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[*This meeting was joined in progress*]
[Commission on Disabilities on January 28, 2025.]
CIRCLES, CIRCLES WHO MAY BE INTERESTED BECAUSE THE MORE COMMENTS WE HEAR, THE STRONGER WE WILL BE AS A BODY.ITEM NUMBER FOUR ON THE AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
KEEP IN MIND, WE ARE APPROVING THE MINUTES FROM OUR NOVEMBER 26TH, 2024 MEETING.
JUST AS A REMINDER, MINUTES ARE SIMPLY MEANT TO BE A RECORD OF WHAT WAS DONE AT THE MEETINGS.
IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO INCLUDE DETAILS ABOUT WHAT WAS SAID AND BY WHOM.
ADDITIONALLY, INFORMATION REGARDING WHAT WAS SAID WITH REGARDS TO OFFICER'S REPORT AND OR COMMISSIONER'S REPORTS IS NOT ALSO NECESSARY UNLESS, UNLESS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
WE'LL START BY, WE'LL START THIS PROCESS STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER GAY REVY, DISTRICT ONE.
ARE THERE ANY EDITS YOU WISH TO MAKE TO THE MINUTES? JUST AN OBSERVATION THAT, UM, THERE'S A LOT OF DETAIL THAT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED IN THE MINUTES.
OTHER THAN THAT, I HAVE NO COMMENT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER REEVE.
AND, UH, WE JUST GOT WORD THAT COMMISSIONER LINDSAY HAS JOINED US.
SO WELCOME COMMISSIONER LINDSAY.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING YOU JOIN US.
AND COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER CHRISTINA.
ARE THERE ANY EDITS YOU WISH TO MAKE TO THE MINUTES? NO.
COMMISSIONER PUI, DISTRICT EIGHT, DO YOU WISH TO MAKE EDITS TO THE MINUTES? NO.
COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER WHITE DISTRICT NINE.
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE ANY EDITS TO THE MINUTES? JUST THE SAME AS COMMISSIONER RE THERE'S A WHOLE LOT OF DETAILS ON HERE.
THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO, THAT'S GOOD TO KNOW.
COMMISSIONER BALLOU, DISTRICT 10.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANY EDITS? NO.
I'M JUST GONNA ECHO FOR SO EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS OUR POSITION THAT THERE'S WAY TOO MUCH DETAIL IN THE MINUTES, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I HAVE NO REVISION.
ALRIGHT, THAT'S REALLY GOOD TO KNOW.
UM, AGAIN, AS I HAVE REMINDED TO ALL OF US BEFORE, MINUTES ARE ONLY MEANT TO BE A RECORD OF WHAT WAS DONE AT THE MEETING AND WE DON'T, AND DETAILS IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS SAID AND BY WHOM IS ABSOLUTELY NOT NECESSARY UNLESS DEEMED APPROPRIATE.
I'M SORRY, UM, CHAIRMAN CONNIE, FOR THE BRIEF INTERJECTION, UH, I AGREE TO DISAGREE.
UM, IN TERMS OF A SYNOPSIS, WE VOTED ON MAKING SURE AS TO YOUR POINT, UM, WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE LIKE VERBATIM, UM, CONVERSATION AND COMMUNICATION IN THE REPORT, BUT WHEN EITHER COMMISSIONER HAS AN INQUIRY THAT SHOULD BE NOTED, EXCUSE ME, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S FILED, UH, PUBLICLY, BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE A DISABILITY WHO DO NOT JOIN THE MEETING THROUGH THE WEBINAR, THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO BACK TO THE WEBSITE AND PULL UP THAT INFORMATION TO SEE, UM, WHETHER THEY'RE A READER OR AUDIO, VISUAL, WHATEVER THEY CHOOSE TO BE.
WE HAVE TO HAVE AN OPPOSITE REPORT THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A DISSERTATION.
AND THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING THAT.
PERHAPS THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE MAY HAVE TO CONSULT WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.
'CAUSE WE VOTED TO HAVE THOSE COMMENTS IN THERE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY, DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE EDITS TO THE MINUTES FROM NOVEMBER? I DO NOT.
SO IN THAT CASE, I DO HAVE TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE BRIEF INTERJECTION, BUT THERE ARE TWO INDIVIDUALS WHO RECENTLY HAVE JOINED US, TONY AND MARY WITHERSPOON.
I, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU GUYS WISH TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT OR ARE YOU HERE JUST TO LISTEN IN, IN THAT CASE THEN WE WILL CONTINUE.
MY NAME IS TONY BRYANT AND I AM A REPRESENTATIVE, UH, BOARD MEMBER REPRESENTING THE ARC OF DFW.
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ATTENDING, UM, THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES MEETING.
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I AM JUST HERE, EXCUSE ME.MS. MS. BRYANT, WE KINDLY REQUEST THAT YOU TURN YOUR CAMERA ON IN ORDER TO BE COUNTED PRESENT.
IF YOU DON'T MIND DOING THAT, THEN WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT IMMENSELY.
I WAS JUST SAYING, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME ATTENDING YOUR MEETING AND, UH, HAPPY TO BE HERE.
AND I AM JUST HERE, UH, LISTENING TO, UM, YOUR PLATFORM AND WHAT YOUR PRIORITIES WILL BE, UM, FOR 2025.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MS. BRYANT, FOR COMING TO OUR MEETING, AND WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO YOU, YOU JOINING US IN FUTURE MEETINGS AND STAYING IN COMMUNICATION.
AND COMMISSIONER H****R FROM DISTRICT THREE HAS ARRIVED.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANY EDITS TO THE NOVEMBER 26TH, 2024 MEETING MINUTES? UH, NO.
WE'RE GLAD YOU'RE, YOU'RE WITH US CHAIR.
IF I'M, IF I MAY INTERJECT REALLY QUICKLY, UM, OUR SPEAKER WHO JUST SPOKE, I WANTED TO THANK HER FOR BEING HERE.
MANY OF YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW WHO CONNIE BRYANT IS.
SHE IS ACTUALLY THE IMMEDIATE PASS DISTRICT DIRECTOR, UM, FOR STATE REP ENTON JONES.
SO WE WANNA THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TODAY AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE AS OUR GUEST AND, AND TO, UH, LISTEN TO WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER POE FOR THIS POINT.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT MAY WISH TO PROVIDE EDITS TO THE MINUTES PRIOR TO APPROVAL? I SUBMIT APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES.
IN THAT CASE, I MOVE THAT THE MINUTES BE ACCEPTED AS CORRECTED.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSED? APPARENTLY THERE IS NONE.
SO THE MOTION PASSES AND THE MINUTES HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED AS CORRECTED.
OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS REGARDING THE CONSIDERATION TO APPROVE THE FY 2024 COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ANNUAL REPORT.
AS A FIRMLY REMINDER, BECAUSE IT'S BEEN A YEAR SINCE WE HAD TO DO THIS, THE ANNUAL REPORT IS A REPORT THAT OUTLINES THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS, PRIOR STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND EFFORTS OF THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES.
AND ANNUALLY THIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FOR THEIR APPROVAL.
KINDLY BE ADVISED THAT AT THIS POINT THE REPORT IS ONLY A DRAFT, WHICH MEANS NO DECISION HAS BEEN MADE OR VOTED ON.
ALL COMMISSIONERS WERE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ THIS, THE REPORT IN ITS ENTIRETY, AND WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS THEY WILL BE SHARING WITH US.
STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER REVY, DISTRICT ONE.
