HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2006-01-26Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
ORIENTATION MEETING
Thursday January 26, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner (Co-Chair), James Hunsberger,
Sharon Ward-Zeller, Susan Harkins, Ian Ardill, Frank Groenestege, Carol Moogk-Soulis,
Laura Fiorilla, Gail Brunsden, Sharon Giles, Allan Strong, Saul Herzog, Margaret Sanderson,
Val Hummel, Lori Ludwig, Councillor Ruby Weber, Deb Bergey, Bart Toby.
REGRETS (MEMBERS): Chris Douglas, Kathy Glasser
REGRETS (OTHERS) Sparrow Rose, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ian McLean, and
Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, North Dumfries representative, Councillor Ron Hackett
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: N/A
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Taposhi welcomed everyone to the Orientation meeting and noted that it is the first
meeting for the new appointees, Sharon Giles, Allan Strong and Saul Herzog.
1.1 As Jay's term with GRAAC has ended, Councillor Weber thanked Jay and presented
him with a certificate in recognition of his commitment to the committee during the
past three years.
1.2 Taposhi reviewed ~~housekeeping" items with the group:
• Housekeeping & washrooms -Meeting times were confirmed as 1:30-4:00
pm; facilities/amenities were reviewed. The Co-Chairs alternate chairing
meetings.
• Accommodations -Large print format of minutes and agenda are available if
required. Members were directed to contact any of the municipal staff if they
require assistance.
• Meeting Protocol -Anyone wishing to speak is asked to raise his/her hand and
will be timed by the alternate chair. Please do not interrupt the person speaking.
• Sign Language Etiquette -Frequent breaks will be taken to provide the Sign
Language Interpreter with rest periods. Members were asked to speak one at a
time to assist the interpreter in communication.
• Regrets Policy -Please send regrets via a-mail or voicemail to Linda, copying
the Co-Chairs.
• Inclement Weather -Meetings will be held, unless there are extraordinary
circumstances, but please use your discretion in your decision to attend. If you
decide not to attend, make sure regrets are sent.
• Parking/Bus Passes -Free parking and bus passes will be available at each
meeting.
January 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday January 26, 2006
2.0 APPROVAL OF OCTOBER MINUTES AND REVIEW OF NOVEMBER AGENDA
• A motion was made by Laura, seconded by Ian, to adopt the agenda as
amended. All were in favour; carried.
• A motion was made by Susan, seconded by Sharon, that the minutes of the
December meeting be ratified. All were in favour; carried.
3.0 DELEGATIONS
N/A
4.0 BUSINESS ARISING
N/A
5.0 NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Binder Distribution -Deb Bergey
• Binders were distributed to new members and Deb reviewed the contents. New
members will be asked to sign a Conflict of Interest Policy.
• The 2006 ODA plans will be available soon.
5.2 Role of Co-Chairs -Valrie Hummel
• Val reviewed the role of Co-Chairs and the process for a new chair. Members
confirmed that they wish to stay with the Co-Chair format. Nominations for the
Co-Chairs for 2006 will be taken at the February meeting; members may vote for
themselves. Anyone wishing to be nominated as Co-Chair is asked to submit a
~~Letter of Interest" via a-mail to Linda by February 8. A copy of the letters will be
included with the February agenda. A ~~Letter of Interest" will also be accepted at
the February meeting, but it would be preferable for members to have a chance
to see them prior to the meeting. Interested members will be asked to speak for
five minutes at the February meeting.
5.3 Mandate of Terms of Reference -Valrie Hummel and Margaret Sanderson
• Val reviewed the Terms of Reference. The Grand River Accessibility Advisory
Committee (GRAAC) is the joint Accessibility Advisory Committee for the area
municipalities and the committee advises on two separate plans: 1) Region of
Waterloo Accessibility Plan and 2) The Joint Accessibility Plan of Kitchener,
Waterloo, Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries. GRAAC is the joint advisory
committee for the area councils of the Region of Waterloo, The City of Kitchener,
The City of Waterloo and The Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North
Dumfries.
• Val also reviewed the responsibilities/roles of members, staff, councils and
Scheduled Organizations.
Members are asked to refer to the information in their binders for further
explanation.
January 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday January 26, 2006
6.0 ACCOMMODATION POLICY
As staff want to remove all barriers to allow for people with a disability to participate
in an AAC, it is necessary to put in place supports that are sensitive to a person's
needs. Six municipalities researched what other cities are doing, then met to
discuss and arrived at a solution. Please see attached ~~Accommodation Policy".
7.0 ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE TRAINING -Deb Bergey
• Please refer to the minutes from the December meeting, Item 5.3. Deb had sent
an a-mail with information and registration form to members regarding the
session planned for Saturday March 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the
Waterloo Memorial Complex. All area Accessibility Advisory Committees
(hereinafter, AAC's) will be attending and possibly some from further afield. The
workshop is being offered to AAC's at no cost as there was funding left over from
the ~~Designing for Inclusion" workshop two years ago.
• GRT is holding GRT focus group sessions in late January/early February to look at
the Mobility Plus eligibility criteria as identified in their five-year business plan.
GRAAC members will have received an invitation from the consultant to attend
the focus groups and are strongly encouraged to attend.
A question was asked as to whom members should reply when requested to
respond to an a-mail. Staff and Co-Chairs will discuss this and will add it to a
future agenda.
ACTION
Deb will resend the training a-mail and registration form. Members are
asked to respond to Deb ASAP.
8.0 OTHER BUSINESS
8.1 Resignations
• Laura gave notice that she is resigning from GRAAC commencing in April 2006.
• Frank resigned from the Regional Housing Implementation Committee (see Item
5.4.2 from the September 2005 minutes).
ACTION
Deb will forward further information about the Regional Housing
Committee to GRAAC members and a decision will be made at the February
meeting as to which GRAAC member will be appointed to that committee.
8.2 Joint AAC Plan
The dates when the Joint Accessibility Plan will be presented at City Councils are:
• City of Kitchener -February 6 at 2:00 p.m.
• City of Waterloo -February 6 at 7:00 p.m.
• Township of Woolwich -February 7 at 6:00 p.m.
• Township of Wellesley -February 21 at 6:30 p.m.
January 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday January 26, 2006
Marg will send a reminder a-mail to GRAAC members regarding dates and times
when the Joint Accessibility Plan will be presented at Kitchener, Waterloo, Woolwich
and Wellesley Councils, should members wish to attend.
9.0 Next Meeting
• February 23 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from
1:30-4:00 p.m. Parking and bus passes will be available.
10.0 Adjournment
A motion was made by Susan, seconded by Sharon, to adjourn the January meeting.
All were in favour; carried.
January 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 4