HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2023-03-23 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023
Location: Zoom Meeting
Present: Paula Saunders, Carrie Speers, Teresa McQuillin (Co-Chair), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Janis
McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Jennifer Walker (Region of Waterloo), Candice Greenley (Township of Wilmot),
Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Tamara Cooper, Christine Nishiwaki, Farshid Sadatsharifi, Katherine
Waybrant, Sarah Feeney-Martin, Heather Clark-Harris (Co-Chair), Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of
Waterloo), Councillor Jason Deneault (City of Kitchener), Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), LoriAnn
Palubeski (City of Kitchener), Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo)
Regrets: Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Alex Smyth (Township of Woolwich), Jolene
MacDonald, Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Trevor Tamlin, Robyn Jackson, Alyssa Clelland,
Sarah Cunneyworth, Councillor Kayla Grant (Township of Woolwich), Heather Gillespie
1. Welcome and Introductions
2. Approval of February Minutes and March Agenda
Paula motioned to accept March agenda; Kathy seconded; All in favour.
Teresa motioned to accept February minutes; Paula seconded; All in favour.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest
None
4. Township of North Dumfries, Branchton Park Play Structure
Branchton Park
• Located in the Village of Branchton, this park is deemed to be a neighbourhood park
• With a pavilion, play soccer field, ball diamond and small play structure
• Approximately 300 people reside here
Current Play Structure
• Small Play structure with a raised plastic border around the play area, one accessible ground
play structure, separate 3 bay swing set with 2 belt seating and one toddler swing and two
benches for seating
Changes
• Inclusive swing
• Sensory panel
• Fun phone
• Low platform transfer station
Other Features
• Sensory panels
• Climbing platforms
Ground Cover
• Plastic Barrier around play structured removed
• Sand will be removed, and the material will be replaced with Engineered Wood Fibre Safety
Surfacing
Comments/Feedback
• Do the benches have arms on them? They do not have arms, will only be replaced if necessary
and it has been noted that arms would be preferred
• Wood chips are not wheelchair accessible
• Transfer loader is there but not available for someone to get out of their wheelchair on their
own, few opportunities at the park for children in a wheelchair
• Swings are not adjustable, so not accessible for everyone, saucer swings and bucket swings
available in other parks
• Cost is always a factor and not all parks can be as accessible as others
5. City of Waterloo, Snow Clearing
• Council report regarding snow clearing due to council June 26, 2023
• Public engagement
Key Points in Council report
• Staff to review possible sidewalk snow clearing improvements
• Considerations to align with current hybrid model
• Focus on review of sidewalk clearing taking into consideration connectivity to public transit,
hospitals, health services and other essential facilities in alignment with active transportation
• Complete an environmental scan of other similar communities and public engagement will
inform options along with regional responsibilities
• Opportunities for improvement may include intersections/corners, curb faced sidewalks,
enhanced compliance, enhanced support, and volunteer services
• To be considered in 3-year budget plan (2024-2026)
Comments/Feedback
• What is the preferred method of engagement for this committee?
• Community engagement needs to be done out in the community as everyone's needs are
different, not just a survey
• Senior's volunteer program fills up quickly, not sure the program can be expanded, there is not
a program now to help those with disabilities who own or rent their homes to clear their
sidewalks. These folks do not have the ability to do so at all.
• Snow clearing position paper has been put together by GRAAC and should be included in this
report. Amy will send to staff.
• Reporting tool has accessibility issues so even if you wanted to report you could not
• Would like to have a committee member from GRAAC be part of the working group.