ARE THERE ANY ITEMS YOU WISH TO BE INCLUDED ON THE ANNUAL REPORT? POINT OF ORDER? I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR BEFORE WE CAN DISCUSS, UM, COMMISSIONER REVY IN THIS CASE, WE DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A MOTION TO DISCUSS THE ANNUAL REPORT.
THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE DISCUSSED.
IT'S, THIS IS COMMISSIONER BELU.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING YOU'RE NOT ASKING FOR A VOTE ON THE ACCEPTANCE.
YOU'RE JUST ASKING FOR EDITS AT THIS POINT.
SO WE'RE NOT, SO WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF VOTING TO, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF CONSIDERING THE APPROVAL OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND NOW WE ARE OPENING THE I I'M OPENING THE FLOOR FOR DISCUSSION.
THIS IS COMMISSIONER VY AGAIN.
I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE ISSUE IS OPEN FOR DISCUSSION AND SO I'M GOING TO MAKE THE FOLLOWING MOTION.
I MOVE THAT SEVEN ITEMS BE DELETED FROM THIS REPORT, THE FIRST ONE ON PAGE SEVEN WHEN IT CALLS FOR A HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS, UM, STRATEGIC.
WE HAVE NEVER DISCUSSED THIS AS A COMMISSION.
WE HAVE NEVER SAID IT AS A PRIORITY.
WE HAVE NEVER DISCUSSED OR PLANNED ANY OF THESE GOALS OR OBJECTIVES AS
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A COMMISSION, AND I WILL NOT SUBMIT A REPORT ON ITEMS WE HAVE NOT DISCUSSED AS A COMMISSION.COMMISSIONER REEVE, THANK YOU FOR ADDRESSING YOUR CONCERN TO THIS.
I THEREFORE VOTE THAT WE DO NOT REMOVE THE ITEMS ON PAGE 11 AND PAGE SEVEN.
WHILE WE DID NOT SET HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS AS A STRATEGIC PRIORITY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I RECOMMEND WE SHOULD DO BECAUSE IF YOU READ THE MISSION STATEMENT OF THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES, IT STATES THAT THE CITY OF DALLAS COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ADVISES THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ON A VARIETY OF ISSUES PERTAINING, PARDON ME, PERTAINING TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF NEEDS, RIGHTS, POINT OF ORDER, DISABILITIES.
I MADE A MOTION AND IT HAS NOT BEEN SECONDED.
HOW CAN WE HAVE A DISCUSSION? POINT OF ORDER CHAIR.
IT HAS TO BE SECONDED BEFORE THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION ON IT.
WELL, I SECOND HAD A DISCUSSION.
COMMISSIONER POWE, DISTRICT EIGHT.
I'M SECOND TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION.
OKAY, NOW WE CAN DISCUSS ANY OTHER COM EDITS OR CONCERNS THE COMMISSIONERS MAY HAVE ABOUT THE ANNUAL REPORT OF ORDER.
WE NEED TO VOTE ON HER MOTION.
WE NEED TO HAVE DISCUSSION AND THEN VOTE ON THE MOTION.
IN THAT CASE, UM, I SECOND SOME COMMISSIONERS HAVE SECONDED.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS MOTION OF DISCUSSING THE ANNUAL REPORT, PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
SO WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON COURT THAT WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IF WE'RE GONNA CHANGE SOMETHING OR AMEND SOMETHING OR TAKE SOMETHING OUT.
WE HAVE A RIGHT AS COMMISSIONERS TO SPEAK TO WHAT WE DON'T LIKE, WHAT WE DO, LIKE WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE, THE WAY WE CAN ALL UNDERSTAND AND RESPECT EACH OTHER'S NARRATIVE.
AND THEN IT'S JUST LIKE IN, IN, IN A TRIAL, THE JURY HEARS WHAT THE PROSECUTOR AND DA SAYS OF THE DEFENDANT AND BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.
SO, UM, IT'S, BUT THEN COMMISSIONER REY'S RIGHT.
THEN AS YOU GO DOWN THE LIST OF EACH DISTRICT, THEY CAN SAY WHAT THEY WANNA SAY, AND THEN AFTER THE DISCUSSION AND COLLABORATION, WE VOTE, DO WE KEEP IT OR DO WE NOT KEEP IT? OKAY.
NEXT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER H****R FROM DISTRICT THREE.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANY EDITS THAT NEED TO BE MADE? POINT OF ORDER.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY EDITS AT THIS TIME.
THIS IS COMMISSIONER WHITE, PLEASE DEBRIEFING WITH OUR HUMAN RIGHTS OFFICER.
GIVE THE CHAIR A MOMENT PLEASE.
UM, COMMISSIONER BLUE OR COMMISSIONER H****R FROM DISTRICT THREE.
DO YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE ANYTHING TO THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER REVY HAS MADE WITH REGARDS TO REMOVING CERTAIN ITEMS FROM THE REPORT? NO, NOT AT THIS TIME.
AND COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ, DISTRICT SIX, DO YOU WISH TO HAVE ANYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE WITH REGARDS TO MOVING OR REMOVING THE ITEMS THAT WERE SUGGESTED BY COMMISSIONER REVY? NO, NOT RIGHT NOW.
COMMISSIONER PUI, DISTRICT EIGHT, DO YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MOTION THAT WAS SUGGESTED BY COMMISSIONER REY? YES.
COMMISSIONER PERUE HERE, DISTRICT EIGHT.
UM, SOME OF OUR, IN ALL FAIRNESS, SOME OF THE NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONERS WERE NOT HERE AT THE TIME, BUT WE HAD A DISCUSSION, UM, REQUESTING TO MERGE THE COMMISSIONER ON DISABILITIES WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND WE SAID NO.
THEREFORE, PRIOR TO EVEN THAT, WE HAD A RETREAT INTO WHICH AT THE TIME, UM, I WAS CHAIRWOMAN AND OUR NEW CHAIR WAS THE VICE CHAIR.
AND AT THAT RETREAT, WE A COLLABORATED SUBCOMMITTEES.
UM, IT WAS MENTIONED THAT OUR MISSION, I JUST WANNA BE CLEAR BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE'RE ALL HUMAN, WE HAVE HUMAN RIGHTS.
THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES IS SEPARATE FROM THE
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HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION.OUR MISSION STATES MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON ISSUES PERTAINING TO THE FULL SPECTRUM OF NEEDS, RIGHTS, AND PRIVILEGES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN OUR MISSION.
IT DOES NOT SAY OF PEOPLE AND THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS.
SO WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT NOT TO, UM, HAVE ANY CONFUSION OR OR SEPARATISM OF WHAT THOSE TWO IDENTIFIED.
AND BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN ESTABLISHED SINCE 2021, AND ALTHOUGH IN THE FIRST TERM IT WAS DIFFICULT TO MAKE QUORUM BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH COMMISSIONERS TO SET FORTH TO HAVE THESE MEETINGS ON PAGE SEVEN, HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS WAS NOT IN OUR PROPOSED AND APPROVED, UM, BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL IN OUR MISSION AND IN OUR DUTIES AND EVEN IN OUR MEETINGS, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING COMPLETELY SEPARATE THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DISCUSSED AS A COMMISSION, UH, COLLABORATED AND APPROVED.
AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A PLAN AND OBJECTIVE IF THAT IS TO COME INTO PLACE BECAUSE, AGAIN, IN ALL TRUTH AND TRANSPARENCY, BECAUSE THOSE TWO ARE NOT ALWAYS THE SAME.
TRUTH IS I'M A WOMAN TRANSPARENCY, I'M A BLACK WOMAN.
