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Home My WebLink AboutGRAAC-2009-01-22Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Thursday January 22nd, 2009 Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room PRESENT: Members: Sharon Ward - Zeller (Co-Chair),, Taposhi Batabyal (Co-Chair),, Myron Steinman, Kurt Schneider, Gordon Cummer, Brad Ullner, James Hunsberger, Sharon Giles, Rosa Bustamante, Councillor Jane Mitchell, Amy Ross Staff: Kelly Steiss, Vanessa Lopak, Valrie Hummel, Darryl Denny, Leigh Golden, Johanna Ellis REGRETS (MEMBERS): Gail Brunsdon, Anthony Cashin, Ken Parker, Councillor, Kelly Galloway, Councillor Karen Scian REGRETS (OTHERS): Rik Louwagie, ABSENT WITHOUT REGRETS: * *Minutes edited by, and changes made by co- chairs) ** 1.0 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: • Sharon welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited members, staff and observers to introduce themselves. 2.0 APPROVAL OF MINUTES &AGENDA: • Motion (Sharon Giles) /seconded (Taposhi Batabyal) /carried to approve the minutes from the November meeting • Motion (James Hunsberger) /seconded (Sharon Giles) /carried to approve the January agenda 3.0 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS: (Kelly — GBESC, Amy /Sharon — GTSC) 3.1 Built Environment Subcommittee: (Kelly Steiss) • January meeting was cancelled because there were no plans coming forward. • Kelly to coordinate a meeting schedule for entire year (waiting for replies). 3.2 Transportation Subcommittee: (Amy /Sharon Giles) (This subcommittee had no report however, discussion followed regarding audio announcements of bus stops, with input from Sharon Ward - Zeller and Councillor Mitchell) • Sharon Ward - Zeller spoke with Eric Gillespie regarding call out stops. Sharon also reported and shared with the committee her interview with the RECORD. She spoke of her personal experience with the issue. January 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 1 • Councillor Mitchell shared her concerns with GRT calling out stops on bus routes. She also indicated that communication, on i Express routes, has been automated and is working well. • Sharon Ward - Zeller commented that Toronto has an automated system in use on subways, streetcars and buses, and that is very helpful. • Sharon also indicated that Eric Gillespie commented that the Region is also doing a physical assessment regarding the impact on bus drivers if they called out stops along their routes. She added that GRAAC wishes to be positive, cooperative and work with bus drivers and the Region to find a solution to the problem of calling out stops. 4.0 COUNCILLORS REPORT(S): (Regional Councillor Jane Mitchell) • Councillor Mitchell reported that the Region had their budget meeting. More money for buses, no increase in staff. All in all no drastic changes given the current financial crisis, but there has been an increase in the tax rate levied by the Region. • Bus fares will be increasing, however. • Councillor Mitchell indicated that she did a " "test" pedestrian crossing at a Regional roundabout and found it to be relatively safe. 5.0 OTHER BUSINESS: 5.1 GRAAC: Introduction & Overview Part 1 — Powerpoint Presentation (Sharon Ward - Zeller /Ta posh i Batabyal) • Sharon and Taposhi shared with the committee a slightly modified version of the powerpoint presentation shown to area councils • The presentation explained what GRAAC does as an AAC and what areas of accessibility are mandated by the government • GRAAC advises on annual accessibility plans which are presented to council(s), approved by council(s) and delivered to the public. • GRAAC has input on transportation, snow removal, site plans, recreation etc. • GRAAC advises on identifying, preventing and removing barriers on behalf of all Waterloo Region residents with disabilities. • Question regarding how GRAAC committee communicates with members of the public with disabilities: Sharon Ward - Zeller indicated that she networks with people through organizations geared toward persons with disabilities. • Gordon Cummer indicated that he was a member of the CNIB • The committee looks to staff to find members from a diverse range of persons with disabilities • James shared that he is mindful of all disabilities, for example, when getting on a bus and /or entering buildings. • Rosa shared her experiences learned through her urban plan education. She indicated how important it is to get input from all persons with disabilities when building new facilities, community centres etc. January 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 2 5.2 Co -Chair Elections: NOMINEES NOMINATOR RESULTS (CO- CHAIRS Taposhi Batabyal Sharon Ward - Zeller Taposhi Batabyal Gord Cummer (declined) James Hunsberger Sharon Ward - Zeller Sharon Giles Sharon Ward - Zeller Amy Ross (declined) Taposhi Batabyal There was a brief discussion on whether co- chairs can vote on issues when on duty or only when they sit on the committee as a member. Val Hummel agreed to bring back more clarity on the issue. - BREAK- 5.3 GRAAC: The Big Picture (Vanessa Lopa k) • Where GRAAC fits as an advisory council and where city /town /region council and staff fit in the big picture. • Area councils include; Kitchener, Waterloo, Woolwich, Wellesley, North Dumfries, and the upper -tier municipality is the Region of Waterloo • Ontario Disabilities Act of 2001 mandates GRAAC to liaise with councils to advise on barrier prevention. • In 2005, AODA legislation came into effect and there are standards that are required to be met by both public and private sectors by 2025. • Refer to the 5 standards (6.0) of December minutes • In response to a question, Vanessa replied that the Region shares their plan with Wilmot Township on a regular basis. Wilmot is not represented on GRAAC. • GRAAC still falls under the ODA and the AODA; the former has not been repealed. 5.4 A Closer Look: (Sharon Ward - Zeller) • GRAAC uses agendas and minutes to run its meetings. These are available to the public. • She explained the terms of reference, vision and mission statements. • Sub - Committees focus on certain areas requiring in -depth research and work • Roberts Rules of Order include parliamentary procedures that are used when conducting a meeting of GRAAC • Decision making of the committee is done by consensus • GRAAC speaks collectively as one voice • GRAAC website is a great source and everyone is encouraged to share it with the public. 5.5 Where We Live: The Municipalities of Waterloo Region (Darryl Denny) • Each tier (Kitchener,, Cambridge, Waterloo, Woolwich, Wellesley, as opposed to the Region) has its own responsibilities. • Region: Social Services, Waste Management, Transit /Planning, Highways/Traffic Signals January 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 3 • Cities and Townships: Snow Removal, Urban Planning, Community Centre, Local By -Laws - BREAK- 5.6 Making Accessibility Happen — Accessibility Plans: • The cities and townships provide an annual accessibility plan; the Region files its own plan each year. • Staff takes recommendations from GRAAC and incorporates what they can into each year's plan. • Plans are then taken to council for approval and public distribution. • Staff updates the plans each year with progress from the last. • On January 27th Vanessa and Leigh are presenting their plan to the Community Services Committee of council (Region of Waterloo). The actual presentation will be made by Lynn Randall. • Valrie Hummel presented the plan to Woolwich council earlier this year. The co- chairs were in attendance. 6.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT: (Sharon Ward - Zeller) 6.1 Wellesley Council Presentation: • Presentation will be made in Crosshill on January 27th and the location is accessible. • Those who require transportation to meeting were asked to contact Kelly Steiss or the co- chairs to make arrangements. 6.2 Information /Communication Draft Standard Update: • Plain language version is now available; Kelly Steiss has sent out both versions to members. • City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo coordinated their responses to the draft Standard. Presented to City of Kitchener council on February 2nd. Woolwich response is going to council on February 3rd 7.0 ADJOURMENT Moved by Myron Steinman Next Meeting: Thursday February 26t" from 1:30 — 4:00 pm in the Conestoga Room at Kitchener City Hall — 200 King Street West, Kitchener January 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 4