HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from BC Coordinating Council 09.16.08 - Citizens with Disabilities Butte County Coordinating Council
C/O 1367 E. Lassen Ave., Ste. B-3
Chico, CA 95973
September 16, 2008
Curt Josiassen
Butte County Board of Supervisors
25 County Center Dr,
Oroville. CA 95965
Dear Curt:
I regret that our committee was not able to provide an in-person report to you
earlier this year. As you know, the smoke and fire problems that affected the County
in July caused our scheduled appearance to be cancelled. Therefore, the Council
has decided to submit this written summary of various remaining unmet needs of
Butte County citizens with disabilities, as revealed in our 2006-2008 accessibility
needs surveys and follow ups.
1. Public/Fiscal. Disability services continue to receive minimal levels of State and
Federal funding-, almost always overshadowed by more powerful constituencies
in the battle for public funds. Obsolete and frozen rates of reimbursement have
stressed the system to the breaking point.
2. Employment. There exists a good choice of service providers. However, as with
respect to non-disabled job seekers, there are insufficient job openings within our
region. Economic development activities, coupled with incentives for employers
to select applicants with disabilities, could serve to improve this situation. The
County itself could add to this momentum by making its own positions available
to job seekers with disabilities wherever and when ever possible.
3. Transportation, The Council concludes that transportation remains a major
barrier to employment and full inclusion, particularly in the evening and weekend
hours. Development of a coordinated, comprehensive, and integrated expansion
of public and private services could lessen dependence on private automobiles
and while expand options for people with disabilities and the non-disabled public
as well.
4. Attitudes. There appears to be some continuing resistance to residential
programs for per-sons with disabilities locating within established neighborhoods.
Member agencies of the Council continue with their individual public education
and information efforts and would be willing to work with the County on a unified
campaign to reduce remaining attitudinal barriers.
5- Financial. While the situation does not appear to have worsened, we continue to
have instances of fiduciary abuse. The perpetrators are often known to the
victim. BUM
SEP 2 9,
CAL P)RN74
6. Communication. Barriers in this area continue to be pronounced and aggravated
by the recent disappearance of public pay telephones frorn many locations.
Provisions for hearing and sight impaired individuals in public accommodations
remain inadequate.
7 General Accessibility. Physical accessibility has generally improved over the
past fifteen years. Private and public entities are convenient and information is
generally available to people with disabilities.
I have enclosed a copy of the Tally of Accessibility Needs Survey Follow Up,
which provides more specific information regarding the items discussed above. As
always, please do not hesitate to contact me or any other member of the Council if you
have need of further information or discussion. Our council continues to have
representatives available to provide a showing of the BCCC informational Power Point
at your earliest convenience. Viewing this presentation will serve to increase your
understanding of the history and scope of services available within our region, and of
the very important economic, social and cultural role our service system plays. Please
let us know where we can again gain a spot on the County's agenda.
On behalf of the Butte County Coordinating Council, I would like to thank you for
this opportunity to present our findings and our concerns.
Sincerely,
Carl R. Ochsner, Executive Director
Work Training Center, Inc. and Affiliated Programs
Chair, Public Affairs Committee
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