HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2014-04-24Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: April 24, 2014
Location: Conestoga Room, City Hall, Kitchener
Present:
Greg Moore (Co- Chair), Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair), Keri Cameron, David Kuhn, Anthony Cashin,
Sharon Giles, Mike Shipley, Carrie Speers, Amanda Moorhead, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City
of Kitchener), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Julia Sippel
(Township of North Dumfries), Kaitlyn Draker (Township of Wellesley), Vanessa Lopak (Region
of Waterloo), Pam Albrecht (City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis (Recorder)
Regrets: Dawn Clelland, Laura Master, Paula Saunders, Dorothy Staal, Christine Taylor,
Councillor Jean Hallboom, Councillor Jeff Henry, Val Hummel
Guests: John Griffin (City of Waterloo), William Sleeth (City of Kitchener)
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Greg Moore called the meeting to order.
• Greg Moore welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 Approval of March Minutes and April Agenda
Motion by Mike Shipley, seconded by Carrie Speers to accept the minutes of the March
meeting; all in favour.
Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Amanda Moorehead to accept the April agenda;
One change, Item # 5, Strasburg signage, Paul McKinnon sent regrets. All in favour.
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 Diversity of Disability Discussion — Greg Moore /Julia Sippel
• Important to address barriers.
• Group discussion about barriers that people face.
• As per handout, According to the Human Rights Code, "disability" means,
(a) any degree of physical disability, infirmity, malformation or disfigurement that is
caused by bodily injury, birth defect or illness and, without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, includes diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, a brain injury, any degree of
paralysis, amputation, lack of physical co- ordination, blindness or visual impediment,
or physical reliance on a guide dog or other animal or on a wheelchair or other
remedial appliance or device,
(b) a condition of mental impairment or a developmental disability,
(c) a learning disability, or a dysfunction in one or more of the processes involved in
understanding or using symbols or spoken language,
(d) a mental disorder, or,
(e) an injury or disability for which benefits were claimed or received under the
insurance plan established under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997;
( "handicap ").
The social model holds that disability is the outcome of social barriers that restrict the activities
of people with impairments.
• The committee broke into groups and discussed questions as follows;
1. Is there anything missing from the list of disability?
2. Is there anything on that list that surprises you? That you hadn't thought about
before? That you think does not get talked about very much?
3. What do you think would be important for people with disabilities discussed in
question 2? What barriers might they face? What should GRAAC think about when
providing advice to municipalities?
4. What kinds of barriers do you think municipalities need to pay more attention to?
Comments from Discussion
• Barriers related to mental health could be discussed /considered more at GRAAC
• Attitudes constitute a major barrier
• Continuous training and education is important.
• What is the role of Municipality?
• Townships, Cities and the Region get together as GRAAC and network with each other.
• GRAAC is being heard.
• Where do older adults fit in as they get older and may find they have disabilities (due to
age such as hearing, eyesight loss)?
• Challenging when people are treated differently
• Focusing on "What does accessible really mean ?"
• Municipalities to be more aware of needs, for example education of employees.
• Some pieces in the legislation are vague and some very specific.
• There was surprise around diabetes and how it relates /fits in as a disability.
• Municipalities can lead by example, by incorporating GRAAC's feedback into projects
that are shared with the public at large and highlighting accessibility
• GRAAC's focus tends to be on has been addressing visible barriers. What about
invisible barriers?
• Ensure municipalities create a welcoming environment, for example, using accessible
fonts in documents
• Municipalities setting example for delivering and continuing education on accessibility
• Municipalities may be able to do more awareness raising regarding environmental
sensitivities.
April 24th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 2
5.0 Strasburg Signage - deferred
6.0 Trans Canada Trail Improvements — John Griffin (City of Waterloo)
• The Trans Canada Trail is a nationwide trail that links the cities of Waterloo and
Kitchener and the Township of Woolwich at the St. Jacobs Farmers' Market.
• It follows the Iron Horse Trail and part of the Laurel Trail
• There is a Trans Canada Trail pavilion in Waterloo Park by Silver Lake
• Improvements to the Trail will include changes to the signage placed along the Trail
• John brought a sample of a sign to show the committee and get feedback
• Signs will be at trailhead locations.
