Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-09-001 - Joint Accessibility Plan 2009 - Ontarians With Disabilities Act 2001.~ Report To: Finance and Corporate Services Committee Date of Meeting: January 5, 2009 Submitted By: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services (ext. 2687} Prepared By: Kelly Steiss, Inclusion Coordinator text. 2226} Ward(s~ Involved: All Date of Report: December 11, 2008 Report No.: CSD-09-001 Subject: JOINT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN 2009 (ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, 2001) RECOMMENDATION: That the 2009 Accessibility Plan attached to the Community Services Department report (CSD-09-001 } be adopted as the Annual Accessibility Plan for 2009 for the City of Kitchener in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 BACKGROUND: In accordance with the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) legislation, an annual Accessibility Plan is prepared and subsequently made available to the public. The purpose of the accessibility plan is to assist municipalities with the identification and removal of existing barriers and with the development of strategies to prevent new barriers from being established. REPORT: The Joint Accessibility Plan 2009 was prepared in response to the legislative ODA directive that requires municipalities to identify, prevent and remove barriers for persons with a disability. The Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo implemented an Accessibility Inventory Checklist which was completed by municipal staff in order to identify what is being done well and where there are areas to remove barriers. On January 1, 2008, the Accessibility for Ontarians with a Disability Act, 2005 (AODA) enacted the Customer Service Regulation which directs how municipalities (and includes scheduled organizations and the private sector) will deliver accessible customer service for persons with a disability. Strategies and initiatives to comply with this regulation are included in the Plan. This Regulation is the first of five standards to be legislated. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: In 2006, Council approved the allocation of $100,000 per year for the years 2007-2011 for the purposes of creating a Corporate Accessibility Fund to respond to corporate wide accessibility initiatives and issues. It is anticipated that the funds secured in this Fund will support the 2009 JAP initiatives that are not related to the recommendations outlined in the Accessibility Audit. COMMUNICATIONS: The Plan will be made available to the public in print copy, posted on the City of Kitchener and participating municipality web sites and in municipal facilities. Alternate formats (Braille, large print, audio tape, etc) will be made available upon request. Mark Hildebrand, Director Community Programs and Services City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo 2009 Joint Accessibility Plan Executive Summary This report was prepared to meet the obligations of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001(ODA) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and describes the actions each of the participating municipalities took in 2008 and the areas to be reviewed, including measures and actions, in 2009. The Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo are proud to present the Joint Plan and to report on the steps that are being taken to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility in our communities. BACKGROUND Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001(ODA) The Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) was passed into law "to improve opportunities for persons with disabilities and to provide for their full involvement in the identification, prevention and removal of barriers to their full participation in the life of the Province". The ODA applies to all municipalities, hospitals, district school boards, colleges, universities, public transportation organizations, the Ontario Government, ministries and agencies. The ODA requires municipalities to prepare annual accessibility plans and to get advice from an accessibility advisory committee on the contents of the Plan. The purpose of the Plan is to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility in each municipality's by- laws, policies, practices and services. The accessibility plan must be made available to the public. Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) The AODA focuses on improving accessibility in areas such as buildings and spaces, employment, customer service, information and communications and transportation in the private, government and broader public sector. The AODA intends to achieve an accessible Ontario on or before January 1, 2025. To do so, mandatory and enforceable standards will be implemented. These Standards include: Customer Service Standard • Established as regulation 429-07 on January 1, 2008 • Municipalities required to comply by January 1, 2010 • A critical path is attached to this Plan that identifies how the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo will achieve compliance by January 1, 2010. Transportation Standard • Public review document anticipated for early 2009 Information and Communication Standard • Draft for public review has been made available with a response date by January 16, 2009 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 1 Employment Standard • Public review document is anticipated for Spring 2009 Built Environment Standard • To consider the following elements: buildings, public and private ways, public parks, trails and playgrounds, housing, life safety, secure facilities, heritage properties and transportation facilities which includes transit stations, passenger loading zones, bus shelter stations and bus stop stations. More information on the Standards can be found at www. ov.on.ca The ODA, 2001 will eventually be repealed with all regulations once the AODA standards are in place. Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) The Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee was established to advise the participating Councils on the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of the Joint Plan. The participating municipalities include the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the Region of Waterloo and the Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries. The Councils also seek advice from GRAAC on the accessibility of buildings, structures or premises that the municipalities purchase, build, renovate or leases as municipal capital facilities. GRAAC also reviews site plans and drawings for new municipal buildings or developments (as per Section 41 of the Planning Act} that the Committee selects. In 2008, GRAAC had the Built Environment Sub-Committee - to review and comment on site plans and the Transportation Sub-Corr~mittee - to examine transportation issues within the scope of municipal responsibility. These issues may include: travel by pedestrians, transit (conventional or specialized transit), taxi or use of a personal vehicle. GRAAC members for 2008: Taposhi Batabyal(Co-Chair) Amy Ross Gail Brunsdon Sharon Giles Myron Steinman Gordon Cummer Sharon Ward Zeller (Co-Chair) Brad Ullner Rosa Bustamante James Hunsberger Saul Herzog Ken Parker Built Environment Sub-Committee members for 2008: Sharon Ward-Zeller Amy Ross Brad Ullner Rosa Bustamante Saul Kerzog Gordon Cummer Paula Saunders Brian MacOwan Transportation Sub-Committee members for 2008: Amy Ross Sharon Giles Sharon Ward-Zeller Brad Ullner 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 2 Myron Steinman Judy Bruyn Ken Parker John Brown Taposhi Batabyal Staff Contacts GRAAC operates with the support of staff representatives from each of the participating municipalities. The following staff maybe contacted for additional information related to the Joint Plan, the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee or the municipalities involved in this Plan: City of Kitchener -Kelly Steiss, Inclusion Coordinator 200 King Street West, 7th Floor, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 519-741-2226 or kelly.steiss@kitchener.ca City of Waterloo -Kelly Steiss, Inclusion Coordinator 100 Regina Street South, Waterloo, ON N2J 4A8 519-747-8651 or ksteiss@city.waterloo.on.ca Municipal Hi~hli~hts The following chart provides population information and highlights of the municipalities participating in this Joint Plan. Municipality First Established Population IVlunlclpal Government Kitchener 1799 (as Sand Hills) 219,800 Mayor and 6 Councilors Waterloo 1816 (as Township of 117,000 Mayor and 7 Waterloo} Councilors 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 3 SECTION 1 2009 Annual Accessiblhty Plan Information/Communication Barriers 2008 Status Updates Action Status Details Municipality Department Responsible Provide signage for the public at the Carry Waterloo -Included in the Joint Legislative Services Clerk's desk that assistive listening forward Delegation pamphlets that devices (phonic ears and FM systems) Kitchener assistive listening devices are are available for use at Council and available as well as the TextNet Standing Committee meetings. Complete number. New signage was Waterloo installed in Council Chambers to identify the assistive listening devices available. Develop a policy for providing Carry Carry forward to 2009 Kitchener Legislative Services American Sign Language (ASL) forward Interpreters at Council and Standing Committee meetings Continue to work on the Carry The implementation of TextNet Kitchener Information Technology implementation of TextNet forward will be coordinated with the Corporate Services opening of the Central Maintenance Facility. Develop an education/outreach plan to Complete -Meetings were held with the Joint City of Kitchener -Clerks those who are deaf, deafened or hard of Canadian Hearing Society (CHS) City of Waterloo -Clerks