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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2024-04-25 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: April 25th, 2024 Location: Zoom Meeting Present: Tamara Cooper (Co-Chair), Alyssa Clelland (Co-Chair), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo), Candice Greenley (Township of Wilmot), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), LoriAnn Palubeski, (City of Kitchener), Teresa McQuillin, Paula Saunders, Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Jolene MacDonald, Trevor Tamlin, Christine NishiwakiHeather Clark-Harris, Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Sarah Boghassin, Robyn Jackson, Farshid Sadatsharifi, Carrie Speers Regrets: Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Katherine Waybrant, Councillor Jason Deneault (City of Kitchener), Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of Waterloo), Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Alex Smyth (Township of Woolwich), Heather Gillespie, , Kyle Kruger (North Dumfries) Land Acknowledgement Although we are gathering virtually, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge that we are situated on the Haldimand Tract, land that was granted to the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River, and that we are within the territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. To fulfill our vision of an inclusive and equitable community, we must stand in allyship with Indigenous peoples. We commit in our work and our community to hold ourselves accountable to the continuous work of decolonizing, to ensure that we do not perpetuate the harms of colonization and to begin to repair them. 1. Welcome and Introductions 2. Approval of March Minutes and April Agenda Paula motioned to accept April agenda; Trevor seconded; All in favour. Teresa motioned to accept March minutes; Heather seconded; All in favour. 3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interests None 4. Township of Woolwich, Bolender Park parking lot, and St. Jacob's Arena lobby and washroom updates Bolender Park parking lot Region of Waterloo reconstructed Church Street East in 2023. Bolender Park parking lot has always been a gravel parking lot. Woolwich Staff had planned to pave the parking lot in conjunction with the Region project; however, this fell through due to costing. A design was created for this parking lot, which includes an accessible parking, accessible parking signage, at grade ramps for wheelchair access into the public washroom, tactical plates and tactile indicators along the sidewalk when crossing Church Street East in direction to the parking lot. Staff anticipates paving to occur early to mid summer. Comments/Feedback • Make sure parking lot is accessible for those not in a vehicle as it can sometimes be difficult to travel across some surfaces St. Jacob's Arena lobby and washroom Currently in the early planning phase of the renovation. Staff are looking for recommendations from GRAAC to ensure accessibility is at the forefront when completing this renovation. Scope of Work includes the removal of existing partitions and replacing with new. Each washroom (2 total) will have improved accessibility. This includes, accessible stalls, grab bar, push button openers at doorways, accessible sink/faucet, along with paper towel/hand dryers. Staff are seeking to hear additional recommendations that can be considered. Comments/Feedback • Have the BUILT Environment subcommittee come out to do an audit ACTION: Paula to coordinate a site visit • Share this committee's position paper regarding washroom accessibility Staff to send this via email • Change rooms will be done as well as, washrooms, but due to budget constraints, will be limited to additions • Emergency buttons and protocol around who is responsible for responding once it is installed • Adult change tables recommended • Tactile floor plan, as well as floor tactile strips directing to the bathroom and in the washroom recommended 5. Region of Waterloo, Website & Engage Waterloo Region consultation The Region is committed to communications and engagement practices that provide meaningful opportunities for residents to provide input into decisions that affect them and to ensure access to information about services that residents rely on. This is project is designed to improve our communications and engagement tools to serve our growing community better. With a goal of implementing modern, flexible, and accessible tools for our community. Webpages for Review: • Region of Waterloo Main Website • Grand River Transit Website • Airport Website • Museums Websites • Rural Library Websites • Online Engagement Site—EngageWR; Shared with the cities of Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo and • Townships (Wilmot, Woolwich, Wellesley, North Dumfries) Project Timeline • Spring 2024: Community Engagement o External engagement, focus groups and conversations • Summer 2024: Information Gathering o Region issues an Expressions of Interest and Requests for Proposals • Fall 2024: Developing an Implementation Approach and Recommendations o Region develops a phased implementation plan • Fall 2024 —2025: Phased Implementation o Website replacement or upgrades begin based on feedback • Ongoing consultation with staff and community Comments/Feedback • What would you like to see on