HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC-2009-04-23Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC)
Thursday April 23rd, 2009
Kitchener City Hall, Conestoga Room
PRESENT: Taposhi Batabyal, Sharon Ward - Zeller, Myron Steinman, Brad Ullner, Amy Ross,
Gail Brunsdon, Anthony Cashin, Kurt Schneider, Gordon Cummer, Ken Parker, Karen
Panchaud (ASQ, Jennifer Tovell- Jamieson (ASL),, Lolita Paroski, Valrie Hummel, Leigh
Golden, Johanna Ellis, Vanessa Lopak
REGRETS (MEMBERS): Sharon Giles, Councilor Jane Mitchell, Councillor Kelly Galloway,
Kelly Steiss, Councillor Karen Scian
REGRETS (OTHERS):
GUESTS: Tom Livingston
* *Minutes edited by, and changes made by co- chairs) **
1.0 WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS: Sharon Ward - Zeller
• Sharon welcomed everyone and asked all those present to introduce themselves.
2.0 APPROVAL OF FEBRUARY MINUTES & APRIL AGENDA:
• Moved by Anthony Cashin, seconded by Gord Cummer
3.0 DELEGATION:
Introduction:
• Sharon reminded members that GRAAC is not an advocacy group /advisory group,
but welcomes delegations who wish to share their concerns and experiences.
Tom Livingstone:
• Member of Cambridge Accessibility Committee and Specialized Transit Services
Advisory Committee of the Region of Waterloo (STSAC).
• Concerned with taxi services in the Region.
• The CAAC (Cambridge Accessible Advisory Committee) have asked for a meeting
with GRAAC to discuss problems with availability of specialized taxi service in
Waterloo Region.
• Here is the text Tom's report (verbatim written report given to Johanna):
The CAAC (Cambridge Accessible Advisory Committee) have asked for a meeting
with GRAAC to discuss problems with the disabled taxi service in Waterloo Region.
Our committee has received complaints from residents using wheelchairs. They are
having problems getting home after a late visit to the Cambridge Hospital. One
complaint was from a man who went to the hospital five (5) times in a two month
period by ambulance. He had no way to get home as he was too weak to transfer
into his car. About Town Patient Transfer was called to take him home. He lives
April 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 1
only .07 kilometres from the hospital and it cost him $87.50 for each trip. Disabled
taxis were not working that evening. Another complaint was from a woman, also in
a wheelchair. She told me that she got to the hospital by ambulance, and as there
were no disabled taxis working late that night, her cost was $45.00 for the
ambulance and to return home after treatment she had to use an About Town
stretcher van at a cost of $168. At another time she got the Cambridge disabled taxi
to take her to the hospital. When she was finished, she could not get home with the
disabled taxi as they had one taxi already employed and going out of the area and
the other going to Waterloo. She had to call United Taxi to come for her and paid
$10 era for their service.
The first problem is that we do not have wheelchair taxis in the Region working
24/7. This creates a hardship for wheelchair users. They can only use the taxi
service certain hours in a day.
The second problem is the number of disabled taxis that are on the road. In
Cambridge we only have two (2) taxis. This number should be three (3).
Solution:
We would like GRAAC to take this problem to Regional Council and have the Taxi
bylaw changed, requiring 24/7 disabled taxi service. We would like to see at least
two (2) working late nights in the Region, one in Cambridge and one in
Kitchener /Waterloo. After checking with other municipal taxi companies it was found
that some offer 24/7 service.
London: About Town 519 - 432 -2222 at least two (2) taxis on 24/7
Stratford: NEIGHBOURLY SERVICE 519 - 271 -2217 does not have 24/7 but would
call out a taxi.
Guelph Redtops: 519 - 821 -1700 and they have two (2) taxis; they are off the road
between 2 — 4 am but would supply a wheelchair taxi if needed.
4.0 CO -CHAIR REPORT: (Sharon Ward - Zeller)
4.1 Accessibility Directorate Update:
• Taposhi and Sharon have been invited to attend an AAC (Accessibility Advisory
Committee) training session in London (Ontario). The Accessibility Directorate
will be providing the training for AACs across the province.
