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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRACC - 2025-02-27 1 KiCR Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee Date: February 27th, 2025 Location: Hybrid Meeting Present: Tamara Cooper(Co-Chair),Amy Ross(City of Waterloo), Emily Moore (Region of Waterloo), Heather Harris, Carrie Speers, LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener), Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener), Kaitlin Bos (Township of Wilmot), Ashley Good (Township of North Dumfries), Sarah Boghossian, Heather Gillespie, Councillor Sandra Hanmer(City of Waterloo), Katherine Waybrant, Robyn Jackson (Independent Living Centre), Councillor Stephanie Stretch (City of Kitchener), Karen Hutchinson, Friday Saleh, Fazia Mazhar, Farshid Sadatsharifi,Amy Harron (Township of Wellesley), David Fish, Teresa McQuillin, Councillor Chantal Huinink(Region of Waterloo) Regrets: Alex Smyth (Township of Woolwich), Paula Saunders, Alyssa Clelland (Co-Chair), Claire Gourlie, Christine Nishiwaki 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 on January 23rd, 2025, as circulated to the members, be accepted. 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests None 4. Delegations None 5. Discussion Items 5.1 Introductions 5.2 Approval of Committee minutes Approved 5.3 Committee Elections Position = GRAAC Co-chairs Carrie nominated Tamara who accepted Heather nominated Alyssa who indicated her willingness to serve prior to the meeting. 1 Position = Chair of Built Environment Carrie nominated Paula—who indicated her willingness to serve prior to the meeting No further nominations. By acclamation Co-Chairs—Tamara Cooper, Alyssa Clelland And by acclamation Paula Saunders-Chair of Built Environment 5.4 City of Kitchener-2022 Post Election Accessibility Plan and Considerations for 2026 As outlined in the plan attached to the agenda,Amanda Fusco, Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk, City of Kitchener presented a 15-minute discussion on the matter. Comments/Feedback ➢ Home Vote Program—recommend forwarding to other municipalities ➢ Just utilized the home voting option. It was very convenient and really very, very helpful ➢ Shorter more specific timelines for those who may need support to assist them ➢ Recommend reaching out to City of Guelph accessibility services and clerk's office because they have done extensive research and engagement regarding accessible voting ➢ Drive Through Voting—locations should be in high volume driving areas i.e. Tim Hortons ➢ Alternative for people who don't need the at home option but have difficulties getting in and out of specific locations ➢ Specialized devices would not be available for the drive through option ➢ Could request the election official to wear a mask ➢ Would like to have all the municipalities onboard 5.5 Region of Waterloo-Reviewing the Region's Taxi By-Law As outlined in the plan attached to the agenda, Nora Emtesali, Policy and Program Advisor and Thomas Hudacin, Manager, Licensing and Enforcement Services, provided a 15-minute discussion on this matter. The committee was in receipt of a written submission from Councillor Chantal Huinink related to the Consolidated—Taxicab—By-law-16-044, included on the agenda this date. Issues concerning bylaws that pertain to accessible taxis in Waterloo Region 1. The Consolidated_Taxi-Cab_By-law-16-044 states that"Taxi-cab services are to be provided"in a manner that respects the dignity and independence of persons with disabilities; and providing Taxi- cab Services in a manner that is free of discrimination and is in compliance with the Human Rights Code;"In relation to this,when people with disabilities try to book accessible taxis in Waterloo region, call taker's typically refuse to provide an estimated time of arrival. This is problematic because there are far fewer accessible taxis in the region than non-accessible taxis. In my experience, even if the call taker says"we'll be there soon" I could be waiting anywhere from 10 minutes-2 hours. This is not service provided in a manner that respects the dignity or independence of persons with disabilities. Is there anything that can be done such that customers with disabilities could be provided with more accurate wait times so they can plan their transportation accordingly? Is there anything that can be done to provide the taxi companies with greater incentive to be on time, particularly for prearranged trips? I know that accessible taxis in Waterloo region operate on a first-come first serve basis, but I believe there is buffer time allocated for"time calls" in other municipalities and I think that they should be implemented in Waterloo Region if possible. I also wonder about offering percentage discounts to customers with disabilities who are forced to wait much longer then nondisabled customers, e.g. 50%off if waiting twice as long as they would wait for a non-accessible taxi, 75%off if waiting three times as long. Alternatively, there could be something like 50%off if more than one hour late for a prescheduled trip and free if two hours late. I'm not sure if such penalties have ever been implemented in other municipalities or if this would infringe on the rights of broker/drivers but it might be worth checking. 