HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-05-26Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday May 26", 2016
Location: Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall
Present:
Donna Hartzler, Greg Moore, Keri Cameron, Amanda Moorhead, Carrie Speers (Co -Chair),
Sharon Giles (Co -Chair), Rob Bender, Paula Saunders, Dawn Clelland, Mike Shipley, Brenda
Robinson, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Dawn Mittelholtz (Township of
Wilmot), Vanessa Lopak (Region of Waterloo), Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich), Wendy
Smith (Township of Wellesley), Linda Pretty (City of Kitchener, Recorder)
Regrets:
Andrew Tutty, Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock (City of Kitchener), Councillor Sue Foxton
(Region of Waterloo), Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis
Absent:
Kathie Must
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
• Sharon welcomed everyone.
2.0 Approval of April Minutes and May Agenda
• Motion by Mike Shipley, seconded by Donna Hartzler, to accept the April minutes and
the May agenda, carried.
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
• None
4.0 GRT Ticket Vending Machine — Gethyn Beniston, Region of Waterloo
• Gethyn attended the meeting to advise the committee about the machines that will be
installed to provide tickets for people riding the LRT. Via a presentation and handout,
the committee was able to see various types of machines being used by other cities as
well as the one being ordered from a company in Germany. At this point there is no
opportunity for significant changes to the machine however minor alterations may be
made.
• The machine is flat -fronted, will come with a headset and a button to push to get help
navigating and will include both raised lettering and Braille.
• As well as at the machine, tickets will be available for purchase online, at the Charles St
station, at Zehrs or on a bus.
• ION trains are free for Mobility Plus riders.
Comments:
• The highest point on the machine should be accessible to anyone in a wheelchair.
• Hard to comment without seeing it in person.
• Will there be guide -strips on the machine to help navigate it?
• Have tactile & auditory descriptions guiding patrons on the path to get the ticket.
Considering the cost of the project, suggest fabricating a prototype and invite users to a
meeting where they can see and touch the machine and then offer feedback.
Suggest looking at the new machines installed by the Bank of Montreal as they are user-
friendly.
As with the ticket dispenser being used in Portland, Greg suggested the machine with
coloured and numbered zones which guide the purchaser through the steps.
ACTION:
Dawn will send a guide to textures & colours for people with a sight -impairment to
Gethyn.
The committee was asked to send further thoughts to Vanessa who will collate and
send to Gethyn.
Gethyn will send the mockup to GRAAC for review.
Break
5.0 Neighbourhood Strategy - Michelle Drake, City of Kitchener
• Via PowerPoint, Michelle shared information about the City's Neighbourhood Strategy,
part of which includes gathering information from residents through a survey.
• Michelle and staff led the group through an interview process to gather information for
the survey's five Street Team questions.
• Michelle will incorporate feedback from GRAAC into the report.
6.0 Built Environment - Paula Saunders
A) GRAAC Washroom Accessibility comments for new construction and redevelopment
• comments provided by GRAAC members at the April GRAAC meeting have been added
to the list.
• the list will be circulated to staff to consider in the early stages of washroom design.
• Paula mentioned that she would still like a checklist as well for GRAAC to use as a quick
reference when looking at site plans.
B) Accessible Intersections sheet to assist contractors with accessibility considerations
• The comments provided were created into a one pager.
• Paula asked Lolita to circulate the draft one pager to GRAAC members for one last look.
ACTION: Paula suggested that members provide Lolita with any feedback by Friday
June 3.
C) Waterloo Park Promenade
• Paula and Lolita attended the public information centre on May 3 at Waterloo Park.
• Paula mentioned that 2 options were provided to vote on. The more accessible one was
the straight route (the existing route along the tracks).
• Lolita sent an email to all members after the public information centre providing a link to
the City of Waterloo website Waterloo Park Promenade information with opportunities to
provide comments on the preferred option.
D) Bluevale Collegiate Fit Park
GRAAC - May 2016 Minutes Page 2
Grand opening is scheduled for Friday June 17, 2016 from 11:30am-12:30pm. Paula
plans to attend. Any members interested in attending are welcomed.
E) Kitchener Farmers Market washroom comments
Paula and Lolita provided comments towards the pre -construction drawings for the
Kitchener Farmers Market washroom using GRAAC's washroom accessibility comments
list as a guide.
F) Westmount Sports Parr site visit
• On June 13 from 1 pm - 2:30pm at Westmount Sports Park
• Members interested in attending include; Carrie Speers, Sharon Giles, Greg Moore, Keri
Cameron, Mike Shipley, Paula Saunders
• Lolita will send an email to all GRAAC members with details.
G) Crosby Park Playground
• Lolita shared plans about the playground to be put in Crosby Park.
• Comments received from the committee included ensuring the swings are accessible
with back support; include a ground surface such as that at Victoria Park; recommend a
ramp flush to the ground for #2 instead of a transfer step; include a tactile
surface/pathway for guidance in navigating the equipment.
7. Councillors Report
• None
8. Position Paper - Vanessa
• At the co-chairs meeting, it was discussed that GRAAC position papers are created but
nothing is done after, although it is important to have a clear statement about GRAACs
position on an issue.
• A position paper does not offer technical advice, which is the role of staff to provide.
• Council needs a quick statement, however, there does need to be a clear way to direct
Council to find out more details if they choose after reading the position paper.
• Carrie -- would we need a checklist and not a position paper?
• Accessible design guidelines should cover any further information required by Council.
ACTION:
Co-chairs/Staff will review the existing (snow removal, roundabouts) draft position
papers and rework them to reflect short/clear statements to Council as to GRAACs
position on an issue and will bring the document back to GRAAC for review in August or
early Fall.
• Members were asked to forward thoughts to Vanessa.
Motion to adjourn by Donna Hartzler and seconded by Carrie Speers --- Carried
The next meeting will be in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall
Thursday, June 23, 2016
1:30 — 4:00 sharp
Chairing — Carrie Speers
GRAAC — May 2016 Minutes Page 3