HomeMy WebLinkAboutAccessible America Grant Application Information ACCESSIBLE AMERICA GRANT
SUB-COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
Regular Meeting 11:00 a.m. June 10, 2009
PRESENT:
DAC Chair— Larry Roberts
Jay Stooks — GIAC
Esther Greenhouse
Kent Johnson — Department of Public Works/Engineering
Duane Twardokus— Information Technology Department
Julie Conley Holcomb — City Clerk's Office
EXCUSED:
Otis Jackson — Fire Department
Chair Roberts led a round of introductions. He further noted that a new tourism DVD of
Ithaca available in the travel section of Borders, and that Carol Kammen's new book
with an updated history of Ithaca is also available in book stores.
Accessible America Grant:
Discussion followed on the floor regarding the assignments that have been delegated to
committee members. The grant application will be formatted into bullet points in order
to showcase the community's attributes in the small amount of space allotted to each
category. Disability Advisory Committee member Wendy Skinner has agreed to
compile the information that is collected and write the grant application to ensure
consistency throughout the document.
Chair Roberts reported that Assistant Civil Engineer Lynne Yost contacted the National
Organization on Disability (NOD) regarding our interest in submitting a grant application.
The NOD encouraged Ithaca to compete as a smaller city, and stated that it was fine to
include our community-based services along with the services provided specifically by
the city.
Chair Roberts noted that he would like to see the application completed by the middle of
October to avoid a deadline rush. The application is due by the end of October (Note:
the 2009 application was due December 31, 2008).
Ms. Greenhouse suggested that a formal process be developed to rate the components
of the application by strength and to signal needed program improvements (ie. a color
coded system).
Discussion followed on the floor regarding committee assignments. Jay Stooks noted
that he is responsible for identifying youth and senior services in the community under
the category of Promoting Participation. He noted that the city's goal is to empower
people early in their lives and to continue to support them throughout their life. He
stated that he will interview Joanie Groome, Ithaca Youth Bureau, who oversees many
of these city programs.
Chair Roberts stated that he has interviewed City of Ithaca Human Resources Director
Schelley Michell-Nunn for the Promoting Employability section. HR Director Michell-
Nunn explained many of the initiatives that the city has in place such as:
• Workforce Diversity Plan
• Departmental Education & Awareness
• Worksite Accommodations
• Acts as a resource for workforce disability issues
Ms. Greenhouse suggested that the city's website could be enhanced to include links to
additional resources and perhaps a section devoted to accessible services. She
suggested that a brochure be developed that explains what the definition of a disability
is.
City Clerk Holcomb asked whether anyone was focusing on programs and resources for
mental health issues. Chair Roberts stated that he would develop text to include in the
grant application on that topic.
City Clerk Holcomb reported that Deputy Community Development Director Sue Kittel
has given her a listing of the accessibility improvements that have been recently funded
through the Community Development Block Grant and HOME programs. Ms. Holcomb
noted that she has been assigned to work on the Communicating a Welcoming Attitude
category (ie. what the city is doing to attract people with disabilities to live here). She
noted that she is working on developing data relating to transportation, housing,
recreation (shopping, library, museums, movies, theater, parks), schools, civic
engagement, etc.
Ms. Greenhouse suggested that a public awareness campaign be developed that would
educate people on what constitutes a disability; what do people with disabilities look
like: what services are available, etc.
Chair Roberts noted that an additional benefit of submitting this grant application is that
all of this information will be compiled and it will facilitate the development of marketing
and educational materials.
Engineering Technician Kent Johnson noted how important it is to do outreach in the
community as the city has limited resources. He suggested that perhaps the city could
partner with community organizations to work on opinion pages, develop brochures, etc.
Chair Roberts noted that the 211 Information Referral Program, Finger Lakes
Independence Center, and Cornell University are great resources for information.
Next Meeting:
Chair Roberts noted that he would like to start using a tool such as Meeting Wizard to
schedule meetings. He will notify members of the date and time of the next meeting.
Adjournment:
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 noon.
Respectfully Submitted by
Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk
2
Accessible America 2007 Application (add your brainstorm ideas)
A. DEMOGRAPHIC AWARENESS (5%)
Judges will be looking for: an indication that the community is developing knowledge about the number of people
with disabilities who live, learn, work and play in their locale. This knowledge helps civic leaders optimize effective
planning for citizens' and visitors' needs.
A-1. The total number of citizens in our community is: 29,287 (or 96,501 in Tompkins County)
A-2 The total number of citizens with disabilities is 3,082 (or 11,995 in Tompkins County)
B. PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY(15%)
Judges will be looking for: best practice models used by communities to address existing physical barriers and
ensure accessibility in capital improvement projects. These measures increase the potential for participation by
people with disabilities in community activities and programs.
B-1 Community has established or is establishing an advisory body that includes citizens with disabilities to
address disability-related issues.
B-2 Community has a process in place to identify, address and solve physical barriers within the community
B-3 People with disabilities serve in elected or appointed positions of leadership within the community.
B-4 Other
City of Ithaca has recently made improvements to parks and parking garages in response to a Department of
Justice consent order resulting from a change in rules or rule interpretation and made many accessibility
improvements to IPD, IFD, YB and Cass Park in 2004 among other projects.
Curb ramps are built every year in consultation with DAC (including prior to ADA).
Site Plan Review includes accessibility review.
Disability Advisory Council since ?DATE?
BPW has a DAC liason, and the Waterfront Trail group has a disabled member
BPAC recently created a report on Pedestrian Issues
Snow removal news releases mention curb ramps
Snow removal program created to improve accessibility
Cornell's West Campus Housing Initiative included accessibility improvements.
C. COMMUNICATING A WELCOMING ATTITUDE (10%)
Judges will be looking for: indications that the community is making efforts to attract people with disabilities in its
over-all outreach plan to the general public.
If a community is welcoming to people with disabilities it should be using public relations and marketing tools to
advertise the fact. To be a model for the country, a community should actively seek to attract people with disabilities
as students,workers, tourists and residents.
Does your community use any of the following tools to attract people with disabilities?
C-1 Community's web site includes easy to find information of particular interest to people with disabilities.
C-2 Phone book or other listings include TDD/TTY contact numbers.
C-3 New resident information specific to the needs and interests of people with disabilities is available.
C-4 Local board of tourism or chamber of commerce specifically promotes the accessibility
features/attractions in the community.
C-5 Other
Every City of Ithaca public meeting notice contains a statement regarding accommodations for disabilities.
TTY information is on the City's website.
Email communication is used upon request.
New resident guide mentions accessibility.
Work underway on interactive accessibility map for City of Ithaca website.
Construction crews routinely accommodate people with disabilities.
Street permits require curb ramps and accessible temporary pedestrian routes.
Philly DeSarno and Chamber of Commerce may have additional info.
Cornell has created an accessibility map and is planning improvements and additions to it.
Cornell has disability strategic plan, Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity& Life Quality.
D. PROMOTING PARTICIPATION (20%)
Judges will be looking for: community support(i.e. transportation services, accessible communication, housing
initiatives, social opportunities)that encourages people with disabilities to participate in area activities such as
attending meetings, serving on committees, providing input on local initiatives, etc.
While no community is perfect, some primarily resolve problems through budgetary allocations while other
communities engage human resources in a neighborly approach to problem solving with citizens with disabilities.
Please give two examples of how your community uses its available resources to encourage citizens with
disabilities to participate in the life and activities of the community.
Gadabout Bus Service
E. PROMOTING EMPLOYABILITY(15%)
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community actively seeks out and hires people with disabilities at
every level of government, and has a commitment to increasing the number of people with disabilities in the private
sector workforce through the ways in which it allocates its resources. Best practices might include close
partnerships with businesses to improve awareness of benefits and to promote the hiring of people with disabilities.
Please illustrate two examples of your community's engagement in efforts to promote the hiring of people with
disabilities through information-sharing, communications and outreach efforts, the creation and/or dissemination of
best practices ideas, promotion of hiring guides, accommodation information or other resource tools for those
involved in hiring and promotion of the career advancement of people with disabilities.
E-1, E-2 List two examples
Of the population aged 21 to 64 years, 50.6 %of the 1814 people with a disability are employed compared with
64.7% of the 14, 353 people with no disability.
F. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (15%)
Judges will be looking for: involvement of people with disabilities in identifying barriers to preparedness
information, notification and warning systems, programs in shelters, recovery centers and other facilities or devices
used in connection with disaster operations, such as first aid stations, mass feeding areas, portable payphone
stations, portable toilets, and temporary housing that may not consider the needs of citizens with disabilities. Also
emergency preparedness drills that seek participation by people with disabilities.
Statistics show that people with disabilities are often left out of preparedness and planning activities. These
activities include analyzing and documenting the possibility of an emergency or disaster and the potential
consequences or impacts on life, property and the environment, during the mitigation, preparedness, response and
recovery phases.
F-1 Please explain how people with disabilities participate in the development and testing of your local emergency
preparedness plan.
G. INSPIRING OTHERS (10%)
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community goes beyond"working for"citizens with disabilities to
"working with"citizens with disabilities and is proactive in educating others about the benefits of an inclusive
planning and delivery model for its programs and initiatives.
The model community will demonstrate its willingness to learn about its citizens with disabilities from its citizens
with disabilities. A community should inspire replication of successful programs and initiatives created in
conjunction with people with disabilities by educating diverse constituencies within the community, and even those
beyond its borders.
G-1 Please describe how your community encourages others to learn about successful initiatives created through
collaboration with people with disabilities.
H. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (10%)
Judges will be looking for: information not already covered, including unique programs or partnerships that
increase the participation of citizens with disabilities, especially efforts to promote employment opportunities.
H-1 Please provide any information not already covered in this application that demonstrates why your community
should be the Accessible America 2008 winner.
ACCESS AMERICA GRANT MEETING
October 1, 2008
PRESENT:
Larry Roberts
Otis Jackson
Charlie Dorsey
Lynne Yost
Siobhan Whalen
Joey Steinhagen
Julie Conley Holcomb
Larry Roberts reported that the Disability Advisory Council supports the grant
application. He stated that he met with Sr. Staff from the City on September 23, 2008
and there was a lot of support from them and the Mayor. He further stated that all
departments had promised attendance of a representative at today's meeting. He went
on to review a past grant application submitted by a city larger than Ithaca and the need
to determine the process for these meetings. He explained that the application can't be
submitted this year due to time constraints and that the goal would be to submit it next
year. He noted that he personally feels that this is an important project and opportunity
for the City of Ithaca as well.