• Trail signage to include information regarding amenities along the trail, slopes, distance
to nearest washrooms
• The distance indicated on the sign refers to distance from the sign to destination
indicated.
• Height of the sign appropriate for everyone.
• Font, printing on the sign should be easy to read (accessible)
• Looking for specific input for sections of the sign that includes information on surface,
width, slope, cross - slope.
• Recommendations from committee included
• Text size used in the middle section of the sign is better than that used in bottom
section; use all bolded font
• Consider including a white box to outline the information to be highlighted
• Consider including Braille
• Install sign on a level concrete pad that connects with trail so people can easily
get close to sign to read it
• Include descriptors such as "steep," "gradual slope" or "flat" in addition to
percentage of slope steepness.
• Include reflective edging around entire sign
• Include lighting above sign so it can be read at night
7.0 Multi Use Pathways and Trails — William Sleeth (City of Kitchener)
• Currently no Citizens Advisory Committee /Group at the City of Kitchener to advise on
multi -use trails.
• There are various types of trails across the City, perhaps a Citizens Advisory Group
would be an asset.
• While the Cycling Advisory Committee does advise on trails, their mandate is to provide
feedback from the perspective of cyclists only
• William presented 4 options for moving forward (refer to handout for full description of
each option:
• A — No change
• B — Establish an Active Transportation Advisory Committee
• C — Expansion of Cycling Advisory Committee to include a Trails Sub - Committee
April 24th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 3
o D — Establish a new Trails Advisory Committee and retain existing Cycling
Advisory Committee
Discussion and Recommendations
• A committee with a broader mandate is needed to represent various needs and
interests, and would facilitate better shared use
• Trails are being used broadly now, this needs to be protected, e.g. roller bladers,
walkers, joggers, people using mobility devices.
• Active transportation is a good mandate for broader committee.
• Consensus of committee is that accessibility and people with disabilities should have
representation on a newly established committee, but not necessarily someone who is
already a GRAAC member
• GRAAC should continue to be involved in trails decisions regarding accessibility
8.0 GRAAC Website Update — Julia Sippel
• North Dumfries is now hosting GRAAC website, tab for GRAAC from the home page
• Julia is running the website and is requesting feedback on format and content
• Content is based on that of the old website.
• Other municipalities will have "link" to GRAAC site to redirect to North Dumfries.
• Will be updated on a regular basis.
• Need to update and look at ways to accept applications, PDF or Word, at this point need
to be saved and emailed.
• Link to a word document for i.e. definition of GRAAC, to allow changes in font for
printing.
• Agenda will be saved and posted in Word format.
• Switch minutes and agenda to most recent.
• Consider adding link to Cambridge Accessibility Advisory Committee.
• "History" drop down menu for minutes and agenda.
• Adding attachments to websites. Committee and staff will determine what to add.
• List of members on the website or just co- chairs?
• Julia will change GRAAC logo on website to be clearer.
• Email Julia with any other comments or suggestions.
9.0 Councilors Report
Berry Vrbanovic's Report
City of Kitchener
• Food trucks are a much discussed item. Council is looking at a balance between food
trucks and restaurants.
• First set of discussions on development charge by -law. Draft report will be hear at
Monday's council meeting. (April 28th, 2014)
• Second Public discussion on Region airport, concerns with noise. Will report further in a
couple of months.
April 24th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 4
10.0 Co Chair(s) Report
• Greg and David attended Structure Review meeting at the Region and gave input on
behalf of GRAAC on March 31St, 2014.
• Greg attended men's healthcare workshop for people with disabilities on April 23,d
11.0 Staff Report(s)
City of Kitchener
• Johanna is back. Please make sure that your computer recognizes emails from her.
0ohanna.ellis(a�kitchener.ca
• Volunteer Resources has supplied Volunteer Pins for Committee. Pam distributed pins
to the committee.
• Volunteer Appreciation Celebration is May 27th, 2014.
City of Waterloo
• Public session May 29th, 2014 addressing Uptown Waterloo Streetscape.
Region of Waterloo
• First annual Accessibility Champion Awards to recognize staff leaders, first week of
June.
• Looking to GRAAC for a potential nomination.
• Bring ideas of projects or names to May meeting.
Motion to Adjourn
Moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by Keri Cameron. Carried
Meeting adjourned at 4pm.
April 24th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 5