the Region of Waterloo's website? o Is there another way for people to access the information on the website if they do not have access to technology?Yes, 24-hour call centre and live chat o On the website, provide a list of public bathrooms and hours of operation. Include a list of the amenities available in the bathroom, like adult change tables etc. o Include accommodation request in Delegation to Council Registration form. o A question was raised regarding the last time an accessibility audit was completed by trained accessibility auditors with lived experience. • What would you like to see on the Region of Waterloo partner websites? o GRT website not user friendly with screen reader o GRT website— simplify the process to access information i.e., mobility plus • What would you like to see on the Engage Region of Waterloo website? o Log ins can be a barrier o Doesn't have the personalization icon, to change font sizes etc. BREAK 6. City of Waterloo, Committees Update Goal To review Committees of Council to ensure that they are an effective and efficient form of public engagement, that they respond to the needs of the Community, Council, and the city as an organization. To examine committee-related policies and practices from a lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion to affirm an inclusive and welcoming experience for committee members and achieve a representation which is reflective of the communities they serve. Questions: 1. When communicating with the public about committee opportunities, what are the signs a person might expect to assure them their accessibility needs will be met? • Develop and ensure all marketing material details that accommodations are available and how to request them. Include in this form what types of accommodations are available • Include contact information of the staff who can assist with an accommodation and how privacy will be respected, if it is an in-person committee, note the location of the meeting and list the accommodations that are available 2. When training committee members, what information is most important for them to know to help them provide an accessible environment in meetings? • Accommodation options available right away— if training is online, having captioning available • Be upfront with what accommodations are available 3. Are there any suggestions you can provide to help committees be more effective in their work and be in a position to give the best advice to staff and Council? • Inclusivity—ensure diverse representation for a broader perspective • Do not consult after the action has been taken — bring committee members in at the planning stage • Accessibility at the forefront in the planning stages • A minimum of a week before a meeting, have materials available to the committee members in accessible formats • Ensure someone is responsible for sharing what is in the chat in online meetings • Following up with the committee to let them know if any of the suggestions or recommendations have been/not been implemented 7. Built Environment Sub-Committee City of Kitchener • Love my Hood o $10,000 grant to the school boards o It is not our role =to recommend equipment o A focus on accessible pathways and seating may not be ideal either o Committee is not comfortable providing recommendations as it relates to these grants o Excellent resource for accessible design in playgrounds https://hollandbloorview.ca/research-education/bloorview-research-institute/research-centres- Iabs/epic-lab-inclusive • Harry Class Pool o Old pool built on top of a hill o Two new accessible parking spots have been installed o A walkway has been installed with rounded handrails. This walkway is steep o Handrails that have been installed are too wide. Put tactile warning plates at the top and bottom of any stairs and landings o There is a steep walkway the leads to the street that includes a wide curb cut. Not clear what the purpose of this is. A suggestion from one of the members that might have been for cyclists o Wheelchair seating has been installed o Good start and a lot more accessible than it has been • Edging Product o Plastic product that could be filled with stones or grass o Committee does not recommend it for walkways or trails but does support a pilot project at a community garden o There appears to be more cons than pros City of Waterloo • Northfield Parkette o Tactile strips were installed but do not lead to a destination o Lack of follow up project follow up after GRAAC has provided recommendations Township of Wilmot • Customer service Counter o Looking at designs to make their front desk accessible o Committees completed a site visit and provided excellent feedback that will be implemented 8. Councillor Reports • No updates 9. Co-chair/Staff Reports • Amy Ross, City of Waterloo o Special Olympics happening in May— looking for volunteers, link sent via email o BUILT Environment tour of Waterloo Council —Amy to move it forward • Emily Moore, Region of Waterloo o Vulnerable Sectors check for Special Olympics—seems to be a barrier, when asking for accommodation — Emily to follow up o LRT doors— boarding and deboarding is an issue—follow up to be done via email between committee member and Emily Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie —janis.mckenziep_kitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting —Thursday May 23, 2024, at 1:30pm, ZOOM