HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-11-26 GRAAC GRAND RIVER
ACCESSIBILITY
ADVISORY
GRAACCOMMITTEE
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2020
Location: Zoom Meeting
Present: Donna Hartzler, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Dawn Clelland (Co-Chair), Carrie Speers,
Heather Clark-Harris, Rob Bender, Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Andrena Lockley-Brown, , Ashley Sage
(Township of North Dumfries), LoriAnn Palubeski, (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Brenda Robinson (Co-
Chair), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Berny Wesselink, Jolene MacDonald, Melanie Garbaz
(Region of Waterloo), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Trevor Tamlin, Paula Saunders, Councillor
Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo),
Regrets Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Amy Harron
(Township of Wellesley), Greg Moore, Mamie Sealey-Baker
1. Welcome, Introductions & Committee Round Table/Check-In (15 mins)
Group Discussion
2. Approval of October Minutes and November Agenda
Agenda amended — items 3 & 4 tabled until a future meeting
Trevor motioned to accept November agenda. Tamara seconded. All in favour.
Berny motioned to accept October minutes; Carrie seconded. All in favour.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
None
4. EasyGO — Fare Card, Pat Morabito (Region of Waterloo)
Tabled until a future meeting
5. MobilityPLUS Service Review, Pat Morabito (Region of Waterloo)
Tabled until a future meeting
Break (15 mins)
6. Laurel Greenway Feasibility Study, John Griffin (City of Waterloo)
https://www.engagewr.ca/laurel-greenway-feasibility-study
The City of Waterloo, along with their landscape architect consultant, SHIFT Landscape Architecture are
conducting a feasibility study for the Laurel Greenway.
The focus of this project is to develop concepts for improving four key areas of Waterloo:
• Improving the experience along the Laurel Greenway
• Exploring a shade structure for Waterloo Public Square
• Exploring a water feature in Waterloo Public Square
• Creating a more vibrant and welcoming experience on Willis Way between Caroline and Regina Streets
The study boundaries are approximately from Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex, through uptown
Waterloo and the public square and northeast to Weber Street.
John will connect with Paula in the spring to meet up with committee members in order to walk through the
project and hear their feedback at that time.
7. Waterloo Region Housing Master Plan, Brad Pick (Region of Waterloo)
o Five new locations with at least 600 new affordable housing units to the Region of Waterloo.
o Affordable housing an issue in the Region
o Accessibility an important part of the process. The amenity spaces will be universally accessible.
Common spaces and play areas to be universally accessible. VisitAble Housing concepts to be
incorporated into design. Visitable has three main features; non-step entrances, wider doorways, and
clear passages in common areas. At least 20% of new units constructed will be accessible, and
common areas will be barrier-free. All senior units will be accessible with space for scooter parking in
every unit.
o At minimum, all new buildings will achieve LEED Silver accreditation. The Region is targeting to
achieve Net Zero Carbon at the Kingscourt Drive and Wilson Avenues (to start), an initiative that
reduces both energy consumption and carbon output. Geothermal systems being considered to reduce
operating cost and carbon footprint.
Comments/Feedback
o Units that can be visited should be accessible as well.
o What is considered affordable?
Various housing units rented geared to your income. Subsidized housing. Low market run value is
80% of market value
o Buzzer system
o Easy buttons to press including those to get a hold of supervisor or staff.
o Access to the community partners.
o Difficulty accessing with stretchers and elevator size to fit stretcher.
o Signage is important.
o Accessible door openers.
o Buttons in elevators for persons with a visual disability.
o Nursing staff available on site.
o Common area for everyone to access.
o Community friendly space.
o Fob system instead of buttons.
Already implemented.
o Level entry and wider doors everywhere.
o Windows that can be opened and thermostats that can be reached.
o Chair of the Built Environment would like to look at the plans before things go further. What stage are
you at?
Very early, preliminary design. Melanie to set up a meeting with Paula to meet with Brad in the future
to look at the plans.
o Cannot make anything completely accessible.
o Ceiling tracks all through the units. Think about the aging process of the renter/owner. All housing
should be accessible.
