2014 CODI ANNUAL REPORT--FINAL--4-30-15

The Anne Arundel County

Commission on Disability Issues

2014 Annual Report

Presented by:

Joelle M. Ridgeway, Chair

May 21, 2015

Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues—2014 Annual Report

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Anne Arundel County

Commission on Disability Issues

2014 Annual Report

Forward

The Commission on Disability Issues is pleased to present a summary of its

activities for the past year to County Executive Steven R. Schuh and the Anne

Arundel County Council.

In the following pages you will see that the Commission has been very active this

year. We have increased awareness in Anne Arundel County on disability issues

relating to facilities and services for residents with disabilities, and legislation

affecting people with disabilities. We have been a visible resource for those

seeking information through our attendance at community events and public

forums.

On behalf of the Commission, I want to take this opportunity to thank the County

Executive and the County Council for their continued support of this Commission

and disability issues. We look forward to continued progress in raising awareness

and reducing barriers in 2015.

Respectfully submitted,

Joelle M. Ridgeway

Chair


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Table of Contents

Executive Summary..…………………….……………………………………….……………….....4 History……………………..………………………………………………………………………….….……4 Purpose…………………….…………………………………………………………………………….…….5 Disability Statistics…………………………………………………………………………………………..5 2014 Membership…………………………………………………………………………………….………6 Key Impacts of the Commission……..…………………………………………………………………….8 Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Coordinator Report….......…..………..…....9 2014 Accomplishments…..……..………………………………………………………….….…….…..….9 2015 Goals………………..…..………………….........…….………………………………………….…..10

2014 Committees ………………………………………………….………….….…………………11 Executive Committee……………………………………………………………………………………...11 Accessibility, Architecture, and Housing Committee…………………………………………….…..12 Children, Education, and Recreation Committee………………………………………………….…..12 Legislative Matters Committee……………………………………………………..…………………....13 Membership Committee…………………………………………………………….…….…………….…14 Public Relations Committee………………………………………………………………………………15 Public Safety and Outreach Committee…………………………………………………………………17 Transportation Committee…………………………………………………………..………………….18 2014 Events ……………………………………………………………………………………………19 Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit………………………………………………………………………19 Disability Awareness Day (DAD)……………………………………………………………………….20 Tables Table 1: Anne Arundel County Residents with Disabilities…………………………………..……….5 Table 2: 2014 ADA Coordinator…………………………………………………………………..……….6 Table 3: 2014 Voting Members………………………………………………………………..……...…...6 Table 4: 2014 Ex-Officio Members………………………………………………….………......…..……7


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Executive Summary

History

The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) was established on April

20, 1995, by Executive Order under County Executive John Gary and re-promulgated by County

Executive Janet S. Owens on December 12, 2005. Subsequently, the Commission was codified

through Council Bill 57-06, which was introduced by Councilman C. Edward Middlebrooks and

signed into law on July 6, 2006 by County Executive Owens. The Bill became effective on

August 20, 2006, and the Commission has remained a strong, viable organization since that time.

In 2008—acting on a Commission recommendation—the County Administration introduced

legislation to broaden the scope of professional expertise on the Commission to encompass the

growing need for mental health services (1) as the population ages, and (2) as veterans return

from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Commission also recognized the importance of

bringing on experts with planning and permitting backgrounds and processes to help with

accessibility issues.

As a result of Commission recommendations, Council Bill 11-08 was introduced and

unanimously supported by the Council, and was signed into law on April 11, 2008. This bill

fostered collaboration between the Commission and (1) The Department of Inspections and

Permits, (2) The Office of Planning and Zoning, and (3) The Anne Arundel County Mental

Health Agency, Inc. This Bill further enabled the County Executive to appoint any agency or

entity in the future that is deemed appropriate.

Today, the Commission on Disability Issues has 21 voting members and more than 15 Ex-

Officio members. All voting and ex-officio members have been appointed by the County

Executive and regularly participate in Commission activities.


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Purpose

The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues promotes and enhances the quality

of life for persons with disabilities by advising the County Executive and the County Council on

the coordination and development of government policies, programs, services, and the allocation

of resources for persons with disabilities. In addition, the Commission proposes means to meet

the needs of persons with disabilities.

Disability Statistics

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disability is a physical or mental

impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities. Obtaining accurate disability

statistics is often difficult because figures are derived from individuals who choose to report that

they have a disability. Many aging individuals do not consider progressive health issues to be

disabilities—when, in fact, they are—but rather a natural part of the aging process. Therefore,

reported totals may be underrepresented. Table 1 outlines reported County disability statistics.

