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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<br>
<br>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center"> <font size="4"><font
face="Times New Roman, serif"><span lang="en-US"><span
style="font-style: normal;"><span style="">Notes
from the Accessibility Group</span></span></span></font><font
face="Times New Roman, serif"><i><span style="">
</span></i></font><font face="Times New Roman, serif"><span
style="font-style: normal;"><span style="">Meeting</span></span></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="center">Tuesday, November 6, 2007</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Present</u> : d. maria, Leslie
Gilbert, David Gilmartin, Jeanne-Marie Moore, Mary Otten, Cindy
Pitcairn, Ken Ross</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">Candle-lighting and words by David
Gilmartin were followed by brief check-ins.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The minutes of the previous meeting
were approved.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Liaison with Facilities Council. </u>
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.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">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.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Committee Proposal.</u> 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. </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Installation Ceremony.</u>
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.<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Communications.</u> 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. <br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><u>Interaction with Other Committees.</u>
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. <br>
<br>
<u>Accessibility Representation at UUA</u>.
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." <br>
<br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">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.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;">The meeting adjourned.</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> <i> <font size="2">Cindy
Pitcairn, scribe</font></i><br>
<font size="2"><font style="font-size: 8pt;" size="1"><a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:lucindap@comcast.net">lucindap@comcast.net</a></font></font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><br>
</p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"> </p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;" align="left"><span
style="font-style: normal;"><span style="">ADDENDUM: </span></span><font
face="Arial, sans-serif"><span style="font-style: normal;"><span
style=""><u>Report
on Installation Task Force Field Trip</u>, </span></span></font><font
face="Arial, sans-serif">First
Christian Church, October 25, 2007</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Attending:
Suzanne Whaley, Rachel Cummings, Julia Knowles, Bonnie Romane,
Leslie Gilbert, Cindy Pitcairn</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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
<i>very</i> <i>long, narrow </i>passageway, with some turns, into the
sanctuary. Signs and guides to indicate the way to the sanctuary will
help.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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. <br>
</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">Maps,
signs,
advance publicity, and on-site guides would all help people find the
appropriate entrance.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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.)</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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).</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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.</font></p>
<p style="margin-bottom: 0in;"><font face="Arial, sans-serif">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.<br>
</font></p>
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