HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2014-09-25Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date:September 25th, 2014
Location: Conestoga Room, City Hall, Kitchener
Present:
Greg Moore (Co- Chair), Keri Cameron, Sharon Giles, Carrie Speers, Dorothy Staal, David
Kuhn, Amanda Moorhead, Paula Saunders,Mike Shipley, Christine Taylor, Laura Master, Dawn
Clelland, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener), Councillor Jean Haalboom (Region of
Waterloo), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Pam Albrecht (City of Kitchener, City of
Waterloo),Julia Sippel (Township of Wellesley), Johanna Ellis (Recorder), (ASL Interpreter),
Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter)
Regrets:
Paula Saunders, Councillor Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo), Val Hummel (Township of Woolwich),
Christine Taylor, Andrew Tufty, Kaitlyn Draker (North Dumfries).
Guests:
Gail Brunsdon, Darlene Smith, Yvonne Westerveld Cardoso (City of Kitchener), John Hill
(Region of Waterloo), Jean Starchuk (City of Waterloo), Trevor Gonsalves, Christina Martin
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Greg Moore called the meeting to order.
• Greg Moore welcomed all members; round table introductions.
2.0 Approval of May Minutes and June Agenda
• Moved by Mike Shipley, seconded by Carrie Speers to accept the September Agenda;
carried
• Moved byDorothy Staal, seconded by Sharon Gilesto accept the August minutes; carried
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
• There were no pecuniary interests to declare.
4.0 Victoria Park Playground (City of Kitchener) — Yvonne Westerveld Cardoso
• In the spring of 2014 this playground was identified to be replaced.
• Victoria Park Playground Working Group was formed and members include; Paula
Saunders ( GRAAC), representatives from Kidsability, Victoria Park Neighbourhood
Association and staff from multiple divisions.
• July 2014, request for proposals issued.
• August 2014 the working group reviewed proposals, evaluation team reviewed
proposals. Three (3) were shortlisted.
• September 2014 the final presentations were rolled out to the working group and
evaluation team. The power point presented during this GRAAC meeting showed
pictures of the successful proposal for the Jr and Sr play areas.
• The working group looked at design revisions this week.
• Power point showed overview of the final design.
- Senior playground will have the wood chip surface and Junior will have the rubber
surface.Ramps to play area
- Transfer stations for children in wheelchairs to access various play areas
Comments:
• Can there be underfoot tactile devices (landmarks) for children with low vision ?Colour
contrast is also helpful.
• Can there be, panels with braille, pictures, include high colourcontrast ?
• Wood chips meet safety surfacing requirements.
• Paula tested the woodchip surfaces, navigable but with some difficulty.
BREAK
5.0 King/Victoria Transit Hub (Region of Waterloo) — John Hill
• Development of a multi -modal facility that provides convenient pedestrian priority
transfers from one mode of travel to another, including full accessibility for persons with
disabilities and strategic parking management.
• Preliminary Site Design and Access Plan — Specialized transit (pick up and drop off).
Accommodation on both levels of the structure.
• Ensuring universally accessible design of the Transit Hub precinct, the transit station,
facilities, and development to accommodate safe and efficient movement of people with
high levels of pedestrian priority.
• Power point presentation showed designs and modifications made to comply with AODA
regulations.
Comments /Questions:
• What about signage — auditory and visual.
• John said they were looking for construction advisors. The group doing the final design
can come to a GRAAC meeting to get feedback.
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6.0 North Dumfries Accessibility Plan Status Update — Julia Sippel
• Julia reviewed the 2014 update that was attached to the August minutes email.
Highlights:
• Ongoing training of all new staff including poll workers for the 2014 election and crossing
guards has happened over the past year.
• Training for all staff and volunteers on the human rights code as it pertains to persons
with disabilities has begun and is ongoing.
• The Township of North Dumfries has a statement on the website informing the public
that accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.
September 25th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 2
• Staff - trained through the Customer Service Standard and Integrated Accessibility
Standards Regulation that they are to provide accessible formats and communication
supports upon request.
• All new items added to the website are created in an accessible format to ensure
accessibility for all.
• Notification of accommodation for applicants with disabilities is included in recruitment
ads.
• Successful applicants are notified of accommodations available to them during the offer
of employment.
