ORlEANS ANNUAl TOwN REPORt FOR YEAR ... - Town Of Orleans

The Orleans COA is truly fortunate to have Elizabeth Smith as its director. Herkindness, thoughtfulness, dedication, tireless efforts and boundless energy haveprovided a standard for all councils on aging to emulate.The Council on Aging looks forward to another exciting year of progress, serviceand diversity to strengthen our commitment to the healthy aging of our maturecommunity.Respectfully submitted,Joseph A. Di Brigida, Chairman, Board of DirectorsCOMMISSION ON DISABILITIESThe 1995 Board of Selectmen charge to the Commission on Disabilities reads:“The Orleans Commission on Disabilities mission is to assure that all people inOrleans have an equal opportunity to participate in all functions involving living,working, and enjoying recreation activities. The Commission will work towardsthis end by informing, educating, monitoring, and advising the public, includingthe business community and the town administration…The purpose of the Commission shall be to cause the full integration andparticipation of people with disabilities in the Town of Orleans, such Commissionshall; (1) research local problems of people with disabilities; (2) advise and assistmunicipal officials and employees in ensuring compliance with state and federallaws and regulations that affect people with disabilities; (3) coordinate or carryout programs designed to meet the problems of people with disabilities incoordination with programs of the Massachusetts office on disability; (4) reviewand make recommendations about policies, procedures, services, activities andfacilities of departments, boards and agencies of the Town of Orleans as theyaffect people with disabilities; (5) provide information, referrals, guidance andtechnical assistance to individuals, public agencies, businesses andorganizations in all matters pertaining to disability; (6) coordinate activities ofother local groups organized for similar purposes; and (7) to help raiseawareness and sensitivity to the needs of the people who are disabled.”Finally, the Commission charge requires that “a majority of said commissionmembers shall consist of people with disabilities.” 2007 saw three Commissionmembers resign for health reasons, frustrating a regular working function.However, 2007 was a year with considerable accomplishment. We assisted theTown in its design revisions to the renovated Town Hall. At our recommendation,and with the assistance of Selectman Jon Fuller and the Town Hall BuildingSuperintendent, the main entrance was retrofitted with automatic door openers,which not only facilitated disabled use of the facility, but facilitated its use byelderly patrons as well.124