HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-005 - Appointments to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory CommREPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
January 17, 2011
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services (ext. 2687)
PREPARED BY:
Pamela Albrecht, Inclusion Coordinator (ext. 2226)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
All
DATE OF REPORT:
November 29, 2010
REPORT NO.:
CSD-11-005
SUBJECT:
APPOINTMENTS TO THE GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (2011)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the following applicants be appointed to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory
Committee (GRAAC) for a 3-year term ending December 31, 2013, pending ratification by
the partnering municipalities of the City of Waterloo, Region of Waterloo, Township of
North Dumfries, Township of Wellesley and Township of Woolwich:
Mike Begin City of Kitchener Reappointment
Saul Herzog City of Waterloo Reappointment
David Kuhn City of Kitchener New
Katherine Nessner City of Kitchener New
Ken Parker City of Kitchener Reappointment
Amy Ross City of Waterloo Reappointment
Paula Saunders City of Kitchener Reappointment
Carrie Speers City of Kitchener New
BACKGROUND:
Under the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 (ODA), all municipalities with
a population of 10,000 or greater are required to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee
to advise Council on the prevention, identification and removal of barriers for persons with
disabilities. The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) is a joint committee of
the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo and the Townships of North
Dumfries, Wellesley and Woolwich and is appointed the task of advising the participating
municipalities on accessibility issues.
REPORT:
The Terms of Reference of the GRAAC adopted by Council in 2003 specify that the Committee
will consist of 11 to 15 members of which a majority must be persons with a disability.
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Recruitment for GRAAC is conducted in the Fall of each year with members beginning their 3-
year terms in January.
Notices requesting applications were posted on the participating municipalities’ websites, local
post secondary institutions’ websites and at local community organizations including disability
service providers, community health centres and libraries. Advertisements were also placed in
newspapers throughout the Region. Staff received an excellent response to this call for
applications.
A selection committee of staff representing the participating municipalities reviewed the
applications. Recommendations for membership are based on consideration of the Terms of
Reference as well as fair representation from the participating municipalities and various
disability groups.
As of December 31, 2010, there are 8 vacancies on the GRAAC. Pending ratification by each
of the participating municipalities, staff is recommending that the 8 persons noted above be
appointed by the City of Kitchener. Five of the 8 are reappointments, while 3 are new members.
This will bring the Committee membership to its full capacity of 15.
All applicants for consideration to this Committee will be acknowledged and informed as to
whether or not they have been selected.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Quality of Life
This committee provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to discuss, define and
address their shared concerns in regards to the identification, removal and prevention of
barriers in City facilities, programs and services.
Diversity
Consulting with persons with disabilities in an advisory role increases the capacity of the
City to ensure a greater degree of equity and inclusion in the community.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
NIL
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The community was informed of the opportunity to participate on the Grand River Accessibility
Advisory Committee (GRAAC) by way of newspaper advertisements, postings in local
community organizations and libraries, and electronic postings on municipal websites, the
GRAAC website and local post-secondary institution websites.
All GRAAC meetings are open to the public. A meeting schedule and approved minutes are
posted on the GRAAC website.
GRAAC members are consulted on a range of topics and provide valuable feedback and
information which aids staff in ensuring that City initiatives and projects are accessible to
persons with disabilities.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO Community Services
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