Harvard Commission on Disabilities Meeting Minutes 7/21/21 Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 850 0020 0281 Passcode: 753936 Called to Order at 4:00 pm by Davida Bagatelle Present: Davida Bagatelle, Toni Spacciapoli Approval of June 16, 2021 Meeting Minutes Old Business * Update on campaign to reach out to Harvard Boards and Commissions * Davida Bagatelle reached out to the Council on Aging for information regarding special programming introduced to address Covid vaccination for homebound residents. Toni Spacciapoli will speak to Deb Johnson, Director for Council on Aging to set a meeting date. * Discussion around prioritizing which Town committees and boards to contact and utilization of liaisons from the Select Board to help CoD determine which Town boards and commissions directly impact the community and our mission. This discussion included a description of the manner in which surrounding communities interact with town entities and conduct self-evaluations. Davida Bagatelle suggested extending an invitation to CoD liaison from the Select Board to assist CoD in this communication and schedule a meeting with the Town Administrator. * Davida Bagatelle shared information from a MOD webinar related to understanding effective communication for municipalities and businesses. Information from the webinar will help the Town improve communication accessibility. Discussed ways in which CoD can communicate ADA information and recommendations, including informational correspondence to boards and committees and articles/PSA in the press. * A suggestion was proposed by Davida Bagatelle to attend Acton’s CoD meeting to observe their operations. * Update on Outdoor Dining letter sent to restaurants in Town. * Email sent to Carlson’s Orchard and the General Store. * Toni Spacciapoli will hand deliver the letter and attachment to Sorrento’s. * Davida Bagatelle suggested that these restaurants may want to include a statement in their advertisements regarding their ability to provide accessibility for individuals with disabilities. * Update on MoD grant application proposal and discussion with Marie Sobalvarro * Grant period opens August 2 to October 1, 2021. Toni Spacciapoli informed Marie Sobalvarro that CoD will resubmit proposals for developing a new Transition Plan and Self-evaluation and a town survey. Marie Sobalvarro indicated that she will approach Jeff Hayes for design and cost for restroom accessibility at the Beach House. She will get back to CoD once this information is collected. The CoD will provide a letter supporting the renovation for submission by Marie Sobalvarro to the Select Board. * Discussion regarding the renovation of the Beach House for restroom accessibility and accessibility to the attractions at the town beach and the additional projects, i.e., survey and Transition Plan. * Discussion to research free ADA webinars for town employees. * Update on CoD membership recruitment. * Davida Bagatelle spoke to parents attending the SEPAC meeting. * Discussion to approach Harvard Press for an article about the current CoD and its mission to increase exposure. New Business * Presentation of Morphic App, which is still in pilot format. The Morphic App is similar to the bookmark feature on the computer. There is an accessibility bar to modify format and volume. Davida Bagatelle presented a trailer describing the app. * Shared information regarding adaptive recreational programming. Davida Bagatelle identified a program called Miracle League that operates from Nara Park in Acton. It begins September. She also mentioned a biking program (I Can) for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Davida Bagatelle will post information about the league and biking program on Next Door. Toni Spacciapoli suggested posting the Adaptive Recreational Program site created by MoD, as well. * Davida suggested approaching the Harvard Press about interviewing the Committee as a way to expose our presence in town and to share resources for individuals with disabilities. * Discussion about changing meeting time. It was decided to wait to change meeting time until we approach the Committee’s selectboard liaison. Next Steps * Toni will compose a letter supporting the Town’s proposal to renovate the Beach House for accessibility and to recommend/advise additional suggestions to improve accessibility at the Town Beach. Davida presented the ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities. Toni suggested placing this checklist on the Committee on Disabilities website and sharing with town officials. * Invite select board liaison and Community Education Director new hire to a future meeting. * Arrange a time to meet to write the MOD grant proposal. Davida will contact the Independent Living Center for updated information for the proposal. Next Meeting Date: September 15, 2021 4:00 PM ADJOURNMENT- Motion to adjourn at 5:17 PM Respectfully submitted, Toni Spacciapoli, Commission Secretary