HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kit - 2009-08-12
COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 12, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Committee met on this date, commencing at 4:30 p.m.
Present: Theron Kramer, Sarah Marsh, Norm Damaren. Kim Knowles, Jasminka Klacar
Staff: Shelley Adams, Jenn Grein
Regrets: Laura Lee Dam, Julia Browne, Corinne Cash, Corey Badcock,
Theron welcomed all members to the meeting.
1. Review of June Minutes
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no changes
2. Accessible Customer Service for People with Disabilities – Pam Albrecht
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Pam introduced herself and explained her role with the City of Kitchener as an Accessibility
Standards Trainer. Explaining that this training is mandated, she reviewed the legislation which
was passed in 2005, with a goal to make Ontario more accessible by 2025. This will be done
through 5 sets of standards, the first being Customer Service, what were looking at today, and
will be followed by transportation, information and communication, employment and the built
environment, the latter 4 will be coming in the future. Two pieces make up the Customer
Service Standard including Policies, practices and procedures, as well as training for all staff,
volunteers and third parties. Public sector must be compliant by Jan 1 2010, Private sector by
Jan 2012.
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Disabilities, as defined by the Ontario Human Rights Commission, includes brain injury,
chronic illness or medical disabilities, developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, mental
health, physical disabilities and sensory disabilities. These can be visible/invisible, from birth
or acquired, predictable/unpredictable, stable, variable or progressive, permanent/temporary.
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It is important to note that barriers limit full participation in society, and the disability itself is not
a barrier. All barriers exist in the environment.
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What can we do at the City of Kitchener in order to have all residents participate fully?
Policies, surrounding assistive devices either personal or city owned, service animals, support
persons, temporary disruptions, training, process for receiving and responding to feedback.
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We are currently reviewing existing policies, identifying the gaps and consulting with relevant
staff, and plan to launch the policies on December 3, 2009, International Day of Persons with
Disabilities.
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Promising Practices for all consideration: person first language; respect and consideration; get
to know the person’s needs; speak directly to the person, rather than their support; be patient
and take the necessary time; ask before you offer help; ensure you have understood; do not
touch or distract service animals; do not touch or move assistive devices; keep obstacles out
of the way.
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Kitchener\Compass Kitchener\Presentations\ACST Compass Kitchener - Pam Albrecht.ppt
3. Draft Diversity Strategy
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Shelley updated the committee on the Diversity Strategy. The draft strategy has been to all
advisory committees with the exception of two. The strategy will kick off with Staff in
September, and will be going before Council in October. The internal workforce census will
June 3, 2009
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hopefully be out to staff in October/November. The committee is planning to have a year of
diversity; each month will have a few celebrations and education opportunities that will touch
on different areas of diversity.
4. End of Term Survey
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The Terms of Reference for the project were reviewed and provided to the Director of
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Purchasing. The Request for Proposal will go out Monday August 17, closing on the 31.
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The interview team will be comprised of Theron on behalf of the committee, Kim on behalf of
the Report Card working group, a city purchasing agent, Michael May the Director of
Communications and Marketing and Shelley Adams the Director of Community and Corporate
Planning. The timelines for this survey are fairly tight.
5. General Business
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Communications will have an updated look for the Compass Kitchener logo in time for Who
Are You, Kitchener? Options will be presented to the group in September.
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Shelley distributed the revised Terms of Reference for Compass Kitchener. Attached is the
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staff report provided for Council on August 25.
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Settings\jenng\Desktop\Policy I-77 (Compass Kitchener - Terms of Reference) Report.doc
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Janice Ouellette appreciated the feedback Compass Kitchener was able to provide regarding
City Hall 101. The most recent draft was passed around for the committee to see. An executive
summary has been added, as well as more pictures, an explanation of what municipal
responsibilities are in comparison with region, province, and how we work together, and
generally better use of plain language. This is a living document, with no final version. The
document can be found online at
http://www.kitchener.ca/city_hall/departments/community_services/community_program/volunteer/volunteer.html
Please provide initial feedback by September meeting, but comments are always welcome as
you review along the way. A suggestion was made regarding the tours of city hall discussed
previously, providing these to Civics’ classes from high schools may assist with voter turn out
long term.
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Voter Turnout Committee – this group started off with a bang, but seems to have dwindled off.
Shelley will follow up with Barry and Randy.
Meeting adjourned at 6:00.
Next meeting:
September 23, 2009
Conestoga Room – Kitchener City Hall
Attendance: Action Log:
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Kitchener\Compass Kitchener\Attendance\Compass Kitchener attendance 2009-2010.xlsKitchener\Compass Kitchener\09-10 Action Log.xls