Summer, 2012 - City of Tampa

Accessible TampaNewsletterSummer 2012Message from the DirectorI am pleased toannounce that wehave hired KarenSinnreich to be thenew Disability RightsCoordinator forthe City of Tampa.Karen has her Ph.D.in rehabilitationcounseling andbrings over 35 yearsof experience inthe disability fieldto the position. HerKaren Sinnreich,Disability Rights Coordinatorjob duties include investigating constituentgrievances; coordinating with other agenciesto resolve complaints regarding discriminationon the basis of disability; working with Citystaff to clarify City responsibilities pertainingto persons with disabilities; reviewing Cityfacilities to ensure accessibility: acting as theliaison to the Mayor’s Alliance for Personswith Disabilities, and will develop training forCity staff to ensure that all City operationsare in compliance with the Americans withDisabilities Act. Karen Sinnreich can becontacted at Karen.Sinnreich@tampagov.netor at (813) 307-5595.Free Home Renovations forDisabled VeteransThe Abilities Foundation has received fundingfrom The Home Depot Foundation to modifythe homes of injured veterans in the Tampa Bayarea. Improvements may include wheelchairramps, bathroom grab bars, doors and locks,light fixtures, ceiling fans, painting, and yardclean-up.“We are delighted to continue to partner with TheHome Depot Foundation to improve homes andlives,” said Frank De Lucia, president and CEO ofthe Abilities Foundation. “We’ve now renovated11 residences, rendering them wheelchairaccessible,secure, and energy-efficient.”Interested veterans should contact Frank DeLucia at (727) 538-7370, ext 345 or fdelucia@abilities.org. Preference will be given toveterans of the Iraqi and Afghanistan conflicts,but all injured veterans are invited to inquireregardless of era of service.-Jake Slater, DirectorCode EnforcementA publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department

Accessible Tampa Newsletter2012 Disability Awareness DayJuly 25, 2012The annual commemoration of the Americanswith Disabilities Act, the 2012 DisabilityAwareness Day was held at the County CenterBuilding on July 25. It featured exhibits bynumerous public and private agencies andcompanies. Rideway brought in a wheelchairaccessible motorcycle and truck that drew a lotof interest. The Veterans Administration, theDivision of Vocational Rehabilitation Services,FAAST, K-9s for Veterans brought in two servicedogs, Very Special Arts, HART, WestcoastProsthetics, Disability Rights Florida, theSupervisor of Elections, and YES! of AmericaUnited, Inc. are among the many organizationsand companies who participated.A separate Community Forum was heldupstairs with proclamations from HillsboroughCounty, the City of Tampa and Temple Terracebeing presented. State representatives, CountyCommissioners, Joe Affronti, the Mayor ofTemple Terrace, Karen Sinnreich, City of TampaDisability Rights Coodinator and Dennis Rogero,City of Tampa Budget and NeighborhoodEmpowerment Director participated, answeringquestions that were submitted to them by theJoint Alliances-the Mayor’s Alliance for Personswith Disabilities and the County Alliancefor Citizens with Disabilities. Sandra Sroka,the Hillsborough County ADA Coordinator,moderated the event. Awards donated by theMcDonald Training Center were presented forthe following categories:1. The OUTSTANDING YOUTH AND YOUNGADULT SERVICE AWARD was presented byCounty Commissioner Kevin Beckner. Thisaward honors youth and young adults whoexemplify leadership by volunteering theirtime to make a positive impact in the lives ofindividuals with disabilities.Hannah E. Wise won for her work with BestBuddies. While in 7th grade last year, shesigned up for Best Buddies. She developedmany relationships with the children in theprogram but developed a special relationshipwith her buddy, Ari. Ari has difficultyperforming many tasks and is unable tospeak, but he and Hannah have no problemcommunicating. She always makes time forAri, spending time with his family, hangingout at his house and playing on the swings,going to the zoo or going out to dinner.Since knowing Hannah, Ari communicatesbetter and has improved behavior. She hassupported him at Special Olympics and evencreated t-shirts and posters for him.A publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department

