Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Zoom Remote Meeting Hosted in Tacoma, WA 98402 Friday, September 10, 2021 Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 4:06 p.m. Commissioners Present Amin Tony Hester, Luke Byram, Kristy Willet, Todd Holloway, Krystal Monteros, James Williams, Aimee Sidhu Commissioners Absent Richard Smaby, Rebecca Parson, Lukas Barfield, Tony Caldwell, Dylan O’Catherine City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo (OEHR), Samantha Kaauamo (OEHR), Klarissa Monteros (OEHR) Guests Present Tammy Apthorp (Pierce Transit), Penny Grellier (Pierce Transit), Ivan Tudela (PCDEM), Julian Wheeler (Pierce County Accessible Communities Advisory Committee), Haley Edick Adoption of Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Williams and seconded by Commissioner Sidhu and carried to accept this meeting’s COD agenda. Acceptance of Minutes August 2021 minutes will be approved at the October 2021 meeting. Public Comment No public comments shared. 1st Guest Presenter 1st Guest Presentation 2nd Guest Presenter 2nd Guest Presentation Reports Chair and Vice Chair Liaison Commissioner Reports Liaison Report Pierce County Communities Advisory Committee Update Good of the Order Adjournment Penny Grellier and Tammy Apthorp of Pierce Transit How BRT accessibility will be incorporated into the system design and Transit updates. Runner on-demand services in specific areas, schedules going digital and paper bus books will no longer be printed, larger font on reader boards, Washington State Fair services, next BRT virtual open house on September 23rd at 5pm with design update and include TACOD’s valuable feedback. Commissioners Sidhu, Byram shared comments: potential barriers with printed copies and partnering with libraries, PDFs are hard to read for visually impaired readers and text files (Word documents) are greatly appreciated, status of Commerce Street station with formal announcement coming, updated contacts at Pierce Transit. Klarissa Monteros, OEHR Policy Work Pierce County/City of Tacoma Homeless Strategy. 5-year homeless strategy PowerPoint. Transforming Tacoma Council priorities, vision, mission, values, targeted universalism, goals and objectives: 1. Provide immediate encampment response to encampment residents and businesses, 2. Provide immediate and dignified shelter to people experiencing homelessness in Tacoma, 3. Connect people experiencing homelessness to dignified services, 4. Connect people experiencing homelessness to more permanent and stable housing, next steps opportunities to engage. Future meeting to be scheduled for presentation feedback. Commissioners Byram, Hester, Willet, Sidhu, Williams, Monteros shared comments: slides and executive summary documents to be sent to the group, what are the safety protocols at the shelters, food security and choice, dignity scales (patient dignity inventory, Jacelon attributed dignity scale), Pierce County Youth Action Board, where is this being funded from, review of policies that reject certain populations, shelter surroundings often do not have access (need to make sure entire community is accessible). Guest Tudela and Edick commented: funding for wrap around services and not just operations of shelters, RCW legal wording, independence for day to day operations, stay requirements in some shelters, education and training for staff offered. Chair Monteros: White paper for the State of Washington and accessible transportation has received a lot of exposure and feedback. Oct 24-30, Disabilities Rights of Washington “Week Without Driving” Challenge. Vice Chair Byram: Hospital capacity update due to rising Covid-19 cases. Mr. Smiraldo: Ribbon cutting for street enhancements postponed until pandemic eases up and City events are opened up. Commission applications are posted to the website. TACOD / TPD possible partnership with Project PEACE Executive Committee. Feedback to be used for training input. COT and TPS update with Monteros and Byram to continue presence in O’Catherine’s absence. Commissioner Byram asked status of accessible taxi study and Smiraldo will present an update in November. Guest Wheeler: Upcoming virtual meeting on September 14th, via Zoom at 9am. Pierce County presenting a proclamation for October Disabilities Awareness Month. Guest Tudela for Access and Functional Needs Pierce County. Currently working with City of Puyallup and emergency management and accessibility on October 12th. Looking for role players. Oct 21 FAST Overview of program, 2 hours, flyer coming. Summit for access and functional needs, flyer coming. Smiraldo gave kudos to Commissioner Byram and mentorship of Commissioner O’Catherine. Motion made by Commissioner Hester and seconded by Commissioner Halloway to adjourn. Motion carried. The meeting ended at 6:00 p.m.