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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-12-17 GRAAC Joe GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY GRAACC.MMI,TTEE Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, December 17, 2020 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Donna Hartzler, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Dawn Clelland (Co-Chair), Heather Clark-Harris, Rob Bender, Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Andrena Lockley-Brown, , Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Brenda Robinson (Co-Chair), Berny Wesselink, Jolene MacDonald, Melanie Garbaz (Region of Waterloo), Paula Saunders, Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener/City of Waterloo), Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Trevor Tamlin, Carrie Speers Regrets: Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Councillor Sue Foxton (Region of Waterloo), Councillor Debbie Chapman (City of Kitchener), Mamie Sealey-Baker, Greg Moore, Tracey Murray (Township of Wilmot), Tamara Bell 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of November Minutes and December Agenda Berny motioned to accept December agenda. Heather seconded. All in favour. motioned to accept Jolene November minutes; Donna seconded. All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests 4. EasyGO Fare Card, Region of Waterloo, Pat Morabito Current Process • Service animals are welcome on network of services. • To ensure the safety and comfort of all riders and drivers, those with service animals to remember that the animal must always be under their care and control. • Service animals must not pose a risk to other passengers or to GRT operators. • If it is not clear that the animal is a service animal, the GRT operator may ask for a note from a regulated health professional stating that the animal is needed for reasons of a disability. • All individuals using a service animal must meet the criteria stated in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Identified Customer Pain Points • Service animals come in all shapes and sizes and some individuals feel that they are unfairly singled out if their service animal doesn't look like a service animal and are asked for supporting documentation. • When asking for supporting documentation, this can cause anxiety triggers for existing individuals, which leads to unnecessary escalations in a public setting. • It could also lead to situations where individuals might end up disclosing their disability, in a public setting. Proposed Process • Existing process remains the same, but now introducing an optional, dedicated fare card for individuals with service animals. • Customers will need to tap their existing fare card to ride and then their service animal fare card, to notify the driver their service animal is approved. • Customers would apply for the service animal fare card and would need to provide any supporting documentation at that time only and would be approved for a 2-year period. Customers would need to re-apply every two years. Benefits • Individuals would no longer need to have supporting documentation when riding Grand River Transit, as the animal would have already been pre-approved. • Riding experiences would be improved as there is less confusion for riders and operators. This would lead to fewer escalated situations and better support individuals with non-visible disabilities. Comments/Feedback • Why do they need to reapply every two years if service animal has not changed? From a technology perspective the approval process was going to be every two years. Pat will take back to discuss if that two years is necessary. • What is the approval process? Straight forward process, not cumbersome simply looking for a copy of the service animal required from a regulated health professional. Please bring back process to the committee the proposed application. • What about people who are visiting? Supporting documentation will need to be supplied 5. MobilityPLUS Service Review, Region of Waterloo, Pat Morabito In 2019 KPMG Service Review identified Specialized Public Transit/MobilityPLUS operations as an opportunity that through a process review the Region may identify operational improvements and efficiencies that would result in a reduction in expenditures. Challenges to address • Update eligibility criteria • Reduce no-shows • Reduce unaccommodated rate • Improve scheduling processes • Improve communication • Improve vehicle/ itinerary efficiency Plan outlines short, medium, and long-term recommendations. Short term recommendations are to be implemented in late 2020 & early 2021. Short term recommendations ensure continued Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) alignment and make service efficiency and customer experience improvements. Short term recommendations implemented in two phases. Phase one • Extend winter eligibility period to align the service to the need. • Reduce trip pre-booking window • Eliminate trip purpose for booking purposes • Introduce a cap on number of subscription trips per time slot • Modify cancellation policy to reduce high number of trip cancellations • increase cancellation window from one hour to two hours • Provide equity between group and individual booking • Suspend commuter bus • Implement trip notification system Phase two • Introduce functional limitations to support decision making during assessment process. • Expand types of conditions under "conditional" category to include Winter, Summer, Life Sustaining, Rush Hour, Day Program and Conventional Not Accessible • Update support person policy • Mandatory based on assessed need • Implement on-line booking software Next steps • Recommendations report to Committee of the Whole December 8, 2020 • Communication of Phase 1 changes for early 2021 implementation • Consultation with advisory committee / stakeholders Comments/Feedback • What effect does the have on subscription users? Some will not have the same capacity to utilize the program. Some may feel a decrease in travel but overall a fair level of access to those who could not access the program. There will be limits to the subscription users. Commuter bus will take specific users from point A to point B. 60-65 clients will become full-fledged mobility users. Doesn't seem like the problem is being solved just changing the problem from one group to another group. Door to door trips will not always be able to happen. Fair access to everyone based on what type of transportation you can use. • Will cancellation plans include a financial burden to the individual? When it becomes a pattern of behavior is when it becomes an issue and may include a financial penalty. • How many no shows have there been? COVID has changed things, hard to give stats from 2020. 