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Home My WebLink AboutGRACC - 2022-06-23 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, June 23, 2022 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler, Rob Bender, Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Paula Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Carrie Speers, Teresa McQuillin (Co-Chair), Melanie Garbarz (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Trevor Tamlin, Ilidia Sa Melo (Township of Woolwich), Heather Clark Harris, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Jolene MacDonald Regrets: Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Robyn Jackson, Tamara Bell 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of May Minutes and June agenda Teresa motioned to accept June agenda; Paula seconded; All in favour. Donna motioned to accept May minutes; Carrie seconded; All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. City of Waterloo Dupont Parking lot, Christine Tettman The City of Waterloo resurfacing the Dupont parking lot • Brief description given of the parking lot and where accessible parking spots would be located • 117 parking spots • 5 accessible spots • 3 on West side, 2 on the East side • Existing ramp available to the library Comments/Feedback • Where is the library in comparison to the accessible parking spaces? Close to the Library • Level access to sidewalk —curb cut adjacent to the actual asphalt parking lot • Road entrance close to the library—yes, but there is an alternate entrance • Maybe have some accessible spots close to Waterloo Park? There is another parking lot (Station lot) close to Waterloo Park with accessible spots • Better spot for bicycle parking in order elevate traffic in just one area • Teresa/Paula and Karen to meet and discuss bicycle parking 5. City of Kitchener Places & Spaces, accessibility at parks, Sabiha Syed Places and Spaces is an update to the existing Parks Strategic Plan(External link) adopted by City Council in 2010. It is the recasting of the parks plan to better reflect current demands of park space. It will re-evaluate all aspects of parks delivery in Kitchener down to the fundamental level -what makes a quality park in Kitchener? The purpose of this strategy is to: 1. Re-affirm Kitchener's vision and commitment to building and maintaining public parks 2. Provide multiple guiding principles and policy themes to inform future park development 3. Modernize the process of park acquisitions For more information regarding place sand spaces, please visit: www.engagewr.ca/placesandspaces Over the past 9 months, the Parks department has been doing consultation for the Places and Spaces: A Parks and Open Spaces Strategy. Phase 1 of this strategy took place from October 2021, until the beginning of January 2022 —do to covid restrictions, this phase was limited to an Engage and statistically valid survey around who is using Kitchener parks. Phase 2 began in January 2022 and will continue until February 2023. This phase continues to engage residents to better understand how parks are used, what barriers exist to using parks, and what is most valued about parks. We want to know `how can parks be better for you?'. We also want to learn what you need and want when it comes to the use of space, equipment, and available amenities. Finally, we want to hear how we can improve safety, accessibility, and inclusion in parks and open spaces across the city. The phase 2 of Places and Spaces Engagement has been divided up into 7 blocks. For each block, we introduce 2-5 topics and ask for feedback through online and in-person engagement tactics. Overall, the topics we are hoping to engage on are: • Winter use • Trails • Education • Pets • Alternative open spaces • Renewal and replacement • Dedication and sponsorship • City initiatives • Pandemic response • Accessibility Comments/Feedback Accessibility: Are Kitchener Parks Accessible for you and your loved ones? • Cannot make anything fully accessible for everyone How can we make Kitchener Parks more accessible? • Ask questions at existing parks while users are there • Likely encounter the difficulties users are having on a regular basis • Visit accessible parks • Connect with Kidsability and other community partners • Naturalized parks are never accessible • Variety of Accessible options available i.e., all ages swings • Jolene MacDonald to connect with Sabiha to discuss accessible parks that she has been part of in the past • Use plain language on signs • Suggested to have a Pic symbol board at park with all parks features • Group missed is parents with disabilities — if a parent can't access then they cannot support the child Safety: • Low vision, get in, get out, how do they know where to go? • Not all visual disabilities are equal —contrast is needed. Contrast is needed for some but not everyone Contact via email sabiha.syedp_kitchener.ca 6. Township of North Dumfries Schmidt Park Playground Goal • Playground equipment that is fully accessible to the widest range of user abilities. • Playground equipment that fosters inclusive play among the widest range of abilities. • Access to play components for users of varying levels of ability. The Play Structure should: • foster the full development of the child's motor, sensory, and social skills. • provide excitement and challenge • provide for and encourage a full range of play activities: - quiet and passive - active and physical: running, crawling, climbing, sliding, swinging, balancing - social - imaginative - solitary to group • provide good "flow" and alternative routes of circulation among the various elements of the play structure • provide a special, sheltered place for gathering and conversation Accessible ground area • Additional features lower to ground • Separate play sensory play areas. • Inclusive swing set • Addresses all levels of ability and goes beyond minimum accessibility to create play experiences that meet a variety of needs and interests. Comments/Feedback • The swing you were showing, what is the surface it is on, rubberized surface was used • Looks amazing! • Contrast between yellow and blue work for those with low vision, not meant for any indicators,just for decoration purposes • Hard copy to be made and mailed to Carrie in order for her to have a look at she is not able to access the electronic copy 7. BREAK 8. Built Environment Sub-Committee Updates City of Waterloo • Recreation Complex o Audit done on the recreation complex o Parking spaces, 2 accessible spaces, location change suggested to be adjacent to the sidewalk o Tactile indicators have been installed — some issues with winter mats, staff to work with company in order not to cover o Not everything was installed 100% o Door openers have been done well but there are issues with height consistency and sometimes not working at all o Change rooms, various issues, including the installation of full-length lockers due to a bench in the way o Universal washrooms, accessible change tables available, some toilets seemed low, options are being considered o Hoyer lifts have been included. Where will the slings be located, what happens if there is an accident, what happens? What happens if a bigger sling is required? o Emergency buttons, what is the process for staff if the button is pushed o Temperature of the showers are going to be checked o Overall, a great job, but there are always opportunities for improvements Committee members who can check out, please do so and let us know if you find anything that is not suitable, as well as the East Side Library. 9. Region of Waterloo Multi-Year Accessibility Plan feedback 2023-2027 Expand beyond compliance with AODA and focus on service satisfaction with a particular focus on individuals with a disability Actions • Staff training on serving customers on invisible disabilities • Creation of Diversity, Equity and Belonging Team in Human Resources who will lead a number of actions related to accessibility and diversity • Deploy training on creating accessible videos Questions 1) What is working well in preventing or removing barriers to accessing RoW services? o No comments 2) What barriers are experienced by residents in accessing RoW services? o Prioritize pedestrians o No public washrooms to access o Winter sidewalk maintenance o No sidewalks on some roads 3) What potential actions are there to help address these barriers? o No comments Please email Melanie with any other comments or feedback 10. Region of Waterloo Airport The YKF Terminal Expansion project has integrated the Region of Waterloo's Accessibility Design Standards as the baseline requirement for all expansion work, along with all required legislative requirements. • Given the accelerated timeframe for design & construction, detailed consultation with exterior groups was infeasible. • Where potential deviations from the ADS best practices were identified consultation with a committee member was conducted o One specific deviation was reviewed with Paula Saunders in August 2021 regarding the configuration of the DBCB ground-side entrance ramp. The project is currently completing Phase 1 construction, with Phase 2 getting underway in through June 2022 • The new Baggage Claim Building opened to the public on April 1 st, 2022 • The new PHRA opened to the public June 7th, 2022 • The intent is to invite committee members to review and comment on the work once deficiencies have been addressed The YKF Terminal Expansion project was envisioned as a temporary/interim step in the ROWIA Masterplan • The anticipated timeframe for this expansion is 10-15 years while the future permanent terminal is planned, designed, and constructed • With the accelerated construction schedule for this interim step non-standard methods needed to be used (e.g., elevated structures requiring ramping) • The future terminal project will ensure integrated involvement from this committee as a key element of the design process, with input required from initial project conception, through to detailed design and construction Comments/Feedback • Committee member utilizing the airport on the weekend will get back with comments/feedback • Plans for a shuttle — Council approved accessible shuttle buses (2) that will be available later this year • Is the airport within the boundaries of Mobility Plus? Staff to inquire and get back to the committee with answer • Any interest in doing an accessibility audit on the airport, please share names with staff 11. Committee Updates No updates 12. Councillor Reports Councillor Debbie Chapman, City of Kitchener o City Council passed a motion to call on the Region to offer free public transportation on Election Day o Passed a bylaw to allow Electric Scooters on trails as the Region of Waterloo Councillor Sandra Hanmer, City of Waterloo o Comprehensive review of Strategy plan coming to council o Parkland strategy—five-year plan o Speed limits reduced throughout the City, education and implementation 13. Co-chair/Staff Reports Amy Ross, City of Waterloo • Consistency on Tactile Design • Draft Multi Year Accessibility plan coming Lolita Paroski, City of Kitchener • Draft Multi Year Accessibility plan coming in the fall • First meeting in September will be missed due to training Brenda Robinson, Co-chair Upstream Funding available, will update when more information available Meeting Adjourned Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenzie2kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday September 22, 2022, at 1:30pm, ZOOM