HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-20-002 - Appointments to the GRAAC (2020)REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:January 13, 2020
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director Neighbourhood Programs & Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7687
PREPARED BY:Lolita Paroski, Inclusion Coordinator, 519-741-2200 ext. 7226
WARD (S) INVOLVED:All
DATE OF REPORT:December 9, 2019
REPORT NO.: CSD-20-002
SUBJECT: APPOINTMENTS TO THE GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (2020)
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RECOMMENDATION:
That the following applicants be appointed to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory
Committee (GRAAC) for a 4-year term ending December 31, 2023, pending ratification by
the partnering municipalities of the City of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo, Township of
North Dumfries, Township of Wellesley, Township of Wilmot and Township of Woolwich.
Bernardes WesselinkCity of KitchenerNew
Heather Clark HarrisCity of KitchenerNew
Tamara BellTownship of WellesleyNew
Mamie Sealey-BakerCityof KitchenerNew
Paula SaundersCity of KitchenerNew
Carrie SpeersCity of KitchenerNew
BACKGROUND:
Under the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA), all
municipalities with a population of 10,000 or greater are required to establish an Accessibility
Advisory Committee to advise Council on the prevention, identification and removal of barriers
for persons with disabilities. The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) is a
joint committee of the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo and the
Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot and Woolwich and is appointed the task of
advising the participating municipalities on accessibility planning.
REPORT:
The GRAAC Terms of Reference specify that the Committee will consist of 11-15 members of
which a majority must be persons with a disability. Recruitment for GRAAC is conducted in the
fall with members beginning their 4-year term in January.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994for assistance.
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GRAAC membership currently consists of 10 members. A selection committee of staff
representing the participating municipalities reviewed the applications. Recommendations for
membership are based on consideration of the Terms of Reference as well as equitable
representation from various disability groups.
Pending ratification by each of the participating municipalities, staff is recommending that the
persons noted above be appointed by the City of Kitchener. The proposed 2020 committee will
have a total of 15 members.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Caring Community
This committee provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to discuss, define and
address their shared concerns in regards to the identification, removal and prevention of
barriers in City facilities, programs and services
Consulting with persons with disabilities in an advisory role increases the capacity of the
City to ensure a greater degree of equity and inclusion in the community.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
NA
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Thecommunity was informed of the application process for the Grand River Accessibility
Advisory Committee (GRAAC) through postings on all participating Municipalities’ websites and
social media feeds.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Michael May, Deputy CAO, Community Services
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