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Home My WebLink AboutGRAAC - 2017-06-22Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday June 22nd, 2017 Location: Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener Present: Sharon Giles (Co -Chair), Carrie Speers (Co -Chair), Rob Bender, Jolene MacDonald, Paula Saunders, Greg Moore, Donna Hartzler, Gail Brunsdon, Mike Shipley, Dawn Clelland, Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Amy Black (Township of Wellesley), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Karen Panchaud (ASL Interpreter), Lesley Roach (ASL Interpreter), Councillor Sue Foxton, Gina Hickman (Region of Waterloo), Johanna Ellis (City of Kitchener/Recorder) Regrets: Keri Cameron, Andrew Tutty, Mike Shipley, Brenda Robinson, Councillor Bob Mavin, Councillor Kelly Galloway-Sealock, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Julie Forth (Township of Woolwich) Guests: Chad Grummet (Region of Waterloo), John Barton (City of Kitchener) 1.0 Welcome and Introductions • Carrie Speers called the meeting to order at 1:30pm • Round table introductions 2.0 Approval of March Minutes and April Agenda • Motion to accept the April Agenda — moved by Mike Shipley and seconded by Greg Moore, carried • Motion to accept the March minutes by Mike Shipley and seconded by Greg Moore, carried 3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests • None 4.0 Region of Waterloo Accessible Design Guidelines - Gina Hickman, Chad Grummet • Process began a couple of years ago and GRAAC provided a lot of feedback, most of which was incorporated in the final standards. • Chad explained how the standards will be used by Facilities at the Region. As staff audit facilities, they will use the standards to identify gaps and prioritize improvements. • The Region of Waterloo Accessible Design standards will be sent to GRAAC electronically so that they can review the final version. • Some sections like Accessibility through construction are blank and need to be completed. • GRAAC asked to be kept in the loop as updates are made. • GRAAC members can send further comments to Gina. 5.0 Multi -Year Diversity and Inclusion Plan — Gina Hickman, Region of Waterloo GRAAC — June 2017 Minutes Page 1 • The Region and other municipalities have to create a multi-year accessibility plan. The Region is using this opportunity to look at inclusion more consistently and strategically. • The Region is forming a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion stakeholder group with representatives from diverse sectors. • The purpose of this stakeholder group is to shape the goals and actions of the plan. • Gina has invited a representative for GRAAC to join the working group. The plan will be presented to GRAAC for input, but the Region is inviting a representative to be more involved in developing the plan through the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion stakeholder group. • The group will meet approximately 3 times between September and December. • Let Gina know by August who the GRAAC representative will be. This person does not have to be a member of GRAAC, however it would have to be someone who can represent the interests of people with disabilities. 6.0 Township of Wellesley Year End Report/Website — Amy Black • Amy gave an update from the 2016 report. • 2 of the projects will be completed this summer (2017). • Website went live in early 2017. • Comment was made that very few if any buildings in Wellesley are easily accessible. Break (20 mins) 7.0 Updating City of Kitchener Existing Woodland Trails — John Barton • Huron Natural Areas trail — Canada 150 grant project between The City of Kitchener and the Government of Canada. • GRAAC feedback for trail improvement is welcome. • Improved accessibility for all users. • Increase connectivity to city trails (Bleams to Fisher Hallman). • Better user experience within the Huron Natural Area. • Protect water quality and habitat (species at risk, like the Blandings Turtle). • Diverse native plant ecologies. • Improve wayfind signage and the level of information. • Habitat for species at risk (little brown Mayotis bat). • Taking best practice steps to preserve species such as 100 year old hemlock trees. • 1.8 meter square open space for wheelchair. Highlights • Have a map developed electronically and perhaps an app for your phone which will have audible feature. • There will be protective edging along the existing trail and proposed trail. • Type 2 trail is a minimum of 3 meter wide trail with hard surface. • Is there a plan to keep it maintained? Also to help keep erosion under control? GRAAC — June 2017 Minutes Page 2 • What GRAAC has so far; safety, erosion, surface, signage, rest areas, width of the trail, tactile indicators for signage. • Proposed short term is to enter from Strasburg Road, long term is to connect out to Fisher Hallman. • Completion date — has to be finished by the end of 2017 (for the Canada 150 Project grant). 8.0 Playgrounds Accessibility Recommendations Brainstorm — Paula Saunders • From the April meeting and the presentation from the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. • Paula did an overview of what was discussed at the April meeting by the 2 city staff representatives. • Paula would like feedback as to what the committee would like to put in a document. Suggestions • Make safer for children who are blind. A trail or a path around the play area, for example, they would not get hit by someone who was on a swing. A walkway around and to the equipment. • There is nothing specific in DOPS regarding swings. • Barrier free access to the playground. • Rubberized surface if possible, second choice would be pressed wood. • Transfer stations at equipment. • Rest area seating. • Should be checklists for the community to be able to assist with input in play areas in their neighbourhoods. Action Jolene will put together some thoughts for input and send to Paula. • Public meetings with information on the play area sent to the community it will be impacting. • Incorporate signage for deaf children. Pictures and words for deaf and braille for the blind. • Tactile guidestrips when they are going toward equipment. ACTION Dawn will put together and description and send it to Paula. • Comment to build equipment (in Wellesley) for everyone. • Look at canopies where there is not shade. • Paula will work on the list with Lolita and have a draft paper available before the September meeting or by the September meeting. • If you think on anything else, send Paula or Lolita an email. 9.0 Built Environment Update — Paula Saunders GRAAC — June 2017 Minutes Page 3 • Anyone interested in going to the food forest (FHCC — Forest Heights Community Centre). Onsite visit — June 29th, 2017 at 10:30 am. Carrie and Sharon are both going. • Centre in the Square applied for money to do upgrades. Universal washroom will be installed with the money acquired. Met with staff to look at plans. Paula is pleased with the plan. Since the centre is closed for the summer it is a good time to work on it. 10.0 Accessibility Forum Debrief —Sharon Giles, Gina Hickman • Guest speaker was ex NHL hockey player, Jim Kite, who is also deaf. • General consensus was that it was very enjoyable and inspirational but felt it was not educational where AODA legislation is concerned. • Responses regarding any concerns should be reported to the Director of the AODA. • Currently reviewing the transportation standard and education addition that could have been addressed at the forum. • There are still many buildings and roadway intersections that are not accessible. • There are still instances where GRAAC is not always consulted for renovations or new projects. • Reminder that GRAAC is an advisory committee and not an advocacy committee. 11. Councillor/Co-Chair/Staff Report(s) • No report from Councillor Foxton. • Transportation standard is currently under review. Deadline is July 17th. Gina booked space July 6th and will send out information to the committee for GRAAC input and to see who will be in attendance from GRAAC. • July 15th educational standard deadline. • Ashley from North Dumfries was introduced as the new staff member from the Township. Welcome Ashley. • Discussion about the construction issues across the Region. 12. Adjournment • Motion by Dawn Clelland and seconded by Donna Hartzler. Next meeting will be on Thursday September 28th, 2017 City of Kitchener, 200 King St W — Conestoga Room Please send regrets to: Johanna Ellis at iohanna.elliskitchener.ca or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225 GRAAC — June 2017 Minutes Page 4