hearing about the accommodations staff to discuss and create a plan and Corporate Services available at the City (i.e. ASL, FM to best advise and inform with systems) respect to these services. - Ads about the services available have been sent to CHS. - List of key community liaisons has been generated With TextNet, encourage staff to place Ongoing Kitchener -the communication Joint City of Kitchener -Clerks the TextNet number on ads, notices and Kitchener plan will be implemented once City of Waterloo -Clerks publications TextNet has been installed and Corporate Services 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan Complete Waterloo Waterloo - TextNet number has been included on all e-mail signature lines for Clerks department staff. Solicit more information from agencies Deferred Deferred pending direction from Waterloo Clerks and Corporate representing persons with disabilities as the Information and Services to their clients' needs Communication standard Develop communications strategy for Carry Provide information to the public Waterloo Clerks and Corporate staff and public on process for forward that alternative formats are Services requesting materials in alternate available upon request. This to be formats. further developed with the Information and Communication Standard. Technological Barriers Action Status Details Municipality Department Responsible Plans for website overhaul that will Carry Overhaul still in process. Project Joint City of Kitchener - make the use of HTML code that is forward currently at the new design phase Information Technology more reader friendly City of Waterloo - Information Systems Policv/Practice Barriers Action Status Details Munici alit De artment Res onsible Continue to incorporate the Carry Updated applications with Kitchener Community Services consideration of accessibility into the forward appropriate wording. Community Investment Strategy Maintained grant program for Inclusion grants Identify outcomes from the special Carry Staff are using the checklist in Joint City of Kitchener - events checklist forward their planning. Community Services City of Waterloo -Special 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan Events Coordinate initiatives from the Carry The manual has been drafted for Joint City of Kitchener - checklist in the Special Events manuals forward implementation in 2009 Community Services City of Waterloo -Special Events Continue to work with community Deferred Staff from Human Resources met Joint City of Kitchener - agencies to identify barriers to with the CNIB, CHS, Conestoga Human Resources employment for persons with a College to identify barriers and City of Waterloo -Human disability develop strategies to remove Resources those barriers. The Employment Standard will further define the work that needs to be done to remove barriers in the area of employment. Review policies and practices with Carry Waterloo is currently reviewing Joint City of Kitchener - respect to recruitment and interviewing forward the recruitment policy Human Resources The Employment Standard will City of Waterloo -Human have more direction Resources Continue to investigate options to Complete Staff had a review meeting with Joint City of Kitchener -Bylaw improve snow clearance on sidewalks GRAAC to discuss 07/08 snow Enforcement, clearing. GRAAC continues to Communications, recommend full sidewalk Community Services clearance. City of Waterloo -Bylaw Subsequent to presentations to Enforcement, Public Councils, staff met to coordinate Works Services strategies and to develop an enhanced communication plan. Presentation to Council on the results Complete Shayne Turner, Director of By- City of City of Kitchener -Bylaw of the Parking By-law review law, presented to GRAAC on Kitchener Enforcement, May 26th and subsequently Development and presented to Council on Technical Services, 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan improving language and Community Services strategies with respect to accessible parking. Council endorsed the recommendations. Update the accessible design guidelines Complete Waterloo -Accessible Design Joint City of Kitchener - and present to Council Guidelines were introduced to Development and Council and accepted in a report Technical Services presented on November 17th. City of Waterloo - Development Services and Asset Management At City of Kitchener outlying facilities, Carry The Emergency Management Kitchener Facilities Management ensure that evacuation procedures forward Team developed a template to Community Services consider persons with disabilities address outlying facility emergencies. There will be further follow-up and considerations under the Information and Communication Standard Develop communication cards to Deferred Awaiting direction from the Joint City of Kitchener facilitate the transfer of information Information and Communication City of Waterloo during an emergency to persons who Standard are deaf, deafened