HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC-2010-09-23
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
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Thursday September 23, 2010
Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT:
Sharon Ward-Zeller (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Anthony
Cashin, Paula Saunders, Sharon Giles, Myron Steinman, Amy Ross, Gord Cummer,
Mike Begin, Saul Herzog, Kurt Schneider, Gail Brunsdon, Pam Albrecht, Vanessa
Lopak, Val Hummel, Darryl Denny, Deb Bergey, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Johanna Ellis
(Recorder), ASL interpreters.
Regrets:
Ken Parker, Councillor Kelly Galloway, Councillor Karen Scian
GUESTS:
Ellen Waxman, Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO), Alfred Spencer,
ADO, Andrena Lockley-Brown and Sue Morgan, Independent Living Centre of Waterloo
Region, Lori Ludwig, City of Waterloo, Dave Smith, GRT
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
Sharon Ward-Zeller welcomed everyone to the September meeting and invited
everyone to introduce themselves.
2. APPROVAL OF AUGUST MINUTES AND SEPTEMBER AGENDA:
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Sharon Giles moved the acceptance of the August minutes, seconded by
Gord Cummer.
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Anthony Cashin moved the acceptance of the September agenda, seconded
by Kurt Schneider.
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All members were in favour; both motions carried.
3. NEW BUSINESS:
3.1 Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (ADO): Ellen Waxman, Assistant
Deputy Minister, Alfred Spencer, Director, Outreach and Compliance
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Ms Waxman provided an update on the AODA.
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The focus continues to be on the development of standards. Ontario’s pace of
standard development has exceeded that of other jurisdictions.
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Broader public sector compliance with the Customer Service Regulation has
been high. 97% of organizations have submitted compliance reports.
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Focus of the ADO is currently on supporting the private and non-profit sector with
Customer Service Regulation compliance. Over 360,000 organizations will need
to comply by January 1, 2012.
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EnAbling Change partnerships have facilitated communication about the
Accessible Customer Service Standard. Large umbrella organizations, such as
the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, have communicated with their members
about requirements and have developed sector-specific training materials.
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Latest development in the AODA process is the release of the Proposed
Integrated Accessibility Standard for public review
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The ADO is looking for feedback in particular on timelines, the positive aspects of
the standard as well as areas for improvement
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The ADO hopes to post a draft of the final proposed Integrated Accessibility
Standard in early 2011, and soon after bring it into force.
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In regard to enforcement of the standards, the emphasis is on compliance
assistance and education
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The final proposed Built Environment Standard has been released. All relevant
components will be incorporated into the Ontario Building Code (OBC). Items
that do not fit into the OBC, like playgrounds, will be included in a separate
regulation.
Questions and Answers, Discussion
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At this time, the Government does not see a need to change the leadership
structure of the ADO. Both the Assistant Deputy Minister and the Deputy
Minister do their best to raise issues of accessibility at every opportunity.
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The government is using a variety of methods to get the word out about the
AODA and its requirements.
The message needs to be heard multiple times before it sinks in
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A number of professional groups have developed training for their
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members and are getting the word out about the AODA, some as part of
EnAbling Change partnerships. Articles about AODA have been written
in professional magazines and journals
The government has done a survey to test messaging for the AODA.
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Tested messages like “it’s the right thing to do” and “it’s good for
business.” “It’s the right thing to do” resonated most with Ontarians.
The ADO will be holding breakfast meetings for businesses across the
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province in October and November. Will highlight what needs to be done,
when it needs to be done and what will happen if it is not done.
The ADO is working with other ministries to tap into their networks to
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deliver training
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The ADO is investigating the possibility of creating an Accessibility Advisory
Board, as recommended by Charles Beer. Questions being asked include:
Could the model be implemented? What would it look like? Would it be advisory
only or have more influence? The AODA would need to be changed in order to
implement a Board like this. Priority is currently on fully implementing the
standards.
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In order to support Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees (MAACs), the
ADO is planning a provincial forum for Spring 2011. The focus will likely be on
the aging population.
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The Ontario Building Code will be updated in July 2011. The ADO is working
with the appropriate Ministry to include accessible built environment components
in this update.
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Before repealing the ODA, care would be taken to ensure that any ODA pieces
not currently reflected in the AODA would be included: a sense that there would
be less confusion with one piece of legislation instead of two.
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Ontario is a leader in accessibility legislation. It is currently the only jurisdiction in
the world where the legislation applies to the private sector as well as the
broader public sector. The compliance and enforcement piece of the AODA is
also unique.
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While it is true that any piece of legislation could be repealed, citizens must let
their government know what they want and what is important to them.
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While the window for comment on the Proposed Integrated Accessibility
Standard seems short, it was noted that there is still work to be done after the
comment period before the legislation can be brought into force.
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The government works hard to ensure that TTY numbers are included in all their
materials.
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While it is true that one integrated piece of legislation may make it easier to
repeal, this concern needs to be balanced with making it easier for organizations
to comply.
