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Home My WebLink AboutGRACC - 2026-02-26 RtCHENER Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Committee Minutes February 26, 2026, 11:30 p.m. Region of Waterloo - Gaukel Room 110 150 Frederick Street Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 Present: T Cooper, Co-Chair (Wat Rep) A. Clelland, Co-Chair (Kit Rep) H. Clark-Harris (Kit Rep) P. Saunders (Kit Rep) C. Speers (Kit Rep) T McQuillin (Wat Rep) S. Boghossian (Wat Rep) H. Gillespie (Wat Rep) D. Fish (Wellesley Rep) R. Jackson (Agency Rep) Councillor S. Stretch, Non-Voting (Kit) Councillor S. Hanmer, Non-Voting (Wat) Councillor C. Huinink, Non-Voting (Region of Waterloo) Staff: A. Harron, Staff Representative (Wellesley) A. Good, Staff Rep (North Dumfries) H. Gienow-McConnell (Region of Waterloo) J. Horndl (Woolwich Rep) L. Palubeski, Staff Rep (Kitchener) J. McKenzie, Committee Administrator (Kitchener) Additional Staff: Dianna Saunderson, Manager of Council/Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk, City of Kitchener, Divya Handa, Senior Advisor, Reconciliation Equity Accessibility Diversity Inclusion, City of Waterloo, Sanjay Govindaraj, Director, READI, Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity and Inclusion, City of Waterloo 1 1. Commencement The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 1:30 p.m. 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 (GRAAC) meeting held January 22nd, 2026, as circulated to the members, be accepted. 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interests 4. Delegations 5. Discussion Items 5.1 Roll Call - Introductions 5.2 Linwood Community Centre Site Review Health clinic with a pharmacy will be added to the community centre. Comments/Feedback • Tactile Guide Strips and an Accessible parking spot has been included in the site plan • One accessible washroom is included in the drawing • Wayfinding and adult change table should also be included if possible • Adjustable exam table in all rooms ideal but at least one • Different size chairs in the waiting room area, also, some with arms and some without 5.3 Township of Wellesley Annual Status Plan Update Snow clearing brought up as a potential concern for residents. • Property owner is responsible for snow clearing, residents have in the past brought delegations back to council 5.4 The Built Environment Sub Committee Report 2 City of Waterloo Willis Way • Closing from Caroline to Rainbow Crossing from May to October for special events — open space • Three accessible spots will be lost during this time but two will be added so only one will be lost • Closure will be on a trial basis • Ion station location will not be affected • Pedestrian sidewalk will not be impacted Spiritual Spaces Designing prayer spaces • One at Waterloo City Hall, and Albert McCormick Community Centre • Naming suggestions and what will the spaces be utilized for? Multifaith room • Please reach out to staff with any thoughts 5.5 PAL (Personal Assistance for Leisure) Card Update Comments/Feedback • Question regarding the age restriction and rationale. Staff to look into and bring back to the committee • Access to Entertainment card is similar to the PAL Card, is there any collaboration between the two support cards? Staff believes that Access to cards would be accepted at Waterloo facilities but partner groups may not be aware and families are still encouraged to apply for a PAL card • Sunflower lanyard is a Waterloo program in the planning stages more details to come 5.6 Willis Way - Temporary Closure Proposal - City of Waterloo Addressed in the Built Environment update 6. Recess and Reconvene GRAAC then recessed and reconvened. 7. Discussion Items (Cont'd) 3 7.1 Breslau Accessible Washroom Comments/Feedback • Adult change table, not just infant change table should be included • Met with the Built committee chairperson and was given a copy of the Accessible Washrooms comments approved by this committee • Wayfinding suggested to at least one of the washrooms • Only exterior access to washrooms, accessible washrooms are also located inside the centre, seasonal use only, unless staff are working in the building 7.2 Accessible Taxis Comments/Feedback • Discounts are offered to able bodied passengers when the taxis are late, however, not offered to passengers with a disability • Prebooked taxi appointment are not made the priority • Special licenses are necessary to drive accessible vans in the fleet. 11- 5pm trial (overnight) for accessible vans would be done on an on-call basis • Due to meeting time constraints, further comments should be emailed to staff 7.3 EasyGO Service Animal Pass Updates Comments/Feedback • Anything that can be done to crack down on non-service animal misuse would be a good idea • Documentation pertaining to the animal training itself might be a better idea rather than having a Doctor's note at all • What training is provided for the operators and how often will it be provided? The direction is that, if the service dog is properly presented, a rider should not be questioned -judgement will only be done by the operator if the animal is not behaving properly onboard 7.4 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) - 2026-2030 Term, Future Committee Co-ordination Comments/Feedback • Region of Waterloo provided an update, noting that they have been in consultation with the City of Waterloo, and both municipalities have interest in proceeding with a joint advisory committee. • Region of Waterloo was seeking additional confirmation from the other staff representatives, save and except for the City of Kitchener, on whether they were interested in pursuing a joint advisory committee. • Region of Waterloo shared that they would be able to support Committee Administration going forward, but would also be willing to rotate administrative 4 duties if preferred. • Region of Waterloo advised an invitation has been sent to the City of Cambridge to join the accessibility committee if they wished • Region of Waterloo noted, staff hoped to have additional information to share at the March meeting with future intentions of the other municipalities In response to questions, Region of Waterloo staff advised, based on initial discussions, it is believed that volunteers would be permitted to join both the joint committee and the Kitchener Committee if that was their preference. 7.5 Co-Chairs Follow-up on Meeting with Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Kitchener, related to Kitchener's participation, accessibility committee Co-chair read the email sent by the City of Kitchener Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) 8. Information Items 8.1 None. 9. Adjournment Please send regrets to Janis McKenzie - man is.mckenzie(171)kitchener,ca Next Regular Meeting - March 26th, 2026, at 1:30pm, Hybrid Waterloo City Hall - Erb Room - Hybrid; City of Waterloo; 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo, ON NU V9 5