or hard of hearing. Review the feasibility of LED screens Deferred Awaiting direction from the Joint City of Kitchener at facilities to communicate Information and Communication City of Waterloo information about emergencies Standard Attitudinal Barriers Action Status Details Municipality Department Responsible Staff Awareness Training Deferred Full details are available in the Joint City of Kitchener 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan plan for compliance with the City of Waterloo Customer Service Standard PhvsicaVArchitectural Barriers Action Status Details Munici alit De artment Res onsible Continue to plan for and work with the Carry Staff have developed a plan and Joint City of Kitchener - results of the Accessibility Audit forward have allocated dollars to address Facilities Management, the barriers Corporate Accessibility Waterloo -The Asset Steering Group Management team has started City of Waterloo -Asset referencing the accessibility Management, Facilities audits before doing minor Services upgrades. Work with GRAAC to develop priority Complete Staff from both City of Kitchener Joint City of Kitchener - areas from the accessibility audit and City of Waterloo met with Facilities Management, GRAAC members on Corporate Accessibility to hear recommendations on the Steering Group priorities (See Appendix) City of Waterloo -Asset Management, Facilities Services 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan Notable Successes Joint Initiatives • Hire a Corporate Services Trainer as a shared contract with the City of Kitchener and the City of Waterloo. Citv of Kitchener • Every Kid Counts provided support to children and youth to enable their participation in municipal playgrounds, fun centres • Volunteer Support provided support to children, youth and adults to enable their participation in municipal recreation programs • Youth Camp • ASL provided at KidSpark and Word on the Street during the storytelling • Lunch and learn offered on autism during Autism Day (Apri125, 2008) • Recreation opportunities session with members from KW Habilitation • Access Awareness Week activities (week of May 27t" 2008) • Day of the Disabled awareness activities (December 3rd) coordinated with the City of Waterloo • Installation of accessible swing at Victoria Park • Automatic Door Openers installed at the Breithaupt Centre Men's and Women's exercise pool change rooms • Salute to Seniors -provided reserved accessible seating to this general admission event • Downtown Community Centre -Additional L-shaped grab bars were installed in the washrooms, painted the edge of the steps to the entrance, moved soap dispensers and the locking device in the washrooms moved • Community engagement lens and inclusive communities checklist developed • Volunteers -placed numerous individuals with a disability in volunteer positions. Provided accommodations such as additional support, where necessary • Presented at "To Remember is To Resist" conference on sport and accommodation • Cameron Heights Pool - 3 accessible parking spaces were added, patrons allowed to enter through the emergency exit • Huron Natural Area -installation of accessible trails, accessible washrooms and main entrance. • Joseph Street -ramp at the intersection fixed and leveled off • Regional Children's Museum -Installation of 2 beam detectors in the elevator and at the entrance doors. • City Hall -timing of automatic door openers adjusted to a longer time 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 10 City of Waterloo • Staff in the Clerks department were trained on how to receive calls from someone who is deaf • Staff in the Clerks department were trained on how to use the texttalker • Pedestrian Charter - On September 8, 2008, Council supported the Pedestrian Charter for the City of Waterloo. First principle is "Accessibility". The Charter supports that the City of Waterloo "create an urban environment in all parts of the City that encourages and supports walking. The City of Waterloo supports the following goals -Uphold the right of pedestrians of all ages and abilities to safe, convenient, direct and comfortable walking conditions. Appendix -Pedestrian Charter • RIM Park - In response to a call from the public, there was concern about the sidewalk from the corner of Park Lane and University Ave that leads into a parking space does not allow enough room for people using walkers, wheelchairs, bikes or strollers to squeeze through. As a result, the parking space was eliminated and painted with line. Additionally, more asphalt was put in place to ensure a smooth transition from the sidewalk to the parking lot. • Special Events -this year the author event was moved from the Button Factory because the 2°d floor was not accessible, to the Knox Presbyterian Church, which is fully accessible. Capacity for this event was increased from 100 to 300 and they were able to fill the hall and provide a fully accessible venue. • The Building Maintenance Team