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Each organization has developed its own focus for training to ensure that the
topics covered are relevant to the job role.
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Integration of the ODA and the AODA will not happen until the standards have
been implemented. A number of changes will need to be made to the AODA at
that time, and it will be most efficient to do them all at once.
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The ADO does highlight the economic benefits of accessibility when connecting
with the private Sector. The findings of the Martin Prosperity Institute study are
highlighted.
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ACTION – link to the Martin Prosperity Institute study will be sent to GRAAC
members
* BREAK *
3.1 Accessibility Directorate of Ontario (continued)
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The Ministry is exploring looking for ways to highlight the requirements of the
Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) in regard to accommodating persons with
disabilities. This would help combat the idea that businesses and organizations
only have to comply with the AODA and not with the OHRC.
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While the ADO recognizes that there are significant differences between issues
of aging and of disability, they have found that talking about disability in the
context of aging hits home with people and makes issues of accessibility very
real for them.
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The ADO has taken the opportunity to highlight how accessibility benefits
everyone, for example, families using strollers.
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Ms Waxman acknowledged that there have been significant changes to the
accessibility requirements in the current version of the proposed standard.
However, this is not a result of it being integrated. These changes reflect
feedback that was received from the public. There was a significant amount of
push-back in regard- to earlier proposed requirements. The government has
taken a long-range view, and Ms Waxman noted that there may be opportunities
for strengthening the requirements in the future.
3.2. Accessible Elections Update
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City of Kitchener Update - Colin Goodeve, Clerk’s Office.
Voting places have been audited for accessibility
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5 locations were eliminated from the list, as the locations did not meet
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standards.
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A binder has been created to document all this information. Can be used as
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resource on accessibility in the future for staff planning public meetings.
19 locations that will be used as voting places do not have automatic door
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openers. Additional staff will be stationed at these locations to open doors for
those who require assistance.
Will place signage on the sidewalks directing voters to the proper accessible
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entrance.
Accessible tabulators will be available at all advance polling locations.
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Advance polls will be held at 5 community centres.
The accessible tabulators were highlighted during a show about the elections
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broadcast on Rogers Cable.
The City Clerk has been in contact with Mobility Plus, noting that demand for
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bookings may be higher on election day.
Within 90 days of the election, the City Clerk must report on measures taken
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to ensure the elections were accessible. This report can be brought to
GRAAC before going to Council.
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City of Waterloo Update - Pam Albrecht, Inclusion Services
Due to some staffing changes in the Clerk’s Department at City of Waterloo,
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Pam presented the update.
All voting places have been audited for accessibility
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A number of locations were eliminated from the list as they did not meet the
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standards.
Additional staff will be stationed at locations without automatic door openers
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to provide assistance for those who need it.
Accessible tabulators will be available at all advance polling locations.
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Advance polls will be held at Conestoga Mall and Waterloo City Hall. Further
information on advance polls is available on the City of Waterloo website.
Staff working at advance polls has received training on how to use the
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accessible tabulators.
Accessible customer service training will be provided to all elections staff.
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Township of Woolwich Update – Val Hummel, Clerk’s Office
Additional staff has been stationed at locations without automatic door
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openers in order to provide assistance.
Friends or family members of electors will be able to provide direct assistance
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with voting after taking a privacy oath.
Proxy voting is also possible.
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Adaptive equipment such as magnifiers will be available at all voting places
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In some areas, candidates are willing to assist voters in getting to the voting
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places.
Staff has received accessible customer service training on issues such as
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providing assistance, allowing guide dogs in the voting locations.
The voting locations will also be family friendly.
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Township of Woolwich welcomes comments and suggestions.
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Questions and Answers, Discussion
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The question of whether or not ASL interpreting will be made available will be
explored further by the staff from each Municipality.
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If residents have not received voter notification card, they can call the Clerk’s
department or check the Municipality’s website to find the location of their closest
voting place. They can still vote by bringing the appropriate identification to the
voting place and having their names added to the voters’ list.
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If a resident runs into difficulty at the voting place, he or she should ask to speak
to the Managing Deputy Returning Officer (MDRO). There is an MDRO at every
voting place.
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Staff reinforced that it is possible to have a friend, family member or support
person provide assistance with voting.
* BREAK *
4. COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS
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Councillor Jane Mitchell, Regoin of Waterloo
Issue of mould on buses is being addressed. All busses have been
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cleaned thoroughly and staff is being trained on how to clean air
conditioning units.
The issue of Light Rail Transit (LRT) will be addressed by next Council.
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The Region has received GRAAC’s letter regarding concerns over
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scrapping the PAL survey. The Region had expressed its concerns to the
federal government regarding the scrapping of the mandatory long form
census and the PAL survey was addressed in this response. The
Region’s response to GRAAC will be shared at a later GRAAC meeting.
5. New Integrated Accessibility Standard: Vanessa Lopak, Pam Albrecht
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The Proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation has been released by the
Ministry of Community and Social Services. It is currently available on the
Government of Ontario’s online Regulatory Registry.
