HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2004-04-22
GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday April 22, 2004 K-W Counselling Centre
PRESENT: Susan Harkins (Chair), Kathy Glasser, Taposhi Batabyal, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Gail
Brunsdon, Laura Fiorilla, Grace Niezen, Brad Ullner, Jay Oswald, Carol Moogk-
Soulis, Councillor Ruby Weber, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Bart Toby, Christine
Broughton, Katherine Elliot (WLU), Lori Ludwig, Kathy Braun.
REGRETS: James Hunsberger, Daniel LaJoie, Deb Bergey, Kelly Steiss.
1. WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS – Susan Harkins
?Cathy Brothers, Executive Director of Catholic Family Counselling, was introduced.
Cathy welcomed everyone and briefly provided background of the centre.
?Susan welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked whether there were any
changes to be made to the agenda. A motion was made by Laura Fiorilla, seconded
by Sharon Ward-Zeller, to accept the agenda as submitted. All were in favour;
carried.
?Although Thursday afternoons may not be convenient for everyone on GRAAC, this
date/time has the least negative impact on everyone according to the information
gathered from the surveys. It was suggested that the meeting day/time be reviewed
in early Fall to ascertain whether it still is the best choice.
?Barbara Martin has resigned from GRAAC. With Barbara’s resignation, the committee
now has twelve voting members. As eleven is the minimum number of voting
members required for GRAAC, GRAAC can continue as is at this time. A motion was
made by Laura Fiorilla, seconded by Sharon Ward-Zeller, to accept the resignation of
Barbara Martin. All were in favour; carried.
?Roundtable introductions.
?A motion was made by Brad Ullner, seconded by Taposhi Batabyal, to adopt the
minutes from the March meeting as submitted. All were in favour; carried.
2.OPENING REMARKS FROM THE CHAIR – Susan Harkins
?Susan noted that she will work with Brad and with staff to draft each agenda. Susan
asked that members contact her should they have items they wish to add (699-4213).
The hope is that all members will participate in the meetings and will listen to each
others opinions and come to decisions that are best for the group. It’s important to
have open meetings that include everyone.
3. OPENING REMARKS FROM THE VICE-CHAIR – Brad Ullner
?The Barrier Free Advisory Committee (BFAC) spent two days in a workshop, facilitated
by consultant Paul Born, to look at the future of that committee. Several members of
GRAAC as well as stakeholders from the community took part in the planning
sessions. It was determined that BFAC is a “grassroots” committee while GRAAC is a
more formal, legislated committee, mandated to advise the municipalities/the Region.
A question arose as to whether BFAC and GRAAC would be duplicating efforts –
Susan noted that this issue will be worked out and discussed as the groups go
forward. Both groups have the goal of making the community more accessible for
everyone. A report from the BFAC workshop is expected in early June.
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GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday April 22, 2004
?Lorie Fioze noted that an “Audit Tool” will be made available to GRAAC members at
the May meeting – will help with planning a direction for GRAAC.
?It was once again noted that hospitals, school boards, etc., are not mandated to have
an advisory council, but do have to gather input from persons with disabilities.
Suggest they could utilize GRAAC to do this, but it is not mandatory that they do so.
4. SAFETY OF TAXIS – Laura Fiorilla
?Laura brought an issue regarding travel in GRT taxis to GRAAC for discussion. Laura
was asked to stay in her scooter after driving it into one of the new taxis – when the
taxi was in motion, her scooter bounced up and down causing her to hit her head on
the roof of the taxi. Laura called GRT with her concern but hasn’t heard anything
from them to date. Regional Councillor Jane Mitchell advised that a Licensing and
Retail Committee meeting was being held on April 27, on which agenda the item
“Taxi-Cab Meter By-law” was to be discussed. Councillor Mitchell suggested that
Laura attend the meeting to bring forward her concern. The taxis and drivers are
new and may not be aware of the issue. Lorie Fioze mentioned that she would
discuss Laura’s concerns with GRT staff.
?It was suggested that a timeslot be allowed on the GRAAC agenda each month to
bring forward and discuss issues such as this.
5. ACCESSIBILITY PLANS - All
?What does it mean to advise on the Plan and how do we do it?
?Are there models to develop tools of analysis?
?Susan suggested to take municipal plan, review it and see what to do next.
?The Region is currently working on next year’s plan – will have focus groups and use
the Audit Tool. Hope to have the Plan ready by late September, to GRAAC in October
- hope to have approved by December by Council. By then GRAAC will have
developed a process to review the Plans.
?Tool will be sent to GRAAC to review and will discuss at the May meeting. Also,
comments/suggestions drafted by GRAAC executive committee will be circulated.
6. COMMUNICATION INFORMATION – Lori Ludwig
?Brought forward from Item 6 in the March GRAAC minutes.
?Staff receives information from various venues – does GRAAC want to receive this
information and how should it be communicated?
ACTION:
Staff will consult with Susan on what should be done about each issue/item.
7. PROCESS FOR REPORTING TO COUNCILS – Christine Broughton
?GRAAC will develop a process – staff will implement or not but all of advice will be
included.
?Staff regularly present reports/updates to Councils. Committees may set a delegation
time to present to Council – all municipalities/Region conduct Council meetings the
same way.
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GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Thursday April 22, 2004
?When a report is presented at Council, members are welcome to attend – may be a
good thing to have members present if an issue is being decided upon by Council.
?As we have reps from each area, those reps could attend for the group.
?Christine Broughton – Woolwich meetings could be held in an accessible place as
Council Chambers in this area is not accessible.
?GRAAC speaks to all issues, not just geographical.
?Suggest that members attend Council meetings in pairs - one should be from that
municipality.
?Transportation costs could be taken from the GRAAC budget.
?Suggest once we have developed a process, attend Council meetings to introduce
GRAAC. Possibly plan a workshop with Councillors in Fall.
8. CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY – Christine Broughton
?Christine reviewed the policy – point is to impress that you have to be objective,
impartial – need to be aware financial, business associates, etc.
?If a member is uncertain there is a conflict, they must declare.
?Only you can decide if you have a conflict or not.
?Declaration must be formally made prior to the discussion – cannot take part in
discussion.
?A member may stay in the room unless it’s a closed session – you can be removed
from committee if you don’t follow.
?Forms can be found in your binders.
ACTION:
GRAAC members were asked to sign the Conflict of Interest form and bring to
May meeting.
9. OTHER
?Sharon noted that she felt that nothing has changed under the current Liberal
government re ODA. Because the government hasn’t been in place for very long, it
held ODA public consultations to aid in reviewing the ODA legislation. Councillor
Mitchell suggested that once a process is developed that, should members wish, a
letter may be written to the province to make suggestions on what could be changed.
Feedback from the consultations is on the province’s website.
?An interpreter will be booked by City of Kitchener staff for each GRAAC meeting.
10. NEXT MEETING
May 27, 2004 from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Catholic Family Counselling Centre at 400
Queen Street South in Kitchener.
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