Kane County Reporter

City of Aurora Advisory Commission on Disabilities met Nov. 14.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER: Chairperson Janine McDonough called the meeting to order at 6:12 pm.

ROLL CALL: Janine McDonough, Sandra Harrison, Sean Williams, Meredith Lindgren, Katrina Boatright and Elana Newkirk. David Givens, Elizabeth Diederich, Alex Engelhardt and Wanda Malone attended the meeting via Zoom.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: NONE

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: NONE

AGENDA

1) Attendance By Means Other Than A Physical Presence: Meredith Lindgren made a motion to allow for Elizabeth Diederich, Wanda Malone, Alex Engelhardt and David Givens to attend the meeting via Zoom. Sandra Harrison seconded the motion. Motion carried and members were allowed to attend the meeting by Zoom.

2) Subcommittees - Report:

a) Advocacy

b) Communications and Awareness

c) Access To Providers

d) Community and Recreation

Jannine McDonough advised that over the next few months the commission will be discussing one of the subcommittees at each of the meetings to brainstorm over. This month the commission focused their attention on discussing Advocacy. The commission discussed the need for an increase in awareness. Having the Aurora Police come talk to the commission about the S.N.A.P.P program and other programs they offer and provide. Work on developing a driving program that addresses the subject of what to do if an individual with special needs or a disability is pulled over, for First Responders to know how to help individuals and those especially with disabilities that are not so obvious. To also set up a pipeline through the schools for providing valuable information and resources. City vs State programs to include educating the city on accessibility and inclusion.

Commission members discussed organizing talks or seminars that would address various important life skills. Trainers in these areas could be quite useful. There was a question of what types of trainers are needed and exactly where to find them.

(i) Resource Fair Recap: Sean Williams advised we may need to bring in more tables and use all three rooms at the Prisco Center next year. Three of the vendors did not show or notify anyone from the commission that they were not going to make it. A total of forty-five vendors and two hundred attendees were at the fair. Katrina Boatright advised the commission that we thrived with holding our first resource fair. Katrina Boatright read some of the feedback and reviews we received following the Resource Fair. Alex Engelhardt advised there are a few prizes left and will be making phone calls to the winners to have their items picked up.

For next year Janine McDonough made a suggestion of a possible pre-check in at the time of registration. Will be looking into a late September or early October date to host the Resource Fair in 2023. Janine McDonough also suggested we look into possibly offering a gift or some other type of incentive in order to get people to fill out the survey.

(ii) Special Olympics: Katrina Boatright advised the commission about putting in a budget to work with them. Sean Williams is talking with them about their video game. Janine McDonough talked to them about having the video games here. Janine McDonough and Katrina Boatright have been emailing back and forth with them to try and get a date set up. Possibly the first week of March to coincide with Respect Week.

3) Planning for 2023

(a) Meeting Dates 2023: Janine McDonough presented the commission members with the dates for the monthly meetings in 2023. January date to be discussed at the next meeting due to possible scheduling conflicts for January. 2023.

(b) Terms That Are Expiring: Wanda Malone, Elana Newkirk and Sean Williams each have their current term expiring in January 2023.

(c) Vice Chairperson and Executive Secretary: Both positions are elected among the commission. Janine McDonough advised the commission to wait to address this further at the February, 2023 meeting.

(d) Board Development: A suggestion was made to have both Emily Hinton from Waubonsee College as well as having the Aurora Police Crisis Intervention Unit to come talk to the commission further. Meredith Lindgren mentioned focusing on the Americans with Disabilities Act. Alex Engelhardt addressed seeking more attention on accessibility within the City of Aurora.

(e) Brainstorming plans for Advocacy Subcommittee: The committee members are to continue providing ideas and suggestions for this particular subcommittee to work on.

City Report: Katrina Boatright advised nothing to report at this time.

Other Business: NONE

Announcements: NONE

Adjournment: Elana Newkirk made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Sandra Harrison seconded, Meeting was adjourned at 7:07 pm

https://www.aurora-il.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11142022-3059