I ALWAYS USE THAT EXAMPLE BECAUSE IT'S WHAT IT IS TO PUT THIS IN OUR ANNUAL REPORT WHEN WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY MEETINGS, ANY EVENTS, ANY DISCUSSION, ANY IMPLEMENTATION OF PROGRAMS IN REFERENCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS, THAT WOULD BE COMPLETELY, UM, INCOMPREHENSIBLE TO ME.
SO EVEN ON PAGE 11, AS IT STATED, UM, THE FIRST BULLET IS CORRECT, THE SECOND BULLET IS CORRECT.
UM, TO EXPLORE, EVEN TO EXPLORE HOSTING TOWN HALLS, THAT NEEDS TO ALSO BE A DISCUSSION WITH COMMISSIONERS AND THEN VOTED ON.
UM, WE'RE NOT GONNA GET INTO THE PROPOSAL OF THE FLAG BECAUSE WE HAVE A NEW ADMINISTRATION AND THEY'RE CHANGING SOME THINGS.
WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, THIS IS WHAT IT IS.
THIS IS WHERE WE ARE, UM, HOSTING THE SECOND ANNUAL A DA ANNIVERSARY.
UH, WE ALREADY HAD OUR FIRST THAT WAS DISCUSSED AND APPROVED, SO THAT'S CORRECT.
BUT THAT LAST BULLET IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DALLAS HOLOCAUST AND HUMAN RIGHTS MUSEUM SUPPORT AND TABLE, THE INAUGURAL DISABILITY PRIOR MONTH EVENT, THAT IS STILL SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT BEEN DISCUSSED.
ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AS COMMISSIONERS, AND I KNOW THAT THE CHAIR MAKES THE DECISIONS, UM, WITH THE OFFICE THAT SUPPORTS US AT THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION, WE HAVE TO ALSO BE INCLUDED, NOTIFIED, UM, AND HAVE A DISCUSSION TO WHERE ALL OF OUR I IDEAS AND PERSPECTIVES ARE AT THE TABLE SO THAT WE CAN VOTE ON ALL OF THESE ITEMS. SO I'M IN AGREEANCE WITH COMMISSIONER REY TO REMOVE THOSE ITEMS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT EVER BEEN A PART OF OUR COMMISSION.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER POEY FOR THOSE POINTS.
COMMISSIONER WHITE FROM DISTRICT NINE.
DO YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE MOTION THAT WAS MADE BY COMMISSIONER REY? IF I MAY, I DO APOLOGIZE.
THIS IS THE FLYER, I'M SURE ONLINE Y'ALL CAN'T SEE IT, BUT BEFORE, UM, I REQUESTED IN MY FIRST TERM THAT, BECAUSE NO ONE, THREE THINGS THAT MATTER, AWARENESS, INFORMATION AND EDUCATION.
WE DIDN'T HAVE A FLYER, WE DIDN'T HAVE A TABLE CLOTH.
WE WERE NOT PRESENT IN EITHER ONE OF OUR COMMUNITIES OR PROSPECTIVE DISTRICTS.
SO THE FLYER THAT WE HAVE WAS APPROVED IS BOTH IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH.
AND THERE IS NOTHING ON THIS FLYER IN REFERENCE TO HUMAN RIGHTS.
DO YOU WISH TO? I'M IN A, I AM IN AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER REVY.
IN ADDITION, THERE'S ANOTHER LOCATION WHERE IT SAYS HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS THAT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED.
UH, WE ALSO ONLY REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL.
WE DO NOT REPORT TO THE MAYOR BECAUSE HE'S PART OF CITY COUNCIL OR SHE, IF IT CHANGES AND WE DON'T DEPART REPORT TO DEPARTMENT HEADS OR ANYBODY ELSE, IT SIMPLY SAYS IN OUR MANDATE CITY COUNCIL.
SO THAT NEEDS TO BE INCLUDED AS WELL.
OUR MAYOR IS A, A MAN MAYOR ERIC JOHNSON.
SO IT'S MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
THE FEMALE THAT YOU'RE REFERENCING TO IS OUR CITY MANAGER WHO CONTROLS THE BUDGET AND ALL 13,000 EMPLOYEES.
I SAID THE MAYOR AND REFERRED TO HIM AS A HIM, BUT THAT CAN CHANGE.
SO ANY MAYOR, MALE OR FEMALE, BUT THANK YOU ANYWAY.
WELL, THE MAYOR APPROVED THE COMMISSION, RIGHT? YES, BUT IT SAYS IN OUR MANDATE, WE REPORT TO COUNCIL, PERIOD.
YEAH, BUT I, I DON'T WANNA, I DON'T WANNA EXCLUDE HIM BECAUSE WITHOUT THE MAYOR, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE COMMISSION.
SO IT'S MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL.
NO, OUR MANDATE SAYS CITY COUNCIL READ IT.
WHICH, WHICH IS WHY I MAKE THE EDITS.
BUT, SO THEN MAYBE WE NEED TO GET TO ONE HERE TO GIVE CLARITY BECAUSE MAYBE THAT'S A TYPO.
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ME.PARDON ME FOR THE INTERJECTION COMMISSIONERS.
I DO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE TRYING TO COME TO A CLARIFICATION HERE, BUT WE WANNA MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THROUGH ALL THE COMMISSIONERS IN DISCUSSING THIS MOTION BEFORE WE TAKE A FINAL VOTE ON IT.
OKAY? AND THIS COULD BE ADDRESSED MORE IN A PRIVATE SETTING.
I NO POINT OF ORDER REAL QUICK.
MISS COMMISSIONER, WHITE CHAIR.
YOU MENTIONED AS WE KICKED OFF THAT EACH PERSON WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK ONCE AND AFTER EVERYONE ELSE HAS SPOKEN, THAT THEN THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK A SECOND TIME.
HOWEVER, WE THINK THEY HAVE COMMERS, PARDON ME? JUMPING IN AND BACK AND FORTH.
OKAY, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU BALLOU.
YOU MADE A GOOD POINT, BUT NOW THERE SEEMS TO BE THESE, THE, YOU KNOW, WORDS COMING BACK AND FORTH WITH EACH OTHER AND WE NEED TO ALLOW EVERYONE IN THE ROOM THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THEIR VOICES HEARD.
I WAS SUPPORTING YOUR COMMENT ABOUT LETTING EVERYONE'S VOICE BE HEARD SO WE CAN GET THROUGH THE, THE ENTIRE, THE ENTIRE COMMISSION.
BUT WHAT I SAW AND WHAT I OBSERVED WAS SOME BACK AND FORTH CONVERSATIONS GOING ON, AND I UNDERSTAND WE'RE TRYING TO COME TO CLARIFICATION, BUT WE NEED TO ALSO ALLOW OTHERS TO ADDRESS THEIR VOICES AND DISCUSS THE MOTION.
ALRIGHT, CAN I FINISH? AND SO IT BRINGS ME TO MY POINT.
COMMISSIONER BLUE, DO YOU WISH TO DISCUSS ON THIS MOTION CONTRIBUTE? EXCUSE ME.
I'M SORRY, MR. WHITE IS NOT FINISHED YET.
I'M GONNA GIVE MY TIME BACK TO HER TO FINISH HER POINT.
OUR MANDATE SAYS TO THE MAYOR, I MEAN TO CITY COUNCIL, IT DOES NOT SAY MAYOR.
IF IT TURNS OUT THEY CHANGE IT TO MAYOR, I'M GOOD.
BUT WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO REPORT TO DEPARTMENT HEADS CZAR ANY OF THE REST OF THAT THAT'S LISTED ON HERE.
THANK YOU FOR MAKING OTHERWISE, COMMISSIONER, I'M COMPLETELY THANK YOU COMMISSIONER WITH COMMISSIONER, UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT.
OTHERWISE I'M IN COMPLETE AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER REY.