6. City of Waterloo, Facility Accessibility Audits Update
• 18 facility audits completed by DesignABLE Environments (2021/2022) & this committee (2022)
to assess state of accessibility in city owned (leased) assets
• Optimal accessibility throughout facilities is a long-term goal to support the user experience for
all building occupants
Summary
• DesignABLE created an audit checklist for optimal accessibility using:
o GRAAC's accessibility comments for washrooms
o Ontario Human Rights code
o Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
o AODA Employment standards
o AODA Design for Public Spaces
0 2017 Accessibility Status report
o Ontario Building Code (OBC) Barrier free design requirements
o City of Mississauga's Facility Accessibility Design Standards
• The facility audits categorize accessibility deficiencies:
o Priority 1: Required upgrades needed to meet minimum accessibility standards
o Priority 2: Enhanced accessibility requirements that require low to minimal cost to
retrofit
o Priority 3: Enhanced accessibility requirements that require significant alteration or
construction costs beyond the minimum baseline in Priority 1
o Priority 4: Identifies elements of accessibility, which cannot be practically upgraded
• The audit results indicate what upgrades are needed to get facilities to meet minimum
accessibility standards and estimated costs associated
• $ 21,057,825 were identified across the priorities
Process
• 2023 Budget process approved:
o $2.95 million over 10 years for Accessibility Facility Upgrades (AODA)
o New permanent Construction Supervisor (hiring is underway)
• Staff reviewed highest priority elements and estimate $9,863,620 is needed for:
o Parking
o Life Safety
o Exterior routes, stairs, and ramps
o Entrances and exits
o Doors
o Interior routes, stairs, and ramps
o Multi-stalled washrooms, change rooms and universal washrooms
o Signage and wayfinding
• Accessibility Advocate & Manager, Capital Program and Project Management will prioritize 2023
deficiencies work and review with Built Environment Sub-Committee
• 2024-2026 Budget process seek:
o increase to $6 million over 10 years for Accessibility & Inclusion Facility Upgrades
(AODA)
o new permanent implementation role (trades person)
• Continue to apply for grant funding
• Accessibility Advocate & Manager, Capital Program and Project Management will assemble an
inter-departmental team to establish priorities for 2024-2034 upgrades and review with Built
Environment Sub-Committee
Comments/Feedback
• Is it a ten-year plan or will it be done quicker? Yes, it is a ten-year plan
• Thank you to the committee members who took part of the audits
• Thank you to staff for allowing the audits and slowly things will hopefully start to improve
7. Township of Wellesley, Multi-Year Plan
• INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION BARRIERS:
o ASL: American Sign Language (ASL) interpreters are available upon request
o Alternate Formats: Alternate Format Policy
o TTY: The TTY is located at the municipal office
• TECHNOLOGICAL BARRIERS
o Website Accessibility:
o The Township's website address is www.wellesley.ca. Council and Clerk Services
department staff are responsible for overseeing the maintenance of the website and for
ensuring that the website is maintained in accordance with the World Wide Web
Consortium (W3C) standards.
o During a review of the Township website in 2020 significant changes were made to
improve overall accessibility for users. Many PDF formatted documents were removed
with content replaced directly onto the website.
• POLICY/PRACTICE BARRIERS
o Accessibility standards for customer service policies, procedures and practices were
adopted in 2009 and is available on the Township's website.
o (http://www.wellesley.ca/en/township-services/accessibility.aspx)
• ATTITUDINAL BARRIERS
o Every person who deals with members of the public has received accessibility training.
This includes every employee, volunteer, or other agent (i.e.. contractors). All new
employees will receive training during orientation.
• PHYSICAL/ARCHITECTURAL BARRIERS
INITIATIVES COMPLETED IN 2018 -2022
o Replaced 970m (3182`) of sidewalk at 1.5m (5') wide
o Installation of 1683m (5521') of new sidewalk
o The Recreation Department installed a new railing at the Hawkesville Community Centre
that is now higher and extends down to the basement.
o A new railing was added in the St. Clements Community Centre stairwell to allow guests
access to a railing on both sides of the stairwell.
o A railing and ramp were installed in the new picnic shelter in the St Clements Lions
Park. New accessible playground equipment was installed in Linwood at the playground
behind the Community Centre.