Discussion followed on the floor on how a small city such as Ithaca compete in this
process with other larger cities such as Houston, Texas
Lynne Yost stated that she has the start of an outline of things that respond to the
various criteria of the application that can be used as a starting point in the completion
of the application.
Discussion followed on the need to include input from Tompkins County, TCAT, Cornell
University on the application. It was also suggested that the City's Human Resources
department promote the hiring of people with disabilities at job fairs they attend.
Charlie Dorsey suggested assigning specific staff to different sections to take the lead
on investigating what is needed for those sections of the application and to follow
through on the completion of any needed items for that section. The following sections
were delegated as follows:
A. Demographic Awareness: Leslie Chatterton, Planning Department
B. Promoting Accessibility: Charlie Dorsey/Lynne Yost (who will work in conjunction
with DPW, Bldg. Dept., IURA, and the Finger Lakes Independence Center)
C. Communicating A Welcoming Attitude: Julie Conley Holcomb (who will work in
conjunction with IT, Chamber of Commerce, Chamberlain's Office, Cornell University's
Office of Workforce Diversity and Equity
ACCESS AMERICA GRANT MEETING
October 1, 2008
Page 2
D. Promoting Participation: Joe Steinhagen (who will work in conjunction with GIAC,
Youth Bureau, TCAT, IURA, Planning, IDP, and the Ithaca City School District)
E. Promoting Employabilitiy: Larry Roberts (will work in conjunction with the Human
Resources Department, Workforce NY, and Challenge Industries)
F. Emergency Preparedness: Otis Jackson (who will work in conjunction with TC
DOER, IFD, IPD, TCHD, Red Cross)
G. Inspiring Others: Siobhan Whalen (who will work in conjunction with DPW and
DAC)
H. Additional Information: ?
Leadership Process: Esther Greenhouse, Leslie Chatterton, Larry Roberts
Next Meeting: before the November DAC meeting.
Follow Up: At Senior Staff meeting and review applications of previous winners at
www.nod.orq
On a motion the meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
Notes by:
Julie Conley Holcomb, City Clerk
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t I
Accessible America 2008 Application (add your brainstorm ideas)
A. DEMOGRAPHIC AWARENESS(5%)
Judges will be looking for: an indication that the community is developing knowledge about the number of people
with disabilities who live, learn, work and play in their locale.This knowledge helps civic leaders optimize effective
planning for citizens' and visitors' needs.
A-1. The total number of citizens in our community is: 29,287 (or 96,501 in Tompkins County)
A-2 The total number of citizens with disabilities is 3,082(or 11,995 in Tompkins County)
B. PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY(15%)
Judges will be looking for: best practice models used by communities to address existing physical barriers and
ensure accessibility in capital improvement projects. These measures increase the potential for participation by
people with disabilities in community activities and programs.
B-1 Community has established or is establishing an advisory body that includes citizens with disabilities to
address disability-related issues.
B-2 Community has a process in place to identify, address and solve physical barriers within the community
B-3 People with disabilities serve in elected or appointed positions of leadership within the community.
B-4 Other
City of Ithaca has recently made improvements to parks and parking garages in response to a Department of
Justice consent order resulting from a change in rules or rule interpretation and made many accessibility SY\
improvements to IPD, IFD, YB and Cass Park in 2004 among other projects.
Curb ramps are built every year in consultation with DAC (including prior to ADA).
Site Plan Review includes accessibility review.
Disability Advisory Council since ?DATE?
BPW has a DAC liaison, and the Waterfront Trail group has a disabled member -�. /
BPAC recently created a report on Pedestrian Issues
Snow removal news releases mention curb ramps 0°
Snow removal program created to improve accessibility
Cornell's West Campus Housing Initiative included accessibility improvements.
C. COMMUNICATING A WELCOMING ATTITUDE (10%)
Judges will be looking for: indications that the community is making efforts to attract people with disabilities in its
over-all outreach plan to the general public.
If a community is welcoming to people with disabilities it should be using public relations and marketing tools to
advertise the fact. To be a model for the country, a community should actively seek to attract people with disabilities
as students, workers, tourists and residents.
Does your community use any of the following tools to attract people with disabilities?
C-1 Community's web site includes easy to find information of particular interest to people with disabilities.
C-2 Phone book or other listings include TDD/TTY contact numbers.
C-3 New resident information specific to the needs and interests of people with disabilities is available.
C-4 Local board of tourism or chamber of commerce specifically promotes the accessibility
features/attractions in the community.
C-5 Other
Every City of Ithaca public meeting notice contains a statement regarding accommodations for disabilities.
TTY information is on the City's website.
Email communication is used upon request.
New resident guide mentions accessibility.
Work underway on interactive accessibility map for City of Ithaca website.
Construction crews routinely accommodate people with disabilities.
Street permits require curb ramps and accessible temporary pedestrian routes.
Philly DeSarno and Chamber of Commerce may have additional info.
Cornell has created an accessibility map and is planning improvements and additions to it.
Cornell has disability strategic plan, Office of Workforce Diversity, Equity & Life Quality.
D. PROMOTING PARTICIPATION (20%)
Judges will be looking for: community support(i.e.transportation services, accessible communication, housing
initiatives, social opportunities)that encourages people with disabilities to participate in area activities such as
attending meetings, serving on committees, providing input on local initiatives, etc.
While no community is perfect, some primarily resolve problems through budgetary allocations while other
communities engage human resources in a neighborly approach to problem solving with citizens with disabilities.
Please give two examples of how your community uses its available resources to encourage citizens with
disabilities to participate in the life and activities of the community. j �-
t 1�LaL1V1tv`'-1
Gadabout Bus Service
E. PRGMOTING EMPLOYABILITY(15%) t'Y1
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community actively seeks out and hires people with disabilities at
every level of government, and has a commitment to increasing the number of people with disabilities in the private
sector workforce through the ways in which it allocates its resources. Best practices might include close
partnerships with businesses to improve awareness of benefits and to promote the hiring of people with disabilities.
Please illustrate two examples of your community's engagement in efforts to promote the hiring of people with
disabilities through information-sharing, communications and outreach efforts,the creation and/or dissemination of
best practices ideas, promotion of hiring guides, accommodation information or other resource tools for those
involved in hiring and promotion of the career advancement of people with disabilities. /'
ELic _,�i i ha Le, 14. zC�
E-1, E-2 List two examples • _ 1
Of the population aged 21 to 64 years, 50.6 % of the 1814 people with a disability are employed compared with
64.7% of the 14, 353 people with no disability.
F. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (15%)
Judges will be looking for: involvement of people with disabilities in identifying barriers to preparedness
information, notification and warning systems, programs in shelters, recovery centers and other facilities or devices
used in connection with disaster operations, such as first aid stations, mass feeding areas, portable payphone
stations, portable toilets, and temporary housing that may not consider the needs of citizens with disabilities. Also
emergency preparedness drills that seek participation by people with disabilities.
Statistics show that people with disabilities are often left out of preparedness and planning activities. These
activities include analyzing and documenting the possibility of an emergency or disaster and the potential
consequences or impacts on life, property and the environment, during the mitigation, preparedness, response and
recovery phases.
F-1 Please explain how people with disabilities participate in the development and testing of your local emergency
preparedness plan.
G. INSPIRING OTHERS (10%)
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community goes beyond "working for"citizens with disabilities to
"working with" citizens with disabilities and is proactive in educating others about the benefits of an inclusive
planning and delivery model for its programs and initiatives.
The model community will demonstrate its willingness to learn about its citizens with disabilities from its citizens
with disabilities. A community should inspire replication of successful programs and initiatives created in
conjunction with people with disabilities by educating diverse constituencies within the community, and even those
beyond its borders.
G-1 Please describe how your community encourages others to learn about successful initiatives created through
collaboration with people with disabilities. - n
H. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (10%)
Judges will be looking for: information not already covered, including unique programs or partnerships that
increase the participation of citizens with disabilities, especially efforts to promote employment opportunities.
H-1 Please provide any information not already covered in this application that demonstrates why your community
should be the Accessible America 2008 winner.
•
Accessibility Survey Update
September 2008
NAME OF FACILITY: Central Fire Station
ORIGINAL SURVEY NUMBER: #1
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
DATE: RESPONDENT:
Please address each outstanding recommendation(as of January 1992) listed for the
facility separately. State whether the action or an alternative was accomplished and if so,
when. If action has not been taken, state why(insufficient funding, other changes that
rendered the recommendation obsolete, etc.). Review and revise the gross cost estimates
if appropriate.
Recommendation#2: Future renovation to include 32"wide doors
Priority Level: 4
Action/Date:
1985 Cost Estimate: $3,000 Revised Estimate:
Recommendation#6: Shield exposed pipes under sinks (2)
Priority Level: 2
Action/Date:
1985 Cost Estimate: $30 each Revised Estimate:
3
Accessibility Survey Update
January 1992
NAME OF FACILITY Central Fire Station - Survey #1
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT Fire Department
DATE 12/13/91 RESPONDENT Ed Olmstead*
Recommendation #1Designate parking space.
Action/Date Two designated/ No date given
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see* / 1985 estimate $40 ea
Recommendation #2. . Future renovation to include 32" wide doors.
Action/Date No action
Priority Level #4 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $3,000
Recommendation #3. . Replace doormat with lower pile surface.
Action/Date Doormat replaced/ No date given
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $100
Recommendation #4. . Provide cup dispenser for drinking fountain.
Action/Date Accessible fountain installed/No date given
Priority Level. . . . #2 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $20
* Ed Olmstead advises consulting DPW Superintendent William Gray
or Tom West re: construction and renovation
4
Accessibility Survey Update
Central Fire Station
Recommendation #5Bathroom doorways widened to 32" (2) .
Action/Date Remodeling was determined feasible for one
bathroom only. It is designated as a unisex
accessible facility
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $1,500 ea
Recommendation #6. . Shield exposed pipes under sinks, (2) .
Action/Date No action taken
Priority Level. . . . #1 Cost/Revised Estimate. . . .No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $30 ea
Recommendation #7Lower bathroom mirrors or tilt.
Action/Date Done in one bathroom/ No date given
Priority Level #2 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $30 ea to lower,
$200 ea to tilt
Recommendation #8. . Bathroom stall to be either removed or
redesigned to meet standard dimensions.
Action/Date Done in one bathroom/No date given
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate No response,
see */ 1985 estimate $200 ea
Accessibility Survey Update
September 2008
NAME OF FACILITY: Southside Community Center
ORIGINAL SURVEY NUMBER: #4
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Department of Public Works
DATE: RESPONDENT:
Please address each outstanding recommendation(as of January 1992) listed for the
facility separately. State whether the action or an alternative was accomplished and if so,
when. If action has not been taken, state why(insufficient funding, other changes that
rendered the recommendation obsolete, etc.). Review and revise the gross cost estimates
if appropriate.