ALRIGHT, ALL I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER PEY I, EVERYTHING SHE SAID ABOUT THIS REPORT, AND THEN I'LL ADD ON TO COMMISSIONER WHITE.
UM, AND I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER REY'S MOTION.
AND COMMISSIONER, AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER LINDSEY FROM DISTRICT 14.
DO YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CURRENT MOTION THAT IS BEING DISCUSSED? I WISH TO ABSTAIN AT THIS TIME AS A NEW COMMISSIONER.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER LINDSAY.
I JUST HAVE A FEW REMARKS WITH REGARDS TO COMMISSIONER RE REY'S MOTION.
I RESPECTFULLY HAVE TO DISAGREE BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE HUMAN RIGHTS WAS NOT ADOPTED AS A STRATEGIC PRIORITY, THIS IS HONESTLY WHAT I WANT TO SEE HAPPENING BECAUSE WHILE WE FOCUSED ON PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT, IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT WE'RE HERE TO SERVE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.
AND I BELIEVE THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITY THAT WE HAVE AS A BODY IS TO SAFEGUARD THE DIGNITY AND RIGHTS OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES.
BECAUSE THE TRUTH IS ACCESSIBILITY IS NOT A PRIVILEGE, NOR IS IT A LUXURY.
IT IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO STARTING.
SO WITH REGARDS TO THE FINAL REMARKS THAT I MADE, I'M GOING TO ALLOW SOME OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS ABOUT THIS BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONER REY, DISTRICT ONE.
I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE HAVE NOT DISCUSSED ANY OF THESE ITEMS AS A COMMISSION, AND THEY'RE, IN MY OPINION, NOT APPROPRIATE.
THAT'S THE REASON FOR MY MOTION TO STRIKE THESE SECTIONS.
NEXT IS COMMISSIONER BLUE, OR COMMISSIONER H****R, DISTRICT THREE.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANY COMMENTS ABOUT THE DISCUSSION? THE REMARKS THAT I MADE WITH REGARDS TO THIS? YES.
I, I AGREE AGAIN WITH, UH, COMMISSIONER REVY.
UM, DUE THAT TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THIS, UM, AS A COMMISSION.
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IT MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE TO ADD THIS INTO THE REPORT AT THIS TIME.NEXT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ FROM DISTRICT SIX.
DO YOU WISH TO DISCUSS A SECOND TIME ABOUT THE MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER REVY? I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER REVY AND COMMISSIONER H****R.
AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER POEY FOR THE EXPLANATION.
COMMISSIONER POEY FROM DISTRICT EIGHT.
DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK FOR A SECOND TIME REGARDING THE MOTION AND THE REMARKS THAT WERE MADE BY ME? UH, YES.
COMMISSIONER POEY HERE, DISTRICT EIGHT.
SO MY BACK AND FORTH WITH COMMISSIONER WHITE IS A HEALTHY BACK AND FORTH
I WANNA JUST PUT THAT OUT THERE IS WHAT WE DO AS WOMEN, WE WANNA GET IT RIGHT.
BUT, UM, JUST AGAIN, IN CLARITY ON THE FLYER, UM, PORT OF ORDER AGAIN FOR POINT OF ORDER.
MR. CHAIRMAN DISCUSSION HAS TO RELATE TO THE MOTION, NOT TO ANY OTHER ITEMS. I AGREE, BUT I JUST WANNA PUT THAT AS A DISCLAIMER.
SO ON THE FLYER WHERE IT READS ABOUT COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES, IT DOES STATE, THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES ADVISES THE MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL AND CITY OF DALLAS DEPARTMENTS ABOUT ISSUES OF IMPORTANCE TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, RECOMMENDING POLICIES AND PRACTICES TO THE CITY REGARDING THE CONCERNS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, AND ENCOURAGES UNDERSTANDING AMONG PEOPLE WITH VARIOUS DISABILITIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF DALLAS' DIVERSE COMMUNITY.
THERE IS A COMPLETE DIFFERENCE BECAUSE HUMAN RIGHTS ARE THE BASIC RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS THAT ALL PEOPLE ARE ENTITLED TO.
SO NOT EVERYONE HAS A DISABILITY REGARDLESS OF THEIR STATUS COURT ORDER.
CAN WE DISCUSS THE MOTION AT HAND AND NOT CLARIFICATION OF WELL, I'M ADDING CLARIFICATION TO THE MOTION BECAUSE IT'S NOT, THE MOTION HAS TO DO WITH, HOLD ON.
I WAS STILL TALKING AND YOU INTERRUPTED ME, WHICH IS RUDE.
WELL, YOU INTERRUPTED BE CLEAR.
YEAH, BUT LET'S LET THE CHAIR DO HIS JOB.
I'M STILL SPEAKING, SO YOU'RE TAKING MY TIME.
SO LET ME FINISH ON MY TIME AND THEN YOU CAN COMMENT ON WHAT YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT I'M SAYING.
WHAT I'M SAYING IS, AGAIN, IN CLARITY, WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR MISSION IS IN, IN THIS COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES.
WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE DUTIES AND NONE OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS INFORMATION IS A PART OF THAT DUTY.
SO I STAND WITH COMMISSIONER REBE.
UM, THE MOTION TO REMOVE THAT AND STRIKE THAT.
I STAND WITH COMMISSIONER BELOW AND I STAND WITH COMMISSIONER WRIGHT AND EVERY OTHER COMMISSIONER THAT'S GONNA SAY NO.
NEXT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER WHITE FROM DISTRICT NINE.
DO YOU WISH TO DISCUSS FOR A SECOND TIME THIS MOTION THAT IS, THAT HAS BEEN MADE BY COMMISSIONER REEVE? UH, AS TO YOUR, UH, COMMENTS ON IT, I AM 100% IN AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER RE AND COMMISSIONER
UH, IT, IT HAS NOT BEEN VOTED ON IT, IT HAS NO PLACE, UH, IN THIS ANNUAL REPORT.
IT HASN'T EVEN BEEN DISCUSSED.
UM, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, BUT UNTIL IT'S DISCUSSED AND VOTED ON AND DECIDED BY THE BODY OF THE COMMISSION, IT HAS NO PLACE HERE.
COMMISSIONER BALLOU, DISTRICT 10.
DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK FOR A SECOND TIME REGARDING THIS MOTION? YES, I DO.
I'D LIKE TO SAY SIMILAR TO WHAT COMMISSIONER WHITE SAID IS THIS IS A REPORT ON OUR ACTIVITIES OF 2024, NOT WHERE WE WANT TO TAKE THE COMMISSION.
SO THEREFORE, TO REPORT THAT THESE WERE WHAT WE DID IN 2024 IS NOT ACCURATE BECAUSE IT WASN'T DONE.
SAME WITH GOING FORWARD AND THE GOALS FOR FY 25, THOSE HAVE NOT BEEN VOTED ON.
THOSE HAVE NOT BEEN AGREED TO UPON BY THE COMMISSION.
WHILE THEY ALL ARE GREAT GOALS, I DON'T HAVE ANY OBJECTION TO WHAT YOU SAID AS FAR AS WHY YOU WANT TO HAVE IT THERE.
IT'S NOT IN OUR, UH, DECIDED DIRECTION.
AND SO I THINK AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THE COMMISSIONER OR THE CHAIRMAN CAN BRING UP THIS ADDITION TO WHAT WE'RE FOCUSING ON AND WE CAN HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND THAT VOTE.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY, DISTRICT 14.
DO YOU WISH TO SPEAK FOR A SECOND TIME REGARDING THIS MOTION? OH, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER LINDSAY.