0 600 metres of existing multi-use trails were hard surfaced with asphalt complete with
detectable warning plates.
o The new fire station in St. Clements was built including the following accessible features:
■ Accessible dedicated parking spots
■ Curb cuts — interior and exterior
■ Push button door access exterior and interior doors
■ Universal fire exit signage
■ Smoke and CO alarms with audible and strobe warning capability
■ Universal barrier free washroom
■ Furniture in training/meeting room is portable and stackable, easily moved, and
repositioned
■ All public access in on one floor
o The first phase of Erbhaven Trails was completed, with a portion of the trail system
accessible with hard packed stone dust with very little grade involved in that area of the
trail.
o The men's washrooms in Wellesley Arena were retrofitted to include an upgraded
accessible washroom facility.
o AODA Desk Audit was completed with compliance met by May 2021, including updates
to the following areas:
■ Accessibility Policies, s. (80.46, 80.47) under the IASR
■ Training, s. (7) under the IASR
■ Feedback, s. (11, 80.50) under the IASR
■ Employment policies, s. (27, 28) under the IASR
o Council approved the alternate voting method of Internet and Telephone Voting for the
2022 Municipal and School Board Elections.
o Installed a sidewalk around St. Clements School where there was none before and
implemented a student drop off zone as well.
o Replaced of curb and sidewalk surrounding the cenotaph at the Linwood Community
Centre.
o Installed new curb faced sidewalk on Lawrence Street in Wellesley.
o Installed a new sidewalk on Greenwood Hill Road which connected a section of the
multi-use trail to another which had people walking on the road prior.
o Implemented the online cloud permit portal to allow for an easy at home application
process.
ONGOING INITATIVES FOR THE LIFE OF THE PLAN
o Continue to make a financial contribution to the operation of the Grand River
Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Continue to have a staff member attend monthly GRAAC and Co-chair meetings only
when Wellesley has an issue on the agenda or when staff from other municipalities or
GRAAC members request Wellesley's assistance.
Continue to review the state of sidewalks throughout the Township.
Continue to enforce the sidewalk snow clearing by-law. Residents must clear sidewalks
of ice and snow within 24 hours after a snow fall or rain.
o Continue to pursue accessibility funding.
INITIATIVES PROPOSED FOR 2022 -2026
o Continue to review the state of sidewalks throughout the Township and replace with
1.5m wide with detectable warning plates where needed.
o Explore locations for pedestrian crossings with regional staff.
o Incorporate new sidewalks when reconstructing streets.
o Review the current snow removal bylaw and look at options and cost to perform snow
and ice removal on Township owned sidewalks.
o Improve lighting in dark areas with more LED street lighting.
o Replace existing playground equipment with inclusive equipment.
o Install new trails and update existing trails to comply with AODA requirements.
Comments/Feedback
• Plan to be sent via email to the group
8. BREAK
9. Township of Wellesley, Recreation Facility
• 40-acre site next to an existing woodlot
• Closest to the intersection as possible so that it is clearly visible in all directions
• Two outdoor soccer fields, courts, playground, and skatepark will also be included
• 245 parking spaces according to zoning
• Parking is to be as close to the building as possible for safety
• 10 accessible parking spots —four spots close to the health centre and six spots close to the
arena
• Major uses for the health centre are a gymnasium (multipurpose room), youth and senior
spaces with barrier free washrooms
• Reception desk in the middle of the building
• Wide corridor system
• Main public washrooms near the reception desk
• East and South entrances
• South entrance has a set of stairs and elevator access to the second floor
• Eight dressing rooms, two are accessible
• Two barrier free washrooms on the outside of the building for outdoor activities
• Meeting rooms, fitness room located on the second floor
• Accessible seating overlooking the rink
• Slip resistance in the gym, rubber flooring, sealed concrete floors —storage areas, blue track is
rubberized. Transition strips to be used from one flooring material to another
• Rink area accessible seating available in various locations around the rink
• Health centre and rink will have a universal washroom, as well as the barrier free washrooms
• Power door operators to be used on the entrance doors, as well as the accessible washroom
• Open washrooms but still have privacy site lines
Comments/Feedback
• Wayfinding strips to the reception desk? Has not been incorporated into the design yet
• Signage, contrasted? Yes, will be incorporated
• Can a bar be installed in the regular washrooms? Something to consider
• Consideration for para- sport (Sledge Hockey)? The design is not a requirement for this
building
• Make sure there is an adult change room in one of the washrooms
• Wayfinding strips to the elevator as well
• Braille on signage? Yes, will be incorporated
• Rail around the walking track? One side of the walking track will have a rail
• Ran out of time for comments. The GRAAC Chair of the Built Environment Sub Committee has
asked Amy to set up a meeting to provide additional feedback. Amy will set up.
