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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2005-11-24 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday November 24, 2005 Catholic Family Counselling Centre PRESENT: Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner (Co-Chair), James Hunsberger, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Chris Douglas, Ian Ardill, Frank Groenestege, Cathy Matyas - Waterloo Public Library, Lori Ludwig, Gail Brunsden, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ruby Weber, Deb Bergey, Bart Toby. REGRETS: Susan Harkins, Kathy Glasser, Jay Oswald, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Laura Fiorilla, Councillor Ian McLean, Margaret Sanderson, Val Hummel, and Councillor Barry Vrbanovic North Dumfries representative, Councillor Ron Hackett ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Nj A 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Taposhi welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2.0 APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES AND REVIEW OF NOVEMBER AGENDA · A motion was made by Sharon, seconded by Ian, that the minutes of the October meeting be approved. All were in favour; carried. · A motion was made by Ian, seconded by Sharon, to adopt the agenda as amended. All were in favour; carried. 3.0 DELEGATION 3.1 Cathy Matyas, Waterloo Public Library Access Policy Cathy attended the meeting to touch base with members on library services and noted that customer feedback helps the library to improve its services. · New reception desks have been installed to better serve people in wheelchairs. · The library plans on renovating all washrooms in 2006. · Staff hopes to have an accessibility policy for the library drafted within the next few months. · Council approval is expected in February 2006 to begin the process for library expansion to be started soon with a plan to have a branch on the west side of Waterloo in 2007 and on the east side in 2010. The plan is to have the buildings as accessible as possible. · The library's online catalogue is being redone and a test catalogue is now online designed to get public feedback. There is a feedback form online or people can e-mail comments. · A TTY will be put in Waterloo City Hall in 2007- unsure of exact department location at this time. · The library is conducting a public consultation process and has held fourteen meetings so far. Nav 200S - GRAAC Minutes 1 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday November 24, 2005 · It was suggested that the library invest in a screen reader for people with low- vision - ensure that access is restricted so that vandalism doesn't occur. · If a video monitor is used for any reason, make sure closed captioning is available. · Home service is provided for both adults and children who cannot get out to the library. Books, etc., can be reserved. · Libraries work together so that services are available to patrons in each municipality (Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge). · Cathy noted that she would like to regularly attend GRAAC meeting to update members and encouraged the group to offer comments whenever they wish. The new libraries will address accessibility issues right at the beginning of the process. · Cathy will bring the draft accessibility policy to GRAAC before going to the library boa rd. 4.0 BUSINESS ARISING 4.1 GRAAC Recruitment Process Update - Lori Ludwig · Staff met on November 10 to review the nineteen applications that were submitted for the committee. Six applications will go forward to municipal councils in December to be approved before the end of December. Letters to selected members will be sent in January. · Anyone can submit applications to GRAAC as it is a public process. Lori reviewed the weighting system used to select members. 4.2 Kitchener Council Presentation &. Letter to Mayor - Brad Taposhi and Brad attended Kitchener Council on November 7 to give an overview of the committee. Brad read a letter to GRAAC members that he had sent to Mayor Zehr as a response to an incident that occurred during Brad's presentation at the Council meeting. The communication he received in return from Mayor Zehr will be forwarded to the Fire Chief. Much discussion took place regarding the concern expressed by several GRAAC members that they had not been notified about the Council presentation. As a result, Ian asked that GRAAC members have an opportunity to review the content of any information that would be put forward on behalf of the committee. Members also asked that they be advised of the dates of any presentation to Council in case they want to attend. A motion was made by Ian, seconded by Chris, that henceforth, members be advised of the content of any material being used on behalf of GRAAC. James opposed the motion; Brad and Taposhi abstained; all other members were in favour. The motion was carried. Nav 200S - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday November 24, 2005 Brad and Taposhi will e-mail their presentation to GRAAC members so that members can bring their feedback to the December 15 meeting. 5.0 NEW BUSINESS 5.1 Transit Sub-committee Proposal Deferred. 6.0 REPORTS NjA 7.0 OTHER BUSINESS Waterloo City Council will have an ASL interpreter available from 4:00pm - 6:30pm on Monday December 5 in Council Chambers (3rd floor - City Hall) for the public budget meeting. 8.0 Next Meeting · Please note location change. · December 15 at 150 Frederick Street, Room 110, Main Floor. Parking tokens will be available. 9.0 Adjournment A motion was made by James, seconded by Chris, to adjourn the November meeting. All were in favour; carried. Nav 200S - GRAAC Minutes 3