Recommendation#5: Install handrails on wall side of ramps
Priority Level: 3
Action/Date:
1985 Cost Estimate: $1,000 Revised Estimate:
Recommendation#6: Elevator access to upper floors
Priority Level: 4
Action/Date:
1985 Cost Estimate: $30,000 Revised Estimate:
7
Accessibility Survey Update
January 1992
NAME OF FACILITY Southside Community Center - Survey #4
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT Building Systems, Department of Public
Works
DATE 09/17/91 RESPONDENT Jim Miller
Recommendation #1Official memo to Southside on the correct
position for door opening and on use of the
accessible bathroom for storage space.
Action/Date Done/ 1985
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate No cost
Recommendation #2. . Designate parking space closest to ramp.
Action/Date Done/ 1986
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate Actual cost
$50/ 1985 estimate $40
Recommendation #3. . Widen gate to rear playground.
Action/Date Replaced gate/ 1990
Priority Level #4 Cost/Revised Estimate Actual cost
$75/ 1985 estimate $400
Recommendation #4. . Replace or refinish wooden handrail.
Action/Date Refinished/ 1991
Priority Level #3 Cost/Revised Estimate Actual cost
$80/ 1985 estimate $100 to refinish,
$1,000 to replace
8
Accessibility Survey Update
Southside Community Center
Recommendation #5Install handrails on wall side of ramps.
Action/Date No action taken
Priority Level #3 Cost/Revised Estimate Revised
estimate $1,000/ 1985 estimate $1,000
Recommendation #6. . Elevator access to upper floors.
Action/Date No action taken, no funds
Priority Level. . . . #4 Cost/Revised Estimate Revised
estimate $30, 000/ 1985 estimate $30,000
Accessibility Survey Update
September 2008
NAME OF FACILITY: Water Building
ORIGINAL SURVEY NUMBER: #5
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Department of Public Works
DATE: RESPONDENT:
Please address each outstanding recommendation(as of January 1992) listed for the
facility separately. State whether the action or an alternative was accomplished and if so,
when. If action has not been taken, state why(insufficient funding, other changes that
rendered the recommendation obsolete, etc.). Review and revise the gross cost estimates
if appropriate.
Recommendation#5: Place signs at the front entrance directing persons with disabilities
to the side entrance
Priority Level: 3
Action/Date:
1985 Cost Estimate: $30 Revised Estimate:
Recommendation#6: Literature containing permit information should indicate permit
availability by mail
Priority Level: 1
Action/Date:
1985 Cost Estimate: no cost Revised Estimate:
9
Accessibility Survey Update
January 1992
NAME OF FACILITY Water Building - Survey #5
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT Building Systems, Department of Public
Works
DATE No response RESPONDENT No response
Recommendation #1Place signs at the front entrance directing
persons with disabilities to the side entrance
Action/Date No response
Priority Level #3 Cost/Revised Estimate No response/
1985 estimate $30
Recommendation #2. . Literature containing permit information
should indicate permit availability by mail.
Action/Date No response
Priority Level #1 Cost/Revised Estimate No cost
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON
OABILITY
vvww_n cod_arg
COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
$25,000 Accessible America 2007 Official Entry Checklist
Your entry is complete when you can check off all of the following:
One-page cover letter on community letterhead signed by mayor or chief
elected official
All sections of Official Application completed
All permitted additional pages attached
Sent without exhibits or supplementary materials
Application is addressed to:
Accessible America 2007
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
Submission is postmarked, e-mailed, or faxed by Wednesday, October 31,
2007
Accessible America 2007 Official Entry Page 2 of 4
A. DEMOGRAPHICS AWARENESS (5% of total score)
Judges will be looking for: an indication that the community is
developing knowledge about the number of people with disabilities who
live, learn, work and play in their locale. This knowledge helps civic
leaders optimize effective planning for citizens' and visitors' needs.
A-1. The total number of citizens in our community is:
A-2. The total number of citizens with disabilities is: from the
Census 2000, Demographic Profiles.
Note: To obtain this information, go to http://censtats.census.gov/pub/and select
"Profiles.shtml". Select your state, enter the name of your community and click "Go".
On statistics page 2, locate "Disability Status of the Civilian Non-institutionalized
Population". Add the numbers on each line for"with a disability" in each of the age
brackets to obtain your community's total.
B. PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY (15% of total score)
Judges will be looking for: best practices models used by communities
to address existing physical barriers and ensure accessibility in capital
improvement projects. These measures increase the potential for
participation by people with disabilities in community activities and programs.
How many of the following methods are used by your community to ensure a physically
accessible environment? Please check all that apply.
B-1. Community has established or is establishing an advisory body
that includes citizens with disabilities to address disability-related
issues.
B-2. Community has a process in place to identify, address and solve
physical barriers within the community.
B-3. People with disabilities serve in elected or appointed positions of
leadership in the community.
B-4. Other: you may attach no more than one-half page of text to explain.
C. COMMUNICATING A WELCOMING ATTITUDE (10% of total score?
Judges will be looking for indications that the community is making
efforts to attract people with disabilities in its over-all outreach plan
to the general public.
If a community is welcoming to people with disabilities it should be using public relations
and marketing tools to advertise the fact. To be a model for the country, a community
should actively seek to attract people with disabilities as students, workers, tourists and
residents. (cont'd on page 3)
Accessible America 2007 Official Entry Page 3 of 4
Does your community use any of the following tools to attract people with disabilities?
Please check all that apply.
C-1. Community's web site includes easy to find information of particular interest to
people with disabilities.
C-2. Phone book or other listings include TDD/TTY contact numbers.
C-3. New resident information specific to the needs and interests of people with
disabilities is available.
C-4. Local board of tourism or chamber of commerce specifically promotes the
accessibility features/attractions in the community.
C-5. Other: attach no more than one-half page of text to explain.
D. PROMOTING PARTICIPATION (20% of total score)
Judges will be looking for: community support (i.e. transportation
services, accessible communication, housing initiatives, social
opportunities) that encourages people with disabilities to participate in area
activities such as attending meetings, serving on committees, providing
input on local initiatives, etc.
While no community is perfect, some primarily resolve problems through budgetary
allocations, while other communities engage human resources in a neighborly approach to
problem solving with citizens with disabilities.
Please give two examples of how your community uses its available resources to
encourage citizens with disabilities to participate in the life and activities of the community.
D-1 For example 1, please use a maximum of one-half page of text to describe.
D-2 For example 2, please use a maximum of one-half page of text to describe.
E. PROMOTING EMPLOYABILITY(15% of total score)
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community actively seeks out
and hires people with disabilities at every level of government, and has a
commitment to increasing the number of people with disabilities in the private
sector workforce through the ways in which it allocates its resources. Best
practices might include close partnerships with businesses to improve
awareness of the benefits and to promote the hiring of people with disabilities.
Please illustrate two examples of your community's engagement in efforts to promote the
hiring of people with disabilities through information-sharing, communications and outreach
efforts, the creation and/or dissemination of best practices ideas, promotion of hiring
guides, accommodation information or other resource tools for those involved in hiring and
promotion of the career advancement of people with disabilities
E-1 For example 1, please use a maximum of one-half page of text to describe.
E-2 For example 2, please use a maximum of one-half page of text to describe.
Accessible America 2007 Official Entry Page 4 of 4
F. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (15% of total score)
Judges will be looking for: involvement of people with disabilities in
identifying barriers to preparedness information, notification and
warning systems, programs in shelters, recovery centers and other facilities or
devices used in connection with disaster operations, such as first aid stations,
mass feeding areas, portable payphone stations, portable toilets, and temporary
housing that may not consider the needs of citizens with disabilities. Also
emergency preparedness drills that seek participation by people with
disabilities.
Statistics show that people with disabilities are often left out of preparedness and planning
activities. These activities include analyzing and documenting the possibility of an
emergency or disaster and the potential consequences or impacts on life, property and the
environment, during the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery phases.
F-1 Please explain how people with disabilities participate in the development and testing
of your local emergency preparedness plan. Please provide no more than one page of text
for your answer.
G. INSPIRING OTHERS (10% of total score)
Judges will be looking for evidence that the community goes beyond
"working for" citizens with disabilities to "working with" citizens with
disabilities and is proactive in educating others about the benefits of an
inclusive planning and delivery model for its programs and initiatives.
The model community will demonstrate its willingness to learn about its citizens with
disabilities from its citizens with disabilities. A community should inspire replication
of successful programs and initiatives created in conjunction with people with
disabilities by educating diverse constituencies within the community, and even
those beyond its borders.
G-1. Please describe how your community encourages others to learn about
successful initiatives created through collaboration with people with disabilities.
Please provide no more than one-half page of text for your answer.
H. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (10% of total score)
Judges will be looking for information not already covered, including
unique programs or partnerships that increase the participation of citizens
with disabilities, especially efforts to promote employment opportunities.
H-1. Please provide any information not already covered in this application that
demonstrates why your community should be the Accessible America 2007 winner.
Please provide no more than one-half page of additional text for your answer.
Thank you for your interest in an Accessible America for everyone!
