[Access] Minutes for Nov. 6th meeting

Sun Nov 25 19:12:47 CST 2007

Ken, they haven't been approved yet so that's why they aren't up, I'm
guessing.
j-m, with REEEEEEZING hands

  _____  

From: access-bounces at uueugene.org [mailto:access-bounces at uueugene.org] On
Behalf Of Ken Ross
Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 5:36 PM
To: Accessibility group
Subject: Re: [Access] Minutes for Nov. 6th meeting

Folks,

These are excellent minutes (aka Notes).  I was just looking at our website
and I don't see any minutes there.  I remind you that Martha Osgood
indicated that she wouldn't put any up until someone specifically asked her
to.

Cheers,

Ken

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
 <mailto:lucindap at comcast.net> 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.

_______________________________________________
Access mailing list
Access at uueugene.org
http://www.uueugene.org

http://www.uueugene.org/mailman/listinfo/access

-- 
****************************************************
Ken Ross
ruthken at pacinfo.com
home phone:  541-686-1549
*******************************************************

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