BC 1993 08 16 - Laserfiche WebLink

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380 NEW BUSINESS Transportation Services for the Disabled Mr. John Clifford Pipkin Mr. John Clifford Pipkin again addressed the Board regarding transportation services for the blind and specifically for his daughter, Wendy, to travel to and from work. In regards to the transportation contract with CTS Management Company, he questioned the amount of savings to the County and stated, as a taxpayer, he would like his share of the savings. Miss Wendy Pipkin also spoke briefly regarding transportation services for the blind. Ms. Vickie S. Harris of the Association for Retarded Citizens (Arc/Cabarrus) stated that transportation presents a major barrier to handicapped persons in their efforts to become more independent. She asked that the Board consider the following issues: (1) Set up a separate fund for individuals not connected with a particular agency; (2) Set specific fee schedules to insure service will be affordable to the citizens; (3) To provide a supportive work program, have a transportation system that will get persons to work on time and take them home at the appropriate time; (4) Appoint persons with disabilities to an advisory committee and establish an appeals process for citizens. Ms. Karen Ellington of the Lion's Services in Charlotte told of her efforts to secure suitable transportation to meet Miss Pipkin's employment needs. She stated that her interest was in the issue of whether Cabarrus County and CTS Management Company will provide transportation to the blind individuals in the county and at what cost. Ms. Ellington listed the following suggestions in regards to the transportation issue: (1) Appoint disabled individual to the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB); (2) Allocate fixed percentage of EDTAP funds to provide employment transportation to get the disabled to and from work; (3) Implement sliding scale participation across all programs; (4) Bring non- sponsored riders under an agency umbrella to lower the cost to individuals and thereby broaden the field of possible riders. As liaison to transportation, Commissioner Payne reviewed the history of the transportation program in the county. He challenged Ms. Ellington, Mr. Wallace Hinnant, and other members of the Lion's Clubs in the county to work with the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) to study the issue of transportation for the blind and disabled and to bring their findings to the Board. Commissioner Payne also asked for recommendations of handicapped individuals to be appointed to the TAB. .Mr. Wallace Hinnant addressed the need for additional transportation for the blind and disabled and outlined the work by the members of the Concord Lion's Club in support of the blind. He stated the Board is responsible for the effective and efficient use of County funds and therefore should insure that those who are blind and need transportation are provided that service. Also, Mr. Hinnant apologized on behalf of Mr. Frank Cook who was attending Camp DogwoOd and could not be present to address the issue of transportation for the blind. Chairman Carpenter proposed that the County appoint a Blue Ribbon Commission to study the needs of the visually impaired and to coordinate other community resources such as churches and volunteers to work with the County to meet those needs. The Board declined to appoint such a commission at this time. There was general agreement that the Transportation Advisory Board would work to resolve the transportation issue. 8uman Service Contract between Cabarrus County and CTS Management Company, Inc. - Option to Renew Mr. Hinnant objected to the contract with CTS Management Company, stating the contract is unfair to the citizens and that CTS is dictating policy on how transportation is provided in Cabarrus County. He asked that the Board ensure the provisions in the contract are the right ones for the citizens of the county. Mr. Gerald Newton, Director of Planning, Zoning and Building Inspection, reported that the suggestions and concerns presented to the Board would be considered by the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB). However, he did point out that the concerns do not deal with the contract currently under consideration for