HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-10-004 - Appointments to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee 2010REPORT
Report To:
Finance and Corporate Services Committee
Date of Meeting:
January 11, 2010
Submitted By:
Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services (ext. 2687)
Prepared By: Kelly Steiss, Inclusion Coordinator (ext. 2226)
Ward(s) Involved: All
Date of Report:
December 16, 2009
Report No.:
CSD-10-004
Subject:
APPOINTMENTS TO THE GRAND RIVER ACCESSIBILITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE (2010)
RECOMMENDATION:
That the following applicant be re-appointed to the Grand River Accessibility Advisory
Committee (GRAAC) for a three (3) year term pending ratification by the participating
municipalities of the City of Kitchener, Region of Waterloo, Township of Woolwich,
Township of North Dumfries and the Township of Wellesley: Gord Cummer, City of
Waterloo (renewal); and further,
That, notwithstanding the Terms of Reference for the Grand River Accessibility
Advisory Committee (GRAAC), the composition for GRAAC for 2010 consist of 7 to 11
members.
BACKGROUND:
Under the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2001 (ODA), the City of Kitchener
is to establish an Accessibility Advisory Committee to advise Council on the prevention,
identification and removal of barriers for persons with disabilities. The Grand River Accessibility
Advisory Committee is a joint committee of the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, the Region of
Waterloo and the Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries and is granted with the
task of advising the participating municipalities on accessibility issues.
REPORT:
The proposed re-appointment of Gord Cummer, in addition to the current membership of nine,
will bring the committee to a total of ten members.
Committee Representatives
Taposhi Batabyal Township of Woolwich
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Gail Brunsdon City of Cambridge
Anthony Cashin City of Kitchener
Sharon Giles City of Kitchener
Ken Parker City of Kitchener
Amy Ross City of Waterloo
Kurt Schneider City of Waterloo
Myron Steinman City of Waterloo
Sharon Ward-Zeller City of Kitchener
The Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA) requires that an Accessibility Advisory Committee be
established and specifies that the Committee will be comprised of a majority of persons with
disabilities. In accordance with the GRAAC Terms of Reference, a nominating committee was
struck with staff representatives from the participating municipalities.
While a communication plan was in place to recruit new members and significant efforts were
made to advertise the available opportunities on this Committee, the nominating committee did
not receive enough applications to satisfy the membership requirements under the current
Terms of Reference of 11-15 members. Additionally, in 2009 the Committee received
resignations from two members who, for personal reasons could not continue on the
Committee. In light of these circumstances, it is the opinion of staff that for 2010 the Committee
should operate within a membership of 7-11 members. The nominating committee will conduct
an ongoing recruitment and advertising campaign throughout the year.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
NIL
COMMUNICATIONS:
All applicants for consideration to this Committee will be acknowledged and informed as to
whether or not they have been selected.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
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