HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-12-15Grand Diver Accessibility Advisory committee
Date: Thursday December 15'h 2016
Location: Region of Waterloo, 150 Frederick Street, Kitchener
Present:
Carrie Speers (Co -Chair), Sharon Giles (Co -Chair), Mike Shipley, Dawn Clelland, Brenda
Robinson, Keri Cameron, Councillor Sue Foxton (Regional of Waterloo), Councillor Sarah
Marsh (City of Kitchener), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Deb Bergey
(Region of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis (Recorder -- City of Kitchener),
Regrets:
Paula Saunders, Greg Moore, Rob Bender, Donna Hartzler, Andrew Tutty, Dawn Mittelholtz
(Township of Wilmot), Lori Heinbuch (Township of North Dumfries), Amy Black (Township of
Wellesley), Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich), Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo)
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Sharon called the meeting to order
2.0 Approval of November Minutes and December Agenda
• Agenda items 6 and 7 are deferred to a later meeting (Dawn Mittelholtz and Julie Forth
could not make the meeting today).
• Add Sidewalk Snow Clearance #8 -- Dawn Clelland
• Approval of the December Agenda, motion by Dawn Clelland and seconded by Mike
Shipley.
• Approval of November minutes, motion by Mike Shipley and seconded by Brenda
Robinson.
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
• None
4.0 City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo Status Update (Lolita Paroski — City of
Kitchener/City of Waterloo)
Accessibility training for staff
• Through corporate orientation or online version
• Training brochures
• Accessibility Policy
• OHRC videos and quiz
• Resources available on staff intranet. Lolita updates regularly (i.e, ministry guides etc.)
• City of Waterloo created several modules for purchasing training in 2016.
• City of Kitchener continues to offer in house Creating Accessible documents training for
staff.
• TTY training offered to staff every 2 years as a refresh through CHS. Next session for
Spring 2017. Interim new staff receives 1-1 training and resources posted on intranet.
GRAAC -- December 2016 Minutes Page 1
Accessibility training for volunteers
• Through joint City of Kitchener/City of waterloo training brochures
• The staff lead delivers the training to the volunteers.
In 2017, updates will be made to the joint training brochures to reflect changes to legislation.
In 2017, updates will be made to City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo Accessibility Policy
to reflect changes to legislation.
Website
• City of Kitchener is considering a website update in 2017.
• City of Waterloo launched a new website in 2013.
Employment for City of Kitchener and City,of Waterloo
• Applicants are asked when invited for an interview if they require an accommodation and
through all stages of the recruitment process.
• Notifies successful applicants of accommodations available to them through the offer of
employment letter.
• Provide and arrange for accommodations prior to start of work.
• Provide individualized workplace emergency response information to employees who
have a disability.
• Existing employees and new accessibility accommodation plans. Programs and forms
are available to staff on the intranet.
Design -of Public Spaces DOPS for City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo
• As of January 1, 2016 staff is implementing the DOPS standard on new and significant
redevelopment municipal builds.
• Maintenance of Accessible elements.
In 2017, work on creating a standard Playgrounds accessibility list (i.e. ground surfaces etc.)
GRAAC advice provided to the City of Kitchener in 2016 on the following:
• City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Strategy — through a survey, group work and
commented on the draft recommendations.
• GRAAC Co-chairs attended a workshop for all City of Kitchener committees of council.
• Kitchener City Hall Outdoor Spaces (Carl Zehr Square and Duke Street entrance)
• Digital Outdoor Signage
• Kitchener Farmers Market washroom renovations
• Crosby Park Playground
• Community Engagement Review
• Digital Kitchener
• Survey on City of Kitchener's events and festivals
• Iron Horse Trail improvements between Victoria & Queen Streets
• Customer inquiry for a washroom/change room ceiling lift
• Winter Sidewalk Maintenance
GRAAC — December 2016 Minutes Page 2
• Centre in the Square accessibility enhancements
• Badminton Club enhancing 2nd floor accessibility
• Charles and Queen Street intersection accessibility considerations
• GRAAC — Washroom Accessibility Comments for New Construction and Renovations
• GRAAC City of Kitchener "Accessibility guide to intersections"
GRAAC advice provided to the City of Waterloo in 2016 on the following:
• Waterloo Paris Central Promenade
• Westmount Sports Park
• Co-chairs completed a review survey on committees of council
• Accessibility Standards Guide
• Bluevale Collegiate Fir Park
• Mary Allen Park
• Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex accessibility upgrades to swimplex change
rooms and washrooms
• Waterloo Service Centre renovation to outdoor parking lot
• Waterloo Park entrance from Central Street
• Co-chairs presented at City of Waterloo Council Committee Night
• City of Waterloo Neighbourhood Strategy Survey
• John and Caroline Street sidewalk accessibility
• GRAAC — Washroom Accessibility Comments for New Construction and Renovations
• GRAAC City of Waterloo "Accessibility guide to intersections"
5.0 Covered under #4
6.0 Township of Wilmot Status Update (Dawn Mittelholtz)
• deferred
Break
7.0 Township of Woolwich Splash Pad (Julie Forth)
• deferred
8.0 Sidewalk Snow Clearance - Kitchener (Dawn Clelland)
• Dawn spoke as a delegate on behalf of GRAAC at the December 5th Kitchener City
Council Meeting.
• Council asked some very specific questions about what GRAAC would like to see.
• Dawn is looking for more answers from GRAAC in regards to the questions asked by
council.
• Council wants to wait and review when the revisions to the minimum maintenance
standards are released, which will now include sidewalk maintenance as well as roads.
There may be some changes in legislation.
• The main focus of the report was consistency with snow removal.
GRAAC -- December 2016 Minutes Page 3
MOTION:
GRAAC continue to advocate to the appropriate councils for the municipalities to take over
city sidewalk snow clearance, and that staff continue to consult with GRAAC for the next
phase, watching for new municipal and provincial legislation. Moved by Dawn Clelland and
seconded by Mike Shipley. Carried
9.0 BUILT Environment (Lolita Paroski — City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo)
Queen and Charles Street Intersection
® Paula Saunders, Carrie Speers, Lolita Paroski, City of Kitchener staff, Regional staff and
GrandLinq staff met on site on Monday December 5=h, 2016 to look at the accessibility of
Queen and Charles Street intersection.
® Accessibility comments provided to City of Kitchener staff after the site visit included the
following;
The AODA legislation does ask for a minimum clear width of 1.5m for accessibility.
We understand that the light pole is a barrier and needs to remain, however we are
asking if it is possible to go into the road to get the 1.5m at the corner — not making it
such a rounded corner turn.
We are happy to learn that the appropriate slope will be met.
The proposed 1.2m ramp will be tight for some depending on the size of wheelchair
or scooters. Therefore, we want to make sure that the 1.2m is clearance and that
the railing would not take away from the 1.2m clearance.
Paula will keep GRAAC members updated.
10.0 Councillor's Report
® Councillor Foxton wished every a Merry Christmas .
11.0 Co-Chair(s) Report
® Merry Christmas from both Carrie and Sharon.
12.0 Adjournment
9 Motion by Dawn and seconded by Keri
Next meeting will be on Thursday January 27'h, 2017
City of Kitchener, 200 King St W — Conestoga Room
Please send regrets to;
Johanna Ellis at jghanna.ellis(cp-kitchener.ca or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225
GRAAC — December 2016 Minutes Page 4