Table 1: Anne Arundel County Residents with Disabilities

Total

Disabled

Population

Under 5

Years of Age 5-17 Years 18-64 Years 65+ Years

All Areas of

Difficulty 48,569 379 3,846 25,727 18,617

Hearing Difficulty 13,332 324 158 5,509 7,341

Vision Difficulty 6,943 80 491 3,185 3,187

Cognitive Difficulty 18,320 -- 3,265 10,022 5,033

Ambulatory

Difficulty 26,113 -- 406 13,285 12,422

Self Care Difficulty 9,173 -- 798 4,328 4,047

Note: The numbers in this chart may not add up because some individuals have more than one area of difficulty.

Source: Dr. Jinlene Chan, M.D., M.P.H., Public Health Officer, Anne Arundel County, February 26, 2013.


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2014 Membership

ADA Coordinator

The ADA Coordinator serves as the Advisor to the Commission on Disability Issues, and is the

liaison to the County Executive for Commission issues, policy, and legislation. The ADA

Coordinator (Table 2) works in conjunction with the Commission, as well as all county agencies

to reduce and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities.

Table 2: 2014 ADA Coordinator

Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and

Disabilities ADA Coordinator Jill Bezek

Voting Members

Voting members are appointed by the County Executive and enjoy a three year term. Table 3

lists the 2014 Voting Membership roster.

Table 3: 2014 Voting Members

Joelle Ridgeway—Chair

Joanna Clark—Vice Chair

Mary Ann Sabo—Vice Chair

Beverly Rambo Bolling Haxall

Debra Luzietti-Myers L. Denise Portis

Donna Webb Ginger Palmer

Iris Littig Jeanne Elion

Kate Rollason Marsha Dryden

Mary De Angelo Nancy Jenkins

Richard Scordo

Susan Howarth

Jane Sinclair Jessica Yeager

Colleen O’Neill Yanchulis

Geoffrey Riefe


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Ex-Officio Members

Ex-Officio members are also appointed by the County Executive and represent County, City,

State, and other agencies. Table 4 lists the 2014 roster of Ex-Officio Members.

Table 4: 2014 Ex-Officio Members

Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and

Disabilities

Karla Schaffer

Anne Arundel County Board of Education

Mary Tillar

Alternate—Linda Donahue

Anne Arundel County Community College

Terry Clay

Anne Arundel County Council

Chris Trumbauer Alternate—Janice Hayes–Williams

Anne Arundel County Department of Health

Susanne Boyle

Anne Arundel County Department of Inspections

and Permits

Ivan Candelaria

Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency

Frank Sullivan

Alternate—Phyllis Mutlu

Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and

Zoning

Michael Mettle

Anne Arundel County Police Department

Lieutenant Dan Rodriguez

Anne Arundel County Public Library System

Dana Newman

Anne Arundel County Department of Public

Works

Greg Africa

Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation

and Parks

Wendy Scarborough

Anne Arundel County Department of Social

Services

Jan Holland

City of Annapolis

Mayor Mike Pantelides Alternate—Maria Broadbent

City of Annapolis City Council

Alderwoman Sheila Finlayson Alternate—Hilary Roggio-Raftovich

Maryland Division of Rehabilitation Services

(DORS) Yvonne R. Kranitz


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Key Impacts of the Commission

In 2014, The Commission on Disability Issues made major impacts on the lives of individuals

with disabilities and their families. Here are a few key highlights:

The Commission held its third annual Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit in partnership

with The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County—exclusively featuring County residents

with disabilities.

The Commission held its 7th

successful Disability Awareness Day event in partnership

with Westfield Annapolis—raising awareness and promoting services for persons with

disabilities.

The Commission evaluated and advised on all relevant ADA Title III Compliance issues.

The Commission coordinated and advised County departments and agencies on all

relevant accessibility issues.

The Commission supported many bills during the 2014 General Assembly Session, seven

(7) of which passed both the House and Senate and have been signed by the Governor.

The Commission provided training on disability issues to police cadets at the Anne

Arundel County Police Academy. We videotaped our presentations and will be adding

other videos in 2015, encompassing as many different disabilities as possible.

In 2015, we will continue to rigorously pursue these key critical elements to advocate for and

enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.


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Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator Report

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Program is mandated by the U.S. Department of

Justice, and requires any local government or other public entity of 50 or more employees to

establish an ADA Coordinator position. The ADA Coordinator works in conjunction with all

county agencies to reduce and eliminate barriers for individuals with disabilities, so that all

persons of any ability can participate in government in a meaningful way—free of

discrimination.

