Access to ADA http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/ Shannon Nelson, coordinator for Vacaville's Americans with Disabilities Act activities, lives with vision impairment and understands disability issues, both as someone affected and as a government employee working to address the needs of this population. A graduate of Vacaville High School and Sacramento State University, Nelson has a master's degree from American Intercontinental University. During his senior year at Sac State, he had an internship with the city of Vacaville working in the public information office. In his blog, Access to ADA, he will address issues pertaining to ADA, local activity in that area and answer questions from readers. en Copyright 2009 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:13:07 -0800 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/?v=4.23-en http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Vacaville releases its annual ADA Report The fiscal year 2007/2008 annual report highlighting increases in accessibility within the City of Vacaville has been completed.

This year's report covers written requests for barrier removal, work summary and education. During the fiscal year 07/08 the ADA office received 11 requests for barrier removal. These requests were received either over the phone or by using one of our request forms.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/11/vacaville_releases_its_annual.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/11/vacaville_releases_its_annual.html Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:13:07 -0800 Of course people in wheelchairs go on vacation "People in wheelchairs don't go on vacation."

That was the answer a Vacaville resident was given when she informed a representative of a time-share company that she was in a wheelchair. Would somebody in today's society find it appropriate to make such a comment?

I guess the answer is yes. After being strongly encouraged to fill out an application for a free vacation, a Vacaville resident who happens to be disabled was contacted by the time-share representative and invited to attend a presentation discussing time-share opportunities.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/08/of_course_people_in_wheelchair.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/08/of_course_people_in_wheelchair.html Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:24:28 -0800 A group focused on accessibility Since the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990, the word has been spreading about people with disabilities. With the increase in accessibility, comes an increase in responsibility.

In order to address this increasing responsibility, ADA professionals from all over California are coming together in an effort to help each other increase accessibility in their communities.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/06/a_group_focused_on_accessibili.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/06/a_group_focused_on_accessibili.html Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:44:11 -0800 Success at the 6th annual Senior Summit On May 19, more than 340 Vacaville seniors and medical professionals gathered at the Cultural Center in Vacaville for the sixth annual Senior Health Summit.

The daylong event included keynote speaker Diana Cunningham, who discussed change, challenge and choices. Diana's outlook on life is exceptional. After losing her husband at an early age, losing a child, losing her mother and having her house flooded during a recent storm, Diana maintains a positive outlook on life and is a true example of endurance.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/05/success_at_the_6th_annual_seni.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/05/success_at_the_6th_annual_seni.html Thu, 22 May 2008 14:34:22 -0800 Biography of Peter Stekert Some disabled individuals spend their life trying to figure out why they are in the situation they are in, while others are determined to experience all they can through whatever means possible.

Peter Stekert exemplifies the type of individual who although disabled, is going to continue living his life under his terms.

Born in Manhattan on July 6, 1932, Stekert made his way to the West Coast in 1956 where he continued his career in print when he signed on with American President Lines as the Chief of Print. As Stekert sailed from port to port, he was successful in printing a variety of information for those on board, including menus, programs, guest lists and additional information.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/01/biography_of_peter_stekert.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2008/01/biography_of_peter_stekert.html Mon, 07 Jan 2008 18:02:19 -0800 Biography: Pat Curtis As we continue to meet different members of the ADA Advisory Committee, I am pleased to introduce to you Pat Curtis. A longtime Vacaville resident, Pat doesn't take anything for granted and strongly believes in helping others. From humble beginning in Las Angeles to retirement in Vacaville, Pat has always strived to help other while helping herself.

Born in March 1935, Pat was one of four children who at a young age found herself all alone living on the streets. Surviving on scraps from garbage cans and the kindness of others, Pat learned firsthand the benefits of people helping people.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/11/biography_pat_curtis.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/11/biography_pat_curtis.html Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:44:44 -0800 Reply to resident request/suggestion I would like to take the opportunity to interrupt the Advisory Committee biographies that I have been posting on my blog to address an issue posted by one of Vacaville's residents. I will continue with the bios next week.

The issue of accessible intersections here in town was mentioned by a disabled resident, who suggested that the crosswalks need to be increasingly visible.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/10/reply_to_resident_requestsugge.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/10/reply_to_resident_requestsugge.html Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:53:07 -0800 Biography: Darwyn Olsen Is it true that ADA issues affect everyone? I believe so. Directly or in-directly, it doesn't matter. At some point in our lives, we will either be disabled or helping someone who is disabled and will benefit from the changes that are being made.