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This standard includes the requirements of the former Information and
Communication, Employment and Transportation Standards.
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Elements common to the three former standards have been brought together.
For example, all policies for all three standard areas must be completed
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at the same time. The replaces the former proposal for completing three
sets of policies at different times. The public sector must have all policies
in place by the end of 2013.
In addition, all training for all three standard areas must be in place at the
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same time. The public sector must have all training in place by the end of
2014.
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Accessibility Planning will be a requirement for the private and not-for-profit
sectors as well as for the public sector.
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Accessibility features will need to be considered when purchasing new self-
service kiosks.
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Most of the requirements relating the information and communication must be in
place by the end of 2015
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Information must be provided in accessible formats upon request and
organizations must make it clear that alternate formats are available.
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Websites created after 2014 must meet W3C accessibility requirements
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Websites that already exist must meet W3C accessibility requirements by 2021.
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Public Libraries and Educational Institutions will need to ensure that they have
access to resources and materials in accessible formats. Publishers will need to
assist in this process by making e-copies or conversion ready copies of
documents available.
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Most requirements related to employment must be in place by 2014.
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Applicants must be informed about the accommodations available to them
throughout the recruitment process
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All employees must be provided with information on how the organization
supports employees with disabilities in the workplace
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A process for creating individualized workplace accommodation plans must be in
place.
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A process for return to work of employees absent from work due to illness or
injury must be in place.
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Accommodation needs must be met throughout the employment life cycle,
including performance management, career development and advancement.
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The requirements for transportation will be phased in over the next five years.
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The standard applies to conventional transit, specialized transit, school
transportation, hospital transportation, ferries and taxis.
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The standard does not apply to faith-based transportation, volunteer
transportation services, services that are federally regulated such as Via Rail,
emergency vehicles or amusement park rides.
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A number of requirements will need to be in place by the end of 2011
Accessible signage - it is not clear what all the requirements in this area
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will be.
Verbal announcements of stops
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Provision of courtesy seating
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Requirements for end of 2012 include:
Accessible boarding and de-boarding
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Storage of assistive devices at no extra charge to the person
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Allowing companions and dependants of eligible persons to travel on
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specialized transit at no extra charge
Operators will be required to provide assistance
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Notifying the public of accessibility features available
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Requirements for the end of 2013 include:
Coordinating services between adjacent municipalities
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Making eligibility for specialized transit transferrable to other
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Municipalities, that is, a visitor does not have to apply to use local
specialized transit in the place they are visiting; their proof of eligibility at
home will suffice.
Notification of service disruptions
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Requirements for the end of 2014 include:
Provision of training to all staff
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Municipalities will have consulted with people with disabilities to
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determine the proportion of on-call accessible taxis required in their
communities
Measures will be taken to ensure the specialized transit application and
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eligibility process happens in a timely manner.
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Requirements for the end of 2017 include:
Implementation of electronic announcements
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Fare parity for conventional and specialized transit
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Categories of eligibility for specialized transit to include unconditional,
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temporary and conditional.
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Vanessa encouraged the group to consider a number of issues when reviewing
the Proposed Integrated Accessibility Regulation
In regards to employment, what is already required under the Human
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Rights Code, and how does that compare to the standard?
What will be done with possible fines collected?
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Overall, how does this standard fit with the Human Rights Code?
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Questions, Answers and Discussion
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Clarification of emergency was sought. To the best of staff’s knowledge, this
refers to vehicles like ambulances and fire trucks. They would not have to
comply with requirements such as accessible boarding/de-boarding, signage and
lighting.
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Individuals are encouraged to send their feedback on the Proposed Integrated
Accessibility Regulation to the Co-chairs via email by October 4. The Co-chairs
will compile the feedback and submit a response to the Ministry by the deadline
of October 16.
6. Co-Chair Report
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Sharon Ward-Zeller encouraged members who have not already done so to
complete the GRAAC self-evaluation. The deadline has been extended to
Monday, September 27 at noon.
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A success was shared and celebrated – GRT is painting yellow lines on the
nosings of the stairs at the back of the Charles Street terminal. This will
dramatically increase the visual accessibility of these stairs.
7. Adjournment
Taposhi moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion was seconded by Gord.
NEXT GRAAC MEETINGS
1. Thursday, October 28, 2010, 1:30-4:00pm, Conestoga Room, 200 King St. W.,
Kitchener.
2. Thursday, November 4, 2010, 1:30-4:00pm, Conestoga Room, 200 King St. W.,
This meeting is an additional full GRAAC meeting.
Kitchener.
3. Thursday, November 25, 2010, 1:30-4:00pm, Conestoga Room, 200 King St. W.,
Kitchener.
4. Thursday, December 16, 2010, 1:30-4:00pm, Conestoga Room, 200 King St. W.,
Please note, this meeting is on the third Thursday of the month.
Kitchener.
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