8. 2020 Status Update —Woolwich Township, Jeff Smith
Annual Initiatives
o Continue to contribute to the operation of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
(GRAAC), including providing staff support to GRAAC, monthly meeting attendance and up to
$500.00 financial contribution each year based on GRAAC's expenses. Complete
o Continue to review and monitor Provincial accessibility legislation. Ongoing
o Update 2007 Facility Building Accessibility Audits and begin Park & Sports Fields Accessibility
Audits with trained Township staff with assistance from the GRAAC Built Environment
Committee chair as needed. Deferred to 2021/2022
o Consider implementing improved website accessibility monitoring tools.
o Continue to review and monitor content on the Township website in accordance with WCAG
2.0 Level AA requirements. Implemented Monsito accessibility monitoring software
Meeting WCAG 2.0 Level AA goal
o Work to make more online services available for all residents. Implemented electronic
meetings for COVID-19 safety. Launched Instagram and YouTube
Initiatives for 2020
o Hire an inclusion facilitator to assist campers with special needs during the Summer Camp
program. Complete
o Improved accessible seating throughout Elmira Union Cemetery. Some benches installed
o Strengthen support for employees by hiring an HR Generalist and reviewing the Township's
onboarding and training programs. HR Generalist position hired, focused on responding to
COVID-19
o Annual facility improvements: WMC, BCC, Lions Hall, Gibson Park, Bolender Park, Industrial
Ball Diamond: accessible pathways, sidewalks and railings. Bolender Park pathways
complete. Other pathways pending
o Annual facility improvements: Gibson Park, Maryhill: accessible washroom upgrades.
Deferred until 2021
o Annual facility improvements: Heidelberg Community Centre retrofit accessible door operators
to entry doors and meeting rooms (2021). Complete
Initiatives for 2021
o The Township will review and consider alternative voting options to increase accessibility
during the 2022 Municipal Election. Planned
o In accordance with section 14(4)2. of the Integrated Accessibility Standard, ensure the
Township's website meets WCAG 2.0 Level AA requirements. Planned
o Annual facility improvements: Bolender Park install 3 paved accessible parking spaces.
Deferred until 2022/2023 based on reconstruction of church street
o Annual facility improvements: WMC, Maryhill Community Centre, Heidelberg Community
Centre: retrofit accessible door operators to entry doors and meeting rooms. 2020 Heibelberg
is complete. Other is planned
o Annual facility improvements: Begin implementing accessibility improvements found during
updated park and facility accessibility audits. Floradale and Heidelberg playground
upgrades complete in 2020. Other is planned
9. Committee updates
- Built Environment, Paula Saunders
o Presentation on the ION stops, have not heard anything back from staff yet, however, it was not set to
begin until January according to last month's minutes.
o Sidewalk Position paper to be sent out to everyone via email. Longfellow Drive project - is a
delegation going to Council meeting from GRAAC. GRAAC's ongoing position is sidewalks on both
sides of the road is best for everyone. Brenda is willing to represent on behalf of GRAAC at the City of
Waterloo council meeting scheduled for December 7, 2020. Lori will help Brenda sign up as a
delegation and the position paper will be put forth as well as part of the package.
- Mayor's Task Force on Equity, Diversity & Inclusion, Brenda Robinson
o Committee split up into 8 different sub committees
o Brenda is participating on the Policy Development and Review and the Youth Mentorship Program
subcommittees
o A committee member noted that People with exceptional ities (the perception that the individual does
not have ability) does not seem to have representation. Seems to be a bias, does not seem to
represent everyone? Maybe we need more representation from this committee to support persons with
disabilities. Concern is the name of the committee not necessarily that they were not represented.
Inclusion should not be part of the name of the committee as there doesn't seem to be anyone working
on that area.
- Active Transportation, Dawn Clelland
o Multi-use trails
The committee has concerns around the multi-use trails. Multi-use trails concerns will be added to
January's agenda.
o Region Issue
Crosswalks like the intersection of Charles and Stirling. Impossible for a person with a visual disability
to navigate. A Position paper from GRAAC to be put together and taken back to the Active
Transportation committee. Dawn will draft and share with the rest of the committee in December. Item
to be added to December agenda.
10. Councillor Reports, All Councillors
Councillor Sandra Hanmer, City of Waterloo
o Mayor's Task Force, staff there are actively involved with persons with exceptional ities
o Snow and Leaves an ongoing concern.
11. Co-chair/Staff
Brenda Robinson
o UN day December 31d, online virtual celebration, need to preregister. Janis to send out via email
Rob motioned to adjourn the meeting Jolene seconded. Meeting adjourned.
Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenziep_kitchener.ca
Next Regular Meeting — December 17, 2020