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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2023-09-28 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: Thursday, September 28, 2023 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Carrie Speers, Tamara Cooper, Heather Clark-Harris (Co-Chair), Councillor Jason Deneault (City of Kitchener), Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Alyssa Clelland, Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Candice Greenley (Township of Wilmot), Trevor Tamlin, Christine Nishiwaki, Sarah Cunneyworth, Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Teresa McQuillin (Co-Chair), Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Farshid Sadatsharifi, Robyn Jackson, Sarah Feeney-Martin, Ashley Sage (Township of North Dumfries), Jennifer Walker (Region of Waterloo) Regrets: Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Katherine Waybrant, Alex Smyth (Township of Woolwich), Paula Saunders, Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Heather Gillespie 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of June Minutes and September Agenda Trevor motioned to accept September agenda; Sarah seconded; All in favour. Teresa motioned to accept June minutes; Carrie seconded; All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. Region of Waterloo, Municipal Services Discussion Is there any interest in staff coming to meetings to explain their portfolios on a regular basis? • Agenda is already full likely not room to fit on a regular basis. • Instead, when staff come to GRAAC to present explain what area they are from and how they fit into the big picture to make the links. 5. Region of Waterloo, TTY Phone Service • Outdated —older deaf community still utilizing, not tech savvy to the new options. • Early stages of investigating what might be a better service option. • Current Service channels —email, chat box, social media, complaints recording form, live chat, website, phone. • Alternatives and what to consider? Deaf, hard of hearing and a visual disability Sound loop system — (Speakers on both sides) as new protocols make it hard to hear (plexiglass) Text phone number beneficial still • Still have some that rely on the TTY Phone System. 6. New Regional library branch at Breslau Community Centre The Region of Waterloo Library offers Library service: • Across all 4 Townships • 10 library branches • 2 satellite locations (Clyde and Breslau) • Region: operates the library service • Townships: provide the buildings where the service is offered • Library Funding: comes from Township tax levies paid to the Region. ➢ Operating = $3 million annually ➢ Capital = $2.5 million over 10 years (Includes $120,000 in capital set aside for Breslau). Exterior AODA opportunities during upgrade • Ramps: ➢ Colour contrasting strips. • Entrances: ➢ Power door operators already provided. Exterior AODA challenges: • Ramps (handrail returns) ➢ Requires complete replacement. • Tactile walking surface indicators ➢ Walking surfaces between vehicular and pedestrian areas (tentatively 2024) • Parking / Passenger Loading Zones ➢ Post mounted International Symbol of Accessibility (ISA) signs ➢ Access Aisle marking (tentatively 2024) ➢ Van Accessible signage (tentatively 2024) ➢ Alternate Dedicated Entrance Ramp (tentatively 2024) Interior AODA opportunities during upgrade • Interior ramp ➢ High tonal contrast marking • Stairs ➢ Nosing strips ➢ Tactile Walking Surface Indicators ➢ Limited Modification of handrail height, width between handrails, handrail extensions and guard heights. • Lift (LULA lift installed 2013) ➢ Ensure availability during library hours. • Washrooms ➢ Power doors with enhanced locking mechanisms ➢ Emergency call system ➢ Grab bars. ➢ Baby change tables ➢ Lavatories (height, insulation of water pipes, mirrors) ➢ Water closets (flush control levers) Interior AODA challenges • Stairs ➢ No ability to enlarge fixed interior stair width. • Doors, doorways, vestibule ➢ No ability to enlarge doorways during current project. • Elevator ➢ No ability to replace existing lift (LULA) with full elevator. Comments/Feedback • It was suggested that the washrooms be truly universal and contain a change table that can accommodate an adult along with a lift to help with access. • Will the lift (LULA) be obvious at the entrance? Looking to make it more obvious with an entrance change. • Lift going to down, what happens if the lift does not work i.e., power outage? Standby generator has been installed. • How many level changes are there? Two level changes, slight ramp from the main entrance to the stairs. • Users would need to request a key from customer service but looking at not needing a staff member to access. Would Caregivers have access on the lift as well? Depends on the size of the wheelchair, smaller ones would accommodate one other person. Would a caregiver have room to press the button? Staff to check into it. • Tactile strips are recommended for inside the building as well as outside of the building. • Look at all options for hands free lift. • Existing building is up to code, but the library space is going to be an independent space, so upgrades are necessary. • If not already done, staff should connect with Paula Saunders, Chairperson of the Built Environment Sub-Committee. 