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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuman Rights and Diversity - 05/08/2014APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 7:00 P.M., 125 EDEN PRAIRIE CENTER Office of Housing and Human Services COMMISSION MEMBERS: Sandra Filardo (Chair), PG Narayanan (Vice Chair), Tonja Bivins, Jenny Buckland, Harry Davis, Sana Elassar, Connie Iacovelli STAFF: Patricia Fenrick, Staff Heidi Wojahn, Recording Secretary STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: Kristina Busch, Karena Lin, Chase Carlson, Emily Higgins GUESTS: Carolyn Brown – City of Eden Prairie Valerie Shirley – Eden Prairie Schools Christine Ericson – Grace Church I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL Chair Filardo called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. Commissioners Davis and Iacovelli and Student Representatives Busch and Carlson were absent. Bivins arrived at 7:15 p.m. Buckland arrived at 7:51 p.m. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA This item was discussed out of order under Item V.A. 5K Update. III. MINUTES This item was discussed out of order under Item V.A. 5K Update. IV. SPEAKER Valerie Shirley talked about her background and her job responsibilities as a deaf educator for Eden Prairie Schools. She also works with deaf adult immigrants from Africa and with the Minnesota Collaborative Plan which focuses on improving lifelong outcomes for deaf, hard-of-hearing, or blind individuals. She suggested the best way for HRDC to connect with the disabled community is to get an individual with disabilities to serve on the commission. Many of the individuals she works with are referred to as “Deaf Plus” indicating they have one or more other disabilities in addition to some form of hearing loss. The largest barriers for the deaf population are access to communication and basic community HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 8, 2014 Page 2 resources. Other than for medical or legal reasons, interpreters are typically not covered and are cost-prohibitive. Filardo asked about sign language for Somali immigrants. Shirley explained there is a different sign language for every country, just like each has a different spoken language. There is no Somali sign language, however. They learn American Sign Language. Narayanan inquired what ages Shirley works with in the schools. She said she works with individuals from birth to 21 years of age. Hospitals are required by law to perform newborn hearing screenings. If an infant is identified with hearing loss, that information is relayed to the district. She serves as support for the family and notifies them of free services for which the baby qualifies. The earlier they are identified, the earlier they can get services. The earlier services are started, the better they do academically. Many of the kids in Eden Prairie are mainstreamed and there is a high graduation rate due to good resources. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Eden Prairie scored highest in the state on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. Bivins arrived at 7:15 p.m. Filardo asked if there are services for families to learn sign language. Shirley said part of her job is to present the many options available and to facilitate access to the options families choose. Services birth to age 21 are covered by the school district as part of a free public education. Those who are 18-21 years of age who are not college-bound can participate in a transition program where they learn life skills and how to be productive members of society. Narayanan asked if support groups for families are covered. Shirley said there are support groups and specifically there is a program to connect Minnesota deaf immigrants with support and access to resources. Bivins asked about resources for adults. Shirley said she was not aware of resources specifically in Eden Prairie for adults. Narayanan asked if the deaf community is growing. Shirley said it is increasing because identification is getting better, not because the population is growing. Elassar asked Shirley about the definition of deafness. Shirley said it is controversial. There is a spectrum of hearing loss. Clinical, educational, and cultural definitions vary from one another. “Hearing-impaired” is politically incorrect. The correct terms are “deaf” and “hard of hearing”. Filardo asked if Shirley has her own classroom. Shirley explained it works best if students are mainstreamed. She acts as a liaison with general education teachers to help them understand what they can do to help students be successful. She is an advocate for signing. Research shows students learn better with more than one means of communication. She went on to explain the different devices available to aid communication and the technology behind them. There is a need for alternative literacy with cochlear implants that doesn’t come with visual reading and sign language. Technology has made things much easier. Texting and chatting, in particular, have been a big help. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 8, 2014 Page 3 Elassar asked what happens if a deaf individual needs to call 911. Shirley said Minnesota Relay is free video service (like Facetime or Skype) allowing them to use a video phone to contact hearing people. When they call, a sign language interpreter pops up to facilitate communication. This technology can be used with any smart phone and connects to the user’s television. Bivins said she would put Shirley in contact with Starkey Labs. Shirley said she works closely with an educational audiologist and Starkey Labs may be a good resource. Narayanan asked how HRDC can help. Shirley suggested supporting organizations involved in deaf awareness and staying in touch with her. There is an upcoming “know your rights” event tentatively scheduled for the last Saturday in June. It is for the deaf community, but it is also for the hearing to learn about barriers to access. The keynote speaker will address disability rights and what public institutions need to provide for the deaf and hard of hearing. Narayanan asked about promoting services and events on the City website. Shirley encouraged that for any disability for which there is free support in the community. Buckland arrived at 7:51p.m. Elassar asked what types of careers deaf individual have. Shirley said there is a wide variety. Some hold PhDs and hold jobs as instructors or engineers. Many tend to get jobs that are visual in nature, such as custodians or positions related to technology. The majority of workers are in unskilled labor, and there is a high unemployment rate. Elassar inquired about safety concerns in loud work environments for those who still have some hearing. She referenced a recent situation she encountered in her job where a deaf individual was working in loud factory and employees were required to receive audiometric testing to determine if there was occupational noise exposure. Shirley said they would want to protect the individual if they still had some level of hearing. Most organizations are required to have strobe lighting for emergency alarms. Discussion ensued about connecting with disability-friendly employers for the youth job fair, manning a booth at deaf-aware fairs and expos, and inviting the deaf community to participate in the upcoming 5K. Fenrick noted the Community Cinema films have not had closed-captioning. Buckland said that option is available. It just needs to be requested specifically. V. OLD BUSINESS A. 5K UPDATE Christine Ericson asked commissioners to continue to work hard to promote the 5K on social media. Fifty people have registered so far; the goal is 500. It was just sent out to six local running websites and will be pushed to the Grace Church community on May 18. Buckland said there will be a drive on May 18 at Wooddale Church, too. HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 8, 2014 Page 4 Elassar said in an effort to get sponsors, she has sectioned off map portions of Eden Prairie and would like to have commissioners split up contacting businesses in those areas. Ericson will write a script so people have something to work from. Ericson said there has been some interest due to Fenrick’s Chamber of Commerce efforts. The next round or communication should include the deadline for t-shirt sponsors. Naryanan volunteered to follow up with those businesses and contact other companies if Fenrick will provide him with a list of phone numbers. Brown noted something she has encountered when seeking donations is that it takes time. Larger corporations often have a set process in place to follow. Ericson stated businesses committing to $250 by June 5 are allowed a promotional bag insert while $500 gets their name on the shirt. Smaller donations and food donations for after the race are also welcome. She has a limited number of promotional t-shirts. She wants to get pictures of HRDC and pictures of the mayor and/or city manager with the t-shirts to post on Facebook. Fenrick said she notified all the other commissions about the event, as well. Ericson said Breaking Free and The Link are the two main organizations to benefit from the 5K. Breaking Free is in the process of looking for housing to open a seven- unit apartment building for youth. The Link will be opening a six-bed shelter for youth in Shakopee. She encouraged commissioners to look at Breaking Free’s website and consider attending their May 21 event. Proceeds from the event will fund the housing program for sexually exploited youth. Discussion ensued on ways to recruit volunteers. Narayanan requested HRDC have something to insert in the bags. Higgins plans to promote it with her school’s track team. Buckland said she will ask Busch to do a write-up for the Sun Current. MOTION: Narayanan moved, seconded by Elassar, to approve the agenda. Motion carried 5-0. MOTION: Buckland moved, seconded by Bivins, to approve the April 10, 2014 minutes. Motion carried 4-0-1 with Narayanan abstaining. VI. REPORTS OF STAFF - Fenrick A. UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES May 14 – Commissioners banquet May 15 – Trial date for bias crime victim May 20 – Tasty Lunch at Aurelia’s May 22 – Community Cinema May 23 – Deadline for student commission applications June 12 – Hand out bags to 5K registrants starting at 3:45 p.m. Buckland asked for assistance in finding non-perishable energy bars to put in the bags. Additional food for race day is needed, too. June 14 – 5K HUMAN RIGHTS AND DIVERSITY COMMISSION MINUTES May 8, 2014 Page 5 Facilities is holding community conversations about sidewalks and bike trails related to healthy living. Fenrick is coordinating specific meetings with people who don’t generally attend public meetings, such as ECFE parents and the Somali community, to get input. B. BEST BUY GRANT $5.10 remaining. VII. FUTURE MEETINGS/EVENTS The next HRDC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 12, 2014, 7 p.m. at Eden Prairie Center, Room 125. Commissioners took a few minutes to do an ice-breaker. VIII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Buckland moved, seconded by Narayanan, to adjourn. Motion carried 5-0. Chair Filardo adjourned the meeting at 8:56 p.m.