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SINCE THE MOTION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED FOR A SECOND TIME, I MOVE THAT WE TAKE A VOTE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO WITH THIS MOTION, WHETHER WE ACCEPT OR REJECT, UM, OR IN TERMS OF THE ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE REMOVED, BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER REED, THE DISTRICT ONE, I MOVE TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENT TO THIS MAIN MOTION.DISTRICT THREE, I MOVE TO ADOPT THE AMENDMENT.
COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ, DISTRICT SIX TO ADOPT.
COMMISSIONER POEY, DISTRICT EIGHT, COMMISSIONER POEY, DISTRICT A MO TO ADAPT THE AMENDMENT.
COMMISSIONER WHITE, DISTRICT NINE, COMMISSIONER WHITE HERE.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER OU, DISTRICT 10 VOTES TO ADOPT THE MOTION.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY, DISTRICT 14.
I'M ABATING FROM VOTING ON THIS ISSUE.
SO THE MOTION HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AND IT HAS BEEN VOTED ON.
THEREFORE, I MAKE A MOTION THAT THE, THE MOTION WITH THE AMENDMENTS BE ADOPTED.
ALL IN FAVOR OF VOTING FOR THIS PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
SO THE MOTION PASSES AND THE NEW ONE HAS BEEN VOTED ON AND AS ADOPTED.
WE'RE NOW MOVING TO THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, WHICH IS THE APOLOGIES.
UH, UH, MS. COMMISSIONER BALLOU, THAT WAS JUST ONE EDIT.
I HAD OTHER EDITS TO THIS DOCUMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
I DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GONNA CONTINUE THAT OR THAT'S THE ONLY EDIT WE'RE GONNA MAKE TO IT.
FOR EXAMPLE, ON PAGE SEVEN, IT REFERS TO THE KEB HUTCHINSON CONVENTION CENTER.
THAT NEEDS TO BE THE K BAILEY HUTCHINSON CONVENTION CENTER.
SO ARE WE DONE WITH THIS DOCUMENT AND WE JUST ACCEPTED IT AS IS OR WAS THAT THE ONLY AMENDMENT WE'RE GONNA TAKE? I BELIEVE THAT WE HAD SOME OTHER EDITS.
I MEAN, THIS WAS A MOTION THAT WE HAD VOTED ON TO ADOPT I COMMISSIONER H****R, DO YOU WISH TO FROM DISTRICT THREE? DO YOU WISH TO MAKE ANY FURTHER EDITS? NO.
COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ, ANY FURTHER EDITS YOU WISH TO MAKE TO THIS REPORT? NOT AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONER POEY, ANY FURTHER EDITS YOU WISH TO MAKE? NO, NOT AT THIS TIME.
COMMISSIONER WHITE DISTRICT NINE.
ANY FURTHER EDITS? UH, JUST AS LONG AS ALL MENTION OF HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS BE REMOVED FROM THE DOCUMENTS.
COMMISSIONER BALLOU, DISTRICT 10.
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE ANY FURTHER EDITS TO THIS REPORT? NO.
JUST THROUGH THE CORRECTION TO THE CORRECT NAME OF THE CONVENTION CENTER? YES.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY DISTRICT 14.
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE FURTHER EDITS TO THE REPORT? NO.
IN THAT CASE THEN I MAKE A MOTION, I MOVE THAT THE REPORT BE ADAPTED AS CORRECTED.
ALL IN FAVOR PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING POINT OF ORDER.
COMMISSIONER, DID YOU SECOND? YOU SECONDED I SECOND TO MOVE, UM, THE ADAPTING OF THE AMENDMENT FOR THE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2024.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS ADOPTION PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
COMMISSIONER WHITE, THIS REVY DISTRICT ONE.
THERE, THERE ARE NO OPPOSITIONS.
I JUST, I JUST HAVE A COMMENT.
[00:35:01]
YES.APPARENTLY THERE ARE NO OPPOSITIONS.
SO THE MOTION PASSES THE ANNUAL REPORT WITH HAS BEEN ADOPTED AND EDITED.
NEXT, OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE OFFICER'S REPORT.
I WILL BEGIN BY PROVIDING THE CHAIRMAN'S REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY.
ON JANUARY THE 19TH, I ATTENDED A STAKEHOLDERS MEETING AT SOUTHERN METHODIST UNIVERSITY HOSTED BY HUMAN RIGHTS DALLAS.
HERE I WAS DEEPLY HONORED TO REPRESENT THE CITY OF DALLAS COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES AND SHARE WITH FELLOW PARTICIPANTS ABOUT OUR WORK TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY, WITH DIVERSE ABILITIES.
THIS WAS ALSO A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH ENTREPRENEURS, NONPROFIT LEADERS, SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY TO DISCUSS PROPOSED OBJECTIVES AND GOALS FOR THE YEAR IN MAKING SURE THAT DALLAS LIVES UP TO ITS PROMISE OF BEING A TRUE HUMAN RIGHTS CITY.
THROUGH THE SHARING OF IDEAS, WE BELIEVE THAT A PATH HAS BEEN CREATED AND IT NOW COMES DOWN TO TAKING ACTION AND CARRYING OUT THESE OBJECTIVES.
THIS CONCLUDES MY REPORT FOR THIS MONTH.
AND I WILL NOW TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COMMISSIONERS WHO MAY WISH TO PROVIDE REPORTS OF THEIR OWN.
JUST LIKE IN PREVIOUS MEETINGS, IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT, YOU MAY INDICATE THAT ALSO WHEN YOUR NAME AND RESPECTIVE DISTRICT ARE ANNOUNCED, BEGINNING WITH COMMISSIONER RE DISTRICT ONE, DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY? YES, I HAVE TWO BRIEF REPORTS, TWO BRIEF STATEMENTS.
UM, THIS COMMISSION FOR OVER A YEAR HAS BEEN DISCUSSING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AS A MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE.
AND WE HAVE NOT HAD MUCH RESPONSE ON THAT FROM THE CITY.
I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT A MOSEY AUTONOMOUS VEHICLE LED THE CHRISTMAS PARADE FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS LAST MONTH.
A DRIVERLESS VEHICLE LED THE CHRISTMAS PARADE FOR THE CITY OF DALLAS.
THE OTHER THING I WANT TO REPORT, AND I WANT TO THANK STAFF AND, UM, TRAFFIC FOR GETTING BACK TO ME ON THIS.
PEOPLE WHO RIDE THOSE LIME SCOOTERS OR ANY DISABLED SCOOTER OR POWER WHEELCHAIRS MAY NOT USE THE BICYCLE LANE.
THEY ARE REGARDED AS PEDESTRIANS.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER REY FOR PROVIDING THIS REPORT.
YOUR EFFORTS IN ENHANCING ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION ARE RECOGNIZED, VALUED, AND ALWAYS APPRECIATED.
NEXT WE HAVE COMMISSIONER H****R FROM DISTRICT THREE.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR THIS MONTH? YES, I DO.
UM, I ATTENDED REAL QUICK, ATTENDED A COMMUNITY BREAKFAST HOSTED BY, UM, COUNCILMAN GRACIE FOR DISTRICT THREE, AND WE HAD A VENDOR THERE, WINGS, UH, WHICH IS A DRONE DELIVERY SERVICE.
UM, WE HAVE FINALLY, UM, BEEN ABLE TO GET A DRONE DELIVERY SERVICE FOR OUR LOCAL WALMART HERE IN THE 7 5 2 4 9 ZIP CODE, UH, WHICH I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT.
