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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) ___________________________________________________________________________ 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. 2 - 1 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 2 - 2