The expansion of the council's use of existing organizations has been of prime importance to the growth of the council's activities. the exchange of information on new legislation and program' development which is available through membership in national organizations of special interest to the handicapped, is a valuable tool for expanding programs and defining direction. Representatives of the council attend the annual Governor's conference for the Handicapped and regularly attend conferences and seminars which keep members apprised of new developments of interest to disabled persons. The Council: Media Focus

Attention has been given to the need to educate the public of the interests and activities of the council. Local newspapers, television and radio stations are routinely notified of any activity which may be of interest to the public. The response of the media through prominent coverage has been favorable. The weekly press conference held in the Mayor's office has been a forum for the announcement of many council activities. This regularly scheduled conference is attended by representatives of the local newspapers, radio and television stations.

The Council: Recognition

The relocation of the meetings of local government agencies to accessible buildings was an early project supported by the Mayor and the council. Meetings such as those held by the City and County Council had formerly been held in buildings which were difficult or impossible to enter with a wheelchair. Such meetings are now held in accessible areas and there is a new willingness to provide additional services which may be requested by any individual desiring to attend these meetings. An example of those services is, the provision of interpreters for deaf persons attending public hearings upon request.

These early efforts were recognized by the U.S. Council for the international Year for Disabled Persons. The City of Kokomo was the first in Indiana, the second in the nation to be chosen as a Flagship Community -- a municipal model to which communities throughout the nation can look for examples of integrating handicapped persons into the mainstream of the community. the administration has been very

proud of this honor and has made every effort to see that the activities of the council receive any aid which can be provided toward continuing its work.

During 1983, members of the advisory council received further recognition on the state level. Tom Jones received a 1983 Volunteer Indiana State Meritorious Service Award from the Commission on the Handicapped. At the same time, Rosemary De Baillie was named Hoosier Handicapped Citizen of 1983 by the Commission. Later this year, John Turney was honored by being named a member of the Commission.

Each

Various local business and industries have agreed to be interviewed by council members in order to describe company policies regarding the hiring of handicapped persons. This project will assist employers in locating responsible workers and will provide direction to handicapped persons who are seeking employment. year a company is honored for its efforts in hiring handicapped persons at the awards banquet sponsored by the council in January. Nominations are accepted from the general public so that anyone may be considered for an award.

Bona Vista Rehabilitation Center has worked in cooperation with Delco Electronics to locate a production operation at Bona Vista so that clients can receive some actual experience in machine work. These functions are performed by the center's clients.

Operation Fire Escape is a project which serves those persons who may need special help in the event of a fire at their home or business. A list of persons with special needs is kept at the fire department so that identifying the addresses of any persons having special needs or using oxygen may be done quickly. This program has decreased the likelihood of death of already handicapped persons and will decrease the incidence of further disability through accident. The Council: Recreational, Social and Cultural Activities

The two most recently planned public parks were constructed with accessibility as a focus. All improvement plans for existing parks are more readily available in other facilities as well. Accessibility to special events such as the Howard County 4-H Fair, Haynes-Apperson Festival, and Veteran's Day Parade were improved with special seating and parking arrangements. When Artrain, a traveling

art experience, came to Kokomo, ramps were installed and tour interpreters for the deaf were provided.

The Council: Improving Accessibility

Contacts have been made with the local business community in an effort to encourage participation in on-going programs. One such program centered on establishing a city ordinance for handicapped parking. Cooperation is apparent in the increased number of specially marked parking spaces and the relocation of some spaces to obtain more convenient access to available ramps. Shopping areas, churches, and funeral homes now have identified spaces for use by persons with special needs. An ordinance establishing a fine schedule for those cars which are illegally parked in assigned spaces downtown has been passed. In conjunction with the ordinance to raise the level of concern a handicap parking patrol will be formed to issue parking citations.

Volunteers have surveyed the accessibility of local restaurants, apartments and public buildings. It is the intention of the council to rate these buildings based on their accessibility. Additionally, the council sees as a high priority, the publication of a directory, rating these businesses based on their accessibility. The survey focused on the need for better access to the public library. During 1983, the city cooperated with the. library to provide funding for electronic door openers. Construction was completed in March, 1984. In addition a number of inaccessible polling sites will now be accessible.