7. BREAK 8. City of Kitchener, Rockway Centre consult The redevelopment of Rockway Centre was initiated in May 2013 following the completion of the Rockway feasibility study. With an expected increase in demand for older adult programming by 2031 where approximately 35% of Kitchener residents are anticipated to be over 50 years old (projections which continue to hold true from the most recent 2021 census data). This study shows that now is a great opportunity to develop a new community centre to serve the evolving needs of residents in this neighbourhood and city wide. Further highlights from these studies indicated that although the Rockway Centre is a focal point for older adult programming, it has significant physical and configuration challenges which make it incapable of meeting the evolving leisure needs of the city's growing older adult population and therefore will require redevelopment. The proposed plan for the Rockway redevelopment project involves the construction of a new community. centre within the Rockway community. Why do we need to construct a new Rockway Centre, and why not just renovate the existing Community Centre building? From the feasibility studies conducted, we recommend a new Older Adult Centre because the existing building is not accessible and not suitable for providing quality older adult programming. Renovating it would require major structural changes as well as significant repairs over the next 5 to 10 years. Building a new centre offers a chance to create a modern, accessible, and purpose-built facility that will be relevant to our older adults in the future. Request to GRAAC: • To guide the engagement strategy and implement engagement initiatives in accordance with the project plan. • Advise Project Committee on best practices throughout the project management phase of the Rockway Redevelopment Project. • Serve as a conduit to the larger community when additional accessibility feedback and engagement is required related to the Rockway Redevelopment Project. • Support, provide review, collaboration, and feedback on seniors/ community needs regarding the Rockway Redevelopment Project. • Determine what accessibility site features are most important to current facility user groups. • A short list of preferred site features to inform the site requirements included in the final RFP. Comments/Feedback • It was suggested that the washrooms be truly universal and contain a change table that can accommodate an adult along with a lift to help with access. • Site features: star on the elevator (button panel) to identify the main floor, close to public transportation, mobility plus considerations, bus needs a roadway or driveway to park not in the way of the entrance or accessibility areas. Drop off/Pick up area needs to be visible (no barriers like bushes), seating available. Visually be able to see the mobility vehicle coming to pick up. Smooth surfaces, high level contrasts visually. Wayfinding - Tactile strips to guide people to entrance and inside to washrooms. • Visit retirement homes organizations like Independent Living to reach out to potential users. • Engagement more accessible and inclusive? In person, language translation/sign language translators available, newspaper marketing, Being present in newcomer events. • Reach out to other agencies (CHS, CNIB, ILCWR) to ask what access needs people would like to be included? • Three most important accessible tangibles with a new building? Feeling of belonging because person can access. Wayfinding, Universal bathrooms, fully accessible to everyone. 9. Neuron Adaptive Vehicle presentation There is no one size fits all approach for accessible programs. Accessibility work in many communities has been focused on enhancing current vehicles, technology, and app features, as well as customer service support. Engagement to find meaningful solutions differs, but in most cases, we work closely with staff, a wide range of stakeholders, accessibility committee members, and experts when required. Preliminary Adaptive Fleet options: 1. Tricycle to empower people who are older or with disabilities to be able to share in riding experiences provided by pedal assisted bikes. 2. Three wheel standing/seated scooter with basket for maximum convince and optionality. 3. Handcycle to allow users to power vehicle by arms instead of legs. Comments/Feedback • Excited about option 3— Handcycle to allow users to power vehicles by arms instead of legs. • Individuals with low vision need to consider that they are sharing the road scape. This will not be an option for everyone. Dependent on comfort level. • What % of the fleet would be adaptive? Where would they be housed? Barriers for wheelchairs when just left haphazardly. Grand River Hospital seems to be the biggest problem. Processes and percentages are still being worked on as program is developed. 10. Councillor Reports • No updates 11. Co-chair/Staff Reports Co-chair Report • Gathering (in person) with families as a group to get to know each other better? Good idea for the future. Contact Carrie by phone. Teresa and Heather will connect with GRAAC members. Staff Report • City of Kitchener shared that staff contacted her to discuss possibilities for accessible parking when an election is called. Possibility of an on-street parking spot in front of Shopper's Drug Mart downtown by City Hall and a nearby off-street lot with temporary accessible parking spaces as well. Shared with Paula (GRAAC) and she supports these as temporary accessible parking spaces for election voting. • City of Kitchener is keeping TTY— had an emergency where it was utilized as the only method of contact the resident had. • City of Waterloo keeping TTY but with less licenses. Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie —janis.mckenzie(o-)-kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday October 26, 2023, at 1:30pm, ZOOM.