2019 number to be shared with the committee. • What are the options for people who are impacted by the shortage? Pat/Neil to come back to this committee in the spring with an update 6. Township of Wellesley Status Update, Amy Harron Public Works • Sidewalk Replacement • 110metres of sidewalk on Alfred Street, Linwood • New Sidewalk • 400 metres of 1.5-metre-wide sidewalk with detectable warning plates at two intersections on Lawrence Avenue in the Village of Wellesley. Recreation • Due to Covid-19 any projects scheduled for 2020 have been postponed until 2021. 7. Township of North Dumfries Status Update, Ashley Sage As the Township of North Dumfries continues to grow, Council and staff are committed to creating and maintaining an accessible and inclusive community for all residents. The Township of North Dumfries consists of primarily rural areas, in addition to a variety of small villages including Ayr, Clyde, Branchton, Reidsville and Roseville. The population of the Township of North Dumfries is approximately 10,500. The Council of the Township of North Dumfries is governed by a Mayor and four Ward Councilors. In order to meet the needs of the Township's growing population, now, and in the future, the Township enacted a strategic plan in 2019. Township of North Dumfries's Vision: North Dumfries, one of southwestern Ontario's most desirable rural communities honours its culture and heritage; where citizens and leaders strive to improve the quality of life for all residents in a sustainable and secure environment. Township of North Dumfries Mission Statement: Preserving and enhancing quality of life in North Dumfries through the exceptional delivery of Municipal services Highlights of 2020 • Ongoing improvements to enhance the Township website such as making more information, services and forms available online. • Township had an accessibility scan done of the website to identify any content, or pages that were not in compliance with the AODA. Staff have been working to correct these issues, to achieve a fully complaint website before the end of the year. Work on this is ongoing. • Several resurfacing projects were conducted. This helps to improve the surface and the overall usability for those who may have mobility issues who may use the road for travel. • Sidewalk improvement project were completed at Inglis Street, Northumberland Street to Colquhoun; and Stanley Street (north side), Northumberland Street to Tannery Street, which reduces tripping hazards and improves mobility for those in a wheelchair. • Ongoing work completed for updating and revising AODA training for staff. Ensure new staff receive required training, as mandated by the AODA. • Swings set feature was replaced at Roseville Community Centre to provide more inclusivity. Input and feedback was received from GRAAC for this project. • Sidewalk improvement projects at sections of Church Street, Broom Street, Hilltop Drive in Ayr, which reduces tripping hazards and improves mobility for those in a wheelchair. • A new skatepark was built in Ayr. The skatepark is state-of-the-art and includes pedestrian and vehicular maintenance access to the proposed skate park facility from the adjacent parking lot and to the adjacent amenity areas as well as hardscape/softscape landscaping to provide the appropriate setting and transition to adjacent activity areas. • Township has improved the lighting along the pathway in Centennial Park, downtown Ayr. The new LED directional lighting will help to greatly improve the lighting and visibility along the pathway. This will greatly assist those who may have difficultly seeing once it gets dark. • Attended GRAAC meetings and sought GRAAC's input on matters when required. Looking ahead to 2021 The Township of North Dumfries is committed to eliminating barriers and improving accessibility for persons with disabilities in a manner that respects dignity, independence, integration and equal opportunity. The Township recognizes the diverse needs of all our residents and customers and will respond by striving to provide services and facilities that are accessible to all. The Township is committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements. • Improved access to information and services online. In 2020, the Township implemented a recreation and facility booking management software on the Township website that allows the public to view availability for facility bookings and equipment rentals online. • Several resurfacing projects are planned for 2021. This will help to improve the surface and the overall usability for those who may have mobility issues who may use the road for travel. Resurfacing projects included: ➢ Gore Road, CP Rail ➢ Roseville Road, Northumberland St to Trussler Rd ➢ Cooper Street, Willison St to Main St ➢ Greenfield Road, 20 m east of Reidsville Road to 2186 Greenfield Rd ➢ Alps Road, Dumfries Rd to 700 metres east of intersection ➢ Brant-Waterloo Road adjacent Reidsville Road ➢ Brant-Waterloo Road, commencing 800 metres west of West River Road to 559 Brant-Waterloo Road • Renovation/construction is expected for washrooms at Victoria Park, Schmidt Park and Cowan Park to ensure barrier free accessibility. A