HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC-2010-02-25
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
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Thursday February 25, 2010
Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT:
Sharon-Ward-Zeller (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair),
Sharon Giles, Kurt Schneider, Councillor Kelly Galloway, Councillor Jane
Mitchell, Paula Saunders, Ken Parker, Gordon Cummer, Anthony Cashin, Snja
Mrsa (Guest), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL
Interpreter), Kelly Steiss, Rick Louwagie, Darryl Denny, Vanessa Lopak, Brent
Wilcox, Deb Bergey, Pamela Albrecht (Recorder)
REGRETS (MEMBERS):
Amy Ross, Gail Brunsdon
REGRETS (OTHERS):
Val Hummel
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
Sharon Ward-Zeller welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order
2.0 APPROVAL OF JANUARY MINUTES AND FEBRUARY AGENDA:
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The following amendments to the minutes were made:
Ken Parker
and Gail Brunsdon should be noted as sending their regrets.
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Approval of the amended minutes moved by Sharon Giles, seconded
by Kurt Schneider; carried.
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The following amendment to the agenda was made:
Co-Chair
report moved from item #5 to item #3.
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Approval of amended agenda, moved by Ken Parker, seconded by
Anthony Cashin; carried.
3.0 CO-CHAIR REPORT:
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Sharon Ward-Zeller shared with the group that Kelly Steiss has
accepted a new position with the City of Kitchener. As such, this is her
last meeting with GRAAC.
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Kelly was thanked for her work and was presented with flowers as a
token of GRAAC’s appreciation.
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The interim staff liaison for the City of Kitchener and the City of
Waterloo is Pamela Albrecht.
4.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT
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Gordon Cummer took over as chair.
4.1 AYR COMMUNITY CENTRE (North Dumfries) – Darryl Denny
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Darryl presented the site plans for the Ayr Community Hall and arena
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The complex will be located at the north end of the Village of Ayr, close
to the intersection of Northumberland and Melair Drive.
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The complex will include a single ice pad, space for seniors
programming, meeting and community rooms, a large hall and a
Community Health Centre.
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Future phases will include a second ice pad, multiple soccer fields,
concession stand, splash pad, lawn bowling, and walking trail.
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Accessibility – related considerations for the site are as follows:
- Four automatic doors openers to be included at main, side and
rear entrances as well as at Community Health Centre entrance.
- There will be no raised curb along bank of barrier-free parking.
- Provision of additional space between every two accessible
parking spaces.
- Need for barrier-free parking at rear of building has been noted,
but is not reflected in the current drawings.
- Plans for a canopy across the front and side entrances.
- Plans for either LED or Halogen lighting around perimeter of
building and in parking areas.
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The proposed completion date for phase 1 is late March 2011 – this
deadline attached to federal and provincial infrastructure dollars
provided for this project.
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Completion of phase 2 will depend on availability of funding.
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GRAAC members made a number of recommendations:
- That the issue of pedestrian access be given serious attention,
and that options for transportation be explored.
- That attention be paid to appropriate lighting and colour contrast
in area seating areas.
- That attention be paid to general use of colour and textured
surfaces.
- That provision be made for both audio and visual
announcements.
- That provision be made for visual fire alarms
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Darryl noted that a traffic study is being completed
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Also noted that the architects are using the City of London’s
accessibility guidelines to design the interior of the building.
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At the request of the Committee, Darryl will explore the feasibility of
returning to GRAAC with revised site plans before they are finalized.
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Township of North Dumfries is committed to presenting site plans for
any future phases to GRAAC.
-BREAK-
4.2 KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY – Sabine Franzen, Penny Lynn Fielding
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Sabine Franzen presented the site plans for renovations to the main
library location of the KPL.
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Phase 2 – underground parking garage, estimated completion date of May
2011.
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An elevator will connect parking garage with main floor of library building.
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Accessibility related considerations for the site are as follows:
- Barrier-free parking spaces will be located near entrances.
- Some surface parking will be retained.
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Phase 2 – library renovation, addition to rear of building, addition of 2
storey to Children’s Department, estimated completion date of early 2013.
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The library will continue to operate throughout construction with as much
notice as possible given regarding disruptions in service.
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The draft proposed Accessible Built Environment Standard was used to
guide the exterior and interior design.
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Other accessibility concerns are:
- Short-term parking for drop-off and pick-up with access to main
entrance and book drop.
- Exterior running slope to main entrance and book drop.
- Automatic door openers to be included.
