HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2018-10-25
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday, October 25, 2018
Location: Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener
Present: Sharon Giles (Co-Chair), Greg Moore (Co-Chair), Brenda Robinson, Donna Hartzler,
Mike Shipley, Dawn Clelland, Paula Saunders, Gail Brunsdon Jolene MacDonald, Ben
Benninger, Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Yvonne Fernandes (City of
Kitchener), LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Sanjay
Govindaraj (Region of Waterloo)
Regrets: Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo), Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries),
Andrew Tutty, Rob Bender, Keri Cameron, Rhonda-Marie Parke, Lolita Paroski (City of
Kitchener/City of Waterloo)
Absent: Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley)
Guests: Rebecca Florence (City of Kitchener)
Welcome and Introductions
Greg called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Round table introductions
2.0 Approval of September Minutes and October Agenda
Motion to accept the September minutes – moved by Mike and seconded by Donna, carried and
October Agenda – moved by Ben, and seconded by Jolene, carried.
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
None
4.0 Update Region of Waterloo Diversity & Inclusion Plan
According to the 2016 census, 22.6% of residents identified themselves as being or
having been an immigrant or permanent resident. This number is up slightly from 22.3%
in 2006 and 22.3% in 2011.
Over 1800 Syrian refugees arrived in Waterloo Region between November 2015 and
January 2017. A significant proportion of recent arrivals are families. Historically, arrivals
have been a mix of singles and families.
Between 2011 and 2013, an average of 80 people per year filed their claim for refugee
status in Waterloo Region.
So far in 2017, local settlement providers report 400+ arrivals, a 400% increase in the
number of claimants filing applications in Waterloo Region four years ago.
The population aged 65+ is projected to double in the next 20 years.
The planning process for the Multi-Year Diversity, Accessibility and Inclusion plan which
also included advice from the committee began with a review of existing organizational
documents (Region of Waterloo Strategic Plan 2015-2018), and key legislation including
the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation, and
the Employment Standards Act.
From May 2017 to July 2017, Citizen Service conducted an internal scan of diversity practices,
gaps and needs with leadership and staff. The scan included surveys and focus groups.
Department leadership teams were invited to complete the leadership questions and were
asked to select a sample of employees to respond to the staff questions (supervisors, subject
matter experts, and direct service staff). There were 60 responses in total: 34 staff and 26
leadership responses. The report went to council was adopted and is now on the Region of
Waterloo website. Diversity and Inclusion Stakeholder group helped identify and prioritize
actions for the Multi-year plan. They will continue to provide input and advice to assist staff in
implementing actions.
The four Action areas:
1. Welcoming Spaces
2. Access to Service
3. Communication and Engagement
4. Inclusive Workplace
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Policy states that “The Regional Municipality of Waterloo is
committed to embedding the principles of equity and inclusion into the way the Region does
business, delivers service and provides opportunities.”
Next Steps:
1. Circulate the plan
2. Work with the action leads on implementation
3. Status Update
The Region of Waterloo has developed a corporate-wide work plan that is used to direct actions
and support departments as they implement inclusion initiatives and meet the AODA standards.
Each department receives resources and guidance from Citizen Service on how to implement
actions related to diversity and inclusion, including meeting the expectations under the AODA
standards.
Citizen Service collects each department’s report on compliance. Citizen Service will implement
tools provided through the Office of Corporate Performance to monitor and track compliance.
The compliance report will be filed with the Accessibility Directorate of Ontario at their request.
5.0 Update City of Kitchener Snow Angels
Rebecca Florence provided an update on the Snow Angels Feasibility Study, and the resulting
recommendations.
Recommendations and resulting program enhancements include:
1. Keep recognizing people who are helping their neighbours
2. Develop a more comprehensive communications plan
3. Provide resources to help residents who want to self-organize
Committee feedback regarding the update:
The committee suggested adding to the guidelines that Snow Angels are needed for all
neighbours, not just people with disabilities, i.e. people with small children, a homeowner
who cannot shovel their own driveway and sidewalk.
Concerns raised from the committee around the program such as, consistency of
volunteer snow angels and how will they support those that fall away? The responsibility
would belong to the neighbourhood group.
An ongoing registry and blog should be set up by the group and a space online to
recognize and to share stories about snow angels and their groups could be set up.
It was suggested that the recognition information/web address be included in the
guidelines. Recognition plan for Snow Angels and their groups to start December and to
be on the website by the end of November.
Inquiries have been made regarding the Snow Angels program from other municipalities,
including the City of Cambridge. City of Kitchener is happy to share with other
municipalities.
Who is liable? Liability is the same as any other LoveMyHood initiative and liability
information will be added to the website.
Email any feedback to Rebecca regarding thoughts on the rollout and how to spread the word
about the program.
6.0 Councillor Reports – All Councillors
Councillor Yvonne Fernandes
Planning to attend November meeting and introduce the new Councillor
Councillor Sue Foxton
Elected back to Regional council, hoping to remain on this committee as representative
BREAK
7.0 Region of Waterloo Active Transportation Advisory Committee
Mike Shipley’s term on GRAAC ends in December and as such the Region of Waterloo’s Active
Transportation Advisory Committee is looking for someone else to represent GRAAC on their
committee. Does anyone have any interest to join that committee? The commitment is four
year terms up until eight years. Question posed whether or not two people might be an option?
Greg to send an email to those who are absent to see if any interest.
8.0 Built Environment Update
1. Paula Saunders presented a draft of a position paper on painted crosswalks.
Discussion followed. After discussion, GRAAC members had concerns about painted
crosswalks and the barrier that they can cause. A vote was taken. 5 members voted against
supporting painted crosswalks and 4 were in favour. Results of the vote is that GRAAC does not
support painted crosswalks.
2. Carnegie Library in the City of Waterloo is sitting empty and inaccessible. They are working
on making it accessible. Once the work is done, it will be a rental unit. Paula and Lolita met
with City of Waterloo to review site plans. The heritage building is owned by the City of
Waterloo. To make the building accessible an elevator will be built at the side of the building
with access to all three floors.
3. Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association is adding rest area benches and
on behalf of the GRAAC committee the Rest Areas Accessibility Comments for new
construction and renovations document was sent.
4. Breithaupt pool is adding a pool lift to their warm water pool and have reached out to Paula
for her opinion. Two designs were distributed and the committee was asked to share thoughts
with Paula.
5. There are nineteen ION stops in total, Brenden and Paula have been to seventeen stops as
the last two stops have construction issues. The report is fourty nine pages long. The document
has been sent to Sanjay in order to make the document accessible. The plan is to send out the
document to the committee via email before November’s meeting and have it added to the
agenda. There is an opportunity to go to the new Regional council and invite them to try out the
ION spots with blindfolds, earplugs on or in a wheelchair.
6. Paula will be away from January to March.
9.0 Advising vs Advocacy
Greg reminded GRAAC members that the committee has a passion to change things but we the
committee are here to be an advisory committee to the municipalities. Helping the cities and
municipalities make the best decision.
To advise is to give counsel, caution or warn consequences
To advocate is to plead in favour of, champion
10.0 Co-chair/Staff Reports
LoriAnn Palubeski, City of Kitchener shared the information regarding the All Committees
Meeting proposing two dates: Jan 17, 2019 or Jan 24, 2019. Lori/Lolita to send out email for
thoughts.
Motion to Adjourn by Dawn, seconded by Gail and carried.
Next meeting will be on Thursday November 22, 2018
City of Kitchener, 200 King St W – Conestoga Room
Please send regrets to:
Janis McKenzie at janis.mckenzie@kitchener.ca
or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225