HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC 2015-01-29Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday January 29th, 2015
Location: Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall
Present:
Sharon Giles, David Kuhn, Keri Cameron, Greg Moore (Co- Chair), Andrew Tutty, Carrie Speers,
Mike Shipley, Brenda Robinson, Kathie Must, Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Lolita
Paroski (City of Kitchener /City of Waterloo), Julia Sippel (Township of North Dumfries), Kaityln
Draker (Township of Wellesley)
Regrets:
Councillor Kelly Galloway - Sealock, Councillor Sue Foxton, Councillor Mark Whaley, Laura
Master, Paula Saunders, Amanda Moorehead
Guests:
Donna Hartzler (Township of Wilmot), Garry Gibbons (Township of Wilmot), Rob Bender
(Township of Wilmot)
Absent: Dawn Clellend
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• All members, staff and guests introduced themselves
2.0 Approval of December Minutes and January Agenda
• Moved by Mike Shipley, seconded by Keri Cameron to accept the December minutes.
CARRIED
• Moved by Carrie Speers, seconded by Andrew Tutty to accept the January agenda.
CARRIED
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
• None
4.0 AODA Training — Lolita Paroski
• Lolita Paroski provided training on the Customer Service Standard and the Ontario
Human Rights Code, Duty to Accommodate. Brochures on both were distributed.
5.0 Understanding Legislation and the Role of AAC's — Vanessa Lopak
• Vanessa Lopak provided a brief overview of the ODA, AODA and provided an overview
of what the AAC role is in regards to legislation.
• Advice on Accessibility reports
• Review site plans and drawings
6.0 Question and Answer
• Discussion on providing a checklist for events
7.0 Changes to the Ontario Building Code — Kaitlyn Draker
• Kaitlyn Draker provided the group with the changes to the Ontario Building Code which
takes effect January 1, 2015.
• New to the Code are barrier free lite provisions to assist those who do not need a
wheelchair but other walking aids, hearing loss, vision loss and mobility assistance
devices.
- Companion seating
- Control heights (pull stations, thermostats)
- Washroom stalls, sink height, soap dispenser & towel location
- Transfer spaces, grab bars (location and sizes)
- Lighting control, all needs to be motion centered
- Adult sized change table
- Fire alarms now need light component
8.0 What Do Advisory Committees Do — Julia Sippel
• Julia asked David to describe what GRAAC does;
• We give Council our opinions on things that come up in community;
• We advise and give ideas to council.
• Other members added;
• The important thing is that we are here to advise and not tell them what to do (Carrie);
• From time to time, members of this committee act as a resource to other committees
(Andrew);
• Julia shared definition of Advice and Advocacy;
• Site plan review is for Municipal projects not private;
• Julia went through a list of what we look at;
• Sometimes staff reps may ask for advice through email.
9.0 Report(s)
• Lolita (City of Kitchener) shared with GRAAC members that she will be sending emails
on the following;
- The city is conducting a public survey, which will run from January 28 — February 18
asking for the public's view on the future of the Centre in the Square.
- Communications department has created a button that they hope to place on the
front page of The City of Kitchener website leading to the accessibility pages, looking
for GRAAC's feedback. Lolita will email to the members.
- Lolita shared that GRAAC received a letter re: Notice of study of completion for
Guelph St bridge widening and the report is available for review for a 30 day period
from January 23 — February 22. Lolita will send all members an email with details.
• Julia (Township of North Dumfries) shared that North Dumfries now has a TTY #519-
621 -9595.
• Co -Chair (Greg) reminded all that we want to be inclusive group and no talking during
the meetings.
11.0 Adjournment
• Motion to adjourn by Carrie, seconded by David, CARRIED
Next meeting is Thursday February 26th, 2015 at Kitchener City Hall in the Conestoga Room
January 29th, 2015 — GRAAC Minutes Page 3