West Central Reporter

City of Jacksonville Commission on Disabilities and Human Relations met May 2.

Here is the minutes provided by the commission:

Present: Alan Bradish (Vice Chairman), Guy Crumley, Eddie Lowe (Secretary), Ralph Hastie, Salina Masas , Larry Whewell (Chairman), Mary Watts

Absent: Joan Engelmann

Guests: Dr. Joe Squillace (Dr. Joe), Dr. Matt Wiediger (Dr. Matt), Ruth Lanier (prospective member), Nancy Harper (prospective member)

1. WELCOME AND CALL TO ORDER 3:59 PM

Dr. Joe discussed the process of creating the previous Morgan County Community Needs Assessment Survey. The findings of the survey were based on a student report that was born from data collected from between 400 to 500 public surveys. An executive summary of this student report revealed that the major concern of those surveyed was communication and transportation.

Dr. Joe introduced Dr. Matt Wiediger to the commission. Dr. Matt and students from his Research Methods Course at MacMurray College have agreed to create and implement the next community needs assessment. The plan is to model this new survey on the previous one with some downsizing. Dr. Joe requests that the Commission provide Dr. Matt with questions the Commission would like presented to the target audience of this survey. He also will require input from the Commission and partnering agencies regarding distribution of the survey.

Alan Bradish identified that communication between local community service agencies and local businesses with different non-English speaking residents and those with mental illness are the items that the Commission would like to be focused on in the next survey. Dr. Matt and Dr. Joe asked for input from the Commission to identify local groups that would assist with translating the survey into the appropriate languages.

Dr. Matt asked the Commission what action had been taken to address needs based on the information gathered from the previous survey.

Alan Bradish asked about inclusion of questions concerning a 2nd chance program for convicted felons in the next survey. Dr. Joe explained that he had participated in a research project a few years ago that addressed those issues. From this project they determined that a 2nd chance program is much more feasible as a civic movement in cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce.

Dr. Joe and Dr. Matt were applauded for their past and continued support of this Commission and the community. They left the meeting after their presentation and questions.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion: To approve the minutes of April 4, 2019

Motion by: Mary Watts

Seconded by: Eddie Lowe

Carried: Unanimous

3. OLD BUSINESS

• Brochure

Eddie Lowe discussed completion of the brochure. A printed and folded copy provided by Karla reveals that the typeset will need to be adjusted in order to print and fold correctly. Eddie plans to meet and work with Karla to adjust the typeset for proper printing and folding. He will provide the commission 100 copies of the completed brochure at the next meeting.

4. NEW BUSINESS

• New Commission Members

There was a discussion with potential new members that included terms and meeting times. Nancy and Ruth accepted their appointments to the Jacksonville Commission on Disabilities and Human Relations. Their acceptance to the commission will be pending approval of the Mayor.

• Larry Whewell received a call from an intern at MacMurray College who is working on making menus of local restaurants accessible for the visually impaired community. He wishes to come to the next commission meeting and provide a short overview of his work to this point and seek input from the commission. Larry will invite him to the next Commission meeting.

5. HUMAN RELATIONS ISSUES

None

6. MISCELLANEOUS

• Next meeting date: June 6, 2019

• Alan Bradish will present information regarding the lack of sidewalk issue on the southwest corner of Morton and Lincoln Avenues at the next Commission meeting.

7. PUBLIC COMMENT

None

8. EXECUTIVE SESSION

None

9. ADJOURNMENT 5:01 PM

Motion: To adjourn

Motion by: Alan Bradish

Seconded by: Mary Watts

Carried: Unanimous

https://www.jacksonvilleil.gov/city_government/boards_commissions_and_committees/docs/Boards%20Commissions%20Committees/Disabilities_&_HR_Minutes/2019/Minutes%205.2.19.pdf