HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2013-10-24Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee ( GRAAC)
Thursdav October 24, 2013 Kitchener Citv Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Anthony Cashin (Co- Chair), Carrie Speers, Paula Saunders, Amanda
Moorhead, Mike Shipley, Greg Moore, Keri Cameron, David Kuhn Dorothy Staal, Julia
Sippel (North Dumfries), Kaitlyn Draker (Wellesley) Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo),
Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo),
Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of
Waterloo), Lisa Harper (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Shannon
Sweeney (Recorder)
REGRETS: Val Hummel (Woolwich), Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair)
ABSENT: Stephannie Leach, Ken Parker
GUESTS: David Smith (Region of Waterloo) and Eric Gillespie (Region of
Waterloo)
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS:
• Anthony Cashin called the meeting to order.
• Anthony Cashin welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES & APPROVAL OF OCTOBER AGENDA:
• Motion by Mike Shipley, seconded by Greg Moore to accept the minutes of the
September meeting; all in favour.
• Motion by David Kuhn, seconded by Jean Haalboom to accept the October
agenda; all in favour.
3.0 DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTERESTS:
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 BUS DISCUSSION — ALL
• Prior to today's GRAAC meeting GRT brought a an ABRT Bus and GRAAC
members were provided with a presentation of accessibility features while on the
bus
• Eric (Region of Waterloo) will report in writing what suggestions GRAAC gives
him.
• Greg Moore suggested more visual alerts in the back of the bus.
• Both visual and sound notifications are needed.
• Braille was suggested for the stop buttons. Grade 1 Braille was given as a
suggestion.
5.0 GRAND RIVER TRANSIT'S ACCESSIBILITY PLAN FOR FEEDBACK AND
REVIEW FROM PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES — Dave Smith (Region of
Waterloo), Eric Gillespie (Region of Waterloo)
Dave Smith runs the Mobility Plus Program with the Region of Waterloo.
Highlights
• Mobility Plus is running shifts same as Grand River Transit now.
• Out of town Mobility Plus has Saturday service for the first time.
• The AODA requirements are completed for 2013.
• Companions will not have to pay on Mobility Plus and conventional transit now.
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 24, 2013
• Eligibility is answered in 14 days and if not temporary access will be granted.
• Booking Mobility Plus will be offered via telephone service up to 3 hours before.
The latest you can book a ride will be 10:15pm for a 1:15am pick up.
• Automated trips have increased in the past year.
• There is a new computer system being used for Mobility Plus.
• So far the system has had really great reviews.
Questions/ Comments
• Some of the indicators do not work properly on the GRT buses and it was asked
if they are not working should it not be fixed before the bus goes on the road
again?
• It was stated that some of the indicators are really sensitive and could be pushed
by accident.
• GRT designed them to be sensitive and realize accidents can happen.
• Eric Gillespie will be providing a written response to GRAAC.
A motion to endorse the Grand River Transit Accessibility Plan was given by David
Kuhn, seconded by Carrie Speers, all were in favour.
6.0 NORTH DUMFRIES ACCESSIBILITY PLAN - Julia Sippel (North Dumfries)
Highlights
• Julie Sippel presented the draft version of the North Dumfries Accessibility Plan
to GRAAC.
• This will be going to council December and will have a January deadline.
• Once council has approved the plan it will be distributed to GRAAC Members.
A motion to endorse the North Dumfries Accessibility Plan was given by Mike Shipley,
seconded by David Kuhn, all were in favour.
7.0 COUNCILLOR'S REPORT(S)
• Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener) reported we are in the budget process
right now.
• Next Monday there will be potential additions and cuts. There will also be an
online opportunity to provide feedback about the budget.
• The Victoria Park washrooms were approved. There will be 6 men's, 6 woman's,
with 1 accessible in each side and an additional accessible family washroom.
• The Boathouse - Staff has shortlisted business from 6 to 3. This process will
wrap up in December.
• Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo) said the Annual Committee Night was a good
night with interesting dialogue. He said that significant upgrades were approved
to reduce the carbon footprint by 9 %.
• Uptown Waterloo Traffic Study - public open house to take place October 30th
6:30pm - 9:00pm.
• The City of Waterloo is focused on trials connecting better. Central Loop, way
finding and signage.
• Lolita to work with John Griffin (City of Waterloo) about the signage system.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 24, 2013
• Jean Haalboom (Renion of Waterloo) the Region hasn't started budget talks.
• Budget is tight.
• Need extra van for Accessibility Services. Looking for 2 vans.
Comments
• GRAAC is hoping that accessibility will be kept in mind with the Boathouse
renovations.
• St. Jacobs Market should be made fully accessible.
8.0 BUILT ENVIRONMENT UPDATE — Paula Saunders
• Walter Bean Trail Walk
• Some GRAAC members went on the Walter Bean Trail Walk on Thursday October
3 rd
• The walk was led by John Griffin (City of Waterloo)
• GRAAC members shared with John some comments such as where trees and
branches needed to be trimmed and where there were steeper slopes.
• Glasnow Sidewalk
• Steve Allen met with Paula and Lolita to share plans for the Glasgow Sidewalk.
• Paula shared with Steve that GRAAC fully supports sidewalks.
• Charles & Benton Street Garacie
• Paula received a couple concerns about the width of the accessible parking
spaces at the Charles & Benton Street garage.
• Lolita and Paula went to the Garage to take a look.
• Paula reported that all of the accessible spaces measured at different width and
some of the accessible spaces being very narrow.
• Paula shared some suggestions and Lolita will email staff.
• Accessible Community Garden
• Paula attended the grand opening of Chandler Mowat's accessible Community
Garden on Wednesday October 23rd
• The garden is complete now and ready for the community to use next year.
• Downtown Community Centre
• Paula received a call asking if she knows of any device that could be put on the
handles to help flush a toilet.
• Paula is unaware of any and is asking if members can think of anything.
• It was suggested to contact Arthritis Society.
• LRT Meetinq
• Paula shared that some GRAAC members attended the meeting at the Region on
Thursday October 10tH
• Region staff walked us through the LRT stop plans.
• Suggestions were made to ensure consistency and contrast.
• Jean Haalboom asked if GRAAC's suggestions will go forward via Kim Moser
(Region of Waterloo). Gina Hickman said they will.
9.0 CO- CHAIRS REPORT — Anthony Cashin
• Anthony asked staff if they had anything to report.
• Lolita shared that a Public Consultation is being held on Wednesday November
13th 5:30- 8:00pm (drop in anytime) at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation
Complex on the King St. Streetscape Improvement Project. Lolita will follow up
with an email to all the GRAAC members including the details.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 24, 2013
• Gina will be staying with GRAAC until January 2014. At that time Vanessa will
return.
• Recruitment for GRAAC is now closed. Staff is reviewing applications and reports
to council will be going in December /January.
• Anthony will be attending the Compass Kitchener Meeting on Nov 26th from 5-
7pm. Anthony invited all members to attend. Carrie Speers will also be
attending.
Adjournment/ Next Meeting
A motion was made by David Kuhn, seconded by Carrie Speers, to adjourn the
October meeting. The next meeting will be on November 28th, 2013 at 1:30 p.m.
in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall.
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