Seattle Community Council Federation

REMINDER- FEDERATION MEETS THIS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009.

HERE’S THE AGENDA:

SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION

Regular Meeting
NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency), Pacific Marine Center on Lake Union
1801 Fairview Avenue East
http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/
Thursday, September 24, 2009

AGENDA

Meeting the Challenges of those with Disabilities

How has Seattle fallen short in addressing the concerns of people with disabilities? Hear a panel presentation at the September Federation meeting and get your questions answered. Panel members include those with disabilities such as eyesight, hearing and mobility who are active with various advocacy groups, including the Alliance of People with Disabilities, Lighthouse for the Blind, and Committee to Establish a Seattle Disabilities Commission. Learn about social and political barriers they have encountered and policies they advocate. Join in this educational and inspiring discussion, and help us decide how the Federation should respond.

People who have a disability—just like those without one--have talents, insights, and values needed to make this a better world. But throughout history, they have faced prejudices and governmental barriers against their participation in decisions that affect them, their realization of full potential, and their contribution to the greater good. Seattle still has its share of barriers to the rights of people with disabilities to full integration and participation in all areas of economic, political, and community life. Portland, Tacoma, and most other large cities have a Commission for People with Disabilities, but Seattle does not, and in the past year, a coalition has formed to ask the City to create one. This coalition has asked the Federation to join other organizations in calling upon Seattle to establish a Commission for People with Disabilities.

The September meeting will also include our monthly Round Robin with items such as the voting on a position on the housing levy, an update on NOAA and the Parks and Green Spaces Opportunity Fund Criteria.

If you have informational materials you would like distributed at the meeting, please email electronic copies or links to Jeannie Hale at jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00 Call to Order and Introductions

Administration
1. Changes to the agenda
2. Treasurer’s report
3. President’s report

7:15 Meeting the Needs of those with Disabilities

8:15 Round Robin

1. Should the Federation take a position on the Housing Levy?
2. NOAA move to Oregon—Update
3. Parks and Green Spaces Opportunity Fund Criteria—Oversight Committee vote soon
4. Other issues/projects

9:00 Adjourn

NOAA is a federal facility on high security alert, so attendees must enter by the security gate and may need to present photo ID. If you haven't attended a Federation meeting this year, please send your name, contact information, and address that appears on your photo ID to rickbarrett@gmail.com to be added to the entry list. No e-mail? Call 206-365-1267. The building is ADA compliant, with ample parking in front.


People who have a disability—just like those without one--have talents, insights, and values needed to make this a better world. But throughout history, they have faced prejudices and governmental barriers against their participation in decisions that affect them, realization of their full potential, and their contribution to the greater good. Seattle still has its share of barriers to the rights of people with disabilities to full integration and participation in all areas of economic, political, and community life. Portland, Tacoma, and most other large cities have a Commission for People with Disabilities, but Seattle does not, and in the past year, a coalition has begun working towards that end. They have asked the Seattle Community Council Federation to join other organizations in calling upon Seattle to establish a Commission for People with Disabilities. (For more information, including an endorsement form for any organization, see http://megadutch.com/cesdc.)

As background, SCCF is hosting a panel discussion with leading advocates for people with disabilities at the Sept. 24 Seattle Community Council Federation meeting. Some have had their disability all their lives, and some have experienced it later in life (as many of us will someday). The panel members are active with groups such as the Alliance of People with Disabilities and the Committee to Establish a Seattle Disabilities Commission. They will speak and answer your questions about what it means to have a disability, the social and political barriers they have.