reviewed their priorities and now allocates top priority to calls regarding automatic door openers or accessibility issues with a turnaround time of 24 hours, pending availability of parts. • Upgrade to the Life Safety System at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex with the installation of new strobes and bells for the fire alarm system • Parking -additional 3 accessible parking spaces were installed in the Waterloo Town Square South lot and 1 additional accessible parking space was added to the Regina Lot. The accessible spaces (2) at the Regina lot now have access aisles beside them and there is a designated pedestrian access to the pathway between the lot and Ciry Hall. • Trails -Old Albert Trail Upgrade Project includes a Railway Crossing System installed to improve accessibility from Quiet Place to Albert McCormick Arena. This upgrade is expected to be installed Fall 2008 or Spring 2009. • Public Areas -The Public Square construction is underway and once completed will allow for universal and easier access into the Waterloo Town Square. The Built Environment Sub-Committee provided feedback on this site plan. • Adult Recreation Centre -Two (2) automatic door operators were installed at the parking lot entrance. Renovations to the building included: touchless sink faucets (8), new countertops at the recommended height, new paper towel, hand soap and trash receptacle installed at the recommended height. • Development Service redesigned the whole department including all workstations and offices and ensured accessibility. 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 11 • Conestoga Mall -there are a number of new pedestrian walkways (all with drop curbs) located throughout the parking lot providing for safe and accessible linkages to the mall entrances as well as the Grand River Transit terminal located within the mall parking lot. These walkways also extend out beyond the mall providing access across Conetogo Road to other desirable destinations via safer crossing points at the new roundabout. Before the roundabout, pedestrians of all abilities had a difficult and dangerous task of crossing the roadway. Additionally, a number of accessible parking spaces were relocated to nearer the mall entrances. • Parkview Cemetery -upgrades and renovations allowed for parking lot delineation where new high visibility pavers were installed to better delineate the parking stalls for those with slight vision challenges. The accessible parking space sign was installed, concrete pavers at the chapel were re-laid to remove existing step hazards and facilitate barrier free movement, automatic light controls were installed in the public bathroom, currently working on providing improvements to the hard surface pathways in one of the Cemetery sections to allow for easier access to this area. 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 12 SECTION 2 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 13 Information/Communication Barriers 2009 Plan of Activities Action Timeline Provincial Standard Municipality Department Ali nment Res onsible Provide signage for the public advising that assistive January 1, 2010 Customer Service Kitchener Legislative listening devices (phonic ears and FM systems) are Services available for use at Council and Standing Committee meetings Develop a policy for providing ASL Interpreters at December 31, 2011 Information and Kitchener Legislative Council and Standing Committee meetings Communications Services Implementation of TextNet December 31, 2011 Information and Kitchener Legislative Communications Services Policy for all staff to place the TextNet number on December 31, 2011 Information and Joint All all external communications Communications Review the feasibility of installing systems at 2009 Information and Joint City of facilities that provide announcements both visually Communications Kitchener - and audibly. Facilities Management City of Waterloo - Asset Management & Information Services Develop communications strategy for staff and December 31, 2011 Information and Joint Clerks and public on process for requesting materials in Communications Corporate alternate formats. Services 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 14 Technological Barriers Action Timeline Provincial Standard Municipality Department Alignment Responsible Plans for website overhaul that will make the use of December 31, 2011 Information and Kitchener Information HTML code that is more reader friendl Communications Technolo Work towards compliance with W3C standards 2009 Information and Joint Information Communications Technology Policv/Practice Barriers Action Timeline Provincial Standard Municipality Department Ali nment Res onsible Continue to incorporate the consideration of January 1, 2010 Customer Service Kitchener Community accessibility into the Community Investment Services Strate GRAAC to review the special events checklist and December 31, 2009 Customer Service Joint Special