UM, AS YOU KNOW, UM, HAVING THIS TYPE OF SERVICE WILL BE, UM, GREATLY BENEFICIAL FOR, UM, RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES IN THIS AREA, UH, WHERE NOW THEY CAN, THEY DON'T HAVE TO NECESSARILY VENTURE OUT TO THE STORE, UH, THEMSELVES.
THEY CAN USE THIS STRONG DELIVERY SERVICE TO HAVE ITEMS DROPPED OFF RIGHT AT THEIR FRONT DOOR.
UM, SO I'M WORKING WITH THIS COMPANY, UH, IN ORDER TO INCREASE, INCREASE AWARENESS, UM, FOR THIS SERVICE FOR THE RESIDENTS, UH, SPECIFICALLY THOSE WITH DISABILITIES, UM, SO THAT WE CAN, UM, GET THE MOST USE OUTTA THIS SERVICE.
AND HOPEFULLY THIS WILL AGAIN, HELP THOSE, UM, THAT HAVE STRUGGLED IN THE PAST, JUST GETTING IT TO THE STORE, UH, TO GET SOME OF THOSE ESSENTIAL ITEMS THAT THEY NEED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REPORTING ON THIS COMMISSIONER H****R.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ FROM DISTRICT SIX.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY
OKAY, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER POEY
[00:40:01]
FROM DISTRICT EIGHT.DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY? YES, I DO.
COMMISSIONER POEY HERE, DISTRICT EIGHT.
AND AGAIN, HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE.
UM, FIRST AND FOREMOST, CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR NEW CITY MANAGER, KIMBERLY TOLBERT.
I DID ATTEND, UH, THE MEET AND GREETS, UM, IN REFERENCE TO THE, THE FINAL THREE CANDIDATES THAT WE HAD.
SO I LOOK FORWARD TO, UM, WORKING CLOSELY WITH, UM, THE DEPARTMENTS TO ASSIST US HERE WITH THE COMMISSIONER ON DISABILITIES ON JANUARY THE 14TH.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT MANY ORGANIZATIONS OR NONPROFITS OR PROFITS HAVE THESE TYPE OF WEBINARS, BUT THE PAC PARTNERS RESOURCE NETWORK HAD A WEBINAR IN REFERENCE TO, UH, CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.
THEY DISCUSSED LIFE CARE PLANS, STATES FAMILY RESOURCES, AND FINANCIAL STRATEGY, AND THAT LOOKS REALLY DIFFERENT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR INCOME.
UM, SO PLEASE GO TO GOOGLE OR ANY OTHER PLATFORM TO LOOK UP THAT PARTICULAR, IT'S TX, PACT AS IN TPAC TO GET SOME INFORMATION, UM, AT NO COST.
THESE ARE ALSO SOME FREE CONSULTATIONS WITH THAT.
ON THE 17TH OF JANUARY, I ATTENDED THE EQUITY INDICATORS SYMPOSIUM THAT WE HAD AT THE, UH, FAIR PARK.
THEY WERE DISCUSSING ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.
BUT THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER PART TO THAT ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT FOOD DESERTS AND EVEN A DA ACCOMMODATIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND ALL OF OUR PROSPECTIVE DISTRICTS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS AND EVEN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, UM, WHO DON'T HAVE THEIR BUILDINGS, UH, A DA IN COMPLIANT AND ACCOMMODATIONS BASED ON THE YEAR THAT THEY WERE BUILT.
SO PEOPLE AREN'T ABLE TO HAVE THAT ACCESSIBILITY THAT IS NEEDED ON THE 18TH, UH, JANUARY THE 18TH IN CELEBRATION OF FEED, DR.
REVEREND MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
I PARTICIPATED IN THE MLK PARADE IN SUNNY SOUTH DALLAS.
I WAS THE ONLY COMMISSIONER OUT THERE.
I KNOW IT WAS COLD, BUT, UM, WHAT I, I REQUESTED AND I WANNA THANK THE OFFICE OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION FOR PRINTING OUT 100 FLYERS FOR ME TO GIVE TO CONSTITUENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DON'T JUST LIVE IN SOUTH DALLAS, BUT THEY WERE THERE TO CELEBRATE MLK TO GET SOME MORE INFORMATION TO BRING AWARENESS FOR OUR COMMISSION SO THAT THEY CAN SIGN UP AND SPEAK AND ALSO BE AWARE OF OUR MISSION.
UM, ON THE 22ND, UM, FOR THE WORLD CUP, THERE WAS A WEBINAR IN REFERENCE TO, UM, HUMAN RIGHTS, BUT ALSO I HAD MENTIONED WE TEND TO KEEP LEAVING OUT BEING INCLUSIVE FOR INDIVIDUALS, WHETHER YOU WANNA CALL IT DISABILITIES HANDICAP ACCESSIBILITY.
WE KEEP FORGETTING THAT THAT IS A PRIORITY AND WE HAVE TO BE MORE INTENTIONAL IN ASKING THOSE QUESTIONS.
SO I WAS ABLE TO MENTION THAT I DID NOTICE THAT DYLAN RAF, WHO'S ON OUR TECHNICAL PANEL, WAS ALSO IN ATTENDANCE AND A FEW PEOPLE HERE FROM CITY HALL.
BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THIS, THAT, UM, IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED, UH, WHILE WE'RE HERE.
BUT I, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, UM, MORE OF US POSSIBLY IN OUR PROSPECTIVE DISTRICTS TO WHETHER ISSUE AT YOUR REC CENTER OR ANY OTHER FACILITY TO LEAVE SOME FLYERS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO PICK THAT UP.
UM, BUT, AND THEN I JUST WANNA LEAVE WITH THIS QUOTE, INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER POEY FOR YOUR REPORT, AND THAT WAS A VERY POWERFUL WAY TO END IT.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER WHITE FROM DISTRICT NINE.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR THIS MONTH? I DO.
UH, I HAVE BEEN SPENDING A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME WHEN I'M NOT AT WORK, UM, RESEARCHING THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES FOR THOSE WITH ADDICTION.
ADDICTION, UH, COVERS ALCOHOLISM AS WELL AS ANY KIND OF ADDICTION.
UM, AND I KNOW THAT SOME PLACES THAT ARE, ARE FREE OR, OR SUBSIDIZED BY GRANTS HAVE, UH, CLOSED RECENTLY.
SO I'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT THE RESOURCES ARE AND PARTICULARLY FOR YOUTH BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE, UH, TWO PEOPLE THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH WILL BE PRESENTING NEXT MONTH.
UM, BUT THAT'S HOW I'VE BEEN SPENDING MY TIME BECAUSE UM, I MEAN WE HAVE A FENTANYL TASK FORCE IN THE CITY.
UM, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER WHITE FOR THIS REPORT.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER BLUE FROM DISTRICT 10.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT FOR JANUARY? NO, I DO NOT.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BALLOU.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE GO TO COMMISSIONER LINDSAY FROM DISTRICT 14.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE A REPORT? UM, I WILL JUST SAY THAT, UM, AS A NEW COMMISSIONER, I HAVE BEEN TAKING TIME TO LEARN WHAT THE COMMISSION HAS DONE OVER THE PAST YEAR, SO I CAN HAVE A BETTER REPORT FOR YOU FOR NEXT MONTH.
[00:45:01]
PARTICIPATING WITH THIS COMMISSION.THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY.
WE'RE CERTAINLY DELIGHTED THAT YOU HAVE JOINED US AND WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR, YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND IDEAS.
NEXT WE GO TO THE BRIEFING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.
WE'RE VERY DELIGHTED TO HAVE THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND DALLAS CHAPTER, AND WE'RE SO HONORED TO HAVE AL RODRIGUEZ THE PRESIDENT OF OUR CHAPTER, WHOM ALSO VERY DELIGHTED TO CALL MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND.