Accessible Tampa NewsletterJoey acted as a young patient having surgeryat St. Joseph’s Hospital in a videotape so otheryoung patients with autism will know what toexpect prior to having a surgical procedure.In April, Hannah and Ari were the top fundraisers in the Best Buddies Friendship Walk,raising $1,832. She was recently named theBest Middle School Best Buddies President inHillsborough County.Also recognized in this category is Joey’s Voicefor Autism, siblings Christina, Joey and LyssiSotelo. This group was formed after Joey wasdiagnosed with autism when his older sister,Christina, decided she would help Joey giveback to others and included younger sister,Lyssi. They joined efforts with the Center forAutism and Related Disabilities (CARD at USF).They participated in fund raising activitiesincluding the High Heel Hike for Autism atWestshore Plaza where Joey was crownedthe High Heel Hike Prince for raising the mostmoney in donations. They obtained donationsfor Metropolitan Ministries and volunteeredat the play area during the holiday shop.They hiked in support of the Pepin Academyat the Plant City High Heel Hike. They paintedfaces at the YES! of America United, Inc. F.A.I.R.and helped set up the YES! holiday shop. Theyhelped with fund raising efforts for ProfitsBenefit Children and CARD’s annual Fiesta bythe Bay. Joey also got the opportunity to be apositive role model on the field during the NYYankees, “Kids Can Play” event and met somebaseball legends.2. The Karen Jacobs OUTSTANDING ACCESSIBLEPLACES FOR PEOPLE AWARD was presentedby County Commissioner Kevin Beckner. Thisaward is for improving physical and virtualaccess to places for persons with disabilities.Hyatt Hotels of Tampa won for their program totrain, recruit and hire persons with disabilities.Since June 1998, Hyatt Hotels of Tampa havepartnered with Hands On Education andVocational Rehabilitation/Division of BlindServices to train, recruit and hire personswith disabilities. Theprogram started at theGrand Hyatt TampaBay, and expanded thefollowing year to theHyatt Regency Tampa(Downtown). The pilotprogram in Tampa hassince expanded to 25Hyatt Hotels in 8 states– including FL, VA, MD,DC, TX, CO, PA and MO.The runner up in this category wasFlorida Home Partnership. This nonprofitorganization purchased a blighted structurein the University of South Florida area andconverted it into a four unit complex with oneunit designed for ADA accessibility. They arein the process of developing other accessibleunits including a triplex unit with one of theunits being ADA accessible. They are buildinga model Universal Design home that willA publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department

Accessible Tampa Newsletterbe available for sale next year and recentlycompleted an accessible playground for theirBayou Pass Subdivision.3. The Tom Ulvenes OUTSTANDINGCOMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD was presentedby County Commissioner Al Higginbottom.The award is for outstanding accomplishmentsand contributions to the community throughcourageous advocacy, education, and diligentpersistence in pursuing goals which improvethe quality of life for persons with disabilitiesand inspire others to excel and for enhancingcommunity awareness of the contributions ofpersons with disabilities.The winner in this category was the TampaThunder Power Soccer Team. All seven playershave traveled to locations in Florida to showthe sport of power soccer. Team member RyanCoton started “Ryans Angels”. With help fromthe coaches at All People’s Life Center, he puttogether a list of needy families who also hadsomeone with a disability in their home. Hecollected food and Christmas presents whichhe delivered just before Christmas. He hashelped over 50 families.Ben Carpenter started “Ben’s Mends” wherehe takes old torn books and repairs them andhe delivers the books to the Shriners Hospital,Children’s Home, nursing homes or whereeverthere is a need.Chris Rhoades started “Christopher’sCommunity”. He selected kids with DuchenneMuscular Dystrophy and raised money to helpdefer the high cost of medical equipment.Danny Gorman started the “Danny Foundation”which raises money for research of DuchenneMuscular Dystrophy.Collectively, the Tampa Thunder team collecteditems needed by soldiers and sent themoverseas. They also donated food to SecondHarvest. This past Christmas, the team tookfood and blankets to the Children’s Home.Upcoming WebsiteCommunity Affairs DivisionThe Department of Neighborhood Services,Community Affairs, is in the process ofdeveloping an online resource for persons withdisabilities called Accessible Tampa. It includesinformation on transportation, accessibleTampa attractions, sports, service animalresources, City of Tampa accessible recreationinformation, information for businesses aboutaccessibility, and information for specificdisabilities.Ordinance to Help Driverswith DisabilitiesBen Ritter, Government Relations Director forthe Florida Gulf Coast Paralyzed Veterans ofAmerica, had anidea for gas stationsto display a stickerwith the telephonenumber of thegasoline retailer sothat a person with adisability can call toget an attendant to come out and pump gas. TheHillsborough Board of County CommissionersA publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department

