HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2024-11-28 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: November 28th, 2024
Location: Zoom Meeting
Present: Tamara Cooper (Co-Chair), Alyssa Clelland (Co-Chair), Amy Ross (City of Waterloo),
Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Trevor Tamlin (Canadian Hearing Services), Christine Nishiwaki,
Heather Harris, Carrie Speers, LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener), Janis McKenzie (City of
Kitchener), Kaitlin Bos (Township of Wilmot), Teresa McQuillin, Councillor Chantal Huinink (Region of
Waterloo), Paula Saunders, Ashley Good (Township of North Dumfries), Sarah Boghossian, Jolene
MacDonald, Heather Gillespie, Councillor Jason Deneault (City of Kitchener), Alex Smyth (Township
of Woolwich)
Regrets: Councillor Sandra Hanmer (City of Waterloo), Robyn Jackson (Independent Living Centre),
Farshid Sadatsharifi, Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), Katherine Waybrant
1. Commencement
1.1 Land Acknowledgement
We would like to begin by acknowledging the land on which we gather today, recognizing that
the land in which we gather today is the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee, Anishnawbe
and Chonnonton peoples. We would also like to acknowledge the enduring knowledge, presence
and deep-rooted traditions of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit who continue to enrich our
community to this day.
2. Minutes for Approval
That the minutes of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting held October
247 2024, as circulated to the members, be accepted.
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests
None
4. Delegations
None
5. Discussion Items
5.1 Roll Call - Introductions
5.2 City of Kitchener's Official Plan, Kitchener 2051, City of Kitchener
Matthew Rodrigues, Senior Planner, and Tim Donegani, Senior Planner, Development
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• In person only engagement can exclude some people with disabilities — should try as
much as possible to also make the engagement virtual
• Electric vehicles can be a risk to those people with visual disabilities, if we are going
to invest in them, need to have some sort of sound attached
5.3 Alternative Snow Clearing Supports, City of Waterloo
Amy Ross, Accessibility Advocate, City of Waterloo will provide a 5-minute presentation
on this matter.
• Sidewalk snow clearing has been a long-time concern for this committee
In early 2023, community members in Waterloo raised concerns about equity and
snow clearing
• Council received a report with recommendations for equipment and supports
• 2024 budget allocated funds for alternative snow clearing supports with a desire for
GRAAC to be engaged
Next Steps:
• Creating a small working group to support prioritizing the funds
• 4 virtual meetings between December— January
Interest in joining?
• Outcome will be reported to this committee
Comments/Feedback
• Christine, Sarah, Tamara, and Teresa interested in participating
5.4 Municipal Speed Camera Program Expansion, Communications Overview, Region
of Waterloo
Maureen O'Neal, Coordinator, Communications (Planning, Development, and
Legislative Services), Region of Waterloo will provide a 10-minute presentation on this
matter.
Overview of Program
• Speed camera pilot program launched in September 2021.
• 4 speed cameras have been rotating across 16 locations.
• The number of drivers following the posted speed limit at the 16 locations increased
by 63%.
• Success in reducing speeds led to Council's 2023 decision to expand speed
cameras across all eligible school zones by 2028.
• Up to 10 new camera locations will be live in Winter 2025 and additional cameras
will be added each year with input from area municipalities.
Program Objectives
• Reduce speed and increase safety in school zones and community safety zones.
• Decrease risk and severity of collisions.
• Create safer environments for walking, cycling, and rolling.
6. Recess and Reconvene
7. Discussion Items continued
• Staff Training
• Two sessions with staff at Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex — a lot of
"Aha" moments
• Waterloo Park playground
• Not a lot of equipment in yet, will install in the spring
• Still a lit bit hilly, but did the best they can
• Paths have been widened
Region of Waterloo
• Audit at 139 University Ave W - Transitional housing project
• Entry not too bad
• Handrails good
• Automatic door openers to be installed —try to make wider wherever structurally
possible
• Room for a bed and a bit of a desk
• Common room on the main floor— no elevators to the 2nd and 3rd floor
• Laundry room upgrade
• Customer Service Standards AODA
• Document has been shared via email, If at all interested, please have a look
but the committee will not be reviewing line by line.
7.2 Assisted Snow Clearing Program, City of Waterloo
Nicole Dove, Community Support Services Supervisor, and Amanda Norris, Municipal
Enforcement Clerk, City of Waterloo will provide a 10-minute presentation on this matter
Program Overview Winter 2024/2025
Central Intake and Customer service (2 streams)
• City Assisted Snow Clearing (sidewalk and windrow)
• Age Well at Home (Federally funded)
• Brokered Worker Program (Home Support Services — Ontario Health Funded)
Comments/Feedback
• Sounds like a wonderful program — thank you
• Any changes to the online portals and/or hours to contact— looking at changes to
the portal, may not be ready for this year but the hours to contact have opened up.
• Circumstances may dictate that the individual who could shovel cannot always be
available. There was an option to explain special circumstances
7.3 Accessible and Inclusion in Recreation and Leisure Programming, City of Waterloo
Molly Riediger, Inclusion Services Coordinator, and Melanie Stoddard, Community
Programming Supervisor, City of Waterloo will provide a 5-minute presentation on this
matt We've received feedback from the community to create a document that
summarizes the different accessible and inclusive features of recreation and leisure
programs.
• The goal for this document is to create universal criteria that could be used to
assess City of Waterloo recreation and leisure programs.
• Program staff will evaluate their programs based on the criteria to inform
participants.
Categories:
1. Physical Space
2. Equipment
3. Adaptability
8. Information Items
8.1 None
9. Adjournment
Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie— man is.mckenzie(aD-kitchener.ca
Next Regular Meeting — Thursday December 19th, 2024, at 1:30pm
ZOOM and in person Waterloo City Centre is located at: 100 Regina Street South