2. The Consolidated_Taxi-Cab_By-law—16-044 states that"By January 1, 2017, every MeterTaxi-cab Broker licensed under this Bylaw shall have a number of Accessible Taxi-cabs that are operated 2 through the Meter Taxi-cab Broker that is equivalent to or more than seven(7)percent of the total number of Meter Taxi-cab Owner/Vehicle Licence holders who operate through the Meter Taxi- cab Broker." I fear that this number is no longer meeting the needs of the population with disabilities in Waterloo region, and I wonder how we can go about increasing it. 3. The Consolidated—Taxicab_By-law-16-044 also states that"Every person who holds a Taxi-cab Driver Licence that is operating an Accessible Taxi-cab shall give priority to persons confined to Wheelchairs." I believe that this is currently put into practice by taxicab companies of Waterloo region. However,there does not seem to be any stipulations regarding service hours. In contrast, I believe that the city of Guelph has a bylaw wherein,there must be an accessible taxi on the road or a driver on-call at all times that non-accessible taxis are operational. I believe that this is fair and in compliance with antidiscrimination policies as set out in the Ontario human rights code, as well as customer service standards of the AODA. I wonder how we might go about replicating it in Waterloo region. 4. The Consolidated—Taxicab_By-law 16-044 also states the person who holds a Taxi-cab Driver Licence or Passenger is loading or unloading the Passenger's personal items,with the exception of mobility aids or mobility assistive devices, into or from the Meter Taxicab. I have a visual impairment which makes it difficult for me to see when the metre is being turned on and off, but I do believe that many accessible taxicab drivers charge for the time that it takes them to deploy the ramp, load and unload me in my wheelchair. I rarely if ever asked them to load other things for me. 5. Finally,the bylaw refers to"persons confined to Wheelchairs,"often.Would it be possible to have this updated to reflect more politically correct terminology?E.g. "wheelchair users"/"passengers who use wheelchairs." 6. The bylaw office is aware that the language within the bylaw is outdated but does not have the capacity to rewrite soon. I offered to support with this. 7. From staffs perspective,the fee that Uber is charged for not having accessible vehicles in Waterloo region is too low. They think we might afford greater investments in accessible taxis if the fee was more adequate. Com ments/Feed back ➢ Meters cannot start until the vehicle starts and must stop when the vehicle stops ➢ 7%of vehicles in the fleet must be on the road not parked,was this feedback from staff or from the committee members? ➢ Language used in the bylaw needs to be clear and concise ➢ Would love to see a goal of 100%accessible vehicles in the fleet ➢ 7%should include all rideshare vehicles on the road, not just the taxi fleet ➢ Accessible(buttons)money taking machines—checking to find out if there any accessible options ➢ Committee would be interested in updates during this process ➢ Any concerns regarding a particular driver can be sent directly to the Region SFCC(Service First Call Centre). Any comments related to a driver can be directed to our 24/7 call centre-519-575-4400. ➢ How would the average passenger know where to go with a complaint? Will look for a solution to communicate that to the public 6. Recess 7. Discussion Items(Cont'd) 7.1 Annual Accessibility Update—Township of Wilmot As outlined in the update attached to the agenda, Kaitlin Bos, Clerk, presented a 5-minute discussion on the matter. No comments or feedback from the committee members. 7.2 Play Structure Replacement at Victoria Park-North Dumfries As outlined in the presentation attached to the agenda, Karen Winter, Director of Leisure and Community Services, provided a 5-minute presentation on this matter. 3 Comments/Feedback ➢ Does it have a ramp to get onto the play surface—no there is not, just transfer areas, committee members recommend a ramp ➢ Does the park have a communication board, not necessarily words, but pictures in order to have the ability to point out where they want to go—does not, but staff will look into it ➢ Material for ground cover, engineered wood chips, not ideal for wheelchairs—budget was an issue ➢ Variety of seating options would be ideal ➢ Easy access from the parking lot to the actual play area 7.3 20th Anniversary Update and Feedback ➢ Highlights were shared from the 20th Anniversary party held in January for current and past members. Past and present members were in attendance and recognized 8. Information Items None 9. Adjournment Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie—ianis.mckenzieCcbkitchener.ca Next Regular Meeting—Thursday March 27th, 2025, at 1:30pm, Hybrid 4