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Home My WebLink AboutGRACC - 2025-02-27 J KITCHENER Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Agenda Thursday, February 27, 2025, 1:30 p.m. -4:00 p.m. Waterloo City Hall - Erb Room - Hybrid City of Waterloo 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo, ON N2J 4P9 The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee shall assist the participating municipalities in fulfilling the purpose of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act by providing vision and advice regarding the removal of barriers. People interested in participating in this meeting can email Administrative Coordinator, Janis McKenzie at Janis.McKenzie@kitchener.ca. Please refer to the delegation section on the agenda below for the registration deadline. Written comments received will be circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting and will form part of the public record. *Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994* Coordinating Municipality - Kitchener Co-Chairs -Tamara Cooper, Alyssa Clelland Pages 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 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests Members of Council and members of the City's local boards/committees are required to file a written statement when they have a conflict of interest. If a conflict is declared, please visit www.kitchener.ca/conflict to submit your written form. 4. Delegations Pursuant to Council's Procedural By-law, delegations are permitted to address the Committee for a maximum of five (5) minutes. All Delegations must register by 10:00 a.m. on February 27th, 2025 in order to participate in the meeting. 5. Discussion 5.1 Roll Call -Introductions 5.2 Approval of Committee Minutes 5.3 Committee Elections 15 m Ashley Good, Clerk, North Dumfries will lead the election process. Co-Chair (two positions) Built Environment Chair 5.4 City of Kitchener -2022 Post Election 20 m 3 Accessibility Plan and Considerations for 2026 Amanda Fusco, Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk, City of Kitchener will provide a 15 minute discussion on this matter. 5.5 Region of Waterloo - Reviewing the Region's 20 m 12 Taxi By-Law Nora Emtesali, Policy and Program Advisor and Thomas Hudacin, Manager, Licensing and Enforcement Services will provide a 15 minute discussion on this matter. 6. Recess and Reconvene 7. Discussion Items (Cont'd) 7.1 Annual Accessibility Update - Wilmot Township 5 m 18 Kaitlin Bos, Clerk, will provide a 5 minute discussion on this matter. 7.2 Play Structure Replacement at Victoria Park- 10 m 22 North Dumfries Karen Winter, Director, Leisure and Community Services will provide a 5 minute presentation on this matter. 7.3 20 Anniversary Update and Feedback 10 m Tamara Cooper, Co-Chair and Amy Ross, Accessibility Advocate will provide an update on this matter. 8. Information Items 8.1 None. 9. Adjournment Page 2 of 30 Accessible Kitchener Elections Municipal Elections Act Requirements • Electors and candidates with disabilities • 12.1 (1) A clerk who is responsible for conducting an election shall have regard to the needs of electors and candidates with disabilities. • Plan re barriers • (2) The clerk shall prepare a plan regarding the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the plan available to the public before voting day in a regular election. • Report • (3) Within 90 days after voting day in a regular election, the clerk shall prepare a report about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors and candidates with disabilities and shall make the report available to the public • Accessibility • 45 (2) In establishing the locations of voting places, the clerk shall ensure that each voting place is accessible to electors with disabilities. - .i Kitchener - Voting Methods for 2026 February 2024 feedback from GRAAC: Expressed no support for one method over another Indicated it's the number of methods (hybrid approach) that is the most accessible A hybrid approach presents risks associated with multiple different voting procedures, resourcing implications and training materials • City's Corporate Risk Management Policy • Analysis of Voting Methods Undertaken Kitchener - Voting Methods Investigation • Corporate Risk Assessment • Reliability of the optical scan vote tabulators for the past 5 municipal elections • High satisfaction rate (90%) from the 2022 voter exit survey • Considering a home vote program for home-bound electors, upon request; and, a drive-through voting experience .i Kitchener - Home Vote Program (upon request) (Proposed) • Implemented in 2022 in Cambridge, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Guelph, and for the 2022 and 2018 election by Oakville • Support eligible voters who are unable to come to an in-person voting location due to illness, injury or disability • Electors