Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Zoom Remote Meeting Hosted in Tacoma, WA 98402 Friday, May 13, 2022 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:04 p.m. Commissioners Present Krystal Monteros, Luke Byram, Todd Holloway, Aimee Sidhu, Lukas Barfield, Tony Caldwell, Richard Smaby, Kristy Willett, and James Williams Commissioners Absent Rebecca Parsons, Amin, Tony Hester City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo (OEHR), Gail Himes, Public Works Guests Present Klarissa Monteros on behalf of CoC, Haley Edick, and Julian Wheeler. Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Williams and seconded by Caldwell to accept this meeting’s COD agenda. The motion was passed. Acceptance of Minutes The April minutes were presented. A motion to approve was made by Sidhu and seconded by Smaby including one name correction as an amendment. The motion passed. Public Comment Reports Chair and Vice Chair Hayley Edick spoken regarding job applications that require driver’s licenses when those licenses are not a core requirement for the job. Gail Himes spoke about ADA law which forbids discrimination is a job expectation is not essential to a job function. Holloway indicated that the State Employment Committee could help out with statewide law and policy on the subject. Other brainstorming on the subject included contacting the Governor’s Committee on Disability and Employment. As commissioners awaited arrival of guest the chair and vice chair gave their reports next. Chair Monteros share about the June 18th Vision Zero event and also spoke about Representative Strickland earmarking three million dollars toward curb cuts, sidewalks and other infrastructure to provide access to people with disabilities. The Chair also presented testimony in Olympia to support improvements in Parkland. Holloway added that community members are particularly powerful advocates and cited the work of Chair Monteros. Presentation: Continuum of Care Liaison Report Feasibility Study Feedback Comments Commissioner Reports New Business Good of the Order Adjournment Klarissa Monteros, Chair of the Pierce County Continuum of Care presented about the group that oversees contracts and programs to meet the needs of people unhoused in the region and invited commissioners to consider applying for board membership and subcommittees to bring disability voice on to the CoC. * Need to include people with experiences, not just institutional respresentatives. * CoC brings regional approach to support collaboration and will create a regional office to address this need more broadly. * Share about Lived Experience Coalition (LEC) based on belief that those closest to the pain are also closest to the solution. * LEC is budgeted to be paid consultation to value voices of those who have or are experiencing homelessness. Positons pay $20 hour and may include chromebook and cell phone to offer access to consulting members. * Organize civil disobedience and continue to center concept that unhoused people are in best position to speak for themselves. * They meet every Monday remotely from 12 to 1 PM. * Holloway offered Department of Social Justice may become involved in policy of “sweeps” in treatment of unhoused people and encampments. Accessible Taxi and Feasibility Study. * Leadership is completing comments and edits of draft report and will be working internally to prepare a more thorough report to move forward which will also draw from the good data provided by consultant. Consultant, Cndi Law will receive those comments and areas that OEHR will be enhancing and will invite consultant input. Alternative Responses to Police * Lucas shared progress of the letter that commissioners sent to Deputy Mayor Ushka and subsequent addition in the letter from PCAC which reflected a consulting report assessing alternative models and their strengths and weaknesses which Lucas became aware of after TACOD letter had been sent. * Monteros shared her experience at the Symposium community event in that the city is building a two way street for communication. * Holloway noted letter of response to PCAC from Deputy Mayor Ushka * Statement of Harm Letter will not be enough. More action will be needed. * Holloway—We will need to build relationship with both Police and Sheriff * King County is currently spending a half million on a virtual reality program when they could be accessing volunteers to give same input. * Williams—Paul Pastor was working with NAMI but work did not continue after he left. * Caldwell—Attitude starts on top and this will influence entire culture. * Himes--Is Human Rights Commission involved in police reform? Smiraldo responded that it weighs in on specific matters but not as a part of regular business. * Monteros—Have worked with ex gang members and they have proved to be some of the best liaisons and advocates for change Future Meeting Space for TACOD * Lucas shared that commissions will be asked to return to live spaces with potential for hybrid and discussed all of the technical challenges that threaten the kind of access that remote meetings have offered. * Caldwell—Consider libraries as well as Universities as alternative community spaces. Public Works Disability Access Celebration Event Lucas deferred Commissioner Caldwell who shared possible reschedule of community celebration of new intersections and access at 64th and Pacific. The commission will seek to schedule this for September. Caldwell is concerned by escalation of violent attacks on Asian communities. Holloway shared link to National Survey on Health and Disability and urged commissioners to share their voices. None None Motion made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Caldwell to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting ended at 6:00 p.m.