• The extension of Wilma's Walk was completed in the Summer of 2014. Plans for the
changes were presented to GRAAC and approved.
• Proposals for a new Municipal Office have been presented to council. An engineered
plan and budget are being considered. All concepts include accessibility features. If the
building moves forward, site plans and building plans will be brought to GRAAC for input.
• The Township of North Dumfries was audited in early September by the Accessibility
Directorate of Ontario. They requested a number of items due under the AODA by
January 1 at, 2014. Their requests were met and provided by the Township.
• For full details of Julia's report, please refer to the handout sent out with last months
minutes and September's agenda.
7.0 Councillor's Reports
Jean Haalboom (Region of Waterloo)
• Region is going through a reorganization. Moved from 7 division to 6.
• Gary Sosnoski (Commissioner, Corporate Resources, Region of Waterloo) is retiring at
the end of October.
• Reorganization details will be available by the end of October.
• New daycare at Riverside School in Elmira. Region will be leasing space.
Berry Vrbanovic (City of Kitchener)
• Last council meeting until December 1St was held September 15th, 2014. Very long
meeting which including deferred items from Planning that needed to be addressed.
• Recognizing the needs of existing neighbourhoods and potential growth (new
neighbourhoods).
• Review of the pedestrian charter policy. GRAAC may want to supply input.
• Last Friday was the last day for Committee registration. GRAAC follows a different
process, recruitment still underway.
Jeff Henry (City of Waterloo)
• Jeff sent report via email and was shared with GRAAC by Johanna.
• Northdale plan appeals are all settled. Settlement includes land for a future pedestrian
corridor, providing an east -west connection through the neighbourhood to UW and LRT.
September 25th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 3
• New development in Northdale is also providing for other mid -block pedestrian
connections and agreements are making sure that this will be barrier free despite
challenges in elevation. As this happens later today, I will have raised that GRAAC
(and /or GRAAC Built Environment sub - committee) is an important group with whom to
consult through design /construction.
• Budget discussions are underway. Council approved the municipal inflation calculation
of 1.53% to act as a target for the budget process. New Council will undertake budget
deliberations after the election.
8.0 Co -Chair Report
• Greg Moore, Keri Cameron and Carrie Speers attended meeting in late June in regards
to sidewalks on both sides of the street. 30 — 35 people representing various citzen
groups were in attendance. All were in favour of sidewalks on both sides of the street.
There are currently 5 City policies regarding inclusion of sidewalks on both sides of the
street.
9.0 Staff Reports
• Pam introduced Christina Martin. She is a student and is writing a GRAAC position
paper. She will be attending a few meetings. Pam will be sending an email asking
GRAAC members to prioritize what the paper should be about (Most pressing issue at
this time).
• Vanessa discussed the next meeting. A tour at the Police Division Building in Waterloo
will be part of the next meeting on October 23,d
• ASL interpreters are also required.
10.0 Button Factory Ramp
• Replacing /improving ramp at the Button Factory.
• Handed out plans (drawing) of new ramp.
• Ramp will be made of galvanized steel and will be replaced within the next 6 weeks.
• Ramp is designed according to the Ontario Building Code, which includes a maximum
slope of 1:12.
• There will be a railing on both sides of the ramp, landing in the middle
• Automatic door opener being installed as part of project
• Lower section of ramp to have a 1:14 slope — chose to go this steep because of existing
fire Siamese connection near bottom of ramp. Cannot be obstructed, therefore ramp
must end before reaching that connection.
• Top landing to be enlarged to accommodate larger scooters.
• Need to discuss proposed grating for ramp surface — not good for guide dogs (paws may
be sensitive to texture). Will consult with CNIB on other options
Comments
September 25th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 4
• Will largest scooters fit through doorway?
o Double doorway into building, second door could be opened as needed
• Could siamese connection be moved to allow for more gradual slope at bottom of ramp?
o Staff will investigate.
• Could a vertical strip opening device be used instead of the usual button for auto door
opener?
o Staff will investigate.
11.0 Adjournment
• Moved by Anthony and second by Dawn to adjourn.
** *Next meeting will be held at the Waterloo Regional Police Services building in the Community
Room. 45 Columbia St E in Waterloo. Meeting is at 1:30.
September 25th, 2014 — GRAAC Minutes Page 5