Anne Arundel County’s ADA Program ensures that all county government programs, facilities,

buildings, services, and employment issues are in compliance with Title II of the Americans with

Disabilities Act, as mandated by the U.S. Department of Justice. Additionally, the ADA

Coordinator position has expanded to include:

Mediation of compliance issues under Title III and Federal Fair Housing regulations.

Oversight of all Commission on Disability Issues (CODI) policy and legislative

recommendations to the Administration.

Support and advise on access issues to all required county agencies, and provide courtesy

advice to the general public on non-Title II issues.

2014 Accomplishments

1. Commission and County Collaboration on Title II Requests—Continued collaboration

between the Commission and County Departments for the purpose of fostering disability

awareness, compliance, and change. Specific activities include:

Promoting inclusion programs with the Department of Recreation and Parks.

Participating in the training of new police cadets.

Advising the Board of Elections regarding access issues at polling stations.

Receiving continuing education from the State Highway Administration Projects.


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Reviewing Public Works projects for new developments and capital improvements.

2. Title III ADA Compliance—evaluated and advised the general public on all relevant ADA

Compliance issues.

3. Accessible Conference Room—continued to enhance the County’s fully accessible meeting

and conference room with (1) the addition of a podium, and (2) the installation of donated works

of art from the Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit.

2015 Goals

Enhance communication technology by reviewing hardware and software purchases for

use in the Independence Conference Room, as appropriate:

o ZOOM software

o DRAGON software

o Other relevant products

Continue funding requests for Smart Board Technology.

Make work sessions available to all county staff on how to make documents accessible to

the public.

Introduce and implement closed captioning on the County television programs.

Provide in-service education to all departments in the County regarding accessibility.

Enhance collaboration with the ADA Coordinator from the City of Annapolis.


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2014 Committees

Executive Committee

Accessibility, Architecture, and Housing Committee

Children, Education, and Recreation Committee

Legislative Matters Committee

Membership Committee

Public Relations Committee

Public Safety and Outreach Committee

Transportation Committee

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is the governing arm of the Commission. The Executive Committee

meets monthly to gain consensus on issues which are often elevated from the other committees

and decides how to communicate them to the appropriate parties. During 2014, the Executive

Committee was responsible for making recommendations to the County Administration on many

issues, including:

Membership appointments

Transportation issues

Legislative matters

Commission event planning

The Executive Committee planned and held a retreat where Commissioners participated in a

strategic planning session.

The Executive Committee ensured that a review of By-laws was completed in 2014.


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Accessibility, Architecture, and Housing Committee


Reviewed the contractual process project plans for the Department of Public Works snow

removal service.

Reviewed local businesses for accessibility.

Recommended businesses for the Commission’s Employer of the Year Award, given at

Disability Awareness Day.

Worked to resolve a complaint about the Hillman Parking Garage in Annapolis.

2015 Goals

Review Capital Improvement Plans submitted for review to ensure ADA compliance.

Investigate complaints from citizens concerning commercial projects.

Develop informational brochures on accessibility and ADA compliance for citizens and

businesses in Anne Arundel County.

Explore ways to educate the public and government agencies about the need to make sites

and facilities accessible to people with disabilities.

Children, Education, and Recreation Committee


Compiled SWOT (Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threat) analysis from a forum of

county agencies, which established a network of invested stakeholders for transitioning

youth with disabilities.

Completed a review of materials currently available for transitioning youth who may

potentially slip through the cracks of programs and services that are bound by age

requirements.

Created a simplified brochure for the Transitional Youth affected population.


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2015 Goals

Develop ways to promote and develop more opportunities for young adults within the

Recreation and Parks programs.

Continue to find ways to educate and help our transitioned youth in the county.

Continue to work on our goals established from the forum with the Board of Education.

Legislative Matters Committee


During the Maryland General Assembly session from January to April, the Committee:

o Reviewed eleven (11) Legislative Bills (and the corresponding bills if they were

cross filed) that impacted the lives of individuals with disabilities. The

Committee’s position on each bill was presented to the Commission, and the

Commission agreed with the Committee’s position on the bills.

o Sent the Commission’s positions on the following two (2) bills to the County

Government Relations Officer for approval:

SB0103—Public Health Programs for Children–Renaming and Modernization

HB0109 Cross-filed with SB0048—Election Law–Polling Places–

Accommodations for Disabled Voters

The County Government Relations Office supported the Commission’s positions. The

Commission members were able to testify/write a letter/contact a legislator on behalf of

the Commission on these two bills.

