The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutBDACMinutes_2022_03_24Brookings Disability Awareness Committee Date: March 24, 2022 Hybrid Zoom and in-person Brookings City and County Government Center 520 3rd St, Suite 230 Brookings, SD 57006 Phone (605) 692-6281 Attendance: Ismael (Izzy) Collazo, Alyssa Gentile, Jenny Grendler, Rachel Holm, Carol Jung, Aysia Platte, Mark Sternhagen, Matthew Weiss SDSU Student: Alyssa Gentile SDSU Liaison: Vacant County ADA Coordinator: Kristen Witchey City ADA Coordinator: Susan Rotert Absent: Brianna Doran, Michelle Johnson, Jon Stauff, Ali Teesdale Guests: Charlene (Charlie) Ward, Brookings Human Rights Commission 1. The meeting was called to order at 12:04 p.m. 2. Approval of Agenda a. Amendments: i. (None) A motion to approve the agenda was made by Rachel, seconded by Jenny. The motion carried by the following votes: - Yes: Ismael (Izzy) Collazo, Jenny Grendler, Rachel Holm, Carol Jung, Aysia Platte, Mark Sternhagen, Matthew Weiss - No: (None) 3. Approval of minutes a. Amendments: i. (None) A motion to approve the agenda was made by Carol, seconded by Izzy. The motion carried by the following votes: - Yes: Ismael (Izzy) Collazo, Jenny Grendler, Rachel Holm, Carol Jung, Aysia Platte, Mark Sternhagen, Matthew Weiss - No: (None) 4. Budget - Matt: Balance currently is $2939.89 ($3000 - cost of cookies). 5. Officer Updates: a.Chair ● Matt: Spotlighted two new committee members, Michelle Johnson and Ali Teesdale. ● Matt: Formulated slide deck for year-end retreat. b.Vice Chair ● No updates at this time. c.Recorder ● No updates at this time. d.Publicity coordinator ● Mark: Looking forward to ADA Day in July. e.City ADA coordinator - ● Susan: Alyssa is graduating in May 2022 and going to Wisconsin for grad school after that, so her position will be free in a few months. ● Susan: Dave Miller inquired about the file for the DAC brochure. f.County ADA coordinator ● No updates at this time. g.SDSU Liaison ● No updates at this time. h.Human Rights Commission Liaison (Charlie) ● Charlie: At a recent event at the library, a discussion started regarding information for new residents, which could be hosted at the library or the city building on the first floor (information included would be utilities, emergency services, etc.) in a place that is accessible. ○ Susan: Will check with Kristen Witchey (Brookings County) about what already exists and any collaboration. ○ Matt: Suggested we inquire with Visit Brookings. ● Charlie: Announced Diversity Potluck on Sunday, April 3, 5-7 p.m. at McCrory Gardens. ● Charlie: Solicited positive stories about first responders for a thank you project for National First Responders Day in the fall. 6.Events/Public Promotions: a.March Proclamation, March 22 i.Mark: The event went well, it was well-received, and the cookies were a hit. Noted that imagery, color, etc. on the cookies could possibly be tweaked. Brianna, Mark, and Susan were in attendance at the city council meeting. A video of the proclamation is available online. b.Year-End Report, March 31 i.Matt: Next Thursday, March 31 at 5:45-6:00 p.m. is the Disability Awareness Committee time slot. Jon and Mark are slated to attend. ii.Mark: Was voted onto BATA's board yesterday, so hoping that can be a segue into stronger partnerships. Noted that because the HRC-sponsored potluck, for example, is on a Sunday so it becomes inaccessible for people who need to use the bus. Will arrange bus service for March 31. iii.Aysia: If Jon is not available, can attend on behalf of DAC. c.Ideas for Q1 Awareness Events i.Mark: Revisited the current work plan. ii.Aysia: Asked about adding forming relationships with Brookings School District (BSD) to the work plan, adjacent to our connections being made with SDSU and the education community. Mentioned the issue with Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) behavior management system (which is being rolled out district-wide), and how it is harmful for neurodivergent learners. iii.Mark: Shelly Bayer (Multicultural Affairs at SDSU) has been collaborating between SDSU and BSD, so will reach out to discuss further. iv.Matt: Asked about any community events currently happening that we can elevate. v.Aysia: Mentioned Artability (in Sioux Falls) which is taking place on Friday, April 1, and which we had discussed in a past meeting. We can amplify Artability information on the DAC social media. vi.Alyssa: Shared about Tunnel of Oppression at SDSU, which is a simulation event related to marginalized groups' experiences, and is taking place on Tuesday, April 5 this year. vii.Matt: Noted we can add the Tunnel of Oppression to the work plan for next year. d.Work Plan Discussion of Proposed 2022 BDAC - Sponsored Events i.(See above.) 7. Subcommittee/Task Force Updates: a.Marketing Subcommittee ●No updates at this time. b.Accessibility Task Force ●No updates at this time. c.Work Plan Task Force ●No updates at this time. 8. Other Items: a.Possible Collaboration on Public Listening Session for Wheelchair Accessibility Issues of City Hall and Swiftel Center. ●Charlie: Progress has been made with ●Susan: Messaged Bonnie (City) and Mike (Swiftel Center) to follow-up on concerns raised in past meeting. b.Accessible Housing ●Aysia: Described how disabled community members (primarily wheelchair users) who qualify for housing assistance are having trouble finding accessible rentals in Brookings. Wondering if we can do an audit of the biggest rental companies, in order to determine which rental units exist in Brookings (and the surrounding area). ●Mark: Noted that Independent Living Choices (ILC) has funding available to make accessibility upgrades, up to $10,000. This could be mutually beneficial for the person seeking housing as well as the rental company because it could be a permanent upgrade. They usually have quick authorization, especially for smaller claims (<$500). ●Matt: Described that in new builds, a certain percentage of apartments have to be accessible, and others adaptable. ●Carol: Agreed that ILC would be a great contact. ●Aysia: Mentioned that Habitat for Humanity has a similar program, but not sure if it is means-tested. It sounds like it is a two-prong issue, 1) educating property owners about funding available and 2) streamlining access for disabled folks. ●Matt: Aysia, Mark, and Matt will meet separately in a small group to discuss "educationalizing" this further. Aysia will reach out to community member who raised concern, for updates. c.Next meeting date & format ●April 28, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. Hybrid attendance is still an option. 9. Announcements ●(None) 10. Adjournment A motion to adjourn was made by Mark, seconded by Carol. The motion carried by the following votes: -Yes:Ismael (Izzy) Collazo, Carol Jung, Aysia Platte,Mark Sternhagen, Matthew Weiss -No: (None) Adjournment at 13:12 p.m. Submitted by Aysia Platte, Recorder