HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2012-11-22Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday November 22nd, 2012 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Gordon Cummer (Co- Chair), Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Carrie Speers, David Kuhn,
Amanda Moorhead, Paula Saunders, Dawn Griffen, Dorothy Staal, Councillor Jean Haalboom,
Councillor Jeff Henry, Julia Sippel (Township of North Dumfries), Gina Hickman (Regional of
Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter),
Linda Pretty (City of Kitchener, Recorder)
REGRETS: Mike Shipley, Andrew Tutty, Johanna Ellis, Kaitlyn Draker (Township of Wellesley),
Valerie Hummel (Township of Woolwich)
ABSENT: Stephannie Leach
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Gord called the meeting to order.
• Gord welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES & NOVEMBER AGENDA:
• Moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by Anthony Cashin to accept the October minutes;
carried.
• Motion by Dawn Griffen, seconded by Amanda Moorhead to accept the November agenda;
carried.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 CITY OF WATERLOO WEBSITE (PowerPoint): Saj Jamal, eSolutions Group
Saj attended the GRAAC meeting to report on the updated City of Waterloo website.
• Websites need to provide access to everyone.
• The web is how citizens interact with the City, Waterloo wanted to create a website that is
both easy to access and appealing. Redesign of the site began in the Fall of 2012.
• Through focus groups, twitter, FaceBook, social media and local radio, the community was
consulted for input and people indicated that they wanted the site to represent the city.
• Is it easy to navigate; through speech recognition? All technologies need to be considered.
• According to AODA websites and web content, standards require conformity with WCAG 2.0
Level A by January 1, 2014. Since the City had to adhere to AODA, The City of Waterloo
has chosen to go straight to making its website and web content conform with WCAG 2.0
Level AA which will be a requirement with AODA for January 1, 2021.
• Saj explained changes and how easy it is to use. The site is accessible on all levels.
• Comment: can't see white text on dark background. A lighter background with a darker text
is perferred.
• Should a patron want to contact someone, emails can be easily sent directly to a specific
staff person.
• If the committee has any questions or concerns, please bring them forward to City staff, even
if it is after the web is launched in the New Year.
• There is even an app that can be used on some Smart Phones that can give you information
based on your current location. Waterloo is the first municipality to have this.
• All ideas came from the people of Waterloo.
• Suggest to please include the TTY number wherever contact information is found on the
website and to have closed captioning on the videos.
November 2012 - GRAAC Minutes
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday November 22nd, 2012
ACTION (from 4.0):
Saj will work with Lolita to send the committee the link to GRAAC so they could test the
features before the site is launched.
5.0 SAMPLES OF TACTILE DOMES: Region of Waterloo
• Samples tactile domes were circulated to members to examine. Tactile domes are tiles
designed to alert visually impaired pedestrians of impending hazards along travel routes,
public buildings and other rights -of -way.
• The State of Vermont has done a lot of work in this area so the Region piggy- backed on their
ideas.
• The outcome of a study done in 2003 -2005 recommended the use of cast iron product, with
non -slip durability.
• A "walk through" with GRAAC members took place on November 21, 2012.
6.0 JOINT CITY OF KITCHENER & CITY OF WATERLOO (Multi Year Plan): Lolita
• In the past, cities have been creating a joint annual accessibility plan.
• Now, we are required through AODA, to create a multi -year accessibility plan. The City of
Kitchener and the City of Waterloo will have a joint multi -year accessibility plan that will lead
them to 2017.
• Lolita presented the plan via PowerPoint, reviewing the Customer Service Standard, the
Integrated Accessibility Standards charts and highlighting action items.
• Compliance deadlines are usually January 1St
• The plan is legislation- driven as the province is providing information as to what needs to be
done to make Ontario accessible.
• Following break, members will break out into groups to do some "brainstorming" regarding
next steps for the plan.
ACTION:
Lolita will report back to GRAAC with the final draft joint multi -year accessibility plan in
December and ask for feedback and approval before it goes to both Councils in January
2013.
*BREAK*
7.0 JOINT CITY OF KITCHENER & CITY OF WATERLOO (Multi Year Plan):
• GRAAC members divided into groups to brainstorm, following which the groups presented
back and reviewed flip chart.
NOTE: Please see attached for the results of the brainstorming session.
