City of Joliet Committee on Citizens with Disabilities met Sept. 19.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
Present Gary Jones, Kim Hudgens, Pam Heavens, Sherry Voight, Billie Jo Adams, Steven Voight, Chairperson Tony Arellano and Veronica Pollard
ROLL CALL
Present Gary Jones, Kim Hudgens, Pam Heavens, Sherry Voight, Billie Jo Adams, Steven Voight, Chairperson Tony Arellano and Veronica Pollard
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Veronica Pollard, to approve the Committee on Citizens with Disabilities July 18, 2023 minutes. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Jones, Hudgens, Heavens, Voight, Adams, Voight, Chairperson Arellano and Pollard
CITIZENS TO BE HEARD ON AGENDA ITEMS
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Committee members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
None.
LIBRARY PRESENTATION ADA
Ms. Megan Millen, Executive Director of Joliet Public Library, and Mr. Joe Masters, Operations Manager of Joliet Public Library, appeared before the Committee with a presentation regarding accessibility at the Joliet Public Library.
Mr. Arellano inquired about books for learning disabled people. Ms. Millen responded they have books in dyslexic font.
Ms. Hudgens asked if there is any specific librarian that she should seek out to assist with finding audio books etc. Ms. Millen responded.
Ms. Pollard asked about resources for deaf or hard of hearing people. Ms. Millen responded. Mr. Voight suggested maybe some of the employees could take a class in sign language.
Mr. Arellano suggested the members of the committee visit the library and then have a follow-up with Ms. Millen after using the resources made available to them.
NEW OR OLD BUSINESS, NOT FOR FINAL ACTION OR RECOMMENDATION
Mr. Sean Mikos, Deputy Director of Public Works, gave an update since the last meeting regarding the ADA transition plan for the public right-of-way access.
There was discussion regarding the sidewalks.
Mr. Jones asked if there were any plans of putting in a new sidewalk from Infantry to Essington Road along Jefferson Street on the south side. Mr. Mikos responded it is a state highway so he would need to check with them.
Mr. Arellano spoke about a law that was passed in 2010 making it mandatory for schools to teach disability history. To this day he does not see one school teaching disability history. He mentioned a site on the computer called www.disabilityhistory.org.
Ms. Pollard spoke about the need for more accommodations.
PUBLIC COMMENT
This section is for anyone wanting to speak regarding non-agenda items and are allowed a maximum of 4 minutes. It is not a question and answer period and staff, and the Committee members do not generally respond to public comments. The City Clerk has a copy of the public speaking procedures; please note, speakers who engage in conduct injurious to the harmony of the meeting shall be called to order by the Presiding Officer and may forfeit the opportunity to speak.
None.
ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Steven Voight, seconded by Kim Hudgens, to adjourn. The motion carried by the following vote:
Aye: Jones, Hudgens, Heavens, Voight, Adams, Voight, Chairperson Arellano and Pollard
https://joliet.legistar1.com/joliet/meetings/2023/9/1954_M_Committee_on_Citizens_with_Disabilities_23-09-19_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
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