County of Santa Cruz

Commission on Disabilities
2009 Annual Report

 

I.                    Roles of the Commission

 

The Commission on Disabilities is an advisory body to the Board of Supervisors on issues concerning persons with disabilities. The Commission  was established to:

 

(a) Review existing County policies that affect persons with disabilities and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors regarding proposed changes;

(b) Review Sections 503 and 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and its implementing regulations and advise the Board of Supervisors on any actions necessary to bring the county into compliance with the federal requirements and to eliminate discrimination against persons with disabilities;

(c) Review the provision of access for persons with disabilities to public places within the County and recommend improvements where needed;

(d) Review the County’s Affirmative Action Plan and policies and recommend to the Board of Supervisors and Affirmative Action Commission any revisions which may be necessary to eliminate employment discrimination against persons with disabilities;

(e) Review the County’s Personnel rules and job descriptions and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors and to the Civil Service Commission, as necessary, to assure that any unnecessary barriers to employment opportunities for persons with disabilities are removed;

(f) Advise the Board of Supervisors on any other appropriate programs and actions which would increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities;

(g) Evaluate services provided to persons with disabilities in the County  and make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors based on their conclusions;

(h) Review requests by persons with disabilities or organizations for County assistance and advise the Board of Supervisors;

(i) Investigate citizen complaints related to concerns of persons with disabilities and make appropriate recommendations for action to the Board of Supervisors;

(j) Review Federal and State Legislation of interest to persons with disabilities and advise the Board of Supervisors of their recommendations; and

(k) Exercise other responsibilities related to the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities in the County.

 

II.                  Meetings Dates, Time, and Location

The Commission met the second Thursday of each month from 12:30 until 1:30 P.M. at 1400 Emeline Street, Room 206 (January to May) and 1080 Emeline Street Building D (June to December).  The commission did not meet in July.  In October the Commission held its annual retreat. The mailing address is 701 Ocean Street, Room 30, Santa Cruz, CA 95060.

 

III.                Commission Structure

The Commission on Disabilities is comprised of ten members representing five districts. The Board of Supervisors appoints two Commissioners for each district. The Chair or Vice-Chair who are elected every January to facilitate commission meetings. This year the Chair was Charles Stone (2nd District) and Peter Heylin (5th District) and the Vice-Chair was Joseph Quigg (5th District). The Commission members, as of December 31, 2009 are:

 

 

District

Commissioners

1st District

Robert McGaw, John Daugherty

2nd District

Thomas Crain, Charles Stone

3rd District

Vacant, Vacant

4th District

Jeanette Cosentino, Paula Tanner

5th District

Peter Heylin, Jerry MacAllister

 

The Commissioner(s) that completed their terms, resigned, or were replaced in the last year were Michael Bush, Aaron Spencer and Laura Stewart.  Paul Tichnor, an invaluable commissioner, died unexpectedly during his term this year.

 

IV.                Commission Staff

The Commission is supported by a ten hour per week staff person – the Commission Coordinator. The Coordinator takes minutes, prepares correspondence, and represents the Commission in some of the Commission activities. Mary Thuerwachter staffed this position during 2009.

 

 

V.                  Attendance

 

Name

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Aaron Spencer

X

A

X

-

-

-

°

-

-

*

-

-

Charles Stone

E

X

E

X

X

X

°

X

X

*

X

X

Doug Patrick

X

X

X

-

-

-

°

-

-

*

-

-

Jeanette Cosentino

X

X

X

E

X

X

°

X

X

*

X

X

Laura Stewart 

-

-

X

A

X

X

°

X

A

*

-

-

Joseph Quigg

A

-

-

-

-

-

°

-

-

*

-

-

Michael Bush

E

E

A

X

X

E

°

A

X

*

-

-

Peter Heylin

X

X

X

X

A

X

°

X

X

*

X

X

Robert McGaw

X

A

X

E

X

X

°

E

X

*

X

X

Paul Ticknor

X

X

X

X

E

D

°

D

D

*

D

D

Tom Crain

-

-

-

X

X

X

°

X

A

*

X

A

Paula Tanner

-

-

-

-

-

-

°

E

X

*

A

A

John Daugherty

-

-

-

-

-

X

°

X

E

*

E

X

Jerry MacAllister

-

-

-

-

-

-

°

X

X

*

X

A

 

X= present      A=absence      E=Excused Absence   - =Not seated on commission   D=Deceased

 

The Commission did not vote on Commission business at meetings in the following months: December - due to lack of a quorum. The Commission strictly adhered to a requirement of six members present to achieve a quorum.  ° There was no meeting in July.   * In October the commission held a planning retreat for priorities to be placed on the November Agenda. 

 

VI.                Annual Goals and Accomplishments

The Commissions’ activities and priorities are determined by the Commission mandate, and emerging needs as expressed by the community and identified by Commissioners.  Our Mission Statement is as follows:

 

 

The Santa Cruz County Commission on Disabilities is a pro-active advisory board that serves to insure that children and adults with disabilities have opportunities to reach their maximum potential in independence, human development, productivity and self-sufficiency as well as to insure equity and access within the community.

 

 

Summary of Objectives

The Commission on Disabilities’ objective is to be the eyes, ears, voice, and conscience in assuring equal access to persons with disabilities of Santa Cruz County and to advise the Board of Supervisors and serve persons with disabilities in our community in the following ways:

 

  1. Provide an accessible, inclusive forum for persons with disabilities to express community concerns.
  2. Identify and address visible and invisible barriers for persons with disabilities that disrupt the ability to exercise the right to live full and productive lives.
  3. Encourage community action through education, referral, collaboration and integration of resource utilization to remove barriers for persons with disabilities that disrupt the ability to live full and productive lives.
  4. Influence public policy by advising and working with the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors and the                              County to affect Local, State, and Federal legislation to optimize the functional potential of those persons with disabilities in the County of Santa Cruz.

