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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2022-09-22 Date: Thursday, September 22, 2022 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler,Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Paula Saunders, Carrie Speers, Teresa McQuillin (Co-Chair), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener),Amy Ross(City of Waterloo),Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Heather Clark Harris, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), LoriAnn Palubeski, (City of Kitchener), Jennifer Walker, (Region of Waterloo),Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley) Regrets: Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener),Jolene MacDonald, lidia Sa Melo (Township of Woolwich), Robyn Jackson,Tamara Bell 1.Welcome and Introductions 2.Approval of JuneMinutes and SeptemberAgenda Paula motioned to accept Septemberagenda; Donna seconded; All in favour. Donna motioned to accept Juneminutes;Brenda seconded; All in favour. 3.Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4.Regionof Waterloo,Draft Multi-Year Accessibility Plan Background(MYAP=Multi-Year Accessibility Plan) MYAP outlines how the Region will identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities Designed around the five standards of compliance Customer service Information and communications Employment Transportation Design of public spaces Organizational Connections Vision and Values o Service, integrity, respect, innovation,and collaboration The Region's Strategic Plan o Healthy, safe,and inclusive communities; Responsive and engaging service Accessibility policy (2012) o Commitment to understanding and meeting the needs of residents in a way that is free from discrimination, protects the dignity and independence of all people and provides equal opportunity and integrated services for people with disabilities Design of Public Spaces Audit facilities for accessibility Update accessible design standardsand provide staff training Incorporate accessibility into space optimization Actions for the MYAP are likely to change over the course of the years the plan is in effect,and we expect that new ones will be added, and others will be updated as the organization evolves, and review projects get underway for many of our services and program areas The Region is undergoing many transformational initiatives and we are looking at how we deliver services to residents in the community and within our own organization Customer Service Review client experience program that builds in accessibility Expand DEIB training for staff Standardize service experience at GRT customer service centers Pilot program of refurbished computers to clients; refer clients to partners for technology literacy; continue Health2Work to reduce employment barriers Increase accessible housing units for WRH Information and Communication Update accessible social media guidelines and best practices, including video best practices, and train communications staff Accessibility audit of communication channels Train staff on writing accessible PDFs and plain language Ensure Community Services documents are in plain language Employment Review the Talent Acquisition program that builds in accessibility to documentation and all processes Develop hiring toolkit to reduce bias in hiring and revise complaint resolution process for employees Conduct a review of the existing Abilities Management processes Continue to deliver Working Mind and mental health training for staff; implement employee mental health strategy; National Standard of Canada for psychological health and safety in the workplace Transportation Develop plan based on assessment of local need for accessible vans; reassess number of accessible vans to meet local need Conduct safety audit of accessible vans provided by taxi services and evaluate driver training Use updated bus stop design guidelines Switch responsibility of providing wheelchair services at the airport to the Region when there are 200,000 passengers for at least 2 years Timelines and Next Steps Finalize internal review Take it to Administration and Finance Committee (October) Approved by Council (October OR December) Posted to the Region's website (January) Comments/Feedback Jennifer to follow up with the Taxi committee and where the funds went? Melanie was going to investigate it as well Accessible Taxis/Uber Funds o Thomas presented and gave an update at the April GRAAC meeting regarding the funds (presentation attached). The notes from his presentation can be found in the April meeting minutes Flexible approach to the plan as things is always changing Airport wheelchairs are run by a contract company Jennifer to find out numbers of total accessible units and how long the wait time for a unit GRT Mobility Plus does not have enough routes and/or capacity to meet the needs of older adults with disabilities. Invite Mobility Plus to a future meeting o An action item was added to the Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP): Utilize the recommendations of the Grand River Transit (GRT) Business Plan to determine service levels and expansion plans. GRT will be updating their business plan next year GRT will provide their annual update to GRAAC in February 2023 once the new members are in place and more information about the budget will be known at that time GRAAC member needs to be included in any audits done by the Region of Waterloo 5. Township of Wellesley, There will be no in person voting at all. Are there any issues or concerns regarding Township of voting method? Comments/Feedback People who utilize ODSP are most likely not able to afford phone/internet, how would they be accommodated Is it advertised that there is an option to come to the administrative office to get help to vote in person? A letter is going to be sent to every eligible voter. Social media and website will also share information regarding the ways to vote Not economically feasible to offer voting by both paper and electronic City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo will be in person voting only https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/voting-in-kitchener.aspx https://www.kitchener.ca/en/council-and-city-administration/voting-by-proxy.aspx 6. Amy Ross Dupont lot update Onsite visit done by Paula and Teresa Under the overhang, asked for one larger accessible space to accommodate larger vehicles Asked for a curb cut, but cannot do it as it would be too expensive, with the possibility of vehicles destroying the interlocking brick Curb cut in between the two parking spaces Cannot eliminate the boulevard areas Comments/Feedback Thank you for taking the