[Access] Minutes for Nov. 6th meeting

[Lucinda Pitcairn]

Below, at last, are the "minutes" for our meeting, with thanks to David 
for his notes on the last bit. Please let me know of any oversights, 
mistakes, etc.   Cindy

Notes from the Accessibility Group/ /Meeting

Tuesday, November 6, 2007

_Present_ : d. maria, Leslie Gilbert, David Gilmartin, Jeanne-Marie 
Moore, Mary Otten, Cindy Pitcairn, Ken Ross

Candle-lighting and words by David Gilmartin were followed by brief 
check-ins.

The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.

_Liaison with Facilities Council. _ Ken Ross introduced himself as the 
liaison member with the Facilities Council (FC) and presented a list of 
items the FC has completed, is in the process of doing, or plans to do 
in the future in response to accessibility concerns. Already completed 
are the new concrete pathway to the lower level, the installation of an 
ADA-compliant toilet in one of the lower level bathrooms, a storage box 
for Braille hymnals, and two new restricted parking spaces. In process 
is the installation of a new ADA-compliant toilet in a one of the 
bathrooms on the upper level. Ken asked for further explanation of how 
recessed door hinges work and said the FC would look into installing them.

Some discussion ensued concerning the lighting of the pathway at night 
and it was agreed that it is the upper part of the path that needs 
lights. The FC will look into the possibility of a solar light on a 
post. After discussing ways to make it possible for a wheelchair to gain 
access to the parking lot for loading onto a van after a service (when 
no curbside space is available for a van to pull into), it was decided 
that Leslie Gilbert and Ken Ross would meet separately to find a 
solution to this problem, if possible.

_Committee Proposal._ Cindy Pitcairn reported that the latest version of 
a proposal for an Accessibility Committee would be considered by the 
UUCE Board at its November 8th meeting and approval seemed likely.

_Installation Ceremony._ Jeanne-Marie Moore has contacted Rev. Steve 
Landale to ascertain that he prefers First Christian Church for his 
installation ceremony, and Mary Otten has contacted Suzanne Whaley, head 
of the Installation Task Force, concerning input from our committee. As 
a result, Leslie Gilbert and Cindy Pitcairn joined the task force on 
October 25th for a tour of First Christian Church. Although the church 
presents a variety of accessibility challenges, advanced planning and 
communications can alleviate most of them. A report on the visit by 
Cindy Pitcairn is appended.  Mary will contact Suzanne about our 
concerns and suggestions.

_Communications._ Mary Otten has contacted our webster, Martha Osgood, 
concerning an access-listserv once we are a committee and have 
sufficient subscribers (8-10). Cindy Pitcairn reported she had contacted 
Martha on the establishment of a committee web page, to include 
accessibility tips and other educational material. Those present 
supported having a place on the UUCE website for accessibility 
information. David Gilmartin suggested exploring whether it would make 
sense for it to be combined with stuff from Welcoming Congregations 
(Interweave), Membership, or other committees.

_Interaction with Other Committees._ d. maria said Nisco Junkins, 
Membership, would like to see people with disabilities as greeters at 
Sunday services. Jeanne-Marie Moore felt strongly that the Shared Values 
Task Force of the Building Project Oversight Committee was an important 
group through which to influence the future of the church, and that she 
planned to become involved there.

_Accessibility Representation at UUA_. David Gilmartin and Mary Otten 
reported that Arthur Tackman and CJ McGregor, representing people with 
disabilities, were added to the Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation 
Committee by the UUA Board of Trustees. In response to many expressed 
concerns, the Board, later next year, according to Tom Loughrey, PSWD 
Trustee, "will be inviting leadership of this committee to meet with us 
to discuss specifically how the committee is handling issues of 
accessibility as part of its new charge."

In view of time constraints, the remaining agenda item of discussing 
committee objectives and tasks for the coming year was postponed until 
the next meeting, Tuesday, December 4th, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.

The meeting adjourned.

/ Cindy Pitcairn, scribe/
lucindap at comcast.net



ADDENDUM: _Report on Installation Task Force Field Trip_, First 
Christian Church, October 25, 2007

Attending: Suzanne Whaley, Rachel Cummings, Julia Knowles, Bonnie 
Romane, Leslie Gilbert, Cindy Pitcairn

The Installation service for Rev. Steve Landale as minister of UUCE is 
scheduled for 4 pm on January 27, 2008 at the First Christian Church, 
1166 Oak Street, Eugene. This is an older church and presents several 
challenges in regard to accessibility.

The major accessibility problem lies in getting into the sanctuary, 
which is above street level. There is a wide set of stairs facing Oak 
and leading into the sanctuary for the able-bodied. Electric wheelchairs 
will need to go up the ramp into the more modern administrative building 
attached to the sanctuary. The door at the top of the ramp will need to 
be unlocked. Once inside this building, there is a /very/ /long, narrow 
/passageway, with some turns, into the sanctuary. Signs and guides to 
indicate the way to the sanctuary will help.

The ramp is too steep for easy access by manual wheelchair. Those using 
manual wheelchairs, as well as those with walkers, canes, crutches, weak 
knees or hips, or unsteady on their feet, should use the very small 
elevator located on the north side of the sanctuary building. The door 
to this entrance will need to be unlocked. This elevator holds no more 
than three standing people. It will not hold electric wheelchairs. (In 
my opinion, anyone using the elevator should have another person 
accompany them for safety's sake and moral support in case of elevator 
failure.)Near the elevator there is another flight of inside steps.

Maps, signs, advance publicity, and on-site guides would all help people 
find the appropriate entrance.

The sanctuary has adequate space, segregated into two areas, for the 
number of wheelchairs used in our congregation. (Whether there is 
adequate seating for all who might attend the service is another question.)

The sanctuary has a certain old-fashioned charm to it and a distinctly 
Christian feel, with a cross and stained glass windows. However, it also 
has a large peace flag and with emblems of our own, perhaps our banner, 
it will feel more UU.

Men's and women's bathrooms are located in a narrow hall adjacent to the 
sanctuary. They each have a handicap-accessible stall. The bathrooms are 
small and probably can accomodate no more than two or three at a time 
(still, better than the situation at UUCE).

There is a raised platform along one side of the sanctuary where tea and 
coffee and hand-held food can be served for the reception after the 
service. People can either mingle in the crowd on the refreshment dais 
or sit in the pews to enjoy their refreshments, but this would not 
provide a very sociable set-up for a reception. There is a large social 
hall in the basement, but the only access to it will be by stairs or the 
very small elevator. Those in electric wheelchairs will not be able to 
attend a reception there.

There are advantages to the use of this church for the installation. It 
is in a central location in downtown Eugene. Parking behind the church 
and in adjacent lots should be adequate. The minister of the church, Dan 
Bryant, is an outstanding religious leader in Eugene and association of 
our church with his on this occasion, however tenuous, strikes a 
positive note.

However, from an accessibility point of view, with its confusing layout, 
it will present distinct challenges. Information disseminated in 
advance, guides, signs, and arrangements for all doors to be unlocked at 
the time of the service, will obviate many of the problems, but there 
are likely to be some frustrations for some attending.





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