Commission for Persons with Disabilities

Medford Human Rights Commission

May 28, 2014
Present: Charlotte Swartz, Natalie Breen, Marie Cassidy, Chief Sacco, Lois Bronnenkant, Steve
Honeycutt, Dale Bryan, David Harris, and Diane McLeod
Not present: Henry Milorin
Introductions
Public Participation
None
April Minutes
Steve motioned to accept the April minutes, Dale seconded, all in favor
Old Business
Traces Event Review
The Selfie Event was fabulous and the Council Chamber was filled to capacity with standing
room only. The speakers were also incredible and the young lady who did her poetry was great.
The speaker related well to the kids as well.
Dale wanted to know if we could continue to capture the momentum of the student project.
There was discussion.
Disability Awards Update
Diane and Steve presented two options for awards, a local woman and a trainer used by the City
of Medford. The group was impressed with both, but thought we should choose just one. The
individual we prioritized had a wonderful nomination and received various awards, but had
more personal than community involvement information. Diane will follow up for more
information from the person who nominated her.
She will also get a date for the ceremony.
New Business
2014/2015 Issue Focus
Diane mentioned she met with Charlotte and Lois to talk about some issues as Diane is feeling
overwhelmed with projects. Charlotte suggested we try and recruit new members (possibly at
the Farmers Market) and rotate the HRC/Disability Chair and Secretary position.
Lois stated that as a continuing effort on the Health Disparities issue, she and Charlotte want to
be more hands on and are willing to coordinate volunteers for a mobile food truck in Medford.
Many Medford people go to Malden for their fresh fruits and vegetables. We hope to meet on
June 11
th
to begin the discussion about a Medford program.
Natalie would like to talk about jobs for youth with disabilities.
David mentioned doing a program, possibly with youth, about the language used by kids today.
It could possibly entail video or recorded interviews.
Dale suggested a take off of Somerville conversations. There was discussion about hands on
roles and project discussions. We talked about having conversations about disparities, and the
root cause of hunger here, or the lack of jobs for youth with disabilities. Lois talked of the bigger
picture and why we are dealing with this issue here. These are all part of civic engagement.
There was also thought that any or all of the specific project ideas could be incorporated with
the conversation context. Dale said he wanted to think more about it and we all agreed we
needed to find out more about what the conversations would entail.
David talked about doing a Frederick Douglass reading at Wrights Pond in July, possibly the 1
st

or 2
nd
. Marie thought it could be great to get her families involved. Diane and Marie will be
meeting soon to discuss Dianes future involvement with the ESOL families and they will try and
discuss it more. David referred members to the Mss Humanities website for more information.
Variance Updates
Diane mentioned the lack of the 18 clearance on one outgoing doorway to the hallway at MHS.
There is 13 available which is often time usable. As this is the only issue and the meeting is
Monday the committee will let the AAB make a decision.
Correspondence & Announcements
Dale mentioned the Emergency Preparedness for persons with disabilities meeting at Montvale
next week.
Diane mentioned that there was a motion Breanna put on the agenda Tuesday referring to our
pending ordinance change on gender identity and expression. Diane sent her an email with an
update on the issue. When we receive it back from the Law Department Diane will notify her
and others.
Meeting adjourned at 6:50PM
Next meeting date (tentative)
June 28, 2014 at 5PM