessible in person and online through Microsoft                   Teams and the meetings are recorded and posted on the commission’s web page for listening and viewing.

      c.) Accessible parking at the Community Cultural Center- after the commission’s review of the parking at the center, we found that the spaces were not fully accessible              and requested a change in the set up of these spaces. Results: They were made accessible and an additional space was added.

      d.) Raymond Library Collaboration - Library & Commission collaborated to create assistive devices with the 3D printer at Makerspace. Commission er Botts met with t               the Library staff. There will be catalog link added to the Makerspace website, as well as the Commission’s page for residents to access and ask for devices to be                   made. Vanessa also talked to Riverside Rehab about obtaining orders from residents in need of occupational therapy items.

5. Old business

      a.) Working on Accessibility Award nominations, what should the guidelines and qualifications be in order to achieve the recognition. Focus: (small businesses).                          Commissioner Roy suggested a checklist be used taking into consideration the width of the aisles, parking, easy entrance/exit, employee sensitivity, etc…                                Businesses will be awarded certificates with town seal, and Vanessa will promote the businesses being acknowledged in the East Hartford Gazette. Commission                  will research ADA grants available for business improvements to accessibility

      b.) ”Livability index”- Tabled until next year, then will be reviewed. Motion made by Veronica, 2nd by Gary.

6. New business - Future Guest Speakers - Commission suggested inviting new Mayor Connor Martin to the May 2024 meeting to speak to members and the public.

7. Opportunity for residents to speak - (guest speakers) - None present

8. Approval to pay bills- Motion to pay the clerk. Motion made by Veronica and 2nd by Carlos.

9. Motion to adjourn- Made by Carlos, 2nd by Veronica at 7:33 pm.

Next meeting - January 9, 2024 6:30pm

The Commission on Services for Persons with Disabilities 2024 Accessible Meeting Schedule - 6:30pm Location TBD