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