12/4-5/07 - Quarterly Meeting

MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT

The Governor's Commission on Disabilities announces a public meeting to which all persons are invited.

DATE AND TIME
Meeting: December 4, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
and December 5, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

Public Comment: December 4, 2007 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

PLACE
Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, FL 32819, 407.996.9939.

GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED
The Commission is meeting to advance public policy for Floridians with disabilities and to provide a forum for advocates representing Floridians with disabilities to develop and voice unified concerns and recommendations as mandated in Executive Order 07-148.

A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Stacia Woolverton, 877.232.4968 or via email: commission@dms.myflorida.com.

Alternative formats, assistive listening devices, American Sign Language interpreters, and real time captioning will be provided for persons with disabilities. Should you require accommodations other than those being provided to participate in this workshop/meeting, please advise the agency at least 4 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Stacia Woolverton, 877.232.4968 or via email: commission@dms.myflorida.com. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

Please be advised that if you intend to provide materials to the Commissioners for review, the materials must be available in alternative formats in advance of dispersal to the Commissioners.

DRAFT AGENDA - DECEMBER 4, 2007

DRAFT AGENDA - DECEMBER 5, 2007

This is a draft agenda and is subject to change at the discretion of the Members.

MINUTES - DECEMBER 4, 2007

• The Standing Committees of the Commission: Transportation, Independent Living, Education and Employment, met separately prior to the full Commission meeting.
• The Chair, Lance Block, called the meeting to order; Susan Counts, Acting Director, called the roll. 17 members were present, establishing a quorum.
• Chairman Block informed the Members that the Governor had amended the Executive Order to include representatives from the Division of Blind Services and the Division of Emergency Management. The Governor’s Appointments Office is accepting applications for the additional Commission seats.
• Chairman Block highlighted Member decisions from the first meeting including the Committee format.
• A motion to accept the previous meeting minutes was made; the motion passed unanimously.
• The Members discussed pending business including the role of disability champions, by-laws, and hiring facilitators and/or report writers.
• Commissioners moved that staff is to seek approval from the Governor’s Office to procure the services of a facilitator/report writer to assist Committees, as well as the full Commission, in fulfilling the July 1, 2008 report requirement of the Executive Order. The motion was seconded, and passed.
• The Members also discussed pending business related to adding more committees.
• Barbara Butz, with the Partnership for Health and Work presented information about providing people with disabilities who receive Medicaid the ability to work without losing health care coverage. 39 states have adopted an option created in 1999 by the federal government “Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Act.” This is also known as the “Medicaid Buy-In” approach; people with disabilities that participate pay a portion of their Medicaid premium. Ms. Butz stated that about 30 Florida agencies have participated in discussions with the Partnership for Health and Work regarding the “Buy-In” approach. Several Commissioners responded with statements of support for the “Buy-In” idea. The Partnership will be proposing legislation in the 2008 Session to adopt the plan. Her group estimates with a 1.3 million appropriation, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) could enroll 1,000 participants.
• A Commissioner moved to create a legislative action pool for member review and possible recommendations to the Governor at the February 2008 Commission meeting. Motion passed.
• Commissioner Chip Wilson described his new position with the Division of Emergency Management. He is the Statewide Disability Coordinator and will be working with government agencies, people with disabilities and others in preparation for activities before, during and after disasters.
• Samme Ripley, the Orange County ADA Coordinator discussed her responsibilities and the role the Orange County Disability Advisory Board plays in achieving ADA compliance in the region. The County Board is supporting the Personal Care Attendant bill and the bill for the certification of sign language interpreters.
• Each Committee Chair, or designee, updated the Commissioners on the status of their respective Committee’s work.
• Randy Ellsworth and John Moore addressed the Commission about findings of the Florida Coordinating Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (FCCDHH) and advised Commissioners to use any statistics or other information contained in the Council’s reports for the Commission Report.
• Commissioner Ken Littlefield spoke to the other members about the role of his agency, the Statewide Advocacy Council, and the language regarding the Council outlined in the Executive Order. The Council is to incorporate the Clearinghouse on Disability Information and assist the Commission in implementation of initiatives.
• Mr. Littlefield solicited comments from the Commission as to how to partner with the Council as required in the Executive Order. Members suggested having the Council serve as a conduit of information for the Commission and the Committees would be appropriate for the Council’s partnership role.
• The Commissioners heard public comment.
• Meeting recessed at 6:50 p.m.

MINUTES - DECEMBER 5, 2007

• The Chair called the meeting to order; the Acting Director called roll; a quorum was established.
• The Commission heard public comment from a speaker who was unable to stay yesterday during the scheduled Public Comment time. The speaker worked for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and wanted to share information with the Commission about IRS services provided for people with disabilities.
• Members discussed yesterday’s Public Comments. Suggestions included having staff send thank you notes to the speakers, scheduling time at lunch hour for Comment period, staff providing a brief summary document of speaker comments, and speaker protocol.
• Elena Anderson from the University of Florida explained a federal grant program recently awarded to her Department – the Florida Disability and Health Project. The project focuses on preventative health care for people with disabilities versus able-bodied people as well as other areas of concern. Members commented the statistics being gathered by the Project staff could be useful to the Commission.
• Pat Gleason, Director of Cabinet Affairs in the Governor’s Office, addressed Commissioners regarding accessibility of state records and public meetings for people with disabilities.
• A motion was made regarding expectations for the Committees at the February meeting: the Committee reports should include the recommendations they are making for the report, and a list of priorities for future projects should the Executive Order be extended. The motion passed.
• A motion to create a Committee to research civil rights issues for Floridians with disabilities followed the preceding motion. After member debate, the Chair and other interested Members decided to form an Ad Hoc Committee for Civil Rights.
• The Members moved that each Committee determine the need to choose Vice-Chairs. The motion passed.
• The Members debated dates and locations for a February 2008 meeting.
• Correspondence addressed to the Commission was forwarded to the appropriate Committee for response.
• Barbara Cain, Director of the Clearinghouse on Disability Information advised the Commission about the Clearinghouse and the responsibilities and tasks performed by the Program.
• Meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.