UH, WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A WHILE.
THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND IS THE LARGEST CIVIL RIGHTS ORGANIZATION IN THE UNITED STATES CONSISTING OF OVER 500 CHAPTERS AND AFFILIATES ACROSS THE 50 UNITED STATES, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO.
HERE AT TODAY'S BRIEFING, PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ WILL BE BRIEFING US ON THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND AND GIVE US A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE RESOURCES IT CAN PROVIDE TO PEOPLE LIVING WITH BLINDNESS HERE IN THE DALLAS AREA.
WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, I NOW WELCOME PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ TO SHARE HIS TESTIMONY AND GIVE HIS PRESENTATION.
GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE, AND UM, AND PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ, IF YOU'D BE SO KIND IN TURNING YOUR CAMERA ON, THAT WOULD BE APPRECIATED IMMENSELY.
SECOND, LET ME TURN MY SCREEN READER ON.
ARE YOU ABLE TO SEE IT NOW? UM, UNFORTUNATELY NO.
UM, IT CANNOT BE SEEN BY THOSE AROUND US.
ONE SECOND TO TURN MY, CAN ANYONE SEE THE CAMERA ON NOW? NO, UNFORTUNATELY THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SEE IT.
MR. RODRIGUEZ, IT APPEARS YOUR CAMERA'S ON BUT NOT PROJECTING 'CAUSE IT SWITCHED OVER.
COULD THERE BE A COVER OVER IT BY ANY CHANCE? IS THAT BETTER RIGHT THERE? I THINK IT WAS.
UM, I DO APOLOGIZE FOR THE INTERRUPTION, BUT AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO BE CALLING THE MEETING FOR A FIVE MINUTE RECESS BREAK UNTIL WE GET THE TECHNICAL SITUATION RESOLVED.
GET THE TECHNICAL SITUATION RESOLVED.
ALRIGHT EVERYONE, WELCOME BACK.
WE HAVE QUORUM AND THE MEETING WILL RESUME AS PLANNED.
WE NOW INVITE PRESIDENT AL RODRIGUEZ TO SHARE ABOUT THE VITAL WORK OF THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND OF DALLAS AND HOW IT COULD BE A VITAL RESOURCE FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH BLINDNESS IN THE DALLAS AREA.
PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ, THE FLOOR IS NOW YOURS.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR MY THE INVITATION.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE AS THE DALLAS, UH, FEDERATION, THE BLIND CHAPTERS PRESIDENT.
UM, THIS WILL BE MY SECOND YEAR.
UH, WE HAVE GROWN FROM 30 UP TO 78 MEMBERS AS OF NOW FROM LAST YEAR.
UM, WHAT WE'RE DOING NOW IS WE'RE GOING THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, UM, TO BASICALLY MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IN THE BLIND COMMUNITY IS FEELING WELCOME AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, WHETHER IF IT'S BOWLING OR TO THE THEATERS OR JUST IN GENERAL.
[00:50:01]
WE DO HAVE OUR MONTHLY MEETINGS AND WE ENCOURAGE NEW MEMBERS TO ATTEND TO OUR MEETINGS, UH, WHICH ARE HELD THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH.MYSELF, I'M TOTALLY BLIND, SO THEREFORE, UM, I DO APPRECIATE WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING WITH THE CITY OF DALLAS WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU GUYS ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH.
UM, NEXT WEEK I WILL BE AT CAPITOL HILL, UM, GOING OVER, UH, SOME OF THE THINGS THAT DO MATTER FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SUCH AS A DISABILITY ON THE WEBSITES AND, UM, THE, UH, MEDICAL DEVICES.
AND FURTHERMORE, UM, NOW IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED, AND I INVITE ALL OF YOU GUYS TO MAKE THE ATTEMPT TO ATTEND ONE OF OUR MEETINGS, UM, WHICH IS HELD ON THE SECOND SATURDAY OF THE MONTH, UM, AT, AT THE LIBRARY IN GARLAND, SOUTH BRANCH.
UM, AND IT'S FROM ONE 30 TO THREE 30.
AND, UM, WE TRY TO MAKE EVERYTHING AS ACCESSIBLE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE.
UM, AS FAR AS YOU GUYS, LIKE I MENTIONED, DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYONE THAT'S LOW VISION IN YOUR FAMILY OR AS SOLUTION THEIR VISION? THERE IS HOPE OUT THERE FOR EVERYONE.
AND, UH, ONE THING THAT LAST YEAR WE, UH, DID SOMETHING, WE HIT ONE OF THE MILESTONES THAT, UH, IN OUR CHAPTER, WE'VE NEVER HAD A WHITE CANE AWARENESS AND WE FINALLY DID IT AS HER, UM, THE, THE FOR THE FIRST TIME.
AND, UM, I KNOW JOHN CAME OUT AND READ THE PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF DALLAS AND THAT WAS VERY, UH, OUTSTANDING.
WE ALSO HAD OUR STATE PRESIDENT, MS. CROSBY, ATTEND OUR, UM, WHITE CANE AWARENESS.
AND, UM, I WOULD LIKE, YOU KNOW, FOR ANYONE TO BE WELCOME IN OUR FUTURE EVENTS, WHETHER, IF IT'S AWARENESS DAY OR MEETINGS OR IN GENERAL AND EVERYONE IS WELCOMED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ FOR PROVIDING US WITH THIS, THIS, UH, BRIEFING.
I DO REMEMBER THE TIMES WHEN I SERVED ON THE BOARD OF NFP DALLAS CHAPTER, WHICH WAS A DISTINCT HONOR.
I HAVE ALSO ATTENDED THE WASHINGTON SEMINAR AND IT'S TRULY EMPOWERING TO ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATION RELATING TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH VISUAL IMPAIRMENTS.
AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR INVITING ME TO READ THE PROCLAMATION AT THE CHAPTERS.
FIRST OF ITS KIND, WHY CAN AWARENESS DAY? I CERTAINLY HOPE TO BE PART OF MANY MORE IN THE YEARS TO COME.
AND MY COMMENT IS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND SHARING WITH US ABOUT THE WORK OF THE NFB DALLAS CHAPTER.
AND PLEASE STAY IN TOUCH IN TERMS OF HOW THE COMMISSION CAN HELP YOUR EFFORTS.
I DO NOT HAVE ANY QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME, AND I WILL NOW TURN THE FLOOR OVER TO COMMISSIONERS WHO MAY HAVE QUESTIONS OR MAY WISH TO OFFER COMMENTS STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER DISTRICT ONE.
DO YOU WISH TO ASK QUESTIONS OR PROVIDE COMMENTS? THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
I'M GLAD FOR YOUR EFFORTS ON WHITE TEAM DAY.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER ROD H****R, DISTRICT THREE.
UH, THANK YOU AGAIN FOR BEING HERE.
THE WORK THAT YOUR ORGANIZATION, ORGANIZATION IS DOING IS, UH, GREATLY NEEDED AND, UM, APPRECIATED.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JUST SHARING YOUR STORY.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ, DISTRICT SIX.
DO YOU WISH TO ASK A QUESTION OR MAKE A COMMENT? MY COMMENT WOULD BE, THANK YOU DAYTON, YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION TODAY.
AND NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER PUE, DISTRICT EIGHT.
DO YOU WISH TO ASK A QUESTION OR MAKE A COMMENT? COMMISSIONER PUE HERE AT DISTRICT EIGHT AND NO QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU MR. RODRIGUEZ FOR THE INFORMATION.
UM, AND, UH, CONGRATULATIONS ON DOUBLING YOUR NUMBERS AND YOUR MEMBERSHIP.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER WHITE, DISTRICT NINE, COMMISSIONER WHITE HERE.