new barrier free washroom will be constructed in Victoria Park. • Sidewalk new construction and missing link repairs at the following locations: ➢ New sidewalk on Inglis Street, extending form Northumberland Street to Colquhoun Street ➢ New sidewalk from Northumberland Street to Elliot Street on the North Side of the road allowance ➢ New sidewalk on the south side of Inglis Street, from Elliot Street through to Colquhoun Street • Reconstruction of Township roads, including: ➢ Hall Street, from Northumberland Street to Main Street ➢ Manley Street, from Northumberland Street to the east terminus of the road ➢ MacDonald Street, from Manley Street to Gibson Street • Introducing electronic bid submission for request for proposal/tenders. Comments/Feedback • Are washrooms going to be accessible? Yes, they will be accessible. Design plans will be brought back to GRAAC before construction Break (15 mins) 8. Built Environment Sub Committee Updates— Paula Saunders • GRAAC delegate at City of Waterloo Council in December 2020 - Brenda attended the Longfellow Drive sidewalk construction item at City of Waterloo Council meeting as a representative for GRAAC. Stated GRAAC's position paper on sidewalks on both sides of the road. There will likely only be one sidewalk on this road. • Wayfinding entrance and signage to Waterloo Park—Anna lee Sangster, Waterloo staff has asked the GRAAC Built environment sub-committee if any GRAAC members would be interested in providing comments on a document to identify opportunities to incorporate accessible measures into signage during pilot project (initial implementation phase), and how to expand on this through future phases. This is an opportunity for GRAAC to provide comments before it advances to the design stage. Carrie, Dawn and Berny are interested in participating. Lolita will inform Anna lee Sangster and connect the GRAAC members interested once the document is ready for comments. • Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex (WMRC) Interior signage— Mary Cathryn, Waterloo staff shared with the GRAAC Built environment sub-committee proposed interior signage for WMRC for Paula to present to GRAAC for comments. Paula walked the members through the images of the proposed signage. Comments include; 1.) Include braille on all signage that is at a reachable level. 2.) Building directory signage should be placed at a reachable level with raised lettering and with braille. A person with no vision should be given the same opportunity to independently read what is in the building. 3.) Ensure that the word "Level" on the Building directory sign is large enough for a person to know that the floor# goes along with the word level. For example, .... Level 1, Level 2 4.) Support the white on black background you have chosen for the signs because it provides less glare. 5.) The Cafe sign should also have an image (for example— a coffee cup). This will help persons with learning disabilities or ESL. 6.) What is a communication closet?—this may confuse people. 7.) To ensure placement of signage follows OBC accessibility requirements. Any other thoughts email Lolita. • Kiwanis Park Paula shared that the accessible asphalt pathway at the Kiwanis park pool area is now complete and it will provide access to; the admission hut/main entrance, accessible parking spots, snack shack, guard office, change rooms/washrooms, pool and splash pad. A photo was shared showing the width of the asphalt trail. • Multi-Use Accessibility Issues Paula invited Dawn Clelland to lead this discussion. Dawn is representing GRAAC on the Region of Waterloo Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) and she has some issues that she would like to gather GRAAC's feedback on. These are regional sidewalks along regional roads to be used as Multi-Use trails. The concern is for the safety of pedestrians because the Sidewalk/Multi-Use Trail is along a regional road and it will be shared by people using other modes of transportation. ➢ Shared pedestrian sidewalk made with asphalt. ➢ The standard size is supposed to be 3 metres, however when measured it was 2.75 metres wide not 3 so 10 inches short. ➢ Two way use with a line down the middle. ➢ Used a fair amount now. ➢ No rules regarding sharing the space. ➢ This is the beginning of many construction areas. ➢ Do we want to put together a position paper? ➢ It is a paved surface where one side is a curb and the other side is smooth into the street. ➢ There are no rules. ➢ Multi use trails bylaws state no motorized vehicles on them. ➢ Confusion over multi use trails, woods or streets. ➢ No signage. ➢ Greenery on either side of trail is also an issue both the height and width of the greenery. ➢ Bikes are supposed to have bells but there are people with hearing issues. ➢ Etiquette outline. ➢ Paula and Dawn to meet again to discuss further. 9. Committee Updates City of Kitchener, Mayor's Task Force, Brenda Robinson • Ongoing training Region of Waterloo, Multi-Use Trails Committee, Dawn Clelland • Dawn can bring up some of the issues identified today from GRAAC at the next Multi-Use Trails meeting in mid-January. Region of Waterloo, Accessible Taxi, Donna Hartzler • Some of the monies will be used to offer more accessible taxis in the community 10. Councillor Reports No updates 11. Co-chair/Staff Reports • CNIB looking for a support letter from GRAAC towards a grant application. Co-chairs will follow up. • All the staff reps have been submitting reports to Council for new GRAAC committee member appointments in December/January to have approval in time for GRAAC's January's meeting. • Elections will also be happening at the January GRAAC meeting, information will be sent via email. 12. Christmas Social Event Melanie led a round table discussion regarding hope. Rob motioned to adjourn; Donna seconded. All in Favour Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie— man is.mckenzie(o-)-kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday January 28, 2021 at 1:30pm, ZOOM