HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC-2008-03-27Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursdav March 27, 2008 Kitchener Citv Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Sharon Ward - Zeller (Co-Chair),, Taposhi Batabyal (Co- Chair), Brad Ullner, Saul
Herzog, Myron Steinman, Ken Parker, Gordon Cummer, Linda Cole, Amy Ross, Sharon Giles,
Rosa Bustamante, Leigh Golden, Councillor Kelly Galloway, Kelly Steiss, Linda Pretty
(Recorder)
PRESENT (OTHERS): Al McGregor and Doug Hergott
REGRETS (MEMBERS): James Hunsberger, Gail Brunsdon
REGRETS (OTHERS): Val Hummel, Ana Popa, Darryl Denny
ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: Councillor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Karen Scian
1.0 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS
Taposhi welcomed everyone to the March meeting
2.0 APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES AND REVIEW OF MARCH AGENDA
• A motion was made by Gord, seconded by Ken that the minutes of the February
meeting be approved. All were in favour; the motion was carried. Gord noted
that he would appreciate the minutes being mailed out a little earlier than the
February minutes were.
• A motion was made by Linda, seconded by Rosa, that the agenda of the March
meeting be approved. All were in favour; the motion was carried.
3.0 BUSINESS ARISING
3.1 Municipal Accessibility Audit Discussion — Kelly Steiss
Staff is currently working on a cost analysis. Some recommendations will be
addressed through renovations such as those at Harry Class Pool, and some cannot
be addressed at all (i.e. an elevator at Victoria Park Pavilion is not feasible due to
cost and building usage restrictions). Kelly asked members to advise staff on how
they want to hear about what items cannot be addressed and, keeping in mind the
resources municipalities have, how GRAAC would recommend prioritizing what will be
done.
Members discussed the concepts of tackling the audit by building, or by task, safety
issues, and the priorities of the work, in what needs immediate attention, and may
give rise to legitimate complaint and what may be deferred and completed during
routine maintenance, looking at buildings "from the outside in" and taking into
account facilities with greater community usage.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursdav March 27, 2008
Since the committee felt that the issue was one of great importance, and there were
many valid concerns to assess and make a clear recommendation, a special meeting
will be held before the next GRAAC meeting to further discussion audit
recommendations.
ACTION:
(i) GRAAC members will meet to exclusively discuss the audit on Thursday
April 10 from 1:30 -3:30 at Kitchener City Hall in the Conestoga Room.
(ii) Prior to April 10, Kelly will send members a list of buildings
highlighting those with high -use and a map with building locations.
3.2 Update from Leigh Golden
Staff Changes
Leigh advised that Deb Bergey will be back from maternity leave part time starting
the week of April 14. Ana Popa's last day with the Region will be April 11.
Region of Waterloo Council's Strategic Plan
Leigh distributed copies of Regional Council's Strategic Plan and thanked members
for participating in the consultation process. The Plan has now been released to the
public.
3.3 Region of Waterloo Rain Barrel Distribution — Steve Gombos
The manager of Water Efficiency at the Region of Waterloo, Steve Gombos, attended
to provide information on the upcoming rain barrel distribution process.
• Distribution takes place on Saturday April 26 starting at 7:30 a.m.
• Locations are Fairview Mall, Conestoga Mall and Cambridge Centre, with 1000
barrels available at each location.
• The barrels are distributed on a first -come, first - served basis at a cost of $30
each. Lineups start well before 7:30 a.m. but by 9:30 a.m., there are usually
barrels left and the lineups have dissipated.
• Staff is available to help carry barrels to vehicles. Once home, the barrels require
set up.
• People have to show proof that they live in the Region by presenting utility bills or
other items with the address on it.
• This is the last year for the distribution unless Council extends the program.
• There is no procedure in place for getting barrels out to people who cannot come
and who have a disability or are seniors, etc. The Region wants to ensure that
the public perceives this to be a fair process, with no special favours.
• Members suggested that, should the distribution continue for other years, the
Region work with a service club or another agency, to help with delivery and set
up and invited Steve to come back to GRAAC with an update.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursdav March 27, 2008
• Leigh advised that she will take the Committee's concerns to the Region's Senior
Management Team.
4.0 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
4.1 ODA /AODA Legislation and the AAC — Kelly Steiss
Kelly reviewed an information sheet she prepared on ODA /AODA and summarized
the legislation that guides GRAAC.
• The Human Rights Code guides all other legislation and makes decisions on
accessibility and accommodation.
• Prior to 2008, the Barrier Free Advisory Committee advised Councils on an
informal basis, and was succeeded by GRAAC.