Sent a letter to the Health and Government Operations Committee on behalf of the

Commission requesting that they support SB0103.

Of the eleven (11) bills the Commission took a position on, seven (7) of the bills passed

both the House and Senate and have been signed into law by the Governor.


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2015 Goals

Review, comment, track, and report to the Commission the status of bills proposed by

Anne Arundel County, State, and Federal legislation that affects people with disabilities.

Forward bills to the County Government Relations Officer for approval. Once approved,

the Commission will support approved bills through various means such as written

communication, electronic communication, phone, and written and/or oral testimony.

Redevelop Access for All Anne Arundel, a program developed by the Commission several

years ago that focused on requiring all new housing to be accessible. This year we would

like to rename the program Access Anne Arundel, and focus on accessibility features

installed in existing residential housing that improves accessibility for persons of all ages.

Membership Committee


New voting member recommendations were made to the County Executive after

interviews were conducted by the Membership Committee. Jane Sinclair, Jessica Yeager,

and Colleen O’Neill Yanchulis were subsequently appointed.

Continued the Commission’s close working relationship with the Police Department.

Added Sgt. Casey Stidham to the current police officers working with the Commission.

Added Maria Broadbent as a new Alternate of Annapolis Mayor Mike Pantelides.

Added Linda Donahue as a new Alternate for Mary Tillar from the Anne Arundel County

Board of Education.

2015 Goals

Continue to recruit, evaluate, and interview potential voting members for the

Commission as vacancies occur.


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Public Relations Committee


Promotion—helped promote various Commission events, such as 2014 Disability

Awareness Day, the 2014 Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit and Opening Night

Reception, the Holiday Sharing Program, and the DAD Volunteer Hall of Fame

application process and Hall of Fame Induction. Promotional efforts included creating

press releases, brochures, and other marketing materials, as well as conducting radio and

television interviews. The Public Relations Committee also supported the ADA

Coordinator on Commission outreach efforts.

Marketing Materials—reviewed Commission marketing materials as needed, such as

business cards, brochures, and press releases. Created the questionnaire response and

advised the Commission on supporting attachments for the DAD Volunteer Hall of Fame

application, which resulted in DAD receiving the Volunteer Hall of Fame Legacy Award

and induction into the Volunteer Hall of Fame on November 13, 2014.

Editorial Consulting Services—provided writing, editing, and strategic communications

consulting services as needed to effectively market and promote the Commission.

Documents include the Annual Report, the DAD Hall of Fame application, press releases,

brochures, web site, and social media.

Photography Database—photographed all Commission events and created a photo

database for use with Commission marketing materials, press releases, event promotion,

Facebook page, and web site. Recommended and advised on all photographs used for

Commission marketing and promotional purposes.

Facebook Page—created a Commission Facebook Page, complete with photos, event

announcements, press releases, and disability community information. This tool gives

Commission a brand new way to promote its services and events, and to quickly get its

message out to a wide range of people through social media.

Technology Planning—assisted and advised on Commission technology planning for

the Independence Conference Room, including recommendations for Smart Board and

iPad technologies.


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2015 Goals

Promotion—continue to promote the Commission in the community and the media.

Continue to support the ADA Coordinator in all efforts related to promoting the

Commission.

Marketing Materials—provide editorial and strategic guidance for Commission

marketing and promotional materials, including brochures, annual report, press releases,

and ad hoc requests.

Editorial Consulting Services—continue to provide writing, editing, and strategic

communications consulting services as needed to effectively market and promote the

Commission.

Photography Database—continue to photograph all Commission events, update photo

database, and advise on all photographs used for Commission marketing and promotional

purposes.

Facebook Page—update Commission Facebook Page as needed with Commission

photos, press releases, and event announcements.

LinkedIn Group—develop a Commission LinkedIn Group that features press releases,

event announcements, and news items of interest to the disability community.

Technology Planning—continue to assist and advise the Commission on technology

planning for the Independence Conference Room, Commission events, and Commission

outreach efforts.

Outreach Events—work with the Executive Committee to develop an improved solution

for staffing Commission outreach events.


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Public Safety and Outreach Committee


Provided training on disability issues to police cadets at the Anne Arundel County Police

Academy at two separate training sessions held by the Police Department. We videotaped

our presentations and will be adding other videos in 2015. The goal is to provide a

standard training video that will include presentations by Commissioners for as many

different disabilities as possible. Our presenters discuss their disabilities and potential

problems that may occur in the field when police officers encounter people with these

types of disabilities.

