May 20, 2010 Minutes

Present: Edith Yang, Judy Heath, Linda Wagner, Pat Shermer, Marlene Massey, Tony Albert, Mike Mullett, Todd Allen, Ronald, Naasko, Hugh White, Jim Smith.

ABC Minutes are intended to describe the discussions, decisions, and actions that occur during ABC’s monthly meeting. The minutes are to be considered only a draft until they are approved at the following monthly meeting. Persons who receive the draft of the minutes and see inaccuracies or omissions in them are asked to please inform ABC.

Meeting called to order at 12:00 Noon. Introductions.

A. Minutes of April 15, 2010 approved as submitted.

B. Treasurer's Report: Balance of $305.00 in cash fund.

C. Correspondence: Ronald received a phone call from one of the businesses that ABC wrote a letter to asking for an opportunity to discuss access improvement possibilities.

D. Continuing Business:

1. Ability Awareness Day Update. Planning committee meetings continue. Meetings will be held May 21 and June 9th at Sunny Side Up Cafe, 10 a.m. All welcome to give input for the event to be held August 7th.

ABC members prior approved ABC funds up to $100.00 for expenses. We hope donations from other sponsors will help defray costs for mailing invitations, printing brochures and cards, and materials for Wheel Chair Day With The Mayor (maps, volunteer attire, participant prizes, etc.. We will invite all OSU coaches to participate as well as many dignitaries.

2. Results of ABC Letters sent to two Corvallis Businesses. Ronald met with one Manager to discuss ABC concerns about a blocked path for persons with mobility challenges wanting to enter the business. Manager is sympathetic and will ask for decision about making changes from Administration/Corporate Office. No response from other business that ABC contacted.

E. New Business:

1. Discussed promotional idea to educate Corvallis Businesses about access. Todd met with Corvallis Downtown Association Manager and said there is interest to discuss this in more detail. The general idea would be to encourage persons who use mobility devices to visit all participating businesses. Businesses would see more persons with disabilities than most are accustomed to seeing and persons using mobility devices would have a chance to win prizes!! More discussion pending.

2. Future ABC guest ideas discussed. Sara Gelser, Linda Elder were suggested.

3. ABC Represented by Bruce Marbin on an OSU committee. Bruce agreed to represent ABC on a subcommittee of the University Committee of COSID, (Commission on the Status of Individuals with Disabilities). This subcommittee will review OSU's ADA Transition Plan and make  recommendations for immediate and long term actions. We are honored to be included in this process.

4. Dial-A-Bus, we learned, now has Sunday vehicle drivers. With advanced requests, some individuals are able to receive transportation for worship services.

5. We learned that Carmike Theater no longer provides free admission for persons with disabilities or their assistants. We assume it is a sign of the harder economic times. We do not know of any other theaters that have offered such a free service.

Meeting adjourned at 1 p.m..

Next ABC Meeting, Thursday, June 17, 2010, Noon to 1 p.m., Benton Plaza