UH, I WILL JOIN EVERYONE IN THANKING YOU FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
I HAD A GREAT AUNT, UH, THAT WAS COMPLETELY BLIND AND UH, SHE WAS ALWAYS AMAZING TO ME WHAT ALL SHE COULD DO, BUT SHE SURE COULD HAVE BENEFITED FROM A LOSS THAT'S AVAILABLE TODAY.
SO I DO APPRECIATE ALL YOUR WORK.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER BLUE, DISTRICT 10.
[00:55:01]
ASK A QUESTION OR MAKE A COMMENT? NO QUESTION.JUST A COMMENT OF THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE GETTING INVOLVED AND STEPPING UP AS SELF-ADVOCATES AND RELATED TO THEIR DIFFERENT ABILITIES IS WHAT MAKES THINGS MOVE FORWARD.
AND, AND ARE, EACH OF US ARE TOUCHED BY DISABILITIES IN SOME WAY.
AND SO IT TAKES THIS ADVOCATE AND SELF-ADVOCACY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER BALLOU.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE GO TO COMMISSIONER LINDSAY, DISTRICT 14.
THANK YOU MR. RODRIGUEZ, FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE DOING.
UH, I LOOK FORWARD TO ATTENDING MORE OF YOUR AWARENESS DAYS AND ACTIVITIES TO SEE HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY.
AND THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN, PRESIDENT RODRIGUEZ FOR COMING TO OUR MEETING AND GIVING US THIS BRIEFING.
WE ARE REALLY EMPOWERED BY YOUR EFFORTS AND PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU.
OUR NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT IS ANNOUNCEMENTS.
JANUARY IS NATIONAL BRAILLE LITERACY MONTH.
THIS IS A TIME WHERE WE HONOR THE LEGACY OF LOUIS BRAILLE, WHO CREATED A VITAL SYSTEM OF COMMUNICATION FOR MEMBERS OF THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED COMMUNITY 200 YEARS AGO.
BRAILLE IS NOT ONLY A TOOL FOR READING AND WRITING, BUT ALSO PROMOTES INDEPENDENCE AND OPENS THE DOORS OF KNOWLEDGE, FREEDOM, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE SIGNIFICANT, THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYSTEM.
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT THE SYSTEM IS MAKING ON THE LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH BLINDNESS CANNOT BE UNDERESTIMATED DURING THIS TIME.
A REFLECTION LET US ENCOURAGE OUR COMMUNITIES TO INVEST IN BRAILLE BY LEARNING ABOUT THIS DISTINCT SYSTEM AND PROMOTING LITERACY ACROSS OUR COMMUNITIES.
ON JANUARY THE 16TH, THE CITY OF DALLAS PLANNING COMMITTEE WAS BRIEFED ON THE PROPOSED ELIMINATION OF PARKING MINIMUMS IN OUR CITY.
THIS MEANS THAT PEOPLE WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO WALK OR USE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION TO TRAVEL TO THEIR DESTINATIONS.
HOWEVER, THIS PROPOSAL MAKES NO MENTION ABOUT ACCESSIBLE PARKING SPACES AND IGNORES BEST PRACTICES FOR DISABILITY INCLUSION.
AS NOT EVERY MEMBER OF THIS COMMUNITY CAN ACCESS PUBLIC TRANSIT AND RELIES ON THE PARKING SPACES WHICH ARE SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS.
ON THAT NOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, AND YOUR HELP IS VERY MUCH NEEDED IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN DO AS A COMMISSION TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PARKING MINIMUMS ARE NOT ELIMINATED.
ON FEBRUARY THE 13TH, THE CITY PLANNING COMMUNITY WILL COME BACK TOGETHER TO DISCUSS MORE ABOUT THE THESE ORDINANCES.
AND ALSO, ONE MORE THING TO NOTE ON THIS IS THAT THE CITY'S ZONING AND ORDINANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS ALSO INVOLVED.
WE WILL NOW MOVE TO COMMISSIONERS WHO MAY WISH TO PROVIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THEIR OWN, STARTING WITH COMMISSIONER ONE, DISTRICT ONE, COMMISSIONER REY DISTRICT ONE.
ONE BRIEF ANNOUNCEMENT, PROVISION FOR HANDICAP SPACES IS INCLUDED IN THE PARKING MINIMUMS, UH, PROPOSAL.
OTHER THAN THAT, MY ONLY ANNOUNCEMENT IS HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE.
IT'S THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE, SO LOOK OUT.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER H****R, DISTRICT THREE.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS? UH, NO ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THIS TIME.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER RAMIREZ, DISTRICT SIX.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS? NO ANNOUNCEMENTS AT THIS TIME.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER POEY, DISTRICT EIGHT.
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS? YES.
THIS IS COMMISSIONER POEY DISTRICT EIGHT.
UM, REAL QUICKLY, UM, IN FEBRUARY ON THE THIRD THERE WILL BE, UM, THE WILLIAM BLAIR BASEBALL FIELD FIELD AT THE, UH, FRI D TOP MIDDLE SCHOOL.
UM, THERE WOULD BE A RIBBON CUT IN THE CELEBRATION.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW WHO WILLIAM BLAIR WAS, PLEASE GOOGLE HIM.
UM, HIS SON IS NOW, UM, THE CEO AND OWNER OF ELITE NEWS, WHICH ALL OF YOUR INFORMATION FOR EVERY DISTRICT IS IN THAT NEWSPAPER.
SO IF YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY OR, UM, A CHANCE TO STOP BY IT IS ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY THE THIRD AT 24 45 EAST LED ROAD IN DALLAS FROM 2:00 PM TO 4:00 PM THANK YOU.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER HUEY FOR THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.
NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER WHITE DISTRICT NINE.
[01:00:01]
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS? COMMISSIONER WHITE HERE.NEXT WE GO TO COMMISSIONER BALLOU, DISTRICT 10.
DO YOU WISH TO PROVIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS? NO ANNOUNCEMENTS THIS TIME.
AND FINALLY, WE GO TO COMMISSIONER LINDSAY, DISTRICT 14.
DO YOU WISH TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD A COMMENT IF I'M ABLE, UH, YES.
WHICH IS THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING INTO THIS COMMISSION AND, UM, I'M TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY RIGHT NOW FOR WORK.
UH, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING PRESENT IN PERSON, UH, FOR THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO REACHING OUT TO EACH COMMISSIONER TO SEE WHERE THEY FEEL LIKE I CAN HELP ADD MORE IMPACT TO YOUR EFFORTS.
SO THANK YOU FOR WELCOMING ME TODAY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER LINDSAY FOR COMING TO OUR MEETING AND SAFE TRAVELS TO YOU AND WE CERTAINLY LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN PERSON AT OUR NEXT COMMISSION MEETING IN FEBRUARY.
DO ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS WISH TO MAKE ANNOUNCEMENTS PRIOR TO ADJOURNMENT IN IN THAT CASE? I MAKE A MOTION THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED UNLESS THERE ARE DISCUSSIONS, UNLESS YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO DISCUSS.
OTHERWISE, I MAKE A MOTION THAT THE MEETING BE ADJOURNED.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER WHITE.
ALL IN FAVOR OF ADJOURNMENT PLEASE SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE.
ALL OPPOSED? APPARENTLY THERE IS NONE.
AND JUST FOR REFERENCE, THE TIME IN WHICH THE MEETING ADJOURNED IS 3:18 PM THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN FOR ATTENDING THE MEETING AND FOR SUPPORTING THE COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES AND ITS EFFORTS.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU NEXT MONTH.