can mark their ballot from their residence, which is brought to them by election officials (registration and appointment is required) and then tabulated through a vote count tabulator .i Home Vote Program (upon request) Feedback • Feedback from GRAAC? • Advantages? • Disadvantages? Kitchener - Drive Thru Voting (Proposed) • Implemented in 2022 in Cambridge and Windsor • Eligible voters attend a designated drive thru voting location and remain in vehicles until prompted to drive up to the registration desk (ID verification) then parks at a designated spot and all voters receive a ballot inside a secrecy sleeve and vote within the privacy of the vehicle • Voters then place their ballot in the ballot box presented to them at their window and then tabulated through a vote count tabulator .i Drive Thru Voting Feedback • Feedback from GRAAC? • Advantages? • Disadvantages? Thank You ! Amanda Fusco Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk Region of Waterloo Taxi By=Law Review By: Nora Emtesali and Thomas Hudacin Background • The Region of Waterloo's Taxi By-law was last reviewed in 2016. • Due to many changes in the taxi industry over the last several years, Regional Council directed staff to review and update the By-Law in 2025. • To ensure accessibility standards are up to date, we want to engage with GRAAC and Cambridge's AAC. ,f{ Page 13 of 30 I4II r� For Review • As of now, 7% of the taxi broker's fleet must be accessible. • This percentage was determined in 2016 and has not been updated or reviewed. • Do you have any suggestions that should be included into the Taxi By-Law? ,f{ Page 14 of 30 I4II r� For your information • A little over 7% of all taxis in the Region of Waterloo are accessible. Total of 25 accessible taxis of the 331 active licenses. • In 2024, the Region implemented a $5 incentive to taxi drivers per accessible ride. • The Region also provided $40,000 for a new accessible vehicle to taxi brokers in 2024. • This incentive brought 9 new added vans to our fleet. • All except one accessible vehicle was replaced with brand new vehicles. ,f{ Page 15 of 30 III r� Your Insight • We would greatly appreciate any comments or concerns you may have by our current taxi services in the Region of Waterloo. • Please share your ideas, or considerations that should be considered when updating the Taxi By-Law by March 31 . ,f{ Page 16 of 30 I4II r� Contact Information Nora Emtesali, Policy and Program Advisor Email: nemtesali(a�-regionofwaterloo.ca Orr— Page 17 of 30 TOWNSHIP OF xv Wilmot CORPORATE SERVICES LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION TO: Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee PREPARED BY: Kaitlin Bos, Manager of Legislative Services / Municipal Clerk DATE: February 27, 2025 SUBJECT: Township of Wilmot 2024 Status Update Background: In December 2001, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) was passed by the provincial government to improve access and opportunities for persons with disabilities. Under the legislation, all municipalities, with a population greater than 10,000, are required to establish accessibility advisory committees. In addition, the legislation stipulates that the majority of committee members must self-identify as a person with a disability. As such, the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) was established by Regional Council in 2003. This Joint Committee of the seven area municipalities (the Townships of North Dumfries, Wellesley, Wilmot, and Woolwich and the Region of Waterloo, the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo) provides vision and direction to members of Council and staff as the participating municipalities develop plans to remove barriers and improve accessibility for people with disabilities. In June 2005, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was enacted into law. The Act is more comprehensive and prescriptive than the ODA and its requirements apply to the public, private, and not-for profit sectors. The Act requires the development of accessibility standards, compliance deadlines, and administrative penalties for non-compliance. Moreover, the fundamental purpose of the AODA is to ensure that Ontario is universally accessible by 2025. Summary: The purpose of this status report is to make the public aware of the Township of Wilmot's progress with regards to our 2021-2025 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan. This plan provides a summary of key accomplishments made towards accessibility in 2024 and look ahead to 2025. The Township of Wilmot's 2021-2025 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan can be found on our website. ***This information is available in accessible formats upon request*** Page 18 of 30 Page 2 of 4 'V% W11mOt LEGISLATIVE SERVICES STAFF REPORT Report: Planned Accessibility Action Items as identified in