10. Built Environment Sub-Committee Updates
City of Waterloo
• Outdoor washroom
o Went to Elora to inspect an existing outdoor washroom, disappointed that washroom
was built on a cement slab without a ramp currently, hard to evaluate without going
inside
o Suggested the possibility of an adult change table with overhead tracking system
o Contrasted signage
o Automatic door opener to get in
o Water, soap, and dry all at the sink
o Toilet cleans itself and dries it
o Floor is heated and washes on its own
o Likely be a step-by-step installation
o Video surveillance outside the washroom might be a good idea? Likely will not include
cameras
City of Kitchener
• 44 Gaukel Accessibility Site Visit
o Art Hub
o A lot of potential for an older building
o Needs a lot of work
o Lots of open space with moveable furniture, making the open space accessible
o Washrooms need to be redone to meet current code
o Existing ramp to the building to be reevaluated. Possible entrance on opposite end but in
same location. Now the ION exists which took away sidewalk space.
• Wayfinding at main floor of City Hall and testing the new Customer Service booking system
o GRAAC members representing low vision, no vision, deaf and physical disabilities
attended the half day tour and feedback session
o Provided feedback to the Customer service team
o Interested in thoughts on wayfinding to the customer service area
o Tested the computer system to book appointments
o Staff very receptive —good working relationship with staff team
o Lolita to send an email for link to further testing
• Kitchener Operations Facility Accessibility Site Visit
o Improvements still to be made as this facility was built in 2011
o GRAAC members representing low vision and physical disabilities attended
o Walked through all areas that public and staff access and provided feedback
o Review of exterior of building from parking lot to main entrance as well
11. Committee Updates
• No updates
12. Councillor Reports
• Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of Waterloo)
In council on February 22nd, Councillor Huinink made a motion that was unanimously approved.
Motion:
That staff be directed to consider, in the upcoming Mobility Plus Business Plan review, the
option of allowing for specialized mobility service between urban and rural municipalities.
13. Co-chair/Staff Reports
• Teresa McQuillin (Co-Chair)
o City of Waterloo removed hybrid council meetings —Teresa meeting with Mayor and
Councillor Sandra Hanmer, along with Amy Ross to discuss
o Camp spots were gone quickly for kids with disabilities —suggested a lottery system?
• Amy Ross (City of Waterloo)
o Provided feedback to City of Whitby regarding elections and accessibility
o Would like to put together an accessibility guide
• Jennifer Walker (Region of Waterloo)
o Micromobility report sent to council
o Last meeting as staff representative. Emily Moore is the new staff representative
• Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener)
o Will not be attending April meeting. Lori Palubeski covering for Lolita.
o Future vision of downtown, Lolita will be sending a link to survey initially and then staff
will come to a future meeting
o Update regarding the embedded City Hall Street sign on Young street. In response to
GRAAC's recommendation the sign will be removed.
o Accessibility week, looking for speakers. Lolita to send an email to members on behalf
of City of Kitchener colleague, Marina.
Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie — ianis.mckenzie2kitchener.ca
Next Regular Meeting —Thursday April 27, 2023, at 1:30pm, ZOOM