Events provide comment/feedback Coordinate initiatives from the checklist in the January 1, 2010 Customer Service Joint Special Events Special Events manuals Review policies and practices with respect to 2009 Employment Standard Joint Human recruitment, hiring and interviewing Resources GRAAC to review the emergency template 2009 Information and Joint Facilities document to ensure that it addresses needs for Communication Management individuals with various disabilities Standard To review the policy with respect to availability of 2009 Customer Service Waterloo Recreation & specialty golf carts at Golf North Leisure 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 15 PhvsicaVArchitectural Action Timeline Provincial Standard Alignment Municipality Department Responsible Implementation of the results of the Accessibility Review of progress Built Environment Joint City of Audit every 6 months Kitchener - Facilities Management City of Waterloo - Asset Management 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 16 Appendix 1 Customer Service Regulation Critical Path for Staff Needs - Anril 17/08 Action Plan Timeline Kitchener - Staff Waterloo - Staff Im lementation Tactic Res onsible Im lementation Res onsible 1. Inventory of policies, May 30/08 a. Using the Region of Designated staff a. Using the Region of Designated staff procedures and practices Waterloo Survey Tool, department leads Waterloo Survey Tool, department leads evaluate what currently evaluate what currently exists within the exists within the Corporation. Corporation. b. Bring forward to b. Bring forward to CMT CMT for support and to for support and to identify key Admin staff identify key Admin staff to assist to complete to assist to complete 2. Identify where gaps in June 27/08 a. In coordination with Regional Reps a. In coordination with Regional Reps policy, procedure and the regional reps (Camb, (over e-mail) the regional reps (Camb, (over e-mail) practice development Guelph, Well, Reg, Guelph, Well, Reg, Kitch exist. Kitch and Wat), create a and Wat), create a form form to cross reference to cross reference what what policy are required policy are required and and what currently what currently exists - exists -partially or fully partially or fully complete. complete. b. Assign each regional b. Assign each regional rep to take the lead on rep to take the lead on developing the missing developing the missing policies policies 3. Identify departments June 27/08 Speak with respective Inclusion Speak with respective Inclusion and/or divisions Directors about the role Coordinator Directors about the role Coordinator responsible for areas in for their department for their department the legislation. 4. Write/tweak policies 2009 a. Using the shared Inclusion a. Using the shared Inclusion 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 17 to comply with policies, work with each Coordinator with policies, work with each Coordinator with legislation and our department/division department leads department/division department leads Corporation responsible to finalize responsible to finalize the the policies. policies. b. Re ort(s) to Council b. Re ort(s) to Council 5. Training Needs 2009 a. Identify the training Inclusion Services a. Identify the training Identification requirements with department requirements b. From survey, identify leads b. From survey, identify what currently exists what currently exists c. Identify the training c. Identify the training philosophy. philosophy. d. Audit the training d. Audit the training needs. needs. 6. Budget Aug 2008 a. identify costs Inclusion Services a. identify costs Inclusion b. presentation to with the b. presentation to Services with Council, as required Corporate Council, as required Human Accessibility Resources Steering Group 7. Training Dec 31/08 a. Determine training Inclusion Services a. Determine training Implementation strategy (i.e hire strategy (i.e hire consultant, train the consultant, train the trainer) trainer) b. Secure the resources b. Secure the resources (financial and human) (financial and human) c. Develop training plan c. Develop training plan 8. Training Delivery 2009 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 18 Appendix 2 GRAAC Recommendations to the Accessibility Audit of municipal facilities (the Herrington Audit) The following was resolved in Apri12008 by members of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee with regard to the municipal accessibility audit performed by the Herrington group in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo and the townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries: 1. The safety of persons with disabilities in municipal facilities remains a major priority. GRAAC wishes to refer staff and council to the auditor's recommendation in the executive summary with regard to having emergency and fire evacuation plans that consider the priority needs of persons with disabilities. Accessibility improvements should first and foremost bear the safety of such persons in mind. 2. The committee decided that accessibility audit priorities should be undertaken by specific task at specific buildings first, rather than solely by task or by building. 