the Township of Wilmot's Multi-year Action Plan 2021-2025 were broken into four categories including: 1 . Information and Communications 2. Employment 3. Transportation 4. Built Environment In 2024 the Township of Wilmot worked on the following planned accessibility action items. Information and Communications Updates • Staff continued working towards elimination of PDF fillable forms on Wilmot website, replacing them with online forms via Form Builder • Legacy PDF documents on the Township's website may not be WCAG 20 Level AA compliant. When possible, these documents were removed, and the information was posted on the website directly or staff provided documents in an alternate format, if requested • Alternative text has been added or included for photos on digital platforms • Website transition to GovStack in progress with expected completion in fall 2025 Employment Updates • Ongoing training of Council and staff for new and updated policies. • National AccessAbility Week ■ Staff training included creating accessible documents, and providing accessible customer service ■ Staff engagement activities included Red Shirt Day and a Lunch & Learn showing a panel discussion hosted by the Rick Hansen Foundation on the Power of an Inclusive Mindset • Reviewed policies and procedures related to accessibility and accommodation during the hiring process, new staff orientation, during employment and, when applicable, when returning to work. • Continued hybrid work model post COVID for staff who wish to continue • Accommodations offered during application and interview process • Training for current staff and new-hire staff: o AODA Customer Services Standards Training for Employees o Understanding Human Rights Training (AODA Edition) • Updates to the Township's "Jobs and Volunteering" webpage to be AODA compliant Built Environment Updates Wilmot is a cohesive,vibrant and welcoming countryside community wilmot.ca Page 19 of 30 Page 3 of 4 'V% W11mOt LEGISLATIVE SERVICES STAFF REPORT In 2025 Township of Wilmot Council supported the inclusion of$50,000 in the Capital Budget to complete a Facilities Accessibility Audit. A contract was awarded to Herrington Group, and the project is to be completed in the spring of 2025. Herrington Group will attend all Township facilities and provide recommendations on necessary accessibility updates, and suggestions for improvements. This will help guide our future multi-year accessibility plan, and investments in accessibility projects for built environment. Wilmot Recreation Complex • Two physical barriers were removed from washrooms located next to the Active Living Centre (ALC) • Five Accessible Door Openers were added to all Universal Washrooms and Aquatics Centre / Dryland Training Room • A total of 21 easy lift/lower blinds were installed in the Wilmot Recreation Complex including the ALC, Program Room, Wayne Roth Room, Community Centre, and the Dryland Training Room Senior's Woodworking & Craft Shop • An Accessible Door Opener was added to the entrance door Castle Kilbride /Administration Complex • Plumbing insulation added to sinks in four accessible washrooms • Star decal added to elevator • Railing decals added to all glass railing panels on the main and upper floor • Repairs to the ramp at the entrance • Design of accessible customer service counter and site visit completed • The following changes, based on feedback received from GRAAC, are in progress: o Staff are researching and recording quieter times at the museum in preparation for sensory sensitive times o Staff are training to silence the grandfather clock o Transition strips between rooms have been deferred to 2025 for budget reasons • Additional feedback was provided regarding the front entrance (ramp, tactile plates, curb cuts, and front door) which is considered as part of the Space Needs Assessment of the Administration Complex • Space Needs Assessment o Currently in early/investigative stages of space needs at the Administration Complex Key considerations include: ■ Accessible customer service counters ■ Employee growth accommodation i.e. space for current and future employees over the next ten years ■ Redesign of front entrance and ramp based on GRAAC feedback during site visit in April 2023 Conclusion: Wilmot is a cohesive,vibrant and welcoming countryside community wilmot.ca Page 20 of 30 Page 4 of 4 'V% W11mOt LEGISLATIVE SERVICES STAFF REPORT Council and staff continue to work towards creating a universally accessible community by systematically removing barriers for persons with disabilities. Feedback on the accessibility of Township facilities, programs, and goods and services is always welcome. Please contact the Corporate Services department to provide any feedback. Wilmot is a cohesive,vibrant and welcoming countryside community wilmot.ca Page 21 of 30 Township of North Dumfries Victoria Park Play Structure Replacement PRESENTED TO: Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Victoria Park— 75 Rose Street, North Dumfries, On i Located in Ayr, On Victoria park is deemed to be a neighbourhood park. The park amenities consist of: • a heritage pavilion r • two competitive ball diamonds, 4 • tennis/pickleball courts, • a batting cage, accessible washroom facilities •- A small play structure. 