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Office of the Texas Governor, Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities
Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities to Meet in Amarillo, Texas April 25-26, 2024

The Governor's Committee on People with Disabilities (GCPD) welcomes all Texans to join us for our quarterly meeting, both in person and virtually, April 25-26, 2024, at the Region 16 Education Service Center in Amarillo, Texas. Registration using the Zoom link below is required to participate virtually.

Texas GCPD Quarterly Meeting

April 25th?& 26th?2024

Thursday 8:30 a.m. ? 5:00 p.m.

Friday 8:30 a.m. ? 12:30 p.m.

Region 16 Education Service Center

5800 South Bell Street

Lecture Hall

Amarillo, TX 79109

Members of the public may provide public comment pertaining to disability related topics. There are three ways to take part in this process: in-person, by speaking during the designated public comment time, or emailing a short written statement in advance to [email protected]. Those who are participating virtually and wish to contribute a public comment are encouraged to use Zoom's Q/A feature at the beginning of the meeting to provide your name and state "I wish to provide public comment." If you connect via telephone and wish to give public comment, please email [email protected] before the meeting begins or leave a voicemail at 512-463-5739 with your name and phone number.

Amarillo Transit has generously agreed to provide Door-to-Door service for anyone with a disability (Amarillo Transit customers or visitors) needing a ride to the GCPD meeting. Call 806-378-3095 for a ride.

In accordance with the Open Meetings Act, the?meeting agenda [ [link removed] ]?is posted in the Texas Register on the Secretary of State?s website.

Videoconference option also available via ZOOM; Registration is required.

April 25th Zoom link- [link removed]

April 26th Zoom link- [link removed]

A public meeting of the Texas Governor?s Committee on People with Disabilities will be conducted under Texas Government Code Section 551.127, related to meetings involving members joining by videoconference call. It is the intent of the Committee to have the chairperson present at Amarillo, Texas. This location will be open to the public during the open portions of the meeting. Other members of the Committee will join by videoconference from separate locations.

Members of the public will also have access to a live audiovisual stream of the meeting in addition to the option to be physically present at the location. The Committee will record the video and audio of the meeting and make the recording available upon request. For questions, contact (512) 463-5739 or email [email protected] <[email protected]>.__

Meeting Materials Available at: [link removed]

*April 25, 2024*


* *Call to Order/* *Roll Call (begin recording) /* *Introductions* ? Richard Martinez, Chair

* *Welcoming Remarks from Mayor Cole Stanley*

* *Approval of Committee Member* *Absences as Submitted *("Discussion/Possible Action")

* *Approval of Summary Minutes for January 25-26, 2024 *("Discussion/Possible Action")

* *Listening to the Amarillo Disability Community*

a. Panhandle Independent Living Center ? Carmen Estrada and Joseph Rogers

b. Amarillo Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities ? Chris Quigle?

c. Amarillo Office of Emergency Management ? Max Dunlap ? Response to Smokehouse Creek Fire and Emergency Management for Residents with Disabilities of Amarillo and Surrounding Counties


* *Public Comment - *(3 minutes per presentation)

* *Texas AgrAbility ? *Texas A&M Extension Service, Makenzie Thomas

*BREAK *


* *Reports from Invited Ex officio Agency Representatives, includes follow up topics from previous meetings* "(Discussion/Possible Action)"

a. Texas Workforce Commission ? Claudia Peden

i. Presentation on Transition Services and Section 504 for High School Students,? Transition Program Manager, Erin Wilder

b. Department of Family and Protective Services ? Brock Boudreau

c. Texas Education Agency ? Kristin McGuire

d. Health and Human Services Commission ? Clair Benitez

e. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation ? Marsha Godeaux

f. Texas State Independent Living Council - Pamela Clark

*LUNCH*


* *Aira - An App that Connects Blind and Low Vision Individuals with Certified Visual Interpreters ? *Marty Watts and Everette Bacon ("Discussion/Possible Action")*?*

* *Support for Policies to Promote Rural Accessible Transportation and Interlocal/Regional Transportation Planning ? *Southwest Transit (SWART), Sarah Hidalgo-Cook, Transit Director ("Discussion/Possible Action")*?*

* *Executive Director Report and GCPD Subcommittee Reports*

a. GCPD Staff Activities ? Ron Lucey

b. Diabetes Subcommittee ? Rebecca Lopez/Evelyn Cano

i.? Student with Diabetes Bill of Rights

c. Transportation Subcommittee ? Richard Martinez/Evelyn Cano

i.? Report on Texas Transit Association Annual Conference and Expo

d. Braille Literacy Subcommittee ? Neva Fairchild

e. Adaptive Sports and Recreation ? Ron Lucey

*BREAK*


* *Policy Recommendations from Public Comment, Policy Discussions, and Meetings *"(Discussion/Possible Action)"*?*

*RECESS*

*?**April 26, 2024**?*


* *Reconvene ? *Richard Martinez*?*

* *Public Comment - *(3 minutes per presentation)

* *GCPD Policy Development and Discussion *

a. Update on 6 Withdrawal Limit for College Students

b. Changes to Deaf and Blind Tuition Waiver Requirements

c. SB904 on Accessible Parking

*BREAK*


* *GCPD Policy Recommendations to the 89th Legislature ? Bringing the Committee?s Recommendations Forward to the 89th Session *"(Discussion/Possible Action)"

* *Future Agenda Items and Meeting* ("Discussion/Possible Action")

* *Adjournment *? Richard Martinez, Chair

*Notice of Assistance at Public Meetings*

The Committee will provide Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) and American Sign Language Interpretation for this meeting. Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as materials in an alternate format, contact the Governor?s Committee on People with Disabilities at least five (5) working days prior to the meeting. 512-463-5739. Use the Relay Option of Your Choice. E-mail: [email protected] <[email protected]> __



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