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Home My WebLink About2016-10-27Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday October 27th 2016 Location: Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall Present: Keri Cameron, Greg Moore, Donna Hartzler, Carrie Speers (Co -Chair), Sharon Giles (Co - Chair), Mike Shipley, Paula Saunders, Rob Bender, Councillor Sue Foxton (Regional of Waterloo), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis (Recorder — City of Kitchener) Guests: Deb Bergey (Region of Waterloo), Dave Smith (Region of Waterloo), Jason Angel (University of Waterloo). Regrets: Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock (City of Kitchener), Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo), Andrew Tutty, Dawn Clelland, Brenda Robinson, Lori Heinbuch (Township of North Dumfries), Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich), Dawn Mittelholtz (Township of Wilmot), Wendy Smith (Township of Wellesley). 1.0 Welcome and Introductions • Sharon called the meeting to order 2.0 Approval of September Minutes and October Agenda • Switching number 5 and number 7 on the agenda. • Approval of the Agenda, as amended, motion by Mike Shipley and seconded by Keri Cameron. • Approval of September minutes, motion by Mike Shipley and seconded by Keri Cameron, 3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests • None 4.0 Region of Waterloo Accessibility Plan - Vanessa Lopak • The Region of Waterloo Accessibility Plan 2016 Status Report includes both the overall Region of Waterloo Accessibility Play and the Grand River Transit Accessibility Plan. • An electronic version of the plan was sent to the committee prior to the meeting. • Some highlights of the overall corporate plan include: - Plan reports on actions taken in 2096 and planned actions for 2017 to identify, prevent, and remove barriers for people with disabilities. - Plan also provides Council with a report on the activities of GRAAC. - In 2016, 21 of 22 actions have been completed; one action is in progress. These include; updated the Accessibility Policy, created and deployed 23 online training modules for staff; updated Accessible Procurement Guidelines; building staff awareness and training resources for accessible information and communication; revised accommodation procedure for external job candidates; improved rear GRAAC —October 2016 Minutes Page 1 bumper identification plate for all taxis; and finalized Accessible Design Standards and Audit Tool. • There are seven actions planned for 2017, including; revise volunteer training to strengthen accessibility training, create accessibility fund from taxi licensing fees to improve taxi accessibility, and audit Regional facilities for accessibility. Questions/comments: • Liked the use of the new wheelchair logo. • Page 4, IASR — the acronym is not described. Page numbers are missing from document. • There is a focus on accessible pdf's and accessible information and communication. GRT Accessibility Plan — Dave Smith (Region of Waterloo) • Dave Smith provided an overview of the Grand River Transit Accessibility Plan. Some of the highlights: - Conventional transit rider numbers are down this year. Boarding of MobilityPLUS registrants on conventional is also down, likely due to the construction being the biggest barrier for riders. MobilityPLUS ridership is also down, also due to construction, in particular the time it takes to get around barriers. - All conventional buses are low -floor, BusPLUS vehicles are accessible as they are now lift equipped (as of April 2016). - Beginning Monday October 31, 2016, another MobilityPLUS vehicle will be running. This makes a total of 33 MobilityPLUS vehicles Region wide in the Urban Services Area. - GRT is looking at allowing trips on MobilityPLUS services between North Dumfries and the K -W area on a case by case basis. - Pre -boarding stop announcements on conventional buses will be implemented by January 1, 2017. - Eligibility criteria outlined in the AODA will be met by January 1, 2017. • Dave also reviewed the Eligibility Policy, and the No-show and Late Cancellation Policy. Questions/comments: • The No -Show policy has significant consequences. Ensure that, well before service is removed from customer, all circumstances are taken into consideration (especially those that are beyond the rider's control). Suspending membership can cause other, serious issues for people with disabilities who rely on GRT services for daily living. • The PlusOne application asks some invasive questions regarding diagnosis. Should focus on identifying if the person requires and/or could benefit from a support person, not the diagnosis of their disability. The cost of any doctor's notes required by GRT should be covered by GRT. • Bus stop announcements should include information on if the stop is accessible. • Construction has impact both conventional and MobilityPLUS services. GRAAC — October 2016 Minutes Page 2 5.0 Draft Snow Removal Position Paper — Sharon Giles • This has been deferred to a later date. 6.0 Region of Waterloo Website Update — Jennifer Walker (Region of Waterloo) • Looking to collect feedback to redesign Region website. • Service oriented organization, less jargon