HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2007-04-26
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 26, 2007 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Sharon Ward-Zeller (Co-Chair), Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair), Brad Ullner,
Sharon Giles, Saul Herzog, Carol Moogk-Soulis, Gail Brunsdon, James Hunsberger, Chris
Douglas, Karen Panchaud and Jennifer Tovell (Interpreters), Val Hummel, Leigh Golden,
Ana Popa, Lori Ludwig, Kelly Steiss, Julie Marshall (City of Kitchener Special Events Co-
Ordinator)
REGRETS (MEMBERS):
REGRETS (OTHERS): Councillor Kelly Galloway, Councillor Ian McLean, Councillor Jane
Mitchell, Linda Chamberlain (WLU), Darryl Denny
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Frank Groenestege
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Sharon welcomed everyone to the April meeting.
2.0 APPROVAL OF MARCH MINUTES AND REVIEW OF APRIL AGENDA
?Members asked how the follow-through is happening for those who are supposed
to get back to GRAAC. Staff will send to them and ask for them to get back.
Also, responsibility is on the Co-Chairs to follow-up with staff. Also, Co-Chairs
may take action and then share the response with members once it is received.
With the amendment noted, a motion was made by James Hunsberger, seconded
by Saul Herzog, to accept the minutes of the March meeting. All were in favour;
carried.
?A motion was made by Sharon Giles, seconded by Gordon Cummer, to adopt the
April agenda as submitted. All were in favour; carried.
3.0NEW BUSINESS
3.1 Focus: Special Events Planning – Julie Marshall
?Julie shared that a group of event planners and co-ordinators in the Region met
to discuss how to make area events accessible to everyone. She asked if GRAAC
would become involved by attending upcoming events and doing an informal
th
audit and make suggestions on what could be improved. Waterloo’s 150
anniversary is on May 27 and presents a good opportunity to look at the sites and
make recommendations back to staff.
?Julie/Kelly will work together to develop a document/audit form and have for the
next GRAAC meeting on May 24 in time for the May 27 event in Waterloo.
Following the event, Julie and Kelly would then meet with GRAAC members and
get comments and tweak for “Cruising on King” on July 13.
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April 2007 - GRAAC Minutes
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 26, 2007
?Julie suggested that members walk through the event, look at everything and
develop a wish-list of what they would like to see at events.
?Saul noted that it is difficult to move around big events and access to the stage is
hard – how can that be changed?
?This list will be for City planners and also for rental groups, etc., who come so
they can keep accessibility issues in mind when they plan an event.
?Members noted that, if interpreters are being provided at an event, it is important
to advertise and put that information on the flyers. Waterloo event planners
could contact CHS – it is hard to get interpreters.
?Lori advised that, when members conduct the audit, that they be as specific as
possible on the area to which they are referring and to identify with as much
information as possible.
?Julie will contact the Waterloo Co-ordinator and present the audit checklist.
?Taposhi suggested to make sure the universal access symbol is on any
advertisements.
ACTION:
Julie will attend the May GRAAC meeting to present a document/audit form to
GRAAC members.
3.2 Information Updates for Members
Accessibility in Interior Design Conference – May 12
?The Association of Interior Designers are having a conference on May 12 and
have asked to be updated on design standards, the building code, etc., for both
interior and exterior design. Members were asked if they could attend at 2:00
p.m. in the Heritage Room at Kitchener City Hall to provide feedback to the
designers on their personal experience on this issue.
ACTION: Kelly will send the invitation to the conference to GRAAC
members via e-mail.
Access Awareness Week – May 27-June 2
?Staff is currently planning Access Awareness Week and have asked for ideas to
be brought forward to the team.
?James noted that this is a long-time event, but no one has taken this on to co-
ordinate from year to year.
On a motion by James, seconded by Chris, GRAAC recommended that area
municipalities find a service/body to annually co-ordinate and promote the Access
Awareness Week in the Region. All were in favour; the motion was carried.
