HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2012-10-25Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday October 25th, 2012 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Gordon Cummer (Co- Chair), Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Mike Shipley, Carrie Speers,
David Kuhn, Amanda Moorhead, Paula Saunders, Dawn Griffen, Dorothy Staal, Kaitlyn Draker
(Township of Wellesley), Councillor Jean Haalboom, Councillor Jeff Henry, Julia Sippel (Township of
North Dumfries), Val Hummel (Township of Woolwich), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo),
Charlotte Gravlev (Region of Waterloo), Gina Hickman (Regional of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of
Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Johanna Ellis (City of Kitchener,
Recorder)
REGRETS: Councillor Kelly Galloway, Ken Parker, Stephannie Leach
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Anthony called the meeting to order.
• Anthony welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES & OCTOBER AGENDA:
• Moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by Gord Cummer to accept the September minutes;
carried.
• Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Gord Cummer to accept the October agenda; carried.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 CITY OF WATERLOO /CITY OF KITCHENER ACCESSIBILITY POLICY (DRAFT):
• Lolita presented both City of Waterloo and City Kitchener Draft Accessibility Policy.
• The current Customer Service Standards Policy will be merged with the Integrated Standards
to provide one Accessibility Policy.
• The policy will be updated annually to reflect Ministry compliance.
• GRAAC committee agreed that it makes sense to merge all into one policy.
5.0 REGION OF WATERLOO (Multi Year Plan):
• Charlotte Gravlev introduced Gina Hickman who will be covering for Vanessa's maternity
leave.
• Vanessa presented the power point presentation outlining the Multi Year Plan.
• The "Planning Process" began in April.
• There was an Accessibility Planning day, in June, for staff input.
• This is being brought forward today for GRAAC input.
• The public will also have a chance to provide feedback. There is a questionnaire on the
region's website asking people in the community for feedback.
• Will collect data and present to council in December.
• Will be released to the Public around January /February 2013.
• In 2012, GRAAC advises the Region on;
a) Provided advice to GRT on transportation requirements, including operator training, and
accessibility features for bus stops and shelters;
b) Feedback on the GRT Master Plan;
c) Presented as a delegation to Regional council on pedestrian safety and roundabouts;
d) Provided input on the Region's emergency plan;
e) Review advice on proportion of accessible taxis in the Region;
f) Review and advice on the Region's Accessibility Policy;
g) Consulted on accessibility issues related to Region road improvements;
h) Participated in the planning for the Dialogue on Diversity;
October 2012 - GRAAC Minutes
i) Provided input on design of accessible community gardens;
j) Feedback on BUILT environment features, including Baden Library renovations;
k) Feedback and advice on tools and resources for accessible information formats and
communication supports.
The five (5) "Outcomes" that the Region is aiming for are;
1. Region of Waterloo customers will receive services appropriate to their needs;
2. Employees with disabilities are supported throughout the employment cycle;
3. People with disabilities are engaged for feedback and advice on ROW programs,
services, and facilities;
4. New buildings and renovations take into account the needs of people with disabilities;
5. Staff can identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities.
"Customer Service: Deliverables ":
1. Review and update policies to ensure high quality of customer service (2012 -2017)
2. Develop a comprehensive resource for staff to support inclusive community stakeholder
participation (2013).
3. Embed accessibility requirements into staff training and orientation materials (2012-
2014).
BREAK
Region's Multi Year Plan contd.
• Vanessa asked the committee 3 questions:
1. Any parts of the Plan that excite you?
• Staff involvement and training are to be part of their job.
• Great summary of what is going to happen over the next 5 -year period.
• Lack of communication with police; 911 calls remain difficult for people who cannot hear or
who are hard of hearing.
2. Did we miss anything?
• Stronger wording around BUILT Environment.
3. What do you think is the most important part of this plan?
• Staff training is vital.
• Think more about consultation beyond GRAAC.
Question: Where will staff get resources to help guide them when faced with delivering
customer service to a person with a disability?
Answer: Documentation will have to be created.
Comment:GRAAC should have been approached to discuss the tactile devices that are already
installed at the corner of Frederick and Edna in Kitchener. GRAAC was not asked for input.
Question: Can a sample of the tactile device be brought to a GRAAC meeting?
Any feedback on the tactile devices at Frederick and Edna?
Answer: Gina will arrange for a sample of the tactile device to be brought to a future GRAAC
meeting.