The Accessible America Competition is sponsored by generous grants from AARP and UPS
Please send application by 10/31/07 to: Accessible America Competition 2007
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
Table DP-1. Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000
Geographic area: Ithaca city, New York
[For information on confidentiality protection, nonsampling error,and definitions,see text)
Subject Number Percent Subject Number Percent
Total population 29,287 100.0 HISPANIC OR LATINO AND RACE
Total population 29,287 100.0
SEX AND AGE Hispanic or Latino(of any race) 1,555 5.3
Male 14,830 50.6 Mexican 236 0.8
Female 14,457 49.4 Puerto Rican 406 1.4
Under 5 years 727 2.5 Cuban 80 0.3
5 to 9 years 721 2.5 Other Hispanic or Latino 833 2.8
10 to 14 years 729 2.5 Not Hispanic or Latino 27,732 94.7
15 to 19 years 5,739 19.6 White alone 20,893 71.3
20 to 24 years... 10,551 36.0 RELATIONSHIP
25 to 34 years 3,703 12.6 Total population 29,287 100.0
35 to 44 years 2,179 7.4 In households 21,870 74.7
45 to 54 years 2,080 7.1 Householder 10,287 35.1
55 to 59 years 593 2.0 Spouse 1,951 6.7
60 to 64 years 429 1.5 Child 2,981 10.2
65 to 74 years 822 2.8 Own child under 18 years 2,432 8.3
75 to 84 years 705 2.4 Other relatives 419 1.4
85 years and over 309 1.1 Under 18 years 156 0.5
Median age(years) 22.0 (X) Nonrelatives 6,232 21.3
Unmarried partner 590 2.0
18 years and over 26,582 90.8 In group quarters 7,417 25.3
Male 13,433 45.9 Institutionalized population 180 0.6
Female 13,149 44.9 Noninstitutionalized population 7,237 24.7
21 years and over 18,093 61.8
62 years and over 2,107 7.2 HOUSEHOLD BY TYPE
65 years and over 1,836 6.3 Total households 10,287 100.0
Male 627 2.1 Family households(families) 2,958 28.8
Female 1,209 4.1 With own children under 18 years 1,459 14.2
Married-couple family 1,951 19.0
RACE With own children under 18 years 818 8.0
One race 28,302 96.6 Female householder,no husband present 803 7.8
White 21,663 74.0 With own children under 18 years 524 5.1
Black or African American 1,965 6.7 Nonfamily households 7,329 71.2
American Indian and Alaska Native 114 0.4 Householder living alone 4,451 43.3
Asian 3,998 13.7 Householder 65 years and over 762 7.4
Asian Indian 570 1.9
Chinese 1,659 5.7 Households with individuals under 18 years 1,571 15.3
Filipino 93 0.3 Households with individuals 65 years and over .. 1,355 13.2
Japanese 207 0.7 Average household size 2.13 (X)
Korean 469 1.6 Average family size 2.81 (X)
Vietnamese 125 0.4
Other Asian 1 875 3.0 HOUSING OCCUPANCY
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander16 0.1 Total housing units 10,736 100.0
Native Hawaiian 5 - Occupied housing units 10,287 95.8
Guamanian or Chamorro 2 - Vacant housing units 449 4.2
Samoan 4 - For seasonal,recreational,or
Other Pacific Islander 2 5 occasional use 48 0.4
Some other race 546 1.9
Two or more races 985 3.4 Homeowner vacancy rate(percent) 2.1 (X)
Race alone or in combination with one Rental vacancy rate(percent) 2.7 (X)
or more other races:' HOUSING TENURE
White 22,376 76.4 Occupied housing units 10,287 100.0
Black or African American 2,282 7.8 Owner-occupied housing units 2,671 26.0
American Indian and Alaska Native 289 1.0 Renter-occupied housing units 7,616 74.0
Asian 4,428 15.1
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander 133 0.5 Average household size of owner-occupied units. 2.30 (X)
Some other race 834 2.8 Average household size of renter-occupied units. 2.07 (X)
-Represents zero or rounds to zero. (X)Not applicable.
1 Other Asian alone,or two or more Asian categories.
2 Other Pacific Islander alone,or two or more Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander categories.
3 In combination with one or more of the other races listed.The six numbers may add to more than the total population and the six percentages
may add to more than 100 percent because individuals may report more than one race.
Source:U.S.Census Bureau,Census 2000.
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U.S.Census Bureau
■
Table DP-2. Profile of Selected Social Characteristics: 2000
Geographic area: Ithaca city, New York
[Data based on a sample.For information on confidentiality protection,sampling error, nonsampling error,and definitions,see text]
Subject Number Percent Subject Number Percent
SCHOOL ENROLLMENT NATIVITY AND PLACE OF BIRTH
Population 3 years and over Total population 29,006 100.0
enrolled in school 19,081 100.0 Native 24,356 84.0
Nursery school,preschool 259 1.4 Born in United States 23,783 82.0
Kindergarten 163 0.9 State of residence 12,766 44.0
Elementary school(grades 1-8) 1,155 6.1 Different state 11,017 38.0
High school(grades 9-12) 589 3.1 Born outside United States 573 2.0
College or graduate school 16,915 88.6 Foreign born 4,650 16.0
Entered 1990 to March 2000 3,273 11.3
EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT Naturalized citizen 1,203 4.1
Population 25 years and over 10,744 100.0 Not a citizen 3,447 11.9
Less than 9th grade 378 3.5
9th to 12th grade,no diploma 747 7.0 REGION OF BIRTH OF FOREIGN BORN
High school graduate(includes equivalency) 1,773 16.5 Total(excluding born at sea) 4,650 100.0
Some college, no degree 1,156 10.8 Europe 1,200 25.8
Associate degree 468 4.4 Asia 2,356 50.7
Bachelor's degree 2,830 26.3 Africa 225 4.8
Graduate or professional degree 3,392 31.6 Oceania 21 0.5
Latin America 653 14.0
Percent high school graduate or higher 89.5 (X) Northern America 195 4.2
Percent bachelor's degree or higher 57.9 (X)
LANGUAGE SPOKEN AT HOME
MARITAL STATUS Population 5 years and over 28,323 100.0
Population 15 years and over 26,923 100.0 English only 21,913 77.4
Never married 17,583 65.3 Language other than English 6,410 22.6
Now married,except separated 6,308 23.4 Speak English less than"very well" 1,664 5.9
Separated 648 2.4 Spanish 1,341 4.7
Widowed 841 3.1 Speak English less than"very well" 264 0.9
Female 709 2.6 Other Indo-European languages 1,772 6.3
Divorced 1543 5.7 Speak English less than"very well" 433 1.5
Female 1,068 4.0 Asian and Pacific Island languages 3,055 10.8
Speak English less than"very well" 961 3.4
GRANDPARENTS AS CAREGIVERS
Grandparent living in household with ANCESTRY(single or multiple)
one or more own grandchildren under Total population 29,006 100.0
18 years 102 100.0 Total ancestries reported 33,914 116.9
Grandparent responsible for grandchildren 33 32.4 Czaebch' 289 00.8
VETERAN STATUS Danish 109 0.4
Civilian population 18 years and over 26,437 100.0 Dutch 534 1.8
Civilian veterans 926 3.5 English 2,700 9.3
French(except Basque)' 626 2.2
DISABILITY STATUS OF THE CIVILIAN French Canadian' 262 0.9
NONINSTITUTIONALIZED POPULATION German 3,982 13.7
Population 5 to 20 years 10,282 100.0 Greek an 259 1.1
With a disability 518 5.0 Irish' 3,636 12.5
Population 21 to 64 years 16,167 100.0 Italian 2,853 9.8
With a disability 1,814 11.2 Lithuanian 143 0.5
Percent employed 50.6 (X) Norwegian 480 1.7
No disability 14,353 88.8 Polish 1,823 6.3
Percent employed 64.7 (X) Portuguese 94 0.3
Population 65 years and over 1,647 100.0 Russian 1,518 5.2
With a disability 750 45.5 Scotch-Irish 416 1.4
Scottish 524 1.8
RESIDENCE IN 1995 Slovak 85 0.3
Population 5 years and over 28,323 100.0 Subsaharan African 168 0.6
Same house in 1995 5,500 19.4 Swedish 416 1.4
Different house in the U.S.in 1995 20,234 71.4 Swiss 143 0.5
Same county 4,375 15.4 Ukrainian 175 0.6
Different county 15,859 56.0 United States or American 743 2.6
Same state 6,971 24.6 Welsh 459 1.6
Different state 8,888 31.4 West Indian(excluding Hispanic groups) 254 0.9
Elsewhere in 1995 2,589 9.1 Other ancestries 10,797 37.2
-Represents zero or rounds to zero. (X)Not applicable.
'The data represent a combination of two ancestries shown separately in Summary File 3.Czech includes Czechoslovakian. French includes Alsa-
tian.French Canadian includes Acadian/Cajun. Irish includes Celtic.
Source: U.S.Bureau of the Census,Census 2000.
2
U.S.Census Bureau
Table DP-3. Profile of Selected Economic Characteristics: 2000
Geographic area: Ithaca city, New York
[Data based on a sample. For information on confidentiality protection,sampling error,nonsampling error,and definitions,see text]
Subject Number Percent Subject Number Percent
EMPLOYMENT STATUS INCOME IN 1999
Population 16 years and over 26,774 100.0 Households 10,236 100.0
In labor force 15,028 56.1 Less than$10,000 2,819 27.5
Civilian labor force 15,001 56.0 $10,000 to$14,999 1,127 11.0
Employed 13,587 50.7 $15,000 to$24,999 1,572 15.4
Unemployed 1,414 5.3 $25,000 to$34,999 1,295 12.7
Percent of civilian labor force 9.4 (X) $35,000 to$49,999 1,227 12.0
Armed Forces 27 0.1 $50,000 to$74,999 1,128 11.0
Not in labor force 11,746 43.9 $75,000 to$99,999 470 4.6
Females 16 years and over 13,379 100.0 $100,000 to$149,999 391 3.8
In labor force 7,413 55.4 $150,000 to$199,999 105 1.0
Civilian labor force 7,413 55.4 $200,000 or more 102 1.0
Employed 6,918 51.7 Median household income(dollars) 21,441 (X)
Own children under 6 years 809 100.0 With earnings 8,555 83.6
All parents in family in labor force 528 65.3 Mean earnings(dollars)' 32,949 (X)
With Social Security income 1,398 13.7
COMMUTING TO WORK Mean Social Security income(dollars)1 11,225 (X)
Workers 16 years and over 13,335 100.0 With Supplemental Security Income 414 4.0
Car,truck,or van--drove alone 4,767 35.7 Mean Supplemental Security Income
Car,truck,or van--carpooled 1,074 8.1 (dollars)1 7,436 (X)
Public transportation(including taxicab) 1,050 7.9 With public assistance income 264 2.6
Walked 5,493 41.2 Mean public assistance income(dollars)' 2,298 (X)
Other means 293 2.2 With retirement income 806 7.9
Worked at home 658 4.9 Mean retirement income(dollars)1 18,730 (X)
Mean travel time to work(minutes)1 14.3 (X)
Families 2,908 100.0
Employed civilian population Less than$10,000 315 10.8
16 years and over 13,587 100.0 $10,000 to$14,999 145 5.0
OCCUPATION $15,000 to$24,999 294 10.1
Management,professional,and.related $25,000 to$34,999 447 15.4
occupations 7,310 53.8 $35,000 to$49,999 448 15.4
Service occupations 2,109 15.5 $50,000 to$74,999 608 20.9
Sales and office occupations 3,287 24.2 $75,000 to$99,999 259 8.9
Farming,fishing,and forestry occupations 73 0.5 $100,000 to$149,999 250 8.6
Construction,extraction,and maintenance $150,000 to$199,999 67 2.3
occupations 284 2.1 $200,000 or more 75 2.6
Production, transportation,and material moving Median family income(dollars) 42,304 (X)
occupations 524 3.9
Per capita income(dollars)' 13,408 (X)
INDUSTRY Median earnings(dollars):
Agriculture,forestry,fishing and hunting, Male full-time,year-round workers 29,562 (X)
and mining 128 0.9 Female full-time,year-round workers 27,828 (X)
Construction 151 1.1
Manufacturing 475 3.5 Number Percent
Wholesale trade 49 0.4 below below
Retail trade 885 6.5 poverty poverty
Transportation and warehousing,and utilities 131 1.0 Subject level level
Information 682 5.0
Finance,insurance, real estate,and rental and POVERTY STATUS IN 1999
leasing 205 1.5 Families 392 13.5
Professional,scientific,management,adminis- With related children under 18 years 307 19.6
trative,and waste management services 1,087 8.0 With related children under 5 years 154 27.1
Educational,health and social services 7,284 53.6
Arts, entertainment, recreation,accommodation Families with female householder,no
and food services 1,780 13.1 husband present 241 27.6
Other services(except public administration) 432 3.2 With related children under 18 years 225 32.5
Public administration 298 2.2 With related children under 5 years 126 48.6
CLASS OF WORKER Individuals 8,721 40.2
Private wage and salary workers 11,183 82.3 18 years and over 8,153 42.5
Government workers 1,560 11.5 65 years and over 193 11.7
Self-employed workers in own not incorporated Related children under 18 years 557 22.4
business 814 6.0 Related children 5 to 17 years 380 20.9
Unpaid family workers 30 0.2 Unrelated individuals 15 years and over 7,587 55.8
-Represents zero or rounds to zero. (X)Not applicable.