• The original ODA which came out in 2001, was criticized as lacking enforcement
mechanisms — out of that came the AODA in 2005 and included the private
sector.
• Staff training on customer service standards brought down by the AODA has to
be done by 2010. This year, a discussion will take place on who is going to train
all of the staff involved. A critical path will need to be drafted and presented to
G RAAC .
• Eventually, the ODA will be repealed and there will no longer be a need for an
advisory committee. Under the AODA, staff only needs to consult people with
disabilities, not necessarily have a committee. In about two years, there will be
another reporting process that is now unknown.
Kelly will e-mail the information sheet to the group.
5.0 NEW BUSINESS
5.1 Built Environment Best Practices — Rosa Bustamante
Rosa reviewed a PowerPoint Presentation of an idea that came out of a
brainstorming meeting of the sub - committee. Best Practices for built environment is
currently just a concept. The plan is to have a formal document that demonstrates
and shows the best accessible environments in our community. The Built
Environment Sub - Committee is looking for more members from GRAAC to join the
working group to develop this idea.
Further to the discussion:
• It is unsure at this time whether the document will include best and worst
practices — there may be a legal side to that issue.
• The document would have to go to Council only if it is to be provided to the
public, otherwise, it would go to Planning staff to be vetted.
• The document could go on the GRAAC website.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursdav March 27, 2008
• The budget for publishing this commercially has not yet been addressed, but the
initiative itself is intended to be revenue - neutral.
ACTION:
(i) Sharon Ward - Zeller and Taposhi agreed to be part of the working group
to develop the Best Practices document. Amy Ross had previously
indicated her interest.
(ii) A motion was made by Brad, seconded by Amy, that members of
GRAAC agree with and support the concept of a manual for best practices
only, and the research to go forward with this initiative. All were in
favour; the motion was carried.
5.2 GRAAC Budget —Amy Ross /Rosa Bustamante
Amy reviewed and highlighted a few areas of the 2008 GRAAC budget which was
modeled on how other committees of council operate.
ACTION:
(i) The GRAAC 2008 budget was adopted by the committee.
6.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT — Sharon Ward - Zeller
6.1 AAC Training Day
This day has been postponed due to lack of registration. A survey will be sent out to
assist with planning for this training day in the Fall.
6.2 Workshop Reminder
Walkability: Tuesday April 1, Room 508 at 99 Regina Street from 1:30 -4:30 and
again for a continuing discussion from 6:30 -8:30.
Focus on Inclusion: April 18 from 8:30 -4:30 at Accelerator Centre, 295 Hagey Blvd,
Suite 240.
Research and Best Practices for a Healthy Community and Built Environment: April
17 and 18 at the University of Waterloo — Sharon will send out details to members.
6.3 Social Committee Proposal
Sharon called for volunteers from GRAAC to help organize an informal teambuilding
social event for members in June. Amy Ross, Linda Cole and Myron Steinman
indicated their interest. Together with co- chairs, the group will function as an ad -hoc
committee for this event.
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Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursdav March 27, 2008
6.4 Joint Plan to Council and Letter to the Waterloo Chronicle
• The presentation of the Joint Plan to municipal councils has been completed; the
co- chairs attended both the Kitchener and Waterloo presentations and spoke to
council about the work of the committee. Myron Steinman was also in
attendance in Waterloo.
• Co- Chairs sent a letter to the editor of the Waterloo Chronicle in response to an
article which stated that GRAAC had " "rubber- stamped" the annual accessibility
plan. The letter protested the use of the work, explaining that the members of
GRAAC work hard to advise on accessibility plans, and that calling it a rubber -
stamping exercise does a disservice to the committee's volunteer work.
7.0 SUB- COMMITTEE REPORTS
7.1 Transportation Sub - committee - Sharon
• GRT operator's sensitivity training and refuge islands and roundabouts were
discussed at the last sub - committee meeting. Members may get a copy of the
minutes from Sharon if they wish.
• G -BESC is planning a field trip to look at islands and roundabouts in the spring.
8.0 ADJOURNMENT
A motion was made by Ken to adjourn the meeting at 3:55 p.m. All were in favour;
the motion was carried.
A special meeting of the GRAAC will be held on April 10 at Kitchener City Hall in the
Conestoga Room from 1:30 -3:30 p.m., to discuss the Herrington Group Audit.
The next regular meeting will be held on Thursday April 24 at Kitchener City Hall in
the Conestoga Room on the main floor from 1:30 -4:00 p.m.
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