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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2006-05-25Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday May 25, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Ian Ardill (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner, James Hunsberger, Sharon Giles, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Saul Herzog, Frank Groenestege, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Chris Douglas, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ruby Weber, Val Hummel, Margaret Sanderson, Lori Ludwig, Deb Bergey REGRETS (MEMBERS): Susan Harkins, Gail Brunsdon REGRETS (OTHERS): Bart Toby, Sparrow Rose, Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, Councillor Ian McLean, Councillor Ron Hackett, Marvin Bosetti ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Allan Strong 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Ian welcomed everyone to the May meeting. 2.0 APPROVAL OF APRIL MINUTES AND REVIEW OF MAY AGENDA • Regarding item 6.2 from the minutes of the April 27 GRAAC meeting, Sharon advised that the restaurant mentioned was the Golf Steakhouse, not the Charcoal. With the change noted, a motion was made by Sharon Ward-Zeller, seconded by Taposhi, that the minutes of the April meeting be accepted. All were in favour; carried. • A motion was made by Sharon Ward-Zeller, seconded by Sharon Giles, to adopt the agenda for the May meeting. All were in favour; carried. 3.0 DELEGATION: Debbie Scott, Music Program Participant and Bruce Mutton from the Brain Injury Association of Waterloo Wellington • Background information on the issue of this delegation had been distributed to members via a-mail. Essentially, cross-border transportation limitations and associated costs, are having an impact on accessibility to programs. The cost of hiring private transportation to the program is not feasible and program funding sources will not cover transportation. • This is an issue that GRAAC will be researching through its Transit Sub-Committee which is currently being formed. It was also suggested that the delegation could take the concern to Regional Council and to the Specialized Transit Advisory Committee. Debbie and Bruce were thanked and left the meeting. May 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday Mav 25, 2006 4.0 NEW BUSINESS 4.1 City of Waterloo Public Works Services -Introduction and Overview Chris Hodgson, Project Manager of the Public Works Traffic Team, attended the meeting to give an overview of the Public Works services through a PowerPoint Presentation. Chris asked for help from GRAAC members to establish a list of priority locations for curb cuts. Members were asked to a-mail Chris with questions/comments at chodason city.waterloo.on.ca. 5.0 OTHER BUSINESS 5.1 Updates from Councillors Councillor Mitchell • On June 11, transit buses will be at the Kitchener Auditorium so that the public can try them out. • The Elmira library is putting in a new elevator and Jane is requesting that this not be a key lift. Final decisions have not been made. • There will be a pedestrian island at Fischer-Hallman and Columbia and it will have an ~~audible signal" installed. Councillor Weber • The Woolwich Township Hall will be moved to a new accessible site. • Final drawings are being done on the new Maryhill community centre. • A recent survey found that there are not many accessible public buildings in Woolwich Township. Elmira library received many comments. Improvements to the library are anticipated later in 2006. 5.1.1 Transit Sub-Committee Proposal • Sharon Ward-Zeller, Sharon Giles, Chris Douglas, Deb Bergey and Lori Fioze met with the GRT staff to discuss plans for the GRAAC Transit Sub-Committee. • There is currently a group called the Specialized Transit Advisory Committee (STSAC) also appointed by Regional Council. It deals with issues related to specialized transit only whereas the GRAAC sub-committee will look at all transportation, including conventional transit, taxicabs and parking issues. • One of the mandates of the GRAAC Terms of Reference is to address transportation issues. The Terms of Reference also allow for non-GRAAC members to be recruited for asub-committee. May 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday Mav 25, 2006 ACTION Sharon Ward-Zeller, Ian Ardill, Chris Douglas, Sharon Giles, Taposhi Batabyal and Jay Oswald volunteered to be members of the GRAAC Transit Sub-Committee. Deb will set up the initial meeting for the group. 5.2 Updates on Accessibility Plans Region of Waterloo -Deb • The Police Services have joined accessibility planning with the Region and now has a representative on the steering committee. • Deb distributed a copy of GRAAC priorities based on information gathered earlier this year. A motion was made by Taposhi, seconded by Chris to accept the GRAAC Priorities document as submitted. All were in favour; carried. Joint Accessibility Plan - Marg/Lori/Bart/Val • The City of Kitchener's TTY has been moved from Community Services to the Clerk's Department. • The Canadian Hearing Society will be doing training for all City of Kitchener front- line staff. • The City of Waterloo is pulling together a staff team to look at implementation and costs associated with recommendations in the Plan. Results will go to Council at the end of June. • The Township of Woolwich plans to have a TTY in the 2007 budget. • Woolwich is advertising that an ASL interpreter can be provided at public meetings if a request is made at least ten days prior to the event. • Kitchener, Waterloo and Wellesley are ensuring that their websites are accessible. • An ~~accessibility" statement is being included in all grant applications. Groups are being advised that applications will not be considered if accommodation for persons with a disability is not made. • GRAAC members were asked to advise staff if they have concerns about the accessibility of specific buildings. 5.3 Co-Chairs Report -Ian and Taposhi • K-W Accessibility and the Brain Injury Association are purchasing accessible vans with the help of funds from the Rick Hansen Wheels-in-Motion event. GRAAC members were asked to support the fundraiser. • Several responses were received regarding the letter sent to Premier McGuinty about the Ontario Human Rights Code issue. May 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday Mav 25, 2006 6.0 OTHER BUSINESS N/A 7.0 ADJOURNMENT N/A 8.0 NEXT MEETING June 22 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from 1:30- 3:30 p.m. Parking and bus passes will be available. May 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 4