'If the denominator of a mean value or per capita value is less than 30,then that value is calculated using a rounded aggregate in the numerator.
See text.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census,Census 2000.
3
U.S.Census Bureau
Table DP-4. Profile of Selected Housing Characteristics:2000
Geographic area: Ithaca city, New York
[Data based on a sample. For information on confidentiality protection,sampling error, nonsampling error,and definitions,see text]
Subject Number Percent Subject Number Percent
Total housing units 10,716 100.0 OCCUPANTS PER ROOM
UNITS IN STRUCTURE Occupied housing units 10,253 100.0
1-unit,detached 2,877 26.8 1.00 or less 10,022 97.7
1-unit,attached 323 3.0 1.01 to 1.50 126 1.2
2 units 1,635 15.3 1.51 or more 105 1.0
3 or 4 units 1,678 15.7
5 to 9 units 1,531 14.3 Specified owner-occupied units 2,015 100.0
10 to 19 units 549 5.1 VALUE
20 or more units 2,007 18.7 Less than$50,000 20 1.0
Mobile home 116 1.1 $50,000 to$99,999 1,067 53.0
Boat,RV,van,etc - - $100,000 to$149,999 566 28.1
$150,000 to$199,999 213 10.6
YEAR STRUCTURE BUILT $200,000 to$299,999 134 6.7
1999 to March 2000 170 1.6 $300,000 to$499,999 15 0.7
1995 to 1998 318 3.0 $500,000 to$999,999 - -
1990 to 1994 266 2.5 $1,000,000 or more - -
1980 to 1989 708 6.6 Median(dollars)
96,200 (X)
1970 to 1979 1,297 12.1
1960 to 1969 930 8.7 MORTGAGE STATUS AND SELECTED
1940 to 1959 1,820 17.0 MONTHLY OWNER COSTS
1939 or earlier 5,207 48.6 With a mortgage 1,449 71.9
Less than$300 - -
ROOMS $300 to$499 29 1.4
1 room 1,063 9.9 $500 to$699 85 4.2
2 rooms 1,054 9.8 $700 to$999 573 28.4
3 rooms 1,894 17.7 $1,000 to$1,499 497 24.7
4 rooms 1,648 15.4 $1,500 to$1,999 202 10.0
5 rooms 1,580 14.7 $2,000 or more 63 3.1
6 rooms 1,148 10.7 Median(dollars) 1,031 (X)
7 rooms 922 8.6 Not mortgaged 566 28.1
8 rooms 562 5.2 Median(dollars) 464 (X)
9 or more rooms 845 7.9
Median(rooms) 4.3 (X) SELECTED MONTHLY OWNER COSTS
AS A PERCENTAGE OF HOUSEHOLD
Occupied housing units 10,253 100.0 INCOME IN 1999
YEARHOUSEHOLDER MOVED INTO UNIT Less than 15.0 percent 684 33.9
1999 to March 2000 4,997 48.7 15.0 to 19.9 percent 298 14.8
1995 to 1998 2,716 26.5 20.0 to 24.9 percent 360 17.9
1990 to 1994 844 8.2 25.0 to 29.9 percent 213 10.6
1980 to 1989 725 7.1 30.0 to 34.9 percent 90 4.5
1970 to 1979 412 4.0 35.0 percent or more 362 18.0
1969 or earlier 559 5.5 Not computed 8 0.4
VEHICLES AVAILABLE Specified renter-occupied units 7,615 100.0
None 2,521 24.6 GROSS RENT
1 4,762 46.4 Less than$200 259 3.4
2 2,079 20.3 $200 to$299 274 3.6
3 or more 891 8.7 $300 to$499 2,233 29.3
$500 to$749 2,910 38.2
HOUSE HEATING FUEL $750 to$999 1,082 14.2
Utility gas 7,711 75.2 $1,000 to$1,499 390 5.1
Bottled,tank,or LP gas 284 2.8 $1,500 or more 350 4.6
Electricity 1,922 18.7 No cash rent 117 1.5
Fuel oil,kerosene,etc 225 2.2 Median(dollars) 574 (X)
Coal or coke - -
Wood 26 0.3 GROSS RENT AS A PERCENTAGE OF
Solar energy - HOUSEHOLD INCOME IN 1999
-
Other fuel 65 0.6 Less than 15.0 percent 961 12.6
No fuel used 20 0.2 15.0 to 19.9 percent 639 8.4
20.0 to 24.9 percent 662 8.7
SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS 25.0 to 29.9 percent 524 6.9
Lacking complete plumbing facilities 103 1.0 30.0 to 34.9 percent 439 5.8
Lacking complete kitchen facilities 167 1.6 35.0 percent or more 3,927 51.6
No telephone service 110 1.1 Not computed 463 6.1
-Represents zero or rounds to zero. (X)Not applicable.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000.
4
U.S.Census Bureau
Notes from Access America Grant Meeting
May 7, 2008
Present: Larry Roberts, Leslie Chatterton, Otis Jackson, Charlie Dorsey, Esther
Greenhouse, Lynne Yost, Schelley Michell-Nunn, Sarah Myers
Possible award of$25,000 and title of one of the most "accessible" City's in the USA.
Larry reviewed the Power Point presentation and the specific areas of emphasis that the
grant application should focus on.
Larry stated that different members of the DAC have offered to write different parts of
the grant application if needed.
Deadline to submit application: October 31, 2008.
Staff need to determine where the City is now with accessibility and use this application
process to bring the City to a better position and as a best practice to strive for.
Question raised about whether applications are differentiated between cities of different
sizes when awarding grants, content of application would most likely be the same for
any size city.
Larry suggested not trying to submit an application for 2009, but working towards
submitting one for 2010.
Esther stated that the City should look into involving CU/IC in application because
certain departments have a strong emphasis placed for students working with "real
clients" on projects relating to their course of study which benefits both the students and
could take a little of the burden off City staff.
The group agreed that the City should be committed to establishing a "best practice"for
dealing with various accessibility issues and take pride in the work when the application
is submitted.
Lynne feels that the City is at a point to be very competitive right now. She feels that
the City could make a case with its size and budget limitations for programs already in
place to deal with accessibility that could be a positive focus of the application.
Charlie stated that once staff begin to write the application he feels a lot will be
discovered about what the City already has in place especially the Youth Bureau and its
RSS program. He feels the City should try for this award and that win or lose it's still a
good process to go through.
Esther asked what benefits cities receive for winning other than monetary award and
designation as one of the most accessible cities? For example, Ithaca has been
designated as the best place to retire, would the city get connected to a network that
would draw businesses and people to Ithaca and provide an opportunity for future
grants?
Lynne stated that some of that has already happened with tourism in the area.
Larry stated that he feels that there is a sense among the group today that the City
should try to apply for this grant for 2009 and asked what the next meeting should focus
on.
The group agreed that this day and meeting time was a good time and that they would
like to see more staff attend to provide information to this committee about what is
already being done in the City with regard to accessibility, especially from the Human
Resources department so that the committee could review it.
Leslie C stated that it would be helpful to identify needs, welcome participation by both
more city staff and possibility representatives from community organizations that
provide accessibility services even if this information was used as a benchmark it would
be good.
Charlie stated that he feels ready to be involved with this application and states that
since there are ten competitive areas that the application focuses on that perhaps staff
could be appointed to take the lead for each of the areas.
Larry stated that he felt that the determination of how this process would go should be
addressed at the next meeting when more staff might be able to participate in the
meeting.
Esther asked if anyone could, between now and the next meeting, identify what
departments fall under each category?
Larry would like to asked each department to write a little blurb about what is already in
place for each department relating to accessibility. He further stated that the application
should include involvement by the whole community such as Cornell University, Ithaca
College, Tompkins County, various government agencies, Challenge, Workforce NY,
area nursing homes, etc.
Schelley asked if there should be a sub-committee of community members or agencies
that should be involved with the application that should be identified at the next meeting.
Larry stated that the strongest application would show involvement of community
resources, city departments, and interaction with the community itself.
Esther questioned whether it was clear that the application isn't just for the City of
Ithaca?
Larry stated that the application should state that the City works in partnership with
Leslie stated that the application is targeted at the city and should include all initiatives
from the city.
The next meeting should include as many staff as possible and perhaps representatives
from TCAT, the County emergency preparedness group and look to answer what is
already in place within the city and within other community agencies and government
offices.
Charlie suggested that each staff person be assigned to a specific category on the
application who could then reach out to the community and suggested agencies and
find out what they offer and then report back to the committee instead of have so many
people involved at the meetings.
Esther asked if tasks could be assigned for each person here to do for the next meeting.
Lynne stated that she would make up an information form that could be added to by
different departments and then staff would write the application with input from this
committee, the DAC, and community agencies.
Larry stated that he would like to get more city staff to the next meeting before really
moving too far ahead with work on the application in order to get "buy in" by everyone
before assigning tasks.
Larry and Charlie both felt that staff should be e-mailed the power point presentation
and the award winning application for their information and to help explain the benefits
of applying for the grant.