and technical language, 3 clicks or less. 2 different stages on how to collect feedback; Stage 1 — survey is now available on the "Engage Region of Waterloo" platform www.engageregio_no_waterloo.ca until Monday December 5th, 2016. • Week of November 21 there will be public focus groups. Sign up for the focus groups until Wednesday November 16th, 2016 through the Engage survey. • Stage 2 will begin in the spring of 2017. • Samples of the redesigned website on the Engage Region of Waterloo platform. • Jennifer showed (on the overhead) a picture of the current website. • What do you like about the Region's current website as it relates to accessibility? • What barriers to accessibility do you experience with the current website? • Any additional feedback can be emailed to Jennifer Walker at jewalker(cDreg ionofwaterloo.ca Questions/comments: • There is a lot of information on the main page which is overwhelming. • Improve the search function of the site. • Like the use of large colourful images. • Like the consistent "contact us" on each page. • All of the menus are confusing. Need to streamline/simplify the information. • Like the focus on three clicks to find information. • Watch colour contrast. Colours seem washed out at times. Black with white text is good. Explore the use of "night mode". • GRT PlusOne links do not stand out — they are the same colour as the page text. Unable to tell it is a link. • Should explain the difference between what the Region does and what the cities do. • Improve call centre information about GRAAC. • Ensure website works with ZoomText. Keep getting kicked out of website when trying to read the screen. Break 7.0 Region of Waterloo Accessibility Policy Update — Vanessa Lopak • The Region of Waterloo Standards for Accessibility Policy has been updated to reflect the changes made to the AODA standards. Vanessa presented the policy revisions to the committee. Highlights of changes are: Updated policy statement. Included more definitions to clarify terms for staff. Updated Operating Principles for Alternate Formats, Communication Supports, Feedback, Temporary Disruptions, Support Persons, Assistive Devices, and Training. Created Operating Principles for Emergency Plans and Public Safety Information, Libraries and Websites and Web Content. GRAAC — October 2016 Minutes Page 3 • The policy will be approved by Council, will be provided to all staff, and will be the guiding document for staff implementing the AODA standards. Questions/comments: Remove "Allow people with disabilities..." and reword with "People with disabilities will not be denied access when they have an assistive device". 8.0 Built Environment Committee Update - Paula Saunders • Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex Paula and Lolita joined City of Waterloo staff to walk through the swim area change rooms and washrooms. Upgrades will be made to increase accessibility such as; installation of more grab bars, reconfiguring placement of soap dispensers etc. • Waterloo Service Centre Renovation Paula and Lolita met with City of Waterloo staff for an overview of this project. This is a building that is used by staff. Paula asked for flush curbs at the accessible parking spots and access leading to the entrance of the building. • Centre in the Square Will be looking at increasing accessibility at the Centre in the Square and have secured some funding. An accessibility audit will be done next week. GRAAC has been asked to attend a meeting at the Centre in the Square on November 16th to review the findings. Paula will send an email out to members with details. • Waterloo Park entrance from Central Street Paula reported that she met with Waterloo staff and Lolita regarding this project. Paula shared the site plan with GRAAC to show where they are realigning the street for the parking entrance. Traffic will enter off central street and exit the same way. New paved trail will be added through the park for pedestrian use. Will loop east side to west side a 2.8km loop. The trail will be winter maintained. Signage is going to be looked at more closely as well. • Customer inquiry regarding installation of lift in universal washroom Paula and Lolita along with City of Kitchener staff from Forest Heights Pool met with the customer. Will do some research and bring back to GRAAC as needed. 9.0 Councillors Report(s) • No report 10.0 Co-Chair/Staff Report(s) • City of Waterloo Committee night is on Monday November 21St, 2016. Sharon and Carrie will be attending and providing a short presentation. Members are invited to attend. • Greg Moore gave an overview of Rick Hanson Foundations "Barrier Busters". • Lolita reminded members to complete the survey questions on the City of Waterloo Neighbourhood Strategy for those who haven't submitted yet. Lolita will re -send the email with all the details to all members. 11.0 Adjournment • Motion to adjourn by Paula and seconded by Rob GRAAC - October 2016 Minutes Page 4 Next meeting will be on Thursday November 24th, 2016. Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall. Please send regrets to Johanna Ellis at johanna.ellisCa?kitchener,ca or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225 GRAAC -- October 2016 Minutes Page 5