Question:Can all three (3) plans; ROW (Region of Waterloo), GRT (Grand River Transit) and
WRPS (Waterloo Region Police Services) be integrated and put into one?
Answer: Vanessa answered by stating that ROW's will go to council; parts of the GRT plan is
covered under the ROW plan; not know about the Waterloo Regional Police Services.
October 2012 - GMAC Minutes 2
ACCESSIBLE TAXI SERVICES (Phil Neville — Interim Administrator of Licensing and
Regulatory Services)
• Taxi by -law — Sixteen (16) accessibility taxis as of September. Each time a taxi is added,
an amendment must be made. Looking at changing that so the increase of accessible
taxis is open to increase.
• Each time an application is made for a new taxi, access must be part of the application.
• Who determines /who is responsible for the design of an accessible cab?
Licensing /bylaw deals with the physical structure. Taxis are inspected 3 times per year.
Any defects must be immediately repaired.
• Inspection /safety certification is done once per year.
GRAND RIVER TRANSIT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN (Eric Gillespie, Dave Smith)
• 2, 289 bus stops in the Region, 54% accessible.
• 100% low floor buses as of September 2012.
• Audio /visual formats at stops and on buses.
• Mobility Plus tickets can be purchased at all locations where GRT tickets are sold.
• Extending Mobility Plus hours to match regular transit hours.
• Accommodation requests have increased significantly since 2010.
• Part of the budget next year (2013 — 2014) to include hiring a consultant to research the
needs of the community.
• 2014 — All support people will be allowed to ride specialty transportation for free.
• Encouraging those with Mobility Plan pass to use accessible buses if possible.
Comment:
• Questioning types of accessibility modes of transportation available in the early morning
hours. (example: transportation to and from emergency at hospitals).
• Vanessa asked the committee for input on the accessibility plan.
MOTION: Motion by Gordon Cummer that GRAAC endorse the Accessibility Plans as presented to
the committee and that they be carried forward. Seconded by David Kuhn; carried.
6.0 COUNCILLORS REPORT(S):
• Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo) reported a tax increase of 2.49 %.
• 2.24% base increase with allotment of .25% for emergency issues (example: emergency
services).
• Very tight budget for 2013.
• Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo) encouraged the committee to participate in the
Culture Plan at www.waterloo.ca /cultureplan . There is an online questionnaire. Deadline is
the end of November.
• City is trying to encourage public input. There will be a Culture Plan Summit on Nov. 26 from
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Hauser Haus, Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex. This is a free
event and it is open to the public.
7.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT REPORT
Looking at plans for a new parking lot at Bramm Street, Victoria Street and Park Sreet. This
will be a City of Kitchener parking lot used by monthly parking. In accordance to the
proposed Design of Public Spaces Standard, the lot will have 19 acessible parking spaces
with a mix of Type A and Type B spaces.
Met with Yvonne Westerveld - Cardosa at the K.O.F. (Kitchener Operations Facility) about
parks in central Kitchener (downtown area). A total of seventy -seven (77) parks in central
Kitchener (downtown area). Looking for GRAAC input on how accessible these parks are.
GRAAC members are asked to comment on any park that they are familiar with on this list or
feel free to visit any park on this list.
October 2012 - GMAC Minutes 3
• There will be a meeting and a tour of the Tactile Surface on the corner of Frederick and
Edna. This will take place on Friday November 9th, 2012 @ 1:00 p.m.
• Paula is attending a Via Rail meeting. The station in Kitchener is unmanned. Major
concerns that there is no staff onsite. If anyone has accessibility needs while boarding the
train, there is no one there to assist.
8.0 STAFF UPDATE:
• Vanessa let the committee know that there will be a follow up transportation meeting (from
the one in September) on Wednesday November 28th, 2012. Encouraging GRAAC members
to attend. Location and time TBA. ASL Interpreters will be available.
• Gina to send a follow up email to confirm details.
9.0 CO- CHAIRS REPORT:
• During the months of October and November, Co- chairs will be out presenting to all councils.
Presentation has already been made at the Region of Waterloo.
• There was a good turn -out for the Dialogue on Diversity event.
• Self- evaluation forms will be available at the November meeting.
• David, Andrew and Gordon have started a work plan regarding The City of Kitchener's
Council Accessibility Awareness training.
10. ADJOURNMENT /NEXT MEETING:
• Motion to adjourn by David Kuhn, seconded by Andrew Tutty.
The next meeting will be on Thursday November 22nd, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall.
October 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 4