It was agreed that Lynne would create the feedback form (she would show each
department of the city and what they do already for accessibility issues and then staff
can review and add whatever additional information they feel is needed) and provide
that to Sarah to send with the e-mail to everyone that would urge their attendance at the
next meeting.
Esther asked if their would enhance the application if it were to be submitted in various
forms— i.e. Braille, audio, or written, etc. to go above and beyond the requirement with
a known additional cost to do that.
Larry stated that would depend upon the sponsor requirements.
Notes by Sarah Myers
May 8, 2008.
Accessible America
2009 Competition
City of Ithaca iii •
• • • •
• • • .
• • * ,
• • • 4
fc. „0„:„.
• • •
•• • •
•• • • •
• • • •
What is it all about? : : � �"
• The National Organization on Disability
organizes an annual competition to award
communities for their successful design of
programs, services and facilities that are
accessible for citizens and visitors who have
disabilities. This program is sponsored by
grants from HARP and UPS . The winners
receive a $25,000 award .
• • •
• • • •
• • • • •
• • • •
Why are we here? : : '
• The Disability Advisory Council is interested
in entering the City of Ithaca into this
competition but first needs to assess :
• What programs are already in place
• What programs could easily be put in place
• What programs, if put in place, may have budgetary
implications that should be identified for the 2009 City
budget
• Could the City be competitive in a 2009 entry?
• • •
• • • •
• • • • •
• • • •
Previous Winners : : : �"
• The previous winners of this competition
have all been large cities — can we give them
a run for their money?
. 2007 Houston, Texas
. 2006 Berkeley, California
. 2005 Cambridge, Massachusetts
. 2004 Pasadena, California
. 2003 Phoenix, Arizona
. 2002 Irvine, California
. 2001 Venice, Florida
• • •
•• • •
•• • • •
•• • •
Competitive Categories ""
• Demographics Awareness (5% of total score)
Judges look for an indication that the
community is developing knowledge abut the
number of people with disabilities who live,
learn , work, play in their locale (does that tag
line sound familiar? . ) this knowledge helps
civic leaders optimize effective planning for
citizen and visitor needs.
• • •
• • • •
•• • • •
• • • •
Competitive Categories • '
• Promoting Accessibility ( 15% of total score)
Judges will look for best practice models used
by communities to address existing physical
barriers and ensure accessibility in capital
improvement projects . These measures
increase the potential for participation by
people with disabilities in community activities
and programs.
•• •
•• • •
•• • • •
• • • •
Competitive Categories :: "
• Communicating a Welcoming Attitude
( 10% of total score)
Judges will look for indications that the
community is making efforts to attract people
with disabilities in its over-all outreach plan to
the general public.
•• •
•• • •
•• • • •
•• • •
Competitive Categories • • • •
• Promoting Participation (20% of total score)
Judges will look for community support (ie.
transportation services, accessible
communication , housing initiatives, social
opportunities) that encourages people with
disabilities to participate in area activities
such as attending meetings, serving on
committees, providing input on local
initiatives, etc.
•• •
•• • •
•• • • •
• • • •
Competitive Categories • • . ' `
• Promoting Employability (15% of total score)
Judges will look for evidence that the community
actively seeks out and hires people with disabilities
at every level of government and has a commitment
to increasing the number of people with disabilities
in the private sector workforce through ways in
which it allocates its resources. Best practices
might include close partnerships with businesses to
improve awareness of the benefits and to promote
the hiring of people with disabilities.
• • •
• • • •
•• • • •
• • • •
Competitive Categories :: � �
• Emergency Preparedness (15% of total score)
Judges will look for involvement of people with
disabilities in identifying barriers to preparedness
information, notification and warning systems,
programs in shelters, recovery centers and other
facilities or devices used in connection with disaster
operations, such as first aid stations, mass feeding
areas, portable payphone stations, portable toilets,
and temporary housing that may not consider the
needs of citizens with disabilities. Also emergency
preparedness drills that seek participation by people
with disabilities.
• • •
• • • •
• • • • •
• • • •
Competitive Categories 's: � '
• Inspiring Others ( 10% of total score)
Judges will look for evidence that the
community goes beyond "working for"
citizens with disabilities to "working with"
citizens with disabilities and is proactive in
educating others about the benefits of an
inclusive planning and delivery model for its
programs and initiatives.
•• •
•• • •
•• • • •
• • • •
Competitive Categories • 00 .
• • • • .
00 , •
• Additional Information ( 10% of total score)
Judges will look for information not already
covered , including unique programs or
partnerships that increase the participation of
citizens with disabilities, especially efforts to
promote employment opportunities .
• • •
• • • •
• • • • •
• • • •
Next Steps " "
• Should we submit an application?
• What year should we be focused on?
• Who should take the lead?
• What timelines need to be established?
• Should our next meeting be focused on data
collection , (what programs are already in
place) future programming potential , (what
we could put in place easily) and budget
implications?
h
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,
CITY OF HOUSTON Bill White
:, Office of the Mayor Mayor
t P.O.Box 1562
i Houston,Texas 77251-1562
901 Bagby,3"I Floor
Houston,TX 77002
October 23, 2007
Nancy Starnes, Vice President
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
Dear Ms. Starnes:
As Mayor of the City of Houston and on behalf of the Mayor's Office for People with
Disabilities, I am pleased to submit the City of Houston's application for the Accessible
America 2007 competition.
I believe you will see that there are many initiatives and features that make Houston
stand out as a truly disability-friendly city. Preparing this application made us
appreciate just how fortunate and proud we are to live in such an accessible city. We
are working hard towards doing even better.
Houston is committed to going beyond the requirements of federal disability laws.
Instead, we focus on full inclusion for people with disabilities in our society. The City
also includes people with disabilities in the planning process for City government
whenever possible.
Our city has worked hard to address disadvantages that people with disabilities often
experience, as reported in the 2004 N.O.D. /Harris Survey of Americans with
Disabilities. For example, this application outlines efforts aimed at promoting
employment opportunities (Section E), mobility and transportation (Section D),
recreational and social activities (Section D), and participation in City government
(Section B).
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
606.16-tik
Bill White
Mayor
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NATIONAL ORGANIZATION ON
_,J_OABILlTY
www.nod.org
$25,000 Accessible America 2007 Official Entry Form
The Accessible America Competition is sponsored by generous grants from AARP and UPS.
Community Name: City of Houston, Texas
Name of Chief Elected Official: Mayor Bill White
Title of Chief Elected Official (check one):
✓ Mayor
❑ Commissioner
o Other title:
Address: City of Houston, POB 1562, Houston,TX 77251-1562
Phone: (713)247-2200 Fax: (713)247-2484
Email: mavor(a�cityofhouston.net Web address:
http://www.houstontx.aov/mavor/index.html
Contact person for award notification (if other than Chief Elected Official)
Name: Michelle Colvard
Title: Executive Director, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities
Address: City of Houston. Office of Affirmative Action, 611 Walker Street, 7th Floor
Houston, TX 77002
Phone: (713)837-9072 Fax: (713)837-9060
Email: michelle.colvard(a�citvofhouston.net
Web address: www.houstontx.aov/disabilities/index.html
Mail completed application by 10/31/07 to: Accessible America Competition 2007
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
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A. DEMOGRAPHICS AWARENESS (5%of total score)
Judges will be looking for: an indication that the community is
developing knowledge about the number of people with disabilities who
live, learn, work and play in their locale. This knowledge helps civic
leaders optimize effective planning for citizens' and visitors' needs.
A-1. The total number of citizens in our community is: 1,953,631 (or 4,177,646 in
Houston Primary Metropolitan Statistical Area. PMSA), according to the 2000
Census.
A-2. The total number of citizens with disabilities is:364,485 (or 690,740 in Houston
PMSA)from the Census 2000, Demographic Profiles.
Note: To obtain this information, go to http://censtats.census.gov/pub/and select
"Profiles.shtml". Select your state, enter the name of your community and click"Go".
On statistics page 2, locate"Disability Status of the Civilian Non-institutionalized
Population". Add the numbers on each line for"with a disability"in each of the age
brackets to obtain your community's total.
B. PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY (15%of total score)
Judges will be looking for: best practices models used by communities
to address existing physical barriers and ensure accessibility in capital
improvement projects. These measures increase the potential for
participation by people with disabilities in community activities and programs.
How many of the following methods are used by your community to ensure a physically
accessible environment? Please check all that apply.
B-1. X Community has established or is establishing an advisory body
that includes citizens with disabilities to address disability-related
issues.
B-2. X Community has a process in place to identify, address and solve
physical barriers within the community.
B-3. X People with disabilities serve in elected or appointed positions of
leadership in the community.
B-4. X Other: you may attach no more than one-half Dale of text to explain.
Attached.
C. COMMUNICATING A WELCOMING ATTITUDE (10%of total score)
Judges will be looking for indications that the community is making
efforts to attract people with disabilities in its over-all outreach plan
to the general public.
If a community is welcoming to people with disabilities it should be using public relations
and marketing tools to advertise the fact. To be a model for the country, a community
should actively seek to attract people with disabilities as students, workers, tourists and
residents. (cont'd on page 3)
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Does your community use any of the following tools to attract people with disabilities?
Please check all that apply.
C-1. X Community's web site includes easy to find information of particular interest to
people with disabilities.
C-2. X Phone book or other listings include TDD/TTY contact numbers.
C-3. X_New resident information specific to the needs and interests of people with
disabilities is available.
C-4. X Local board of tourism or chamber of commerce specifically promotes the
accessibility features/attractions in the community.
C-5. X Other: attach no more than one-half page of text to explain.
Attached.
D. PROMOTING PARTICIPATION (20%of total score)
Judges will be looking for: community support(i.e. transportation
services,accessible communication, housing initiatives, social
opportunities)that encourages people with disabilities to participate in area
activities such as attending meetings, serving on committees, providing
input on local initiatives, etc.
While no community is perfect, some primarily resolve problems through budgetary
allocations, while other communities engage human resources in a neighborly approach to
problem solving with citizens with disabilities.
Please give two examples of how your community uses its available resources to
encourage citizens with disabilities to participate in the life and activities of the community.
0-1 For example 1, please use a maximum of one-half pale of text to describe.
E. PROMOTING EMPLOYABILITY(15%of total score)
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community actively seeks out
and hires people with disabilities at every level of government, and has a
commitment to increasing the number of people with disabilities in the private
sector workforce through the ways in which it allocates its resources. Best
practices might include close partnerships with businesses to improve
awareness of the benefits and to promote the hiring of people with disabilities.
