HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2014-05-22Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: May 22nd, 2014
Location: Conestoga Room, City Hall, Kitchener
Present:
Greg Moore (Co- Chair), Andrew Tutty (Co- Chair), Keri Cameron, Anthony Cashin, Sharon
Giles, Mike Shipley, Carrie Speers, Amanda Moorhead, Dawn Clelland, Laura Masters, Paula
Saunders, Dorothy Staal, Christine Taylor, Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo),
Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Karen
Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Vanessa Lopak (Region of
Waterloo), Pam Albrecht (City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis (Recorder)
Regrets:
David Kuhn, Kaitlyn Draker (Township of Wellesley), Julia Sippel (Township of North Dumfries),
Val Hummel (Township of Woolwich)
Guests:
Karen Anderson (City of Waterloo), Mike Krulicki (Lovett Signs)
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Andrew Tutty called the meeting to order.
• Andrew Tutty welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 Approval of April Minutes and May Agenda
• Motion by Carrie Speers, seconded by Mike Shipley to accept the minutes of the March
meeting; all in favour.
• Motion by Keri Cameron, seconded by Anthony Cashin to accept the April agenda; all in
favour
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 RIM Park Signage Project (City of Waterloo) — Karen Anderson, Mike Krulick
• Karen gave a PowerPoint presentation introducing the City of Waterloo's accessible
signage plan.
• Signs for outdoor facilities including sports fields, ball diamonds, sports venues.
Project Deliverables
• Signage design guidelines, production ready graphics, implementation of the signage
plan at RIM Park (Bechtel Park, Waterloo Park and smaller venues).
Desiqn Guidelines
• Size, materials, font size and style, colour, contrast, reflective surfaces, setbacks, maps,
graphics and images.
Family of Signs
• Roadway signs on expressway, main streets (simple message).
• Park entrance should be highly visible and simple.
• Information hub to help park visitors and should include emergency info.
• Field identification, small but visible.
• Regulatory signs should indicate key messages of what is allowed and not allowed in
the park or on the field.
nicri mczinn
• Will follow up at the June 26th meeting.
• Preliminary drawings were circulated to committee.
• Artificial turf fields are lettered or numbered.
• Suggestion to simplify sign with rules by creating acronym for list of "do nots."
• When someone reaches the information hub it should provide access for everyone
(example; vision, height of sign, colour, braille).
• High colour contrasting is good — stay away from red and green as it can be difficult to
differentiate the two.
• Include tactile maps— CNIB would be a good resource
• Inclusion of Braille appreciated
• Include cane detectable indicator on ground at base of sign
• Keep in mind wheelchair accessibility for signs — height of sign, include hard surface at
approach to sign
• Keep signs free from obstruction (flowerboxes for example).
• Higher contrast — brighter signs
• Use symbols to accommodate diversity, e.g. people for whom English not first language
• Consider use of geometric symbols, e.g. a diamond to indicate a baseball diamond.
• Consider including audio information
• Could include QR code on sign that would link to web -based audio — important to
recognize not everyone will have a smartphone, but would be helpful to include
• City of Waterloo will send preview of signs to GRAAC before taking to staff committee
• Once designs are complete there will still be time for input.
5.0 BUILT Environment Update — Paula Saunders
Boathouse — Victoria Park
• Pam and Paula met with staff and owner regarding plans for the Boathouse.
• Washrooms at the Boathouse will be accessible from inside and will be closed off from
the outside.
• There will be a ramp up to the rear entrance.
May 22nd, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 2
• Discussed making the stage accessible.
• Window for take -out will be moved but is accessible.
• Limited parking in the surrounding area with no parking at the Boathouse itself.
Biq Music Festival — McLennan Park
• Attracting local acts Friday evening with recording artists on Saturday and Sunday.
• There will be shuttles from Conestoga College and Country Hills Community Centre,
where there will also be accessible parking.
• There will be accessible portable washrooms at the event venue.
Break
6.0 Accessibility Champions, Region of Waterloo — Vanessa Lopak
• Celebration —Access Awareness Week is the first week of June.
• This is the first year that the Region will be recognizing staff that have gone above and
beyond with accessibility.
• Vanessa shared a list of potential nominees and there was discussion with the
committee.
• It was decided that GRAAC would not recommend a nominee this year but would like to
be included in discussions for next year.
7.0 Uptown Waterloo Streetscape, GRAAC Priorities — Pam Albrecht
• Streetscape is an improvement project for Uptown Waterloo.
• The committee reviewed handout from Pam titled "Uptown Waterloo, King Street
Streetscape Improvement Project."
