Kane County Reporter

City of Aurora Advisory Commission on Disabilities met Aug. 8.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Janine McDonough called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm

ROLL CALL: Janine McDonough, Sandra Harrison, Katrina Boatright, Sean Williams, Alex Engelhardt, Elana Newkirk and Elizabeth Diederich via Zoom.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: NONE

APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Sandra Harrison made a motion to approve the minutes. Sean Williams seconded. Minutes were approved.

PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE

AGENDA

1) Attendance By Means Other Than A Physical Presence: Elana Newkirk made a motion to approve for Elizabeth Diederich to attend the meeting via Zoom. Alex Engelhardt seconded. Elizabeth Diederich attended the meeting via Zoom.

2) Establish Quorum: Janine McDonough advised with the board currently with nine members there has to be five in physical presence to have a quorum. Janine further advised the importance of every member being in physical presence at meetings as much as possible otherwise we can not vote.

3) Welcome New Members: Congratulations to Alex Engelhardt, David Givens, Elizabeth Diederich, and Meredith Lindgren on becoming the newest members appointed to the Advisory Commission on Disabilities Board.

(a) OMA TRAINING: Alex Engelhardt is the only new member so far who has turned in to Katrina Boatright the completed training certification.

(b) CODE OF CONDUCT: Alex Engelhardt so far is the only new member who has turned in the signed document.

(c) MEMBER GUIDE: Katrina Boatright will make sure each new member receives a copy of the guide.

(d) MISSION and GOALS: Established in March 2022. Each newest appointed member will receive a copy. Each member must join at least one of the subcommittees.

(e) NAME TAGS: Elana Newkirk will send out an email to each member currently without a name tag to request their specific preference on how they want their name to appear on the tag. Then the information will be forwarded to Katrina Boatright to have the name tags ordered.

4) SUBCOMMITTEES- Description and Reports:

(a) ADVOCACY

(b) COMMUNICATION and AWARENESS

(c) ACCESS TO PROVIDERS

(d) COMMUNITY and RECREATION

(i) RESOURCE FAIR: Sean Williams advised we now have a confirmed date of October 12th 6-8 pm (set up is 4:30 pm) at the Prisco Center located at 150 West Illinois Ave, Aurora. There will be two rooms used for the fair. The Prisco Center is providing the tables for the vendors to use. Need to set up getting the word out as soon as possible to the community, including flyers being drawn up for the "Save The Date" for the media and all the schools. Sean Williams suggested putting a "Save The Date'' notification on the City Hall website.

Sean Williams will also be drafting up a letter to send out an invite to the "A List" vendors and then from there expand further by working on sending one to the "B List" vendors as well. Sean Williams would like for any member with contacts for organizations or vendors that may be good for the A list, let him know as soon as possible.

Sean Williams requested that the Fox Valley Special Recreation place themselves by the door that leads to the outside during the fair in order to set up and show off their Sensory Tent.

Katrina Boatright suggested the board members think about if we want to have music, whether or not there is to be some sort of program presented; maybe have raffles, giveaways, face painting for the kids in attendance and if there will be food provided. A Disability Resource Guide with compiled useful information needs to be available to hand out at the Resource Fair.

Alex Engelhardt advised we could utilize the Emergency Crisis Management team the FVSR uses for security purposes. Alex Engelhardt further advised she would be willing to set up a slide show to display what is going on throughout the fair.

(5) CITY REPORT: Katrina Boatright advised that in September will be starting the Dementia Friendly Employer Task Force which will require 30 minute training to champion churches, First Responders. Aurora aims to be recognized nationally as a Dementia Friendly city.

Katrina Boatright spoke to Dave from Special Olympics to discuss the best way to phase in a partnership with them and the Advisory Commission on Disabilities. Katrina Boatright focusing on awareness, impact development and employment partners. During "Respect Week" having more Shadow Days, Aurora would be first to do that.

(a) LISTENING TOUR UPDATE: Katrina Boatright has been working on a disability transportation program for the disabled and seniors. She has been in connection with two private companies that are partnered with Uber to offer FREE rides to the disabled or seniors within the community in need of transportation.

ADJOURNMENT: A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Alex Engelhardt. Elana Newkirk seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 7 pm.

https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08082022-2970