Please illustrate two examples of your community's engagement in efforts to promote the
hiring of people with disabilities through information-sharing,communications and outreach
efforts,the creation and/or dissemination of best practices ideas, promotion of hiring
guides, accommodation information or other resource tools for those involved in hiring and
promotion of the career advancement of people with disabilities
E-1 For example 1, please use a maximum of one-half page of text to describe.
E-2 For example 2, please use a maximum of one-half page of text to describe.
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rice 2007 Official Entry Page 4 of
F. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS (15%of total score)
Judges will be looking for involvement of people with disabilities in
identifying barriers to preparedness information, notification and
warning systems, programs in shelters, recovery centers and other facilities or
devices used in connection with disaster operations, such as first aid stations,
mass feeding areas,portable payphone stations,portable toilets,and temporary
housing that may not consider the needs of citizens with disabilities. Also
emergency preparedness drills that seek participation by people with
disabilities.
Statistics show that people with disabilities are often left out of preparedness and planning
activities. These activities include analyzing and documenting the possibility of an
emergency or disaster and the potential consequences or impacts on life,property and the
environment, during the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery phases.
F-1 Please explain how people with disabilities participate in the development and testing
of your local emergency preparedness plan. Please provide no more than one rage of text
for your answer.
G. INSPIRING OTHERS (10% of total score)
Judges will be looking for: evidence that the community goes beyond
"working for"citizens with disabilities to `working with"citizens with
disabilities and is proactive in educating others about the benefits of an
inclusive planning and delivery model for its programs and initiatives.
The model community will demonstrate its willingness to learn about its citizens with
disabilities from its citizens with disabilities. A community should inspire replication of
successful programs and initiatives created in conjunction with people with disabilities by
educating diverse constituencies within the community, and even those beyond its
borders.
G-1. Please describe how your community encourages others to learn about successful
initiatives created through collaboration with people with disabilities. Please provide no
more than one-half page of text for your answer.
H. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (10% of total score)
Judges will be looking for information not already covered, including
unique programs or partnerships that increase the participation of citizens
with disabilities, especially efforts to promote employment opportunities.
H-1. Please provide any information not already covered in this application that
demonstrates why your community should be the Accessible America 2007 winner.
Please provide no more than one-half page of additional text for your answer.
Thank you for your interest in an Accessible America for everyone!
The Accessible America Competition is sponsored by generous grants from AARP and UPS
Please send application by 10/31/07 to: Accessible America Competition 2007
National Organization on Disability
910 Sixteenth St., NW
Washington, DC 20006
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Attachments
B-4. PROMOTING ACCESSIBILITY
• The Houston Commission on Disabilities (HCoD) was created by City ordinance in
1993 and consists of 12 mayoral appointees; nine are required to have disabilities.
This active commission represents diverse disability groups. City leaders and
department directors solicit the HCoD for guidance on City initiatives. For example,
City Council asked the HCoD to provide input on a proposed Mini-Motor Bike/
Scooter Ordinance to prevent negative impact on the disability community.
• The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities was created by ordinance to liaison
with the disability community and city government. The Executive Director and City
Council Liaison for MOPD both have disabilities. The MOPD facilitates city services,
assists in developing disability-related policy, and provides training and technical
assistance to City departments, public, and private entities. The MOPD administers
the Pedestrian Accessibility Review Program to address sidewalk inaccessibility and
install ramps. The MOPD operates an assistance hotline for people with disabilities.
• The Houston Parking Commission has disability representation (see Section G).
Houston Parking Commission meetings are CART-captioned.
• The Mayor's Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities promotes
employment and provides scholarships for people with disabilities.
• Mayor White appointed a person with a disability to the Mayor's Wellness Council to
include people with disabilities within the Get Moving Houston campaign. The Get
Moving Houston logo includes people running, biking, and using a wheelchair.
• Users with disabilities on the "Friends of the Metropolitan MultiService Center" board
provide input on programs and services offered at that center(Section D).
• A committee of people with disabilities and City staff review parks to improve
disability access. (Section D).
• A similar committee reviews City parking facilities for access (Section G).
• A committee of people with disabilities and taxicab industry representatives provide
recommendations to increase taxicab access (Section D).
• A Home of Your Own Program administered by United Cerebral Palsy and Texas
HOYO helps Houstonians with disabilities own their own home.
• The City's ADA Coordinator ensures ADA compliance and provides training.
• The ILRU and the DBTAC Southwest ADA Center are headquartered in Houston.
Specialists provide ADA assistance to citizens via a hotline.
• The ADA Administrator for Housing Authority of Houston ensures that their services
and public hearings are accessible to persons with disabilities.
• The Mayor and City Council are disability-sensitive, with at least one Council
member having a self-disclosed disability. Council meetings are captioned.
City of Houston
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•
C-5. COMMUNICATING A WELCOMING ATTITUDE
The Houston MOPD provides information on accessibility for citizens and visitors via a
phone/TTY hotline, and offers a brochure with TTY listings that highlights City services
for citizens with disabilities, such as free of charge recreational facilities and airport
tours. Other information distributed to visitors and residents with disabilities includes:
• The 100% accessible Metropolitan Transit Authority (METRO) bus system, a fully-
accessible light rail system (METRO Rail), and a paratransit system (METROLift)
that provides pre-scheduled, curb-to-curb transportation for persons with disabilities
who cannot ride fixed-route bus service. www.ridemetro.orq
• Accessible museums include exhibits with "touch features"for blind persons at the
Museum of History, and LED boards for those with hearing loss and description
headsets for blind persons at the Museum of Natural Science.
• Accessible libraries, which include computers with screen readers and screen
enlargement features for people who are blind or have visual impairment.
• Accessible theaters that include captioning and assistive listening devices.
• The City's George R. Brown Convention Center and Downtown Tunnel System
maps contain accessibility information.
• Press releases from the Mayor's Office promote City disability-related events.
• Citizens can receive regular emails from the Mayor's CitizensNet on disability topics.
• www.houstontx.aov/disabilities: The Houston MOPD website describes the projects
and services of this office, as well as the Houston Commission on Disabilities.
• http://www.houstontx.gov/: The City homepage highlights current disability events.
• http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/adaptivereccenter.html: The Houston Parks and
Recreation Department's website provides information on fitness and recreational
opportunities available for people with disabilities. Other City department websites
also highlight services for citizens with disabilities.
• http://www.houstontx.aov/aacc/ada.html: The City ADA Coordinator's website
contains ADA grievance procedures and other information.
• www.cohdisabilitiesexpo.com: The Housing and Employment Resource Expo for
People with Disabilities was hosted by the City of Houston (see Section H for
details). Other promotions for this event included TV and radio spots, newspaper
ads, bus seat signs, and taxicab signbacks.
D. PROMOTING PARTICIPATION
D-1:
In 2005 and 2006, Mayor White hosted the 1st and 2"d Health and Wellness Town Hall
Meetings for People with Disabilities in collaboration with the Houston Parks and
Recreation Department (HPARD), Houston Commission on Disabilities (HCOD), and
the Mayor's Wellness Council. A number of initiatives have formed to promote
recreational and wellness opportunities for people with disabilities based upon the town
hall meeting feedback from citizens with disabilities:
• A new Adaptive Recreation Division was created within HPARD, which provides
accessible recreational opportunities such as beep ball, wheelchair tennis and
City of Houston
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basketball, power soccer, wheelchair skills course, aquatics therapy, and a blind
Dragon Boat team.
• The Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, built in 1989, was designed from the ground-
up specifically for and to address the needs of people with disabilities. This Center
includes a basketball gym, heated pool, weights room, meeting rooms, and houses
disability resource-providers. Recent improvements made at this center, now
operated by HPARD, include additional accessible weights equipment, expanded
recreational pool therapy hours, remodeled wheelchair-accessible tennis courts, and
a new custom accessible recreational trail will soon be added.
• A new advisory board was created, called the Friends of the Metropolitan Multi-
Service Center, so that users with disabilities are involved in the planning and
improvement of that center's programs and services.
• A new$330,000 fully accessible playground called "Playgrounds without Limits"was
constructed at Memorial Park in December '06 using funds raised through the City's
Parks Board, with additional inclusive playgrounds planned for other neighborhoods.
The HPARD continues to seek direct input from the disability community. A Parks
Master Plan meeting was held in May 2007 (with a follow-up in October 2007), in which the
disability community was specifically asked to provide input on access to recreational areas.
In addition, a Parks Advisory Review Committee consisting of people with a variety of
disabilities regularly accompanies HPARD staff to review a different park every month and
provides recommendations to HPARD to improve access/use by people with disabilities.
The goal is to go beyond legal requirements and make all parks and recreational areas
as user-friendly for people with disabilities as possible, such as by adding wheelchair-
accessible picnic tables or paving certain areas for easier access. To date, over 10
parks have been thoroughly reviewed, with improvements being made through funds
allocated at HPARD specifically for this purpose.
D-2:
The City of Houston includes people with disabilities in initiatives to improve
transportation and mobility options on issues ranging from accessible parking, taxicab
accessibility, sidewalk access, and public transportation. For example, while Houston is
recognized as a model with approximately 164 accessible taxicabs, the City is working
hand-in-hand with the disability community to further improve taxicab accessibility. In
February 2007, with input from the Houston Commission on Disabilities, the city
ordinance was changed in response to the disability community's concerns that taxicab
drivers were refusing trips to people with disabilities and service animals. The new
ordinance adds a penalty (suspension or revocation of a cabdriver's permit)for such trip
refusals. In August 2007, the City formed the ADA Taxicab Committee, consisting of
citizens with disabilities, taxicab industry representatives, city leaders, and the Mayor's
Office for People with Disabilities. This committee, which is part of a larger working
committee on taxicab issues, has an aggressive time-line set by city council members.
City Council will review three main recommendations set forth by the committee:
• Mandating disability sensitivity and customer service training for all taxicab drivers
upon permit application or renewal,
City of Houston
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• A provision to increase the number of accessible cabs currently in operation by
designating a number of cab permits for wheelchair-accessible cabs only,
• And an expansion to the existing ordinance that would expand the penalty for
refusing a trip to a citizen to all other drivers for hire (e.g. limousine drivers).
Another example of a transportation initiative that includes participation by people with
disabilities is a new state-of-the-art audible pedestrian traffic signals system (APS)that
will retrofit existing signals, and be added to new locations on an ongoing basis. The
Houston Commission on Disabilities and the MOPD provided input on the new APS
program. Also, leaders in the blind community were invited to physically test the
different signal options and to select the user-friendliest product. The new signals are
the product of their unanimous agreement. On October 13, 2007, Mayor White cut the
ribbon on the first of the new signals during an event hosted by the Houston Council for
the Blind in conjunction with White Cane Safety Day. The blind community will be able
to continue to provide input regarding the new signals as they are installed.