• Option for streetscape put forward in November 2013
• Due to public input, a new option is now being put forward for public input
• New option includes segregated bike lanes at grade with sidewalk, wider sidewalks,
parking on one side of street only.
• Wider sidewalks will potentially allow more space for ramps to shops with one step up,
as well as patios for restaurants and cafes.
• Both options to include improvement in grading from sidewalk to street at intersections
• Information centre will be open, for the Public to see and comment on new changes to
King St N from the LRT tracks to University Ave, on Thursday May 29th from 5pm — 8pm.
• Comments from the public will be received between May 29 and June 12, 2014.
• Estimated time for the earliest construction to begin is the Spring of 2015.
• GRAAC provided comments on New Option as well as priorities for an accessible
streetscape.
May 22nd, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 3
Comments
• Segregated bike lane is a great idea, however need to ensure sufficient demarcation
between sidewalk and bike lane to ensure pedestrian safety.
• Concern regarding accessible parking spaces next to bike lane — ramp used to
disembark from vehicle would go into bike lane, this would need to be addressed.
• Ensure no obstacles, e.g.trees or other landscaping, beside accessible parking spaces.
• More accessible parking would be appreciated.
• Wider sidewalks preferred — better access for people who use wheelchairs, service
animals.
• However, be mindful of wide open areas, important to include elements that provide
orientation to where the path of travel is.
• Provide curb cuts at regular intervals along the street, not just at intersections — allows
increased access to street during festivals.
• Need to have indicators where sidewalks and roadways meet at intersections.
• Need to have cane detectable indicators for obstacles (chairs from outdoor patios, trees,
bushes, garbage cans, flower boxes etc.).
• Ensure ramps built along side of the building rather than straight out to the sidewalk.
• Mixed feedback regarding parking on one side of street only.
• some committee members expressed concern with reduced onstreet parking —
would more be allocated elsewhere to pick up slack?
• others thought it was a good idea and expressed that there is sufficient parking in
Uptown already.
• If patios are created, ensure AODA regulations are met regarding enough sidewalk
space for pedestrians.
• Consider some guidelines for patios to ensure ease of access.
• Suggestions for managing bicycle traffic:
• Provide one way lane on King, alternate way lane on Regina.
• Provide two -way bicycle lanes on one side of King street only.
Break
8.0 Councillor's Reports
Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo)
• Bill by the Ministry of Transportation giving the right to Municipalities to create a bylaw
regarding right of way to pedestrians. This Bill was in 2nd reading and is now stopped
because of the Provincial election and potential change. Ask your MPP about his /her
mandate around the Bill.
• Mobility plus has introduced new scheduling. If you know of anyone or you are having
problems call Customer Service at 519 - 585 -7555.
• GRT cash fare of $3.00 remains the same. Seniors pass is $64.00 /month. Mobility plus
is $76 /month and can be used on GRT.
• Tuesday May 27th, draft policy, Seniors Strategy. 12% of Region's population is Seniors.
• Asking for an increase cap on Ontario Works.
May 22nd, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 4
• Over the next 10 years the Region has committed to $1 M /year for Transit improvement
for Cambridge.
Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo)
• Values everyone's input on the King St Streetscape.
• There will be an update in June for the latest Public meeting regarding the Uptown West
Traffic Study.
• City of Waterloo construction traffic projects include; Allen St E (west side of Weber),
High St off of Hazel. University and King St to commence soon.
Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener)
• Midst of consultation, Compass Kitchener. Getting peoples' reaction /comments for
"Your Kitchener, Your Say ". Details on City of Kitchener website.
• Provincial election is coming soon. Number of issues for municipalities, for example,
funding for infrastructure.
• Community flagpole, back to Council Monday May 26th, 2014.
9.0 GRAAC Submission to the AODA Review — Andrew Tutty
• Moved by Sharon Giles and seconded by Carrie Speers to send letter to Dr. Moran.
Submission Day moved to the end of June.
10.0 Co -Chair Report(s)
• Vote for summer vacation result as follows; July, no meeting. Resume in August.
• Carrie, Pam and Andrew, went to Cambridge to see the accessible voting equipment.
GRAAC committee would like to participate in reviewing elections equipment in a couple
of months.
Motion to Adjourn
Moved by Dawn Clelland, seconded by Sharon Giles. Carried
Meeting adjourned at 4pm.
The next meeting will be on August 28, 2014 at 1:30pm in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener
City Hall.
* *Note there is no GRAAC meeting in July **
May 22nd, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 5