3. The committee treated Herrington's Priority 1 and 2 jointly as Priority 1. As defined by the auditor, Priority 1 changes are those that could be completed in routine maintenance cycles, and Priority 2's are changes that need to be made immediately. If these changes are not made, they could form the basis of legitimate human-rights and accessibility complaints. 4. Task priorities identified by GRAAC are as follows: signage, access/egress (such as automatic door openers, ramps etc.), washrooms, lighting, and paths and patterns of travel (both interior such as hallways and corridors, and exterior such as walking paths and trails). 5. 0f these, the committee recommends that staff focus first on the following: access/egress, paths and patterns of travel, and signage. 6. GRAAC requests that these tasks be carried out in a pragmatic and efficient manner. The greatest number of people should be able to access municipal services with minimal barriers. 7. The committee recommends that these tasks be carried out first in buildings that have the highest traffic, are community gathering places, and/or serve the utility of the greatest number of people. 8. GRAAC also requests that staff provide regular follow up reports to the committee on an annual bases. 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 19 Appendix 3 City of Kitchener Plans Reviewed Summary of Buildings and Plans Reviewed In 2008 GRAAC -Built Environment Sub-Committee City of Kitchener • Charles/Benton Parking garage • Kingsdale Community Centre • King Street Master Plan - as a result of feedback provided by GRAAC, staff have ensured that the plan will incorporate the following: Street parking will be flush so that all spaces are accessible Lighting -doubled the number of existing features so as to improve visibility Sidewalks will be flattened Interlocking will be used however with the use of large pavers and the bricks will have straight edges City of Waterloo • Fire Station 4 -provided feedback on the initial plan and the revised plan • Railway Interface • Y-Library Building Township of Woolwich • Admin Building; Elevator at the Library Region of Waterloo • Heritage Museum -provided feedback at the initial concept, design and detail phases • Sunnyside Assisted Living Apartments Other feedback provided • City of Kitchener Urban Design Guidelines -Barrier-Free section • City of Kitchener Downtown Accessibility tour • City of Waterloo -light standard at Willis Way and King St. • Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA) Accessibility tour of St. Jacobs • Joint meeting with GTSC to discuss roundabouts, priorities and refuge islands 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 20 Glossary of Terms Community Investment Strategy -This is the term for the grant system offered by the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo to community agencies. This Strategy is evaluating 3 tiers of granting: 1. Annual funding (long-term grants}; 2. General provision and, 3. Grants that look at leveraging community partners. 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 21 City of Waterloo Technical Resource Group For The .Toint Accessibility Plan Core Business CMT Rep Staff Team Rep ODA Responsibilities Corporate Services David Calder Susan Greatrix Jim Barry Clerks, bylaw, Mayor's office, legal services Corporate Communications Janice Works Communications plan, publishing access plan, alternate formats, etc Promotion of accessible community Purchasing John Miller Regard to accessible goods and services Kaman Resources Alison Meunier Employee accommodations, policies, recruitment Information Systems Teresa Soulliere Garry Bezruki Accessible web site TEXTNET/assistive technology Asset Management Jean Starchuk Al McGregor Access upgrades to municipal facilities, project administration Development Services Cam Rapp Ralph Kaminski Inspection & building code Issues Bebe Khan Site plans, standards and policy development, building code Issues Public Works Services Tim Anderson Phil Hewitson Engineering -Infrastructure, design of sidewalks, curb cuts, traffic -parking, roads Mark Dykstra Parks, snow removal, playgrounds Recreation & Leisure Services David Smith Steve Heldman (interim) Access to facilities and services, cemeteries Leta Bulgin Facility scheduling, program registration processes David Smith Grey Silo Golf Course Jane Waurechen Colleen Dostle Programs and Inclusion, aquatics Special Event Planning (outdoor) Chris Cressman Emergency Planning -facility services/community evacuation centres Cassandra Pacey Lori Ludwig Capital/operational budget development related to Access plan Library Cathy Matyas Lynda Gale Access to building, programs, services & accommodations 2009 Annual Accessibility Plan 22