E. PROMOTING EMPLOYABILITY
E-1
In an effort to improve opportunities for people with disabilities to acquire and maintain
employment, the Mayors Committee for Employment of People with Disabilities, in
partnership with the Division of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS DBS/DRS),
The WorkSource, Career and Recovery, Houston Mayor's Office for People with
Disabilities (MOPD), the Lighthouse of Houston, and Houston Community College, held
its first Business Partnership Breakfast on August 15th. The breakfast was aimed at
increasing the awareness of employers in the Houston area about the many benefits of
hiring persons with disabilities. The goal was to host a function catered towards the
needs of businesses, and to build partnerships with these businesses to promote hiring
of qualified individuals with disabilities within a wide range of job and skill levels. A total
of 147 individuals attended the event (80 employers and the rest were area schools and
various community agencies). The highlight of the event was an interactive panel
discussion titled "How Businesses are Successful Hiring Individuals with Disabilities."
The panel consisted of 4 employers - Yellow Cab, TMC Orthopedic, Business
Enterprise of Texas, and METRO Public Transportation, and was moderated by EEOC
spokesman Joe Bontke. The panel provided discussion on their various experiences
hiring individuals with disabilities, accommodations, issues and resolutions, successes,
and incentives. Attendees completed a brief evaluation. Per the overwhelmingly positive
feedback, the Planning Committee is currently planning its next Business Partnership
Network event to address business hiring needs and disability issues, and will continue
to provide these events on a regular basis. A number of other initiatives are now in
process as a result of the Business Partnership Breakfast. For example, a company
called Jobing.com has teamed up with the MOPD, Mayor's Committee for Employment
of People with Disabilities, and DARS to promote hiring of people with disabilities
among Houston-area companies. One of the ways that Jobing.com is teaming up with
City of Houston
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these organizations is by featuring them at an ADA booth in their career expo, with
information and services for both employers and job-seekers with disabilities.
•
E-2
The City of Houston features a variety of initiatives designed to expand options for
persons with disabilities to maintain meaningful careers-whether in the private, non-
profit, or public sector, or as entrepreneurs. For example, the City of Houston hires
people with disabilities, and also encourages individuals with disabilities to become
entrepreneurs through the City's Persons with Disabilities Business Enterprise (PDBE)
program and the One Stop Business Center. Houston is one of only a handful of cities
with a PBDE program. These programs, run by the City's Affirmative Action and
Contract Compliance Division, provide information, technical assistance, and training to
individuals with disabilities interested in starting their own business and to individuals
already in business that want to become certified to do business with the City of
Houston. Information and resource tools for starting a PDBE business are available on
http://www.houstontx.gov/aacc/index.html, the City's Affirmative Action and Contract
Compliance website. Representatives of the One Stop Business Center target the
disability community by providing resource information and presentations on starting a
business at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center and at the Housing and Employment
Resource Expo for People with Disabilities. This Expo (further detailed in Section H)
included exhibitor booths of disability resource agencies and Houston-area employers
who wanted to hire qualified individuals with disabilities. The One Stop Business Center
also provides information on the Americans with Disabilities Act and state laws affecting
employment of, and public accommodations for people with disabilities.
The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD)and the Office of Affirmative
Action are further promoting entrepreneurship by partnering with Beyond Careers, a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization, as well as the Houston Center for Independent Living
and DARS, to offer Business Plan Writing Workshops for People with Disabilities.
Participants will compose a Business Plan for a prospective business they would like to
develop and implement, while participating in training workshops conducted by business
professionals. Upon completion of the workshops, participants can enter their business
plan into a competition to win prizes that will help them start up their own business.
Follow-up technical assistance will also be provided to the winners of the competition.
F. EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS
Houston includes people with disabilities in emergency preparedness and disaster
response planning processes. The City's Office of Emergency Management (OEM)
coordinates with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) and the City's
ADA Coordinator to ensure ADA compliance, and reaches out to the disability
community (including Houston Center for Independent Living and Houston Commission
on Disabilities)for help in communicating, drafting a plan of action, facilitating hurricane
evacuation services, and to provide hurricane preparedness presentations for those
with disabilities. Accommodations include large print Emergency Preparedness Guides,
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sign language emergency press releases, text crawlers for emergency preparedness
materials on the Municipal Channel, coordination with the National Weather Service to
provide signing and captioning at the 2007 Hurricane Conference, communicating with
the hearing loss community through the Houston Police Department Positive Interactive
Program (PIP), coordinating with Disaster Mental Health Disaster Crisis Response
Team, training the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)to include disability
issues, evaluating the OEM's website to increase accessibility for those with hearing
loss and visual impairments, and coordinating with other City departments and METRO
to provide transportation to people with disabilities or special medical needs in the event
of a "Heat Emergency". The MOPD was also part of the Joint Hurricane Housing Task
Force initiative created to address the needs of over 150,000 hurricane evacuees
residing in the Houston region. The MOPD also distributes disability-related hurricane
preparedness information to community agencies and citizens. The Public Health
Preparedness Bureau of the City Health Department also enlisted the Mayor's Office for
People with Disabilities to ensure that the facility, materials, and presentation for a Pan
Flu Epidemic Community Summit are accessible. This Community Summit will include
focus groups to seek input from people in the community, especially people with
disabilities, about needs and issues they may encounter in the event of a pan flu
epidemic. Follow-up focus groups will be held specifically for people with disabilities and
special medical concerns.
Further, the Houston-Galveston Area Council and Transtar are working with the
disability community at all phases of a project to improve hurricane preparedness and
evacuation communication and to promote 211 registration for people with disabilities or
medical concerns who might need assistance during a hurricane or evacuation effort.
During the first phase, project contractors worked with MOPD to identify key
organizations within the disability community. During the second phase, the contractors
conducted a presentation and information-gathering session during a convened meeting
of the Houston Commission on Disabilities. Focus groups of people with disabilities will
also be conducted to delve more deeply into specific types of assistance that may be
needed by this population. Issues to be addressed include accessibility of
preparedness, emergency response, and evacuation messages, accessibility of shelters
and public assistance areas, evacuation assistance, and other assistance such as
needing electricity to power ventilators and charge wheelchair batteries. Specific
segments of the disability community (e.g. persons with hearing loss, deafness, visual
impairment, special medical needs)will be targeted for input. During the next three
phases, a communication plan and media materials will be developed with further input
from the disability community.
G. INSPIRING OTHERS
The MOPD conducts extensive community outreach to share information about
successful initiatives created through collaboration with the disability community. For
example, MOPD staff regularly attends community meetings and provides
presentations, trainings, and materials to community organizations. Information is sent
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to agency list-serves such as United Way and the Governor's Committee for People
with Disabilities, which reaches communities throughout Texas. The Mayor issues
proclamations for disability events. Section C of this application describes websites,
press releases, and communications from the Mayor's Office. The MOPD also directly
communicates with other MOPD's, ADA Coordinators, and city leaders. For example,
the Disability Consultant for Paris, France traveled to Houston to meet with the MOPD,
and the MOPD Executive Director discussed best practices with a Paris Council
Member during her trip to France. Houston's parking initiatives are more specific
examples of how the City includes the disability community as a major stakeholder, and
then shares successes with other communities. Per ordinance, a seat on the Houston
Parking Commission is reserved for a representative of the disability community, and
others with disabilities regularly participate in committees on parking issues and provide
recommendations. Public hearings specifically invite disability community input. Among
the accomplishments that included participatory input from people with disabilities:
• A recent ordinance to boot a vehicle after one unpaid accessible parking ticket.
• Per ordinance, businesses applying for a valet parking permit must submit a plan to
accommodate people with disabilities (which can be rejected at any time).
• The addition of more accessible parking spaces in the downtown area.
• Stings conducted with police to confiscate illegal accessible parking placards.
• City/county coordination to prevent reissuance of confiscated parking placards.
• City parking facility reviews for accessibility and other issues by a committee that
includes a person with a disability. The focus is on user-friendliness, such as
additional signage, rather than just legal requirements.
• The Disabled Parking Volunteer Program was expanded to over 400 citizen
volunteers (many with disabilities) deputized to ticket accessible parking violators.
The Parking Management Division shares these initiatives with other cities via a web
forum for parking professionals. Also, the MOPD Executive Director and Parking
Management Director gave a presentation on parking accessibility to the Texas Parking
Association in 2005. On May 29, 2007, these best practices were highlighted nationally
when Houston Parking Management was named the "2007 Parking Organization of the
Year" by the International Parking Institute (IPI). The award was presented during an
annual International Parking Conference and Exposition in Florida, the largest meeting
of parking professionals held in the United States.
H. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities routinely partners with other
organizations on initiatives to help citizens with disabilities gain access to resources,
such as the 1st Annual Housing and Employment Resources Expo (HERE)for People
with Disabilities. This event was held on September 22nd, 2007, at a 130,000 square
foot exhibit hall at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Over 1000 were in
attendance. Hosted by the City of Houston and a coalition of more than 30 community
partners who recognized that citizens with disabilities face unique housing and
employment challenges, this event received the full support of federal, state, county and
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local dignitaries. The Expo featured over 100 exhibitor booths where people with
disabilities were able to meet with employers and representatives from housing or
employment-related resource agencies, as well as interview booths, workshops, a
resume review area, and a Kids' Zone. Workshop topics included: Work Incentives and
SSI/SSDI, Medicare/Medicaid; home ownership; entrepreneurship; home
accessibility/repair programs; landlord/tenant rights;job readiness; and affordable
housing. People with disabilities participated in the event planning and ensured full
accessibility for a variety of disabilities. For example, an induction loop system was
used at registration, in each workshop, and at the ADA/information booth. The
community partners are already planning for next year's Expo, and many have begun
various initiatives to carry on the success of the event, such as an MHMRA initiative to
promote integrated housing and competitive employment.
Another successful MOPD initiative was The Financial Empowerment Forum for People
with Disabilities, held in 2007 through a grant by the Real Economic Impact Tour
(National Disability Institute, Internal Revenue Service and Bank of America). Over 100
organizations came together to share resource information and promote economic
empowerment among people with disabilities by increasing access to tax credits,
financial education, and asset building. With the help of Houston Asset Building
Coalition, citizens received over$11,000,000 in earned tax credits, ranking Houston #3
nationally.
The MOPD also partners with for-profit organizations, such as the HELP Project with
Connectivity Source, which provided free hearing aid compatible and T4 and M4-rated
cell phones for people with hearing loss.
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