HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2006-10-26Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 26, 2006 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Ian Ardill (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner, Sharon Giles,
Sharon Ward-Zeller, Saul Herzog, Carol Moogk-Soulis, James Hunsberger, Frank
Groenestege, Chris Douglas, Gail Brunsdon, Karen Panchaud and Jennifer Tovell
(Interpreters), Lori Ludwig, Deb Bergey, Ana Popa (MSW student), Kelly Steiss
REGRETS (MEMBERS): Susan Harkins
REGRETS (OTHERS): Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, Councillor Ian McLean, Councillor Ron
Hackett, Marvin Bosetti, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Ruby Weber, Val Hummel
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Allan Strong
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Taposhi welcomed everyone to the October meeting.
2.0 APPROVAL OF SEPTEMBER MINUTES AND REVIEW OF OCTOBER AGENDA
• A motion was made by Sharon Ward-Zeller, seconded by Ian, to accept the
minutes of the September meeting. All were in favour; carried.
• A motion was made by Sharon Ward-Zeller, seconded by Chris Douglas, to adopt
the October agenda as submitted. All were in favour; carried.
3.0 NEW BUSINESS
3.1 Regional Accessibility Plan Overview -Deb
• Deb reviewed the draft Regional plan, which, although missing some last-minutes
information, is essentially complete. Members were encouraged to read the plan
in its entirety, with emphasis on the specific actions that followed from feedback
provided by GRAAC last April. Deb made note of members' questions and
comments for follow-up.
• The regional municipality is now doing pandemic planning as well as planning for
other emergencies, and more information will be provided to GRAAC as it
progresses.
ACTION
GRAAC members are asked to send any comments they may have
regarding the plan to Deb by November 5.
4.0 BUSINESS ARISING
4.1 Sub-Committee Reports
4.1.1 Transit Sub-Committee
October 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 1
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 26, 2006
• The sub-committee presented two documents for approval by GRAAC members:
the Terms of Reference and the Priority List.
• Lori Ludwig suggested that as the priority list has a large number of mainly
regional items, the Transit Sub-Committee should look at those and not at other
items to reduce confusion.
• Re Item 9.11: Broadening the scope of the sub-committee makes it look like
there are a number of GRAAC committees instead of just one (duplication),
making Council question who they are supporting. The suggestion from
Waterloo, Kitchener and Woolwich was to limit scope of the Transit Sub-
committee.
• The scope of working groups is to save GRAAC time. GRAAC is able to refer
issues to its working groups to bring back a recommendation to GRAAC, therefore
giving sub-committees the chance to do the background work.
• Changing the name of the sub-committee to ~~Transportation" would be broader,
more inclusive. ~~Transit" could be too limiting a term.
• Items on the priority list were taken from the GRAAC priority list and expanded to
include items related to transportation. To begin with, GTSC will focus on the
first page of the list.
ACTION
(1) A motion was made by Chris, seconded by Frank to approve the Terms
of Reference with the amendment to change ~~Transit" to
~~Transportation" (GRAAC Transportation Sub-Committee). All were in
favour; carried.
(2) Brad noted that in Item 9.6 of the Terms of Reference, should be
changed to read ~~Public Delegations as per the GRAAC Transportation
Sub-Committee mandate".
(3) A motion was made by James, seconded by Ian to approve the GTSC
Priority List. All were in favour; carried.
4.1.2 Built Environment Sub-Committee -Carol Moogk-Soulis
No report.
5.0 OTHER BUSINESS
5.1 Waterloo Public Library New Technology - Taposhi
The Waterloo Public Library is looking at buying a software program called
ZoomText, for computers at the Main and the McCormick branch Library and asked
for feedback from GRAAC. The program magnifies and reads computer text to
people with visual challenges. Sharon Ward-Zeller noted that she has used this
program for nine years and suggested that the library purchase the version that has
~~text assist" (a synthesizer voice allowing people to hear).
October 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 2
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday October 26, 2006
GRAAC approved the suggestion of large-screen monitors and large-lettered
keyboards. It was also suggested that the future software include touch-screen
technology.
ACTION
Taposhi will forward feedback to Cathy Matyas at the Library and suggest
they contact Sharon Ward-Zeller should they wish to consult with her
regarding the software.
5.2 Updates From Councillors
N/A
5.3 GRAAC Recruitment Update -Deb
Recruitment is underway to fill the three vacancies for people who have resigned and
for the one whose term is up. Deb distributed a copy of the ad that was placed in
newspapers.
ACTION
Kelly will contact the university newsletter ~~Imprint" to see if there is still
time to run the ad for the next issue.
5.4 GRAAC Annual Achievement Review -All
Everyone reviewed the list and a suggestion was made to include the Built
Environment Sub-Committee and the adoption of the Universal Design Guidelines by
Waterloo (renamed ~~Barrier Free Guidelines which was adopted on November 6 at
Council).
5.5 Co-Chair Reports -Taposhi
5.5.1 Winter/Severe Weather Policy Review -Regrets Procedure
Taposhi reiterated that GRAAC meetings will not be cancelled unless it is a dire
emergency at which time Taposhi and Ian will call members to let them know. But,
members were reminded that, should the weather be poor, not to risk their safety
and make their own decision on whether to attend. NOTE: Please call Taposhi
and/or Ian with regrets if anyone decides not to attend.
6.0 ADJOURNMENT/NEXT MEETING
A motion was made by Brad Ullner to adjourn the October meeting.
The next meeting will be on November 23 at Kitchener City Hall,
Conestoga Room, Main Floor from 1:30-3:30 p. m. Parking and bus passes
will be available.
October 2006 - GRAAC Minutes 3