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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2007-01-25Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 25, 2007 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Ian Ardill (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner, Sharon Giles, Sharon Ward-Zeller, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Gail Brunsdon, James Hunsberger, Chris Douglas, Susan Harkins, Linda Chamberlain (WLU), Councillor Kelly Galloway, Val Hummel, Leigh Golden, Deb Bergey, Lori Ludwig, Kelly Steiss, David Heuchert, Donna Herrington (Guest) REGRETS (MEMBERS): Frank Groenestege, Saul Herzog REGRETS (OTHERS): Councillor Ian McLean, Councillor Ron Hackett, Marvin Bosetti, Councillor Jane Mitchell ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: None 1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Ian welcomed everyone to the January meeting. 2.0 APPROVAL OF DECEMBER MINUTES AND REVIEW OF JANUARY AGENDA • A motion was made by Susan Harkins, seconded by Sharon Giles, to accept the minutes of the December meeting. All were in favour; carried. • A motion was made by Susan Harkins, seconded by Sharon Ward-Zeller, to adopt the January agenda as submitted. All were in favour; carried. 3.0 NEW BUSINESS 3.1 Joint Accessibility Plan Overview (City of Kitchener, City of Waterloo, Township of Woolwich, Township of Wellesley, Township of North Dumfries) Staff from each municipality presented an overview of their district's portion of the Joint Accessibility Plan. The City of Kitchener -Kelly Steiss • It was noted that it is often a challenge to get ASL interpreters, but staff is looking at an alternative. • The City of Kitchener is currently drafting new Customer Service Standards - there will be a forum for feedback once the Standards come out. Currently, comments can be directed to Kelly and she will communicate with appropriate staff. January 2007 - GRAAC Minutes 1 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 25, 2007 The City of Waterloo -Lori Ludwig • Lori advised that the City of Waterloo is doing a lot in collaboration with the City of Kitchener. • Corporate Communications will be purchasing Text Net as a pilot project in higher traffic locations, but plan to eventually have it across the corporation. • Lori too noted that the City of Waterloo is working with CHS to provide other ways to serve the community. • Current assistive listening devices are being looked at for quality and will be upgraded, if recommended. • Snow removal should always be in the Joint Plan to keep it in mind the plight of people who are elderly or disabled. GRAAC members asked if the City could provide assistance to people who are unable to comply with the snow removal policy. The By-Law Department wants to work on a community plan for snow removal, and are open to hearing from individuals who can't comply and trying to find other options. Kelly noted that there are services in the community to help with snow removal. Currently, if individuals can't remove snow, the City will remove and add the cost to tax bill. Township of Woolwich -Val Hummel • Renovations to the Elmira library are budgeted for this year. • The new municipal office is being remodelled. • The Floradale Fire hall is also being renovated and expanded. • Anew recreation complex is planned for both Maryhill/Breslau and Elmira. GRAAC will be invited to review the designs which are currently being drafted. • The Herrington Group completed an accessibility audit and submitted a report, in late 2006. • Interpreter services will be provided at public meetings. • TextNet software will be purchased in 2008. • Taposhi noted that consideration should be given to seniors/people with disabilities regarding snow removal in settlement areas other than Elmira, which has a separate snow-clearing service. Township of Wellesley -Davie Heuchert • Designated parking by-laws are in place for 2 settlement areas. • The Planning Department reviews site plans for Barrier Free Design. • An Accessibility Audit will be done this spring. • Snow removal -Taposhi asked that consideration should also be given to residents with disabilities who live in the township, including part of Heidelberg, St. Clements, and Linwood. • There are no plans for staff awareness training as yet. • Wellesley is a small municipality -under 10,000 -with limited staff resources. • David is unsure if there is an evacuation plan for people with disabilities January 2007 - GRAAC Minutes 2 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 25, 2007 • Susan commented that North Dumfries is not represented at the meeting -there is little in their plan. • Deb noted that all municipalities have to have a plan that has to be made public and this will have to be addressed. 4.0 OTHER BUSINESS 4.1 Regional Update -Deb • On February 7 and 28, public meetings for the Regional budget process will be held at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 150 Frederick Street. Accommodation is available -members should let the Region know if they wish to attend. • The Region is taking the lead on a homelessness strategy. A steering team has done a needs assessment with the next step being to start a steering team for action plans (Ian and James are interested in taking part). 4.2 Community Project - Taposhi • Rick Hanson Wheels in Motion: half of the dollars raised come back to community that raised it for an accessibility project that would enhance quality of life for people with disabilities. The area Solutions team is seeking a project for this year, and has asked GRAAC members for any ideas or possible project leads. 4.3 Municipal Accessibility Audit -Donna Herrington • The Herrington Group was awarded the project, which includes auditing 137 buildings. Woolwich has been completed. • A simple chart format is used to show results in order of importance or immediate necessity, then recommendations are made for what needs to be done. • Herrington is using the City of Kitchener Urban Design Standards as well as the Region of Waterloo's Accessibility Survey Tool, as required, but Herrington has a set of standards of the company's own that are being used, if there are gaps. Donna said that all disabilities are considered, but there is no guarantee all disabilities will be met. • The Group walks through the entire building, from the parking lot to the exit and includes fire evacuation. Highly trained staff, using simple methods, completes the audit. Most auditors are people with disabilities. • The Standards used by the Group are cross-referenced to other municipalities and the province and looked at function as well as basic standards that need to be met. The Herrington Group standards are not used by anyone else and are not made public. • Donna added that older buildings aren't going to meet the standards, but no building was a complete write-off. • Attitudinal barriers are an issue everywhere. • Deaf /hard of hearing - assistive listening devices should be available (portable TTY, visual alarms). January 2007 - GRAAC Minutes 3 Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 25, 2007 • The Bus Terminal has been audited using the Regional Tool -results to come. • Members noted that lighting in the Conestoga Room isn't very good -very hard to see. • Donna was thanked and asked to come back again. A motion of support was made by Taposhi, seconded by Sharon Ward-Zeller, to say that GRAAC has had input in the Joint Plan and recommends it go to Council for final approval. Also, the co-chairs will write a letter to North Dumfries to say that GRAAC has seen their plan although no staff person was present to explain it, and it is not acceptable. All were in favour; carried. 5.0 ADJOURNMENT/NEXT MEETING The next regular meeting will be held on February 22 at Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room, Main Floor from 1:30-3:30 p.m. January 2007 - GRAAC Minutes 4