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The lower level will include public meeting rooms and staff work areas with
increased accessibility to main auditorium.
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The ground level will include a reading lounge, fiction, multi-media,
computer lab, enhanced children’s department, access centre and staff
work areas.
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The upper floor will include information services, non-fiction, teen, local
history, multi-lingual, staff work areas.
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Interior features will include accessible service areas at all service points,
accessible self-checkout unit, accessible computer workstations, wider
aisles in the stacks, lower shelf units, visual fire alarms, GM systems.
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Accessible washrooms will be built on every floor.
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A new elevator will be installed.
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GRAAC members made a number of recommendations:
- That information be made available visually, e.g. on LCD
screens.
- That computer monitors be positioned within reach at accessible
work stations.
- Large computer monitors are necessary to accommodate
screen magnification software (e.g. 20”).
- That attention be given to turning radius on accessible
pathways.
- The parking garage be designed with attention to reach required
for automated ticket machines, there be sufficient clear space
beside accessible parking spots, placement of accessible
parking spots in relation to exits – consider safety for path of
travel.
5.0 COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS: (Councillor Galloway, Councillor
Mitchell)
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5.1 City of Kitchener – Councillor Galloway
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The joint accessibility plan was passed by Council at the last Council
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meeting (Monday February 22, 2010).
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The Accessibility Capital Fund has been depleted, but this budget line will
be kept open so it can be added to and used in future years.
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The Rockway Senior Centre will remain open. As such, the facility’s
accessibility will need to be upgraded.
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The Sate of the City Address will be delivered tonight; all are welcome.
5.2 Region of Waterloo – Councillor Jane Mitchell
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The Region’s accessibility plan was passed a few weeks ago by Council.
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A report will soon be presented on regional sidewalks, which will include
information about a multi-use path on Franklin Street in Cambridge.
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Councillor Mitchell noted that Regional Roads tend to have long stretches
without pedestrian crossing and that this needs to be examined.
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There will be a meeting on walkability in the Region at the KPL.
6.0 TRANSPORTATION
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Sharon Giles took the chair.
6.1 Customer Service Training Presentation for Taxi Drivers (Licensing,
Region of Waterloo) – Vanessa Lopak, Marty Sawdon
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GRAAC feedback helped support the Region to do more than is mandated
by law in regard to accessible customer training for taxi brokers. In
addition to directing brokers to Ministry of Community and Social Services
(MCSS) resources, the Region plans to hold a session with the Waterloo
Regional Taxi Association (WRTA) within the next two months. Those
typically in attendance at WRTA meetings include the Presidents, Vice-
Presidents and Office Managers from each of the 6 taxi brokers in
Waterloo Region.
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This meeting will include:
- Reiteration of the legislation – important as there have been
WRTA leadership changes.
- Information about training options, including the MCSS online
module.
- Introduction of a brochure to be distributed to all brokers and
drivers.
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The informational brochure will be made widely available on the Region’s
website, and will be provided to taxi drivers and brokers, bus drivers,
consultants and home childcare providers.
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GRAAC members recommended that the following information be
included in the accessible customer service session with brokers:
- Communicating with a person in a manner that takes into
account their disability – e.g. use of TTY, Bell Relay.
- Consideration of providing rides to customers who may have
difficulty contacting dispatch, e.g. customers who are Deaf.
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The Region has told brokers that they will be required to follow the AODA
Transportation Standard once it is made law, which currently includes
provisions around accessible taxis.
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Marty Sawdon noted that there is no funding available to drivers to help
invest in an accessible cab. He also noted that any conditions put on
licensing need to be justifiable under the Municipal Act.
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Sharon Ward-Zeller noted that she hears complaints about poor customer
service. Is there a process for these customers to voice their complaints
and give feedback?
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Marty Sawdon advised that customers voice their complaints directly to
the President or Manager of the company. If the issue is not resolved, the
customer can contact the Region:
Licensing and Enforcement – 519-575-4591; lrs@region.waterloo.on.ca
7.0 OTHER UPDATES:
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Sharon Ward-Zeller took the chair.
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Paula Saunders noted that the Independent Living Centre is hosting
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“Access 2010” on September 17 & 18, 2010. GRAAC may wish to
consider having a booth.
8.0 ADJOURNMENT:
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Motion by Gord Cummer to adjourn.
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The next GRAAC meeting will be held o Thursday March 25, 2010 in the
Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall from 1:30 – 4:30 pm.
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GRAAC – February 25, 2010
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