 

Objective 1 -Provide an accessible, inclusive, and appropriate place for persons with disabilities to express community concerns.

 

·         Meetings are open for citizens to express individual concerns.  ** people representing ** organizations attended meetings of the Commission.  A list of attendees is attached as Appendix A

·         Meeting time is allocated for presentation on topics relating to persons with disabilities.  The following made presentations to the Commission:

Jennifer Ramirez – Central Coast Center for Independent Living

Foster Anderson – Shared Adventures – ideas for collaboration

Patty Talbot – Seniors Council, regarding Caregiver University

Kathy Citron – Children’s Mental Health, regarding pending legislation

Doug Loisel – Homeless Service Center, regarding proposed budget cuts

Christine Sipple – Homeless Persons Health Project, regarding proposed budget cuts

Charlie Dixon and Jean Brocklebank – opposing views on Arana Gulch Master Plan

Claire Schwartz, EEO officer, County of Santa Cruz, commission restructuring recommendations

·         The Commission Coordinator is available as a contact and information and referral resource between meetings.  During the past year, the coordinator made approximately 50 referrals to community resources for persons with disabilities.  Some of those inquiries led to issues of a systemic nature being brought to the attention of the commission.

·         The Commission bulletin board is maintained outside of Commission office, which provides information and events of interest to Persons with Disabilities.

 

 

Objective 2 - Identify and address visible and invisible barriers preventing children and adults with disabilities from exercising their rights to live a full and productive life

 

·         Arana Gulch Accessible Trail

·         USCS Performing Arts Center

·         Accessible home design

·         Accessible parking enforcement

·         Twin Lakes Beach

·         Review County Internet Home Page

 

o        Arana Gulch Accessible Trail – The Commission took extensive testimony on the pros and cons of creating an ADA accessible trail at Arana Gulch.  The Commission recommended that the County convey its support to the Coastal Commission.  The Board of Supervisors approved this recommendation.

 

o        USCS Performing Arts Center – a member of the public contacted the Commission concerning accessibility problems at the UCSC Performing Arts Center.  The Commission contacted the University and began discussions on possible accommodations for mobility-impaired persons.  UCSC added a rail system that allowed these individuals to navigate to their seats unaided.  This successful design was duplicated by the new Cabrillo College Theater.  As a result, the Commissions efforts opened opportunities to persons with mobility impairments and seniors.

 

o        Twin Lakes Beach – The Commission was advised that proposed parking restrictions could impair the ability of Persons with Disabilities to use Twin Lakes Beach.  As the result of Commission involvement, the redevelopment plans now include parking, which will address the needs of persons who use vans and RVs to accommodate their handicaps. 

 

o        Accessible home design – The Commission worked with the Santa Cruz County Planning Department to educate the public on accessible design issues that should be considered when building or remodeling to assure access to persons with disabilities.  In addition to improving accessibility to persons with disabilities, Accessible Design provides a way for our aging population to remain in their homes to the end of their lives. Brochures are available both on the Commission (www.scccod.net) and Planning Department website and in the lobby.  

 

o        Accessible Parking Enforcement - updated a parking information card to be distributed throughout the community to alert people to the penalties for illegal parking in handicapped spots and tell persons how to report instances of illegal parking.  See Appendix C attached.

 

Objective 3 - Encourage community action through education, referral, collaboration and integration of resource utilization to remove barriers for persons with disabilities that disrupt the ability to live full and productive lives.

 

·         Regional Transportation Commission - liaison Commission member

·         IHSS and Long-Term Care – liaison Commission member

·         Central Coast Alliance for Health – liaison Commission member

·         The California Department of Social Services has selected the County of Santa Cruz, as well as 11 other counties, to participate in the development of a Mass Care and Shelter Plan for the Elderly and Disabled.  Commissioners are involved in the planning process.

·         United Way Community Assessment Project – Commissioner Steering Committee Member

·         Provided Parking Enforcement Cards for Day on the Beach for persons with disabilities sponsored by Shared Adventures

 

Objective 4 - Influence public policy by advising and working with the Santa Cruz Board of Supervisors and the County to affect Local, State, and Federal legislation to optimize the functional potential of those persons with disabilities in the County of Santa Cruz.

 

·         The Commission surveyed community organizations that provide services to the disability community to determine unmet needs and the effects of proposed state budget cuts.   A presentation of the report was made to the Board of Supervisors for consideration in its budget deliberations.  See the Executive Summary at Appendix *.

·         After redesign of the Commission’s website for greater accessibility, the Commission met with Information Services Department staff for the County of Santa Cruz concerning an audit of the County’s current Home Page.  ISD agreed to incorporate ideas in its web redesign to make the County website more accessible to Persons with Disabilities.

·         Accessible home design collaboration on County Planning brochure.  See Appendix *

·         Citizen initiated accessible parking violation notification cards.  See Appendix *

·         Participation in annual Access Job Faire at the Coconut Grove

 

VII.              Future Goals and Recommendations

 

1.    Create newsletter and survey for Persons with Disabilities
2.    Develop Business Signs Promoting Accessibility

3.    Recognition of Accessible Businesses

3.    Accessible Design issues
4.    Blue Zone enforcement
5.    Public policy and education of the public regarding the needs of persons with disabilities

6.    Inter-commission communication and cooperation

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

Mary Thuerwachter

Commission Coordinator

 

 

Approved by the Commission on Disabilities on 1/14/2010