Report to Mayor and City Council
Wednesday, June 08, 2016
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVING THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE CITY OF CARSON AND THE BRAILLE INSTITUTE OF AMERICA, INC. (CITY COUNCIL)
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I. SUMMARY
Macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions affect millions of people every year. The City of Carson is collaborating with the Braille Institute of America, Inc. (Braille Institute) to provide free service to residents in need. For some people, their vision is not as good as it used to be. The Braille Institute assists those individuals in having a full life by offering free low vision consultation through their mobile solutions vehicle. These consultations can help maximize ones remaining vision and show individuals how to use high-powered magnification and other devices to improve their quality of life.
In order to continue this service, the City Council will need to approve the attached memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the City and the Braille Institute. The City Attorney has reviewed this 8-month MOU which is attached as Exhibit No. 1 for the Council’s review. The MOU will expire on December 31, 2016.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
APPROVE the attached memorandum of understanding between the City and the Braille Institute of America, Inc.
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III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
Under the terms of the attached MOU, the Braille Institute will provide the specific services and their mobile unit will be in Carson once a month. On the second Tuesday of each month, the Braille Institute’s low vision mobile unit will come to the Congresswoman Juanita Millender McDonald Community Center at Carson (Community Center) and provide free low vision consultations to those residents who qualify to receive such consultations. The Mobile Unit will park in the Community Center parking lot for a period of 8 months beginning April 1, 2016 through December 31, 2016. In addition, the Braille Institute will offer free Independent Living Skills classes at the Community Center. Those classes include classes on general life skills for those living with impaired vision; orientation and mobility consultations, assisting with library services, and classes on how to get around town and staying connected, teaching kitchen safety tips, handling personal grooming tasks and personal connection (a special one-on-one customized service).
V. FISCAL IMPACT
None.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Braille Institute of America, Inc. (pages 3-6)
Prepared by: Amanda Valorosi, Senior Assisted Living Coordinator