Accessible Tampa Newsletterpassed an ordinance for displaying this sticker,which became effective on January 1, 2012, andapplies to all full service gas stations and selfservicestations with two or more attendantson duty during regular business hours.The Business Tax inspectors for the Cityof Tampa distributed the letter from theCounty Administrator notifying gas stationretailers of this ordinance to all of thegasoline stations in the City of Tampa. Thegas station retailers are required to displaythe decals as of March 30, 2012. A copyof the ordinance can be found online atwww.hillsboroughcounty.org/liaisons/ada/resources/publications/20120105120512668.pdfRitter said he wanted an equitable solution,not just for veterans, but for all drivers withdisabilities. Ritter added that this ordinancewould not have been possible without thecollaboration of the Hillsborough CountyVeterans Council, who presented the idea toCounty Commissioner Sandra L. Murman, andthe support of the Hillsborough County’s ADALiaison, Sandra Sroka.Free Cell TelephoneFlorida is one of thestates which offers freecell telephones withlimited minutes forpersons who collectSSI, food stamps,Federal Public HousingAssistance / Section8, Low Income HomeEnergy AssistanceProgram (LIHEAP), National School Lunch(free program only), Temporary Assistancefor Needy Families (TANF), Medicaid, Bureauof Indian Affairs Programs (Tribal TemporaryAssistance for Needy Families, Head StartSubsidy, or NSLP. You may also qualify on thebasis of income if your total household incomeis at or below 150% of the Federal PovertyGuidelines (FPG). For more information andto apply, go to www.safelinkwireless.com orwww.assurancewireless.com.TSA HelplineThe Transportation Security Administration(TSA) has launched TSA Cares, a new helplinedesigned to assist travelers with disabilitiesand medical conditions, prior to getting tothe airport. Travelers can call toll free (855)787-2227 Monday through Friday 9 a.m.to 9 p.m. EST, excluding federal holidays,with questions about screening policies,procedures and what to expect at the securitycheckpoint. www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/disabilityandmedicalneeds/tsa_cares.shtm.ADA Compliance Extension forSwimming PoolsThe date of compliance with sections 242 and1009 of the 2010 Americans with DisabilitiesAct (ADA) Standards for Accessible Designas it relates to the provision of accessibleentry and exit to existing swimming pools,wading pools, and spas has been extendedto on or before January 31, 2013. For moreinformation on the requirements, please goto www.ada.gov/pools_2010.htm.A publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department