3 ' This is one of seven playgrounds in Ayr. R :_ ' Page 23 c f 30 Current Play Structure The current play structure has a raised wood border around the play area, no accessible ground play structure, a separate 2 bay swing set with 2 belt seating and one accessible swing. The locations also hosts two benches for seating. In 2024 the insurance inspector agreed with staff that the play structure needs replacement due to safety issues and a Spring 2025 timeline was agreed upon. Page 24cf so Concept Design ` BurK� ' e®RT�TF3RT AROVnE57Otl. - n-I F eogxrnim 1 IMR6INRTIVE PLAY � d PARKNwaD ' m rd.m: - --.. � sxr';".�e .+a'�.i�° '�.�_. _ ..,..._ ^r•.mss. _._.re._ �-sg - OVHRNHRD 9LR7 YRQIET7 � fiVHNTS C4bNITl vG CL1M®IN6 ez �u:w.mm�etl oWa�an�aman�e o��cvicee wN Page 25 of 30 Accessible Features PLAY STRUCTURE -CONCEPT 7 FUN PHONE Burma ? C) Ages: 2-12 capac,ty:a • Designed for ages 5 — 12 yrs Unobstructed routes Chat with a friend across the playground and improve socialization and communication skills with the Buke Fun Ph—, • Different levels of play mW I'll TIM • Low Ground Features TRANSF ' • Transfer stations Q Ages 2-12 ®, Capacity:1 Help all children get into the heart of tee play with this transfer station_At Burke,we take play for all seriously and want children of all abilities to enjoy the benefis of playing together-The Transfer Station is a pivotal r paherd in playground desgn,offering a safe and accessible space for children to transition between play structures Page 26 a f 30 Ar-774%k Accessible Features ' 8 IJ ROCK N ROLL CRUNCH BurKe SLIDE Burke ® BAR fi t Ages: 2-12 t- � �., Ages: 2-1 Capacity: 2 Capacity This exclusive slide adds excitement to your playgrounds.It features'Burke Built—quality,and the double- wall compounded plastic construction means it is stronger and will last longer.This innovative slide offers an This accessible piece of equipment is placed ground level,and intention is to exciting twist to the traditional sliding expenence.With its dynamic design,the Rack N Roll Slide captivates children's imagination and provides a secure and exhilarating ride. create equitable play opportunities for all ages and abilities to gain upper body strength. Z' T_ TRANSITION BuCKe STAIR _ I Ages: 2- 12 Capacity: 1 v. Get to the height of fun with the stairway to the heart of the play structure!Burke's Transition Stairs are a versatile and essential component of playground design,seamlessly connecting various play structures and providing Page 27 g f 30 safe passage for children. Accessible Features � I =W MONACO Burke SLIDE STEERING Burke WHEELorarrucrMacsror Ages: 2-12 Capacity:2 ® Ages. 2-12 Fast,cunt'and exciting like its namesake race course,the Monaco—Slide is a must for children Capacity: 2 T everywhere!Slides keep kids moving and having fun while developing core strength and balance!With its contemporary aesthetic and smooth curves,the Monaco Slide not only adds a touch of sophistication t89 the playground but also provides an exciting and secure sliding experience. Drive a race car,a semi truck or limosuine and let imaginations run wild while CLUBHOUSE developing social and cognitive skills and having fun! 36 ROOF Burke ~" • Wood Barrier around play structured Ages:: 2-12 ® M removed Capacity:: 6 The ClubHouse design offers kids and families the opportunity to reconnect and • Ground Covering with Engineered Wood rediscover the wonders of nature within a safe and durable environment.A full Fibre Safety Surfacing. collection of ClubHouse components,including climbers,panels,enclosures and Page 28 o f 30 roofs,cultivate imaginations and nurture the need for play. 1'rte Blue Print Design z_ SITE AREA: 11.3 116.4 SQ. M. (1255 SQ. FT.) [37'-1'7 Features: NOTES ^LTH TO ALL ETAEN,AC HAVE • Accessible ground area BEEN MADE TRLYREPROVIDE ES ACCURATE SITE IT MAY NOT TRULY REPRESENT THE AREA ((TIAL\\ (y��\ —RE TH15 STRUCTURE 15 TO BE PLACED. �J' `Y • Additional features lower to SCALE IN METERS ground 0 20 4.0 Inclusive swing set —separate from the play area will remain. addresses levels of ability to 12 THIS DESIGN MEETS ACCESSIBILITY create play experiences that REQUIREMENTS ESTABLISHED BY AODA AND CAN/CSA-2814 ANNEX H meet a variety of needs and 5-12 AGE GROUP EVENT REQUIRED PROVIDED ® interests. ELEVATED 5 TRANSFER ACCESS BILE DE 5 5 GROUND LEVEL 2 3 GROUND LEVEL TYPES 7 3 Page 29 of 30 Questions? Karen Winter - Director of Leisure and Community Services kwi nter@ northd u mf ries.ca Page 30 r f 30