ACTION:
• GRAAC members were asked to please email Lolita with additional feedback by
December 17.
• Lolita will consult with others with disabilities, will bring back revised joint multi -year
accessibility plan in December.
November 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday November 22nd, 2012
8.0 COUNCILLOR'S REPORT(S):
Councillor Haalboom:
• It's budget time again at the Region - Council was in deliberations on November 21.
• Staff was directed to see where things can be changed for a 5% property tax levy.
• The Manitou Project was approved.
• A delegation attended Council regarding the widening of Weber Street from two lanes to 4.
• A delegation from Mount Hope requested a pedestrian crossing for the railway track
underpass.
• Councillor Haalboom spoke about a special alignment on the whole sidewalk for people who
are visually impaired that she saw on a recent visit to Japan. Transit in Japan is clean,
inviting and amazing.
• Paula noted that proposed cuts to disability benefits from the province to the Region - be
aware at budget time.
Councillor Henry:
• Thanks to Gord and Anthony for the presentation they made at Council at the City of
Waterloo re GRAAC accomplishments.
• City of Waterloo through Councillor Scian is working on starting an Engagement on Citizens
Advisory Committee.
• The City of Waterloo is in year 2 of a 3 year budget. At the December 10, hope to target a
reduced tax rate to 1.55 from over 2.
• Expect Council approval re storm water credit program that is launching on January 1 that
will provide rebates of up to 45% if citizens comply with requirements. There will be a
presentation at Monday's Council meeting.
*BREAK*
9.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT REPORT:
Waterloo Park Plan:
Paula and Lolita met with Eckhard Pastrik, Landscape Architect with the City of Waterloo on
November 8th. The City is working on a plan for changes to Waterloo Park over the next few
years. Eckhard shared the plans and ideas around having separate sections (example:
gathering spaces, playgrounds, sitting areas, etc.). Paula and Lolita provided comments to
Eckhard and Lolita emailed to him the proposed Design of Public Spaces Standards
(Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) and highlighted areas that should be
considered during the design stages.
Eckhard will keep in contact with GRAAC as the project progresses for input.
Tactile Dome Installation at Frederick and Edna in Kitchener.
On Wednesday November 21, Paula, Gord, Carrie, Gina and Lolita met with a Region of
Waterloo staff to learn more about the tactile domes installation at Frederick and Edna
Streets. Paula noted that the "dome" product is a good one although Carrie has
concerns /issues with the yellow colouring.
GRACC members will "watch" the installation throughout the winter re snow, slippery
conditions, etc.
November 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 3
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAA C)
Thursday November 22nd, 2012
Concern with the use of too many slabs. There are 16 at some intersections. These are not
all lined up to lead you into the crosswalk. Concern re visual impairment. If you follow it you
may walk right out into the middle of the intersection.
Transportation Master Plan:
• Region of Waterloo staff are working on an Active Transportation Master Plan.
• Paula Saunders, Carrie Speers, Gina Hickman and Garrett Donaher (Region of Waterloo)
will meet on December 5th 2012.
• All GRAAC members were sent information on the Active Transportation Master Plan.
ACTION:
GRAAC members were asked to review the Active Transportation Master Plan and reply
to Paula by answering the questions.
10.0 STAFF UPDATE:
ACTION:
GRAAC members are asked to complete the self - evaluation for 2012 by the next meeting
on December 20tH
11.0 CO- CHAIRS REPORT:
• The Region has scheduled a Pedestrian Transportation workshop to talk about pedestrian
issues, i.e. roundabouts, etc. Members are encouraged to attend the workshop on November
28th
• GRAAC has made a presentation to 5 out of 6 City /Township Councils - will present to City of
Kitchener on Monday November 26th, 2012.
• Compass Kitchener has planned a reception on Tuesday November 27th from 4 — 6 pm so
that Kitchener advisory committees can meet and greet and get to know each other.
• Andrew is working on articles regarding access to be posted for staff through internal
channels for the Region of Waterloo, City of Waterloo and City of Kitchener.
12.0 ADJOURNMENT:
• Motion by Ken and seconded by Carrie to adjourn.
The next meeting will be on Thursday December 20th, 2012 at 1:30 p.m.
Learning Room — 2nd Floor, Kitchener City Hall.
** *Note meeting location for December meeting and date **
November 2012 - GRAAC Minutes 4