Accessible Tampa NewsletterAutism Applied BehavioralAnalysis to be Covered by FloridaMedicaidU.S. District Judge Joan Lenard recently issueda permanent injunction requiring the FloridaAgency for Health Care Administration tonotify all physicians enrolled in the Medicaidprogram who may provide EPSDT screens thatApplied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) is now acovered service for children who have beendiagnosed with autism or Autism SpectrumDisorder. See K.G. ex rel Garrido v. Dudek, CivilCase No.1:11-cv-20684-JAL.New Hotel AccessibilityRequirementsIn conjunction with the 22nd anniversary of theAmericans with Disabilities Act, the Departmentof Justice is conducting the implementation ofnew regulations that impact the hospitalityindustry. These took effect on March 15,2012. There are online materials for hoteland restaurant staff on providing service topersons with disabilities at www.adahospitality.org/content/Training-Materials. For moreinformation, please visit www.adahospitality.org or www.blue-path.com/tools.phpVery Special ArtsVery Special Arts Florida (VSA Florida), thestate organization on arts and disabilities islocated at the University of South Florida,Tampa. VSA Florida contends that peoplewith disabilities must be included in allaspects of community life; and specifically toexperience inclusive opportunities to learnthrough, participate in, and enjoy the arts.VSA Florida programs include: a statewideartist in residence program, professionaldevelopment on inclusion in the arts forteachers; best practices for museums andperforming arts centers to become disabilityfriendly ; career development for adult artistswith disabilities and resource; and technicalassistance to arts, education and disabilityorganizations.The newest community program is the My ArtMy Way Art Classes. Classes include visual,music, dance, movement and drama andare offered for any age and are inclusive. Artclasses in the Tampa Bay Region take place ina variety of settings, and must meet certainattendance thresholds.Current information is found on the websiteat www.vsafl.org or by contacting: MarianWinters, Executive Director at (813) 974-0721or mwinters@usf.edu.Internal Revenue Services’ Tax Tipsin American Sign Language (ASL)Watch videos on various tax topics on theInternal Revenue Services’ (IRS) officialYouTube channel. Videos are in ASL with opencaptions and voice over for people who areA publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department

Accessible Tampa Newsletterdeaf, hard of hearing and hearing viewers.Topics include tax tips, health insurance,disaster recovery and small business. Source:www.disability.gov.HARTPlus ADA AccessibilityCommittee MeetingThe ADA Accessibility Committee meeting willbe held on Thursday, September 20, 2012 from3:30 to 5 p.m. at the HART Ybor AdministrativeOffice, 3rd floor, 1201 East 7th Avenue inTampa. The public is welcomed. Personsrequiring special accommodations should call(813) 384-6445, TDD (813) 626-9158 at leastseven days before the meeting.New Law Regulating DisabledParking PermitsCS/SB 226 - Disabled Parking Permits, the“Placard Bill” was signed into law by GovernorRick Scott on April 27, 2012. It became effectiveJuly 1, 2012.The purpose of the bill is to resolve many ofthe abuses associated with the illegal use ofparking permits by:• Authorizing trained volunteer parkingenforcement specialists to confiscatedisabled parking permits. They were notpreviously authorized to do so;• Requiring those who renew their permits toapply in person and to present written proofof their disability;• Requiring steps to be taken to ensure thatpermit holders are still alive;• Restricting applications for renewal of apermit by those found guilty of fraudulent orother unlawful use of a permit;• Establishing a means by which persons canreport abuse of disabled parking permits bytelephone hotline or by submitting a formonline or by mail.Tampa Mayor’s Alliance for Personswith Disabilities Board of DirectorsCo-ChairpersonsNorman Mallory (813) 988-4985Ben Ritter (813) 264-1111Past ChairpersonChuck PorterSecretarySusan George (813) 264-6591TreasurerConnie Hayden-McPeak (813) 253-2143Disability Rights Coordinator, City of TampaKaren Sinnreich (813) 307-5595Submissions to theAccessible Tampa NewsletterThe Accessible Newsletter is a publicationof the Neighborhood Services Department,Community Affairs Division. We welcomesubmissions from residents of the City ofTampa and interested parties. We will keepyou informed of upcoming events, updateson the Americans with Disabilities Act,and other items of interest. Please submitmaterial to Karen.Sinnreich@tampagov.net.A publication of the City of Tampa Neighborhood Services Department