<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Hello Everybody,</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Today was the final meeting of the Advisory group for the ADA Right of Way Improvements in Albany,</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I have attached my report from this meeting today so I didn't forget for our next meeting. I think it has gone well and they really did look for our opinion on these improvements. They took all concerns into account and really wanted to hear from the community. They were disappointed that more individuals with disabilities did not stay in the group to the end and wish more were represented. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I was honored to be part of this group and to feel like the concerns from me and the blind community were heard and addressed. They asked me to explain things that I had concerns about so they could understand why this was an issue. I wish Corvallis would follow Albany and hear the people with disabilities who use these areas instead of assuming or just going off of the standards or what looks pretty. </div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">I will be moving forward with the ADA improvements for the buildings, transit, and the parks and recreation next and look forward to getting your input on what needs to be looked at and addressed. Although many of you do not live in Albany, they do look for input that may or may not have been addressed and any input is valuable. We all know unless you live our life you do not understand what we go through and the more input we can have on projects like this the more accessible our world can be for us and others. I encourage you to let me know of any problems you have had in regards to transit, public buildings and parks and recreation as a whole to make sure these are address in the City of Albany. I also know this will include personnel and training as well.</div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><br></div><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false">Andrea Barnhurst</div></div></body></html>