Efforts have been directed to arranging more effective transportation facilities for those persons needing rides to their place of employment. Recently those efforts have been rewarded through the cooperation of the city administration and Bona Vista Programs in the provision of transportation by an existing Senior Citizens Bus System and the school. As an extension if the efforts to increase mobility for handicapped persons.is the commitment by the city to upgrade accessibility wherever improvements, such as sidewalk repair, are schedules. Curb cuts and other alterations are included, wherever possible, in order to improve accessibility.

The Council: A Summary

The Mayor's Advisory Council for Handicapped Individuals has accomplished much success in heightening public awareness of the needs of the handicapped and of removing obstacles which impede mobility. It's efforts continue to enhance the quality of life for all residents of Kokomo, Indiana.

Indiana State Commission For The Handicapped

The Indiana State Commission for the Handicapped was mandated by legislation to develop a plan to coordinate and integrate State, local and private efforts to address the needs and concerns of persons with disabilities, as well as to define and develop services not available in Indiana for persons with disabilities. The mandate requires that the Plan provide direction in the formulation of State policies and programs affecting the delivery of services to persons with disabilities within the State of Indiana.

Perspective

The overriding objective advocated by the Commission is to achieve progress toward independence, equality of opportunity, and normalization of lifestyles for persons with disabilities through laws, policies, and practices of, and within, the State of Indiana. Philosophically, the Commission believes that every person should be provided with conditions which will encourage achievement of optimum balance between the highest levels of independence and social responsibility of which the person is capable. Additionally, the Commission believes that the best interests of persons with disabilities will be served through giving emphasis to meeting the human needs they share with all citizens in a manner respecting their individual uniqueness. The design and development of the Plan have been formulated and pursued in a manner consistent with this primary objective, philosophical position, and emphasis on human needs. The plan has been developed to respect three important dimensions of human experience: ecological (e.g., individual, family, community, State); development (i.e.; all development stages from conception through death); and holistic (i.e., physical, psychological, social, spiritual).

Mr. OWENS. Thank you. Mr. Michael Williams.

STATEMENT OF MICHAEL WILLIAMS, VICE PRESIDENT FOR ANCILLARY SERVICES ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL, KOKOMO, INDIANA, KOKOMO EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR

Mr. WILLIAMS. Mr. Chairman, Mr. Jontz, I certainly appreciate the opportunity to address the Committee regarding such a significant and much-needed piece of legislation as the ADA.

Again, my name is Michael Williams. I have an extensive background in hospital and human resources administration and have served as assistant director of personnel at Wishard Memorial Hospital in Indianapolis and as director of personnel and later as assistant administrator at Hendricks Community Hospital in Danville, Indiana.

Since 1984, I have been employed at St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center in Kokomo as vice president for ancillary services. Associated with that position, I am administratively responsible for the human resources department. That department, under the director of human resources, is the coordinating body for all employment, wage and salary, benefit administration, and employee relations activities that occur within the hospital.

St. Joseph's Hospital and Health Center has a long-standing history of supporting the employment of disabled individuals.

For the most part, this history evolved from the mission of the hospital which in summary is to recognize the dignity and capability of all human beings.

Over the years, St. Joseph's Hospital has averaged a two to three percent employment rate of disabled individuals. We have found that the majority of these individuals are not only equally qualified and capable of performing their assigned responsibilities when compared to non-disabled persons, but that they are often superior to outstanding employees.

As such, they have proven to be a sound investment for our employment dollars.

We have employed individuals with varied disabilities including those with both physical difficulties such as blindness, hearing impairment, speech impairment, congenital disabilities, degenerative or debilitating diseases and so on as well as those experiencing mental or emotional problems.

St. Joseph's Hospital has taken significant steps to accommodate the work environment to the particular disability of the employee. We have modified work schedules within certain business parameters when necessary. Some modifications include allowing part time hours, delayed start times, advanced leaving times, extended lunch and break periods, et cetera.

Additionally, we have from time to time restructured work assignments to better provide for a disabled employee's optimal performance.

Specifically, certain tasks within the context of the job have been realigned to accommodate a particular employee's disability.

It is important to note that to the best of our ability to measure any required job restructuring has not had a negative impact upon productivity or moral.