IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE LEVEL ACTION
The following issues could be addressed at the state level, some
of these comments came about during our meeting to discuss the
Needs Assessment while others were comments from the survey:
- If questions are raised as a result of our above mentioned
letters about accessibility issues, board members will need additional
resources such as training, and materials, to help our DSB provide
feedback about particular concerns. (i.e. about ramps, how high,
wide etc.)
- Transportation needs are being brought to the attention of
the state every year, but little system change or mindsets are
being adapted that will promote this issue and make the system
change feasible. Little details such as during the awarding of
grants to agencies for purchase of vehicles, make a stipulation
that persons with disabilities are a priority and collaboration
with other agencies is a must. Proof of this community wide coordination
ought to be a requirement for future awards and continuing financial
assistance. (For e.g. DRS awards a local workshop with a wheelchair
lift van, after transporting its employees to work, why can't
this workshop van be available for shopping needs of someone in
a wheelchair, or going to class at the community college? Right
now the issue is insurance-make a state policy available to this
vendor.)
- Public awareness can be enhanced by paid media announcements
and promote more information sharing about ADA and what is still
needing to be addressed within the state.
- Since DSB members are volunteers with limited time, develop
paid positions to work exclusively on DSB and ADA efforts
- Promote a central agency (DRS?) to oversee referrals of persons
for services and assign a taskforce to look at ways to avoid duplication
of services in some manner
- Consider replacing and hiring another counselor for the deaf
and hard of hearing for Southside Virginia
- Increase funding for Consumer Services Fund
- Apply some pressure to the City of Martinsville to join our
DSB as we are addressing and meeting needs from the residents.
(i.e. incentive fund grant being used in City and Henry County.)
Since this was a requirement of the state, perhaps another meeting
with Martinsville to encourage their participation is necessary.
(This is a joint effort-local DSB members can also promote this
issue, but state level involvement would increase chances of success.)
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