HomeMy WebLinkAboutAccessibility Adv - 2003-04-24
ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
COMMUNITY FORUM MEETING
Thursday April 24, 2003 - 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex
The ODA Community Forum met this date. See attached for a list of members present.
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
The meeting was chaired by Paula Saunders, member of the K-W Interim Accessibility Advisory Committee.
2. PURPOSE OF THE MEETING - Paula Saunders/Margaret Sanderson
A copy of the (draft) Terms of Reference was circulated. The purpose of the meeting this date was to
review the draft and obtain input from partners represented. Paula reviewed the process that has been
undertaken to date. Please refer to minutes from discussions in January, February and March for
background. The anticipated intent is to present the Terms of Reference to Municipal Councils in May
2003.
. Brad Ullner, K-W Interim Accessibility Advisory Committee, suggested that the name "Grand River
Accessibility Advisory Committee" be adopted for the Joint Me. The group present agreed; therefore,
the AAC will be referred to as the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee from now on.
. Margaret reviewed the various components of the (draft) Terms of Reference. The "Definitions" in the
Terms of Reference are taken directly from the ODA Act. The Mission Statement was drafted by the
Interim MC Executive. The Terms of Reference were drafted, reviewed and revised by staff in co-
operation with the K-W Interim Me.
Comments:
. Quorum: Suggest to take out "present". Should read "Quorum shall consist of 50% plus one of
members appointed to the committee".
. The correct name for Conestoga College is the "Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning".
. Staff from the Region advised that they will recommend to Regional Council that an independent
Regional MC and Regional Access Plan be formed while still participating with the Grand River Me.
Discussion took place on the merits of municipal joint participation with the Grand River MC to provide
a seamless approach to community accessibility. Gary Melanson noted that there are four choices for
participation with the municipal joint committee: (I) participate fully (100%), (ii) participate partially,
(iii) walk away or (iv) form a liaison relationship. Based on the original model presented in
January/February 2003, Gary noted that ultimately, it is the decision of the K-W Interim Accessibility
Advisory Committee as to whether the Region will be accepted to participate in GRAAC in a special
status. As mentioned, Region staff will present staff recommendations regarding an independent
Regional MC on Tuesday May 6 at the Regional Community Services Committee. Interim GRAAC
members indicated that they may register as a delegation and attend that meeting.
. Interim GRMC members have a lot of experience with Regional issues, ie. housing, transit, etc.
. Several minor changes were made to the Terms of Reference. Margaret will incorporate comments
into the Terms of Reference and will resend to members in mid-May. The Terms of Reference will be
presented to Municipal Senior Management teams; following that, the document will go to Municipal
Councils for endorsement. Members were asked to e-mail any further comments regarding the Terms
of Reference to Margaret by May 2.
Administrative Issues for GRAAC:
. Margaret is in discussion with the Kitchener Corporate Management Team regarding consistent
administrative support for the GRAAe.
. Information, minutes, etc., will be sent to the various Municipal Clerk's for dissemination to other staff
in their corporations.
. A meeting schedule will be drafted once the formal GRAAC is in place.
\ODA Community Forum - April 2003
ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
COMMUNITY FORUM MEETING
Thursday April 24, 2003
Accessibility Plan Issues for GRAAC:
. Apply Best Practices template or standard when drafting the plan.
. Suggest to have an "electronic clearing house", a shared website or directory, to store information
about the ODA Act and subsequent plan. GRAAC reps would have a password to access the
information. Marg to talk with City of Kitchener Information Technology Department for suggestions.
. An initial meeting with the City Clerk's is required regarding membership application form, distribution
of forms, etc.
3. REVIEW OF BUDGET FROM MARCH 19, 2003
Paula requested comments regarding the budget template drafted from the March meeting for discussion.
. Suggest to equitably divide between the eight organizations.
. Conestoga College: a fee for service, in-kind services, etc., would be preferable to giving a specific
amount of dollars.
. The budget would be drafted annually and will be determined by all participating groups - wording will
be added in the Terms of Reference.
. Budget finalization would be required to accompany staff reports to municipal management teams,
PSO governing bodies and municipal councils.
4. NEXT STEPS
No further meeting will be set for the present Community Forum Planning Group. Corporate staffs are
invited to attend the Corporate Access Planning Meeting on May 14 from 3-4:30 at the Waterloo Recreation
Centre to begin Accessibility Plan Uoint).
\ODA Community Forum - April 2003
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ODA HEETTNG A'I-I'ENDEES
April 24, 2003
Name/Title Organization E-Mail
Christine Broughton Township of Woolwich cbroughton@township.woolwich.on.ca
Clerk
Kathy Briggs
Support Person for member of
Provincial AAC
Rose Padacz University of Waterloo rmpadacz@uwaterloo.ca
Barb Fowke Ontario Advisory Council blfowke@netcom.ca
Val Baker Provincial AA(: vbaker@golden.net
3udy Bruyn Tnterim K-W AAC ikbruyn@netzero.com
Helen Scutt-Wallis Ministry of Citizenship helen.scutt-wallis@mczcr.gov.on.ca
Charlie Matjanec Conestoga College cmatianec@conestoqac.on.ca
Barry Milner Conestoga College bmilner@conestofiac.on.ca
Lorie Fioze Region of Waterloo florie@reqion.waterloo.on.ca
Deb Bergey Region of Waterloo bdeb@refiion.waterloo.on.ca
Bart Toby Township of Wellesley btoby@township.wellesley.on.ca
Dave Bennett Waterloo Catholic DSB dave.bennett@wcdsb.edu.on.ca
Susan Greatrix City of Waterloo sgreatrix@city.waterloo.on.ca
3ennifer Sheryer City of Kitchener iennifer.sheryer@city.kitchener.on.ca
Gary Melanson City of Kitchener
Margaret Sanderson City of Kitchener margaret.sanderson.city.kitchener.on.ca
Paula Saunders K-W Tnterim GRAAC paula@ilcwr.org
Brad UIIner K-W Tnterim GRAAC aullner5792@roqers.com
3ames Hunsberger K-W Tnterim GRAAC hunsey@rogers.com
Patti Duke K-W Tnterim GRAAC mduke0926@roqers.com
Linda Pretty City of Kitchener linda.pretty@city.kitchener.on.ca
\ODA Community Forum - April 2003 3