The Anne Arundel Fire Department (AAFD) has expressed interest in working with our

Committee. We plan to provide AAFD training during 2015.

Met with Anne Arundel County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team, and we will be

combining their training with ours.

Met with the Maryland Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals

with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Part of this Commission’s mandate is to

develop training for police departments. We will ensure that our training is combined and

compatible with theirs.

2015 Goals

Continue to provide training for the Anne Arundel County Police Academy.

Provide training to the Anne Arundel Fire Department and the Annapolis City Police.

Videotape training presentations to achieve a comprehensive and complete video record

to be used in future trainings.

Develop questions for the upcoming police cadet survey.

Combine training with Anne Arundel County’s Mobile Crisis Response Team and the

Maryland Commission for Effective Community Inclusion of Individuals.


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Transportation Committee


Worked to resolve commercial parking problems and improve handicapped signage at (1)

Hillman Parking Garage in Annapolis, and (2) Annapolis Towne Center.

Investigated Parking Mobility in Austin, Texas—designed by handicapped individuals to

discourage people from parking illegally in handicapped spaces. The Committee

determined this program would not be viable here in Anne Arundel County due to

differing laws and personnel constraints.

Continued to ride and monitor the MTA Light Rail for changes or discrepancies in

accessibility. The Committee is currently recommending to MTA that Plexiglas®

material be installed around the railings at all Light Rail stations with high blocks to

protect riders from the elements. This solution would serve as an alternative to overhead

covers, which cannot be installed at high blocks. We will continue to pursue this issue.

2015 Goals

Improve transportation accessibility.

Locate deficient stops/areas of transportation.

Investigate enforcement of handicap parking violations.

Continue to pursue adding Plexiglas® material around all MTA Light Rail stations with

high blocks.


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2014 Events

Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit The Anne Arundel County Commission on Disability Issues—in partnership with The Arts

Council of Anne Arundel County—planned, implemented, and hosted the Commission’s third

annual Artists Without Limits Art Exhibit. The exhibit featured works of art by Anne Arundel

County residents with various disabilities, and was displayed in the Arundel Center Lobby.

We kicked off the exhibit with an Opening Night reception on May 15, 2014. Over 100 people

attended the reception, including artists, families and friends, Anne

Arundel County employees, partners, County Council members,

State Legislators, and Commission members. The reception featured

an awards ceremony held in the County Council Chambers, with

Executive Citations given out to all of the exhibiting artists.

This third annual art exhibit ran from May 15 to July 15, 2014, and

has grown substantially each year. There were 32 works of art

created by 26 county artists. We secured artwork donations from 12

of the artists for display in The Independence Room.

About half of the artists were “repeat artists,” and many of them have exhibited with us every

year since the exhibit’s inception. Each year, families and teachers tell us how important this

exhibit is to the artists, how they look forward to submitting work each Spring, and what a big

impact being part of the exhibit and being honored at the Opening Night Reception makes on

their lives. We are currently in the process of planning the 2015 exhibit.


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Disability Awareness Day (DAD) Disability Awareness Day (DAD) was held at the Westfield Annapolis Mall on Saturday,

October 25, 2014. Twenty-nine exhibitors displayed information about a variety of public and

private services, advocacy, and products of interest to individuals with disabilities.

The event included awards and executive citations, a demonstration by Fidos for Freedom, and

entertainment by The Harbour School and Garland Cox.

Pamela A. Jordan, Director of the Department of Aging and Disabilities, opened the day with

award presentations. The recipient of the 2014 DAD Honoree Award was Chesapeake Region

Accessible Boating (CRAB), a non-profit organization founded in 1991. CRAB is dedicated to

making the recreational, educational, and therapeutic benefits of sailing a reality for physically

and/or developmentally challenged individuals and their families—regardless of their financial

circumstances. CRAB strives to foster a lifelong love of sailing among its program participants.

The Commission presented awards in six categories:

Accessibility

Employer of the Year

Faith-Based

Leadership

Public Service

Veterans Services

The sound system was provided through a new partnership with Bose. This was the seventh year

the Commission partnered with Westfield Annapolis to host the event, and it has proven to be a

great location for DAD. We look forward to partnering with them next year.

2014 CODI ANNUAL REPORT--FINAL--4-30-15

Documents

Transcript of 2014 CODI ANNUAL REPORT--FINAL--4-30-15