Tacoma Area Commission on Disabilities Committee Minutes Hybrid Meeting, hosted virtually via Zoom and in person at Emergency Operations Center for Pierce County Friday October 14, 2022 Call to Order Chair Monteros called the meeting to order at 4:07PM Commissioners Present Krystal Monteros, Luke Byram, Kristy Willet, Tony Caldwell, Aimee Sidhu, Tony Hester, James Williams Commissioners Absent Todd Holloway, Lukas Barfield, Rebecca Parson, Richard Smaby City Staff Present Lucas Smiraldo (OEHR), Mia Navarro (OEHR), Ivan Tudela Guests Present Julian Wheeler; Haley Edick Adoption of Agenda Commission Sidhu made a motion to adopt the agenda, and Commissioner Hester seconded the motion. The ayes have it, and the motion passed. Acceptance of Minutes Commissioner Hester made a motion to adopt the September Minutes and Commissioner Sidhu seconded the motion. The motion was passed. Public Comment Mr. Wheeler: encouraging members to vote in the coming election. Commissioner Caldwell – get your Covid 19 booster & flu shot before we get into winter months. Ms. Edick, substitute teacher at Larchmont Elementary: there is no brail on any signage in the building; don’t know if this a TACOD issue but wanted to make the commission aware. Additionally, applications for jobs in social services require “Driver’s License,” if they mean State ID it is not explicitly stated & worried that if I don’t have a driver’s license, I would be disqualified for a job. Chair & Vice Chair Report Chair Monteros Week Without Driving Press conference with Disability Rights Washington regarding sidewalks at 56th & Orchard. CM Bushnell was present. Press conference garnered a lot of attention. As a result of press conference, we are going to do a webinar with America Walks on 10/20 at 2PM. Event with Front & Center, which got the attention of COT employees working on Tacoma Vision Zero Seattle Times article about lack of accessible sidewalks was published. https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/wa-faces-an-epidemic-of-inaccessible-sidewalks/ Connecting with Bike Walk KC and their initiative to “Decriminalizing Mobility.” Foss Waterway Seaport asked Chair Monteros for an interview on how they can be more accessible & inclusive, not just in facilities but is exhibits. Work with Front & Center – looking to establish a new group of BIPOC disability advocates. New group is called BIPOC Mobility Initiative Coalition (BMIC). Vice Chair Byram Also participated in interview with Foss Waterway Seaport regarding accessibility and inclusivity. Liaison Report Accessible Taxi Report: Continuing with research to build a case for on demand services in Tacoma. Draft of report will be ready by the end of the month. Sidewalk Assessment: TACOD’s work on side accessibility work has pushed the City of Tacoma to look at the issue more systemically, and with an equity lens. Now, City of Tacoma is working with consultants to generate a report on how to address sidewalks. Liaison Smiraldo will keep commissioner apprised to when the report will come out. Report is due out by the end of November. We had set a date for Celebration, we are postponing for next year, due to concerns of weather and schedule conflicts. Hybrid meetings – all Commissions are going to be required to have in-person component. We might not always have the Pierce County Emergency Services, so we might schedule some meetings at the Tacoma Municipal building – but you are not required to attend in person. Commissioner Comments and Questions Williams: Hoping commission can make a fact sheet about Accessible Taxi issues to get Taxi Tax/Surcharge restored that Uber & Lyft lobbied against. Also –Town Hall Event regarding City of Tacoma Crisis Response Team; held at the Evergreen State College tomorrow (10/15) at 1PM. Byram: Recommends passing on information about Taxi Accessibility Report to State Rep. Fey. Additionally – since Dr. Jackson has left the city, are there any updates about our communication or liaisons with the Tacoma Police Department? OEHR Staff Answer: Working with National Network for Safe Communities, we are still working with TPD even though we are in a bit of transition. Tacoma Police is looking to hire Community Engagement Director. Subcommittee Reports Public Works Report Commissioner Byram: 64th and Pacific Celebration Event is still happening, it’s just delayed. We have more time to build momentum. Would like to meet once a quarter to continue the planning. Drive Through Campaign can be an agenda topic for the Public Works Committee. Access and Functional Needs Report from Pierce County, Ivan Tudela Providing fall and winter safety information. Reminders to create emergency plans for extreme weather events. Working partners at Northwest Health Response Network, TPCHD, Commissioner Holloway on event January 10, 2023, 9AM-1PM called “Active Threat Events and Medical Facilities.” Creating a series of five training videos addressing Access and Functional Needs with Piece County TV. Any one from this commission can help participate. PCAC Report from Commissioner Hester Looking for new members to support the work of the committee. Meetings are every 2nd Friday. Working on writing letters to the County Council about Accessible Taxi. Invitation from Community Input Ms. Edick: Often time resources for clean air facilities are shown on maps and are not accessible. Where is verbal information provided? Additionally – having information in plain text, or accessible formats. Answer: Emergency Management phone lines are available. We try to not rely on one delivery message. Lucas: every institution should consider audio alternatives to visual materials. Addressing public comment concern about Drivers Licenses on job applications: Lucas will convey to Human Resources that it should be explicitly stated in job description if a Driver’s License is truly a requirement (verses a State ID). Commissioner Sidhu is interested in elevating this issue with Liaison. Good of the Order Lucas: expressing appreciation for Ivan Tudela & Mia Navarro for making hybrid meeting happen. Adjournment Commissioner Sidhu made motion to adjourn the meeting early. Commissioner Hester seconded. They ayes have it and the meeting adjourned at 5:47 P.M.