time to listen and make some of the changes recommended 7. BREAK (15 mins) 8. Built Environment Sub-Committee Updates City of Kitchener Centre in the Square Consulted on signage upgrades high contrast was the major recommendation Schlegel Park Onsite before the placement of washroom accessories, going with all the design ideas recommended Kitchener Market Elevator/Lift Consulted on current barriers to operating the lift in the raised seating area. Provided suggestions to ensure people can use the lift without the assistance of staff. Suggestions included listing a phone number and utilizing surrounding vendors and providing a key. Concern raised by GRAAC member the universal washroom was locked when they attempted to use it and staff did not respond to call for service. Lolita to follow up. Region of Waterloo Airport Temporary washroom in the parking lot available, looked at plans to be sure it was accessible, no adult change table as it will be available in the airport 82 Wilson Ave Scooter charges to be included in the units, universal design to be upgraded to further include more accessibility products Township of Woolwich Maryville Fire Station Not for public use Looking at the blueprints, there is not even a washroom Level entrance into the building in the rare case that someone may need to get in City of Waterloo Issues seem to be consistent throughout all the City of Waterloo buildings Secondary exits not accessible, emergency exits have a step No visual alarms, only audio Automatic door openers an issue Washroom signage does not signify accessible, so the assumption is that they are not accessible Soap and paper towels consistently a problem Change tables for babies an issue Grab bars a concern Signage an issue throughout due to not enough contrast Dupont Parking lot Getting to the payment machines was not supposed to be an issue except for the signage regarding timed parking lot versus no timed parking lot. Staff to investigate and get back to the committee East Side Library Good job with the recommendations given Grey Silo Main door to the right, signage says family size washroom, but is now a storage closet Cleaning seems to be an issue Waterloo Memorial Rec Complex Only audited the old section, not the newly renovated washrooms etc. Signage issues Ramp at the back of the building, uneven and old Food services counters too high and some with no toe space underneath Seating around the arena not great and wheelchairs would interfere with the walking track RIM Looking at the building not the library First aid room not accessible Accessible seating did not work Ramp and stair issue Raised sitting not in good shape Parking lot spaces by the library done well Waterloo Tennis Club Not accessible No parking No access to the building Albert McCormick Arena Washroom issues, some signage, but debate on accessibility Elevator tucked away and no signage Charging units for electric vehicles not accessible Ramp not accessible Universal signage and placement of bars needed Waterloo Museum Entrance into the building, bar not noticeable Signage in actual displays not well done Rink In the Park Secondary steps not accessible Uneven surfaces Obstacles in the way for persons with visual disabilities Washrooms too small Meeting hall not accessible Clay and Glass Gallery Tactile on the floor and good contrast in the washroom Exterior surfaces and stairs the issue No signage to let you know where to go Accessible parking spot close to the front entrance but not well marked Room to get around the displays Staff need to conscious when they change displays, that it needs to be accessible Waterloo Library Secondary exits not accessible Washroom not accessible Washroom signage done well Uptown Parkade Elevators broken No accessible signage No clear direction on where the accessible parking is located Service Centre No signage Ramp to the front door, bad slope trying to get to the button Not great contrast on the old stairs, but the newer section was better Two elevators, with tactile indicators Star should only be used on the main entrance Cemetery office Nothing was accessible Reception was too high Washroom was too small Chapel & Crematorium Ramp leading to the chapel too steep with bumps Green carpet on the floor and stairs, no contrast Washrooms too small Driveway to the crematorium to steep Manulife Soccer Complex Washrooms, change rooms, and viewing areas not accessible Baseball Diamond Bechtel Park Not easy to travel across the parking lot to the dog park Erbsville Community centre Currently not being used City Hall Issues with the main entrance Pavers have settled, dangerous bumps Directional signage, glare is an issue and not contrast, font is too tiny Wave your hand door openers only on the third-floor washrooms New app used to run the elevators Council Chambers, adjustable table was put in because the slope on the ramp was too steep Staircase in the middle of the floor a hazard for anyone walking under it A lot of rental space but no automatic door openers Signage has no contrast No tactile strips in the parking lot Stairs all along Regina Street, no ramp and all grey Left side driveway coming in, handrails inside the ramps so narrows the ramp Comments/Feedback Education piece for staff and can use it to compare with the hired audit company Two facilities still to audit 9. Committee Updates No updates 10. Councillor Reports Councillor Debbie Chapman, City of Kitchener Places & Spaces strategy is being worked on by staff, find link below: http://www.engagewr.ca/placesandspaces Councillor Sandra Hanmer, City of Waterloo Staff are undertaking a facility review and parkland strategy Election is coming up so not a lot coming forward Mayor Sue Foxton, Region of Waterloo Taxi Fund committee and Mobility Plus high priority and need to be followed up by staff from the Region 11. Co-chair/Staff Reports Amy Ross, Region of Waterloo Feedback from the committee regarding road construction Accessibility & Inclusion Review which will then be rolled into the multi year accessibility plan LoriAnn Palubeski, City of Kitchener Harry Class Pool accessibility improvements have started to parking lot Doon Pioneer Park CC emergency exit is to be fixed 200 kids supported this past summer through Inclusion Services On street accessible parking demonstration being planned for October GRAAC volunteers needed for committee, recruitment under way, closing date October 29th, going to Council in December. Hoping to find some volunteers from the Townships to have wide-ranging feedback Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie janis.mckenzie@kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting Thursday October 27, 2022, at 1:30pm, ZOOM