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April 2007 - GRAAC Minutes
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 26, 2007
ACTION:
Members were asked to send comments and ideas to Kelly.
City of Waterloo – Lori
?The City of Waterloo has purchased Text Net software to allow people who are deaf
to communicate with the city’s computers. The software will be installed at 16
locations in Waterloo and will go online after the launch on May 22 from 10:00-
11:00a.m. in Council Chambers. Next year, staff will plot to find out where the calls
are coming from. A formal e-mail will be sent to GRAAC members advising them of
the launch.
4.0OTHER BUSINESS
4.1 Neighbourhood Design: Objectives for Suburban Development
Ryan Mounsey, City of Kitchener Planning Department
?Via a PowerPoint Presentation and a handout, Ryan reviewed the results from a
public survey regarding future plans for suburban development and how to make
neighbourhoods diverse and “walkable”.
?The Brief, presented by Ryan, will be going to Council for approval and will continue
to be expanded, via further consultation.
?Ryan noted that as this is a new direction for Kitchener, staff wants to see if
everyone agrees with the objectives and asked for feedback/consultation from
GRAAC.
?A steering group of developers was established and presented a 50-point response
out of which much was addressed by City staff helping to change the mindset of
developers. The future master plan committee is adopting many of the principles.
As there is limited land left in the City, careful decisions need to be made with
improved design.
ACTION:
Ryan will attend the Built Environment Sub-Committee meeting in May and
will come back to GRAAC following that.
4.2 Approval of Annual Budget – Ana
?Ana reviewed the 2006 actual budget and budget items proposed for 2007.
?A GRAAC website is being developed possibly in the fall of 2007. It will be a
public site that will be easily updated and completely accessible.
?The municipalities contribute money towards the GRAAC budget every year.
A motion was made by James, seconded by Sharon Giles, to approve the budget. All
were in favour; the motion was carried.
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April 2007 - GRAAC Minutes
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 26, 2007
4.3Sub-Committee Reports
4.3.1 G-BESC Members from GRAAC – Kelly
?The group met on April 16 and reviewed the Terms of Reference. The intent was to
present it to GRAAC today for approval, but there are outstanding details to be
addressed. The sub-committee and planning staff will meet to address.
?Sharon and Taposhi, on behalf of GRAAC, provided feedback to Waterloo City Council
on the proposed concept for uptown Waterloo Public Square. Council approved the
proposed concept and acknowledged that the letter was appreciated.
?If anyone is interested in becoming a member of the Built Environment sub-
committee, let Kelly know.
?It was noted that the definition of disability as it relates to seniors is not part of the
AODA. This issue will be referred to BESC.
4.3.2 GTSC Update – Sharon Ward-Zeller/Sharon Giles
?John Cicuittin from GRT attended the meeting and was willing to communicate.
?Questions that were asked and answered are in minutes. Please ask if you require a
copy.
?GTSC also needs new members. Contact Sharon or Sharon if you are interested.
4.4Co-Chair Report – Sharon Ward-Zeller
?Corrections will be made to the new membership list and it will then be re-circulated.
?Members were asked to send the self-evaluation form by e-mail to Co-Chairs.
?Sharon attended Kitchener streetscape design DT core and shared comments and
suggestions with planners.
4.5Waterloo Park Workshop – James/Gordon/Marybeth
?Gord, James and Marybeth attended the workshop which presented the opportunity
to reflect on the park and the way it has evolved over time.
?There is a need for a quiet retreat area in Waterloo again and planners are
discussing how it will get there. Marybeth was impressed that the committee wants
to improve things in the park and wants events where they can ensure the safety of
everyone. Gord shared that the process is multi-staged and that this meeting was to
see who wants to be involved. More formal input will come further down. The
timelines are ambitious with the intent to have a master plan by December.
5.ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m.
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April 2007 - GRAAC Minutes