So, for the next seven or eight weeks I will be posting biographies for all of the ADA Advisory Committee members. These individuals are responsible for making a variety of decisions that affect ADA issues in Vacaville. This week's featured committee member is Darwin Olsen.

Darwyn Olsen has been a member of the Vacaville ADA Citizen's Advisory Committee for over two years. A native of Minnesota, where he was a high school honor student and played football and baseball, he attended the University of Minnesota for two years, then took advantage of a government-sponsored Civil Pilot Training (CPT) program.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/09/biography_darwyn_olsen_1.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/09/biography_darwyn_olsen_1.html Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:54:27 -0800 Putting forth a good effort If you have read The Reporter in the last few weeks, you probably came across the story regarding Ron Wilson and Murillo's restaurant. Mr. Wilson filed a lawsuit against the owner of the Vacaville restaurant claiming a variety of issues including Americans with Disabilities Act violations and harassment.

During the past year and a half to two years, legal proceedings took place and the verdict has finally been handed down. Mr. Wilson lost the court battle when a Superior Court judge rejected his discrimination claim.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/09/putting_forth_a_good_effort.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/09/putting_forth_a_good_effort.html Fri, 14 Sep 2007 07:10:14 -0800 Please, Don't Park There Have you ever pulled into a parking lot and said to yourself either verbally or non-verbally, "I will only be in and out' and you take a hard look at some of the reserved spaces for individuals with disabilities?

It's natural to think that your quick trip in and out will not affect anyone; but in fact, the exact opposite is true. Accessible parking spots are designed and located to provide "Ease of use." The location of the spot is usually as close as possible to the entrance of the facility to provide easy access and the least amount of travel for those who have mobility limitations.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/06/please_dont_park_there.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/06/please_dont_park_there.html Tue, 05 Jun 2007 11:45:34 -0800 'Mark' tells his story I've been writing this blog for a while now, so if you have read any of my postings before, you have a good idea of where I stand on the issues of ADA. I thought this time it would be good for you to hear from someone who is not disabled, but who is affected by disabilities on a daily basis.

A good friend of mine, we'll call him Mark, has been married quite a while to his wife who is deaf. As you can imagine, he has witnessed quit a few interesting situations.

Here is his story:

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/02/post.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/02/post.html Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:04:51 -0800 Who's doing what?? As a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the landscape of cities across the nation is changing to increase community accessibility.

Additionally, so has the thought process concerning the needs of the disabled. While some groups of individuals have chosen to address their issues in court, other groups address their issues with their respective cities in regularly scheduled meetings.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/01/whos_doing_what.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2007/01/whos_doing_what.html Sat, 27 Jan 2007 11:34:51 -0800 Bumps offer independence One thing that I have been asked about more than anything else in my short career as Vacaville's ADA coordinator is, "What are you going to do about those stupid bumps that are in front of all the stores here in town?"

The answer is, "Nothing."

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2006/12/bumps_offer_independence.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2006/12/bumps_offer_independence.html Fri, 01 Dec 2006 08:59:16 -0800 All about the advisory committee In order to have an increased understanding of the needs of individuals with disabilities within the community of Vacaville, the City of Vacaville created the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Advisory Committee. The ADA committee is made up of a variety of disabled Vacaville residents as well as representatives from the City Manager's Office and Public Works. Their goal is to assist Vacaville in creating an accessible community for all individuals, regardless of their disability.

The ADA advisory committee meets twice a month to discuss any ADA issues within the community. The committee is also responsible for prioritizing the replacement of any barriers that exist within the community.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2006/11/all_about_the_advisory_committ.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2006/11/all_about_the_advisory_committ.html Fri, 24 Nov 2006 08:38:31 -0800 Addressing the issue As Vacaville's ADA Coordinator and a 33-year resident of the community, I am excited about my involvement with increasing Vacaville's accessibility. The fact that Vacaville is one of the safest cities in Northern California is due to a motivated and committed City Council giving direction to the city manager and his staff. One aspect of public safety that continues to gain support is the issue of accessibility within the city.

The population of Vacaville will continue to increase and in proportion, so will the amount of disabled individuals. Vacaville is committed to providing the necessary accommodations that allow disabled residents the opportunity to maintain an independent lifestyle. This said, it is the responsibility of disabled residents of Vacaville to inform the nondisabled community of their needs.

]]> http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2006/11/addressing_the_issue_1.html http://blogcentral.thereporter.com/ADA/2006/11/addressing_the_issue_1.html Thu, 16 Nov 2006 09:23:42 -0800