Danbury Commission for Persons with Disabilities Meeting – May 24, 2026

Note: The transcript begins with the date "April 14th, 2026," but the meeting is specified to have taken place on May 24, 2026. This summary reflects the content of the transcript while using the provided date.

The Commission for Persons with Disabilities met to discuss constituent calls, ongoing accessibility concerns, plans for a 5K run outreach table, and broader issues related to safe streets, traffic, and infrastructure.

Public Comments & Testimony

• The commission received two phone calls during the month. The first caller was a woman who moved from New York to Danbury (lives in Ives Manor, has a disability). She reported that the New York Department of Social Services never informed her that moving to another state would terminate her New York benefits, leaving her without benefits temporarily. She also faced difficulties with doctors not transferring her medical records. The commission referred her to the Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), and suggested the Choices program for advocacy.
• The second caller was Paul Childs, regarding a person with a disability living at the old Danbury Hotel (Main Street). The caller experienced difficulty making contact—when someone answered the phone, there was no response, and follow‑up calls went unanswered. The commission noted the issue but had no further update.

Discussion Items

• 5K Run Outreach Table: The commission has a table reserved at the Hatters Park 5K run on April 25, 2026 (though the meeting date is May 24, 2026, this event is discussed as upcoming). The table will be staffed from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A flyer for recruiting new members was shared; members were asked to review it by April 25 for any edits before printing.
• Safe Streets Program and Crosswalk Issue: Commissioner Isabel reported a conversation with a city official (name not recalled) from the Safe Streets program. She raised the need for a crosswalk near her home on the Bethel–Danbury line, but was told it is low priority and complicated by three jurisdictional authorities (state road, town line). She described dangerous conditions: no stop line at a traffic light, cars parking too close to the curb, and lack of solid sidewalks. The commission discussed how this reflects broader infrastructure issues as the city grows.
• I-84 Traffic and Safety: The commission discussed overflow traffic from I-84 onto local streets, noting that I‑84’s curves and merging points cause regular backups. Reference was made to a planned project to move Route 7 to a right‑hand exit and keep I‑84 straight, but commission members noted that eminent domain and cost make major fixes unlikely. Maps from the Safe Streets program are available on the city website.
• Personal Challenges: Commissioner Isabel reported losing her regular home health aide and having no coverage for other days, leaving her housebound except for short periods to shop or see doctors. She noted that Medicaid does not provide 24/7 aide coverage. Another member shared a story about a relative in a nursing home being charged $500/day to reserve a room and extra fees for a bed near a window, and criticized Medicare/Medicaid cuts.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve Minutes: A motion was made to approve the minutes from the previous meeting (reference to "50 minutes from all 10th" likely meaning approval of minutes from April 10). The motion was seconded and carried unanimously by voice vote.
• Motion to Adjourn: A motion to adjourn was made and seconded; all members voted in favor. The meeting adjourned at 7:07 p.m.