4.2 Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Forum:
• Sharon attended the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention seminar. Statistics show
there is a higher percentage of crime and abuse victimizing persons with
disabilities.
• She suggested looking at the possibility of having someone come and speak to
GRAAC regarding crime prevention.
• Kurt Schneider mad a motion to invite a speaker on crime prevention for persons
with disabilities; seconded by Ta posh i /carried.
April 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 2
4.3 Regional Website Consultation Update:
• Amy, Taposhi and Sharon were involved in a consultation session for the Region
of Waterloo's website. (W3C compliance)
• Leigh acknowledged that the goal is to make this website much more user
friendly. Upgrading is ongoing.
• Amy added that the members in attendance from GRAAC gave them information
that the committee and persons with disabilities would like to see on the website.
• Leigh will look into the feedback protocol with the Region and report back to
GRAAC and will communicate the committees request to look at feedback
comments.
• Anthony said that he had tried to search the Region website without luck. He
also commented on the size of the font being too small. Vanessa was in contact
with Anthony to assist in navigating the website.
• Anthony mentioned that both the City of Kitchener of the City of Cambridge
webpages are easy to navigate.
*BREAK*
5.0 COUNCILLOR'S REPORT:
• No councillors' reports at this meeting.
6.0 OTHER BUSINESS:
6.1 AODA Employment Standard Review: (Vanessa Lopak)
• Vanessa indicated to the committee and all those in the meeting that this portion
will be recorded to capture all pertinent comments.
• The Region is developing a response to the Standard as per the requirements
handed down by the government.
• Vanessa went through the *attached* power point presentation with information
included in the email attachments sent out to the committee.
• RED, YELLOW, GREEN cards were handed out to members of GRAAC to enable
them to indicate the importance of each item of the standard. (GREEN — satisfied,
YELLOW — cautioun needed, RED — major concern)
* *please refer to the power point presentation attached to this email **
Among the areas of concern identifies by members were the scope of the Standard,
the timelines suggested, the overlap with Information and Communication Standards
and the lack of detail and guidelines from the province.
*BREAK*
6.2 AODA Employment Standard Summary: (Vanessa Lopak)
• Vanessa completed her presentation by thanking everyone for their comments.
• Recommendation to send a letter to the ministry to advise whether or not the
committee agrees with the Standard OR each member send his /her own letter.
Results of the committee vote by show of hands:
April 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 3
GRAAC to send a letter — 4
Individual letter — 3
• Brad Ullner made a motion to use the notes and the minutes from the meetings
to arrive at areas of consensus and develop a response from GRAAC to the
Standard seconded by Kurt Schneider. All were in favour. Taposhi will develop a
response and send it our via email to gain approval.
6.3 Customer Service Draft Policy Update: (Vanessa Lopak)
• Came into effect January 1St, 2008. January 1St, 2010 deadline to come up with a
policy. Vanessa will be emailing a "draft" policy to members to look at along with
a feedback form. Questions will include whether or not members like the "draft"
of the Customer Service Policy.
7.0 SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS:
7.1 Transportation Subcommittee (GTSC): Amy Ross /Sharon Giles
• 1st meeting held the week of April 12 th.
• The committee will continue to meet.
• There were some discussions relating to GRT signage and terminals.
• Update from GRT
7.2 Built Environment Subcommittee (GBESQ: Gord Cummer
• Gord chaired in Kelly's absence on Monday. There was a good turnout.
• Reviewed two items: Kingsdale Community Centre redevelopment and review of
plans.
• Preliminary presentation on City of Kitchener consolidated maintenance facility.
• There was suppose to be a presentation on the City of Waterloo's urban
development guidelines but the discussion will be held at another meeting.
8.0 BUSINESS ARISING: Sharon Ward - Zeller
8.1 City of Waterloo Priority Transportation Issues:
*GRAAC members voted on their top suggested priorities (using the green, yellow
and red cards)
1. Maintenance of roads, walkways and trails (including snow).
2. Environment; air quality and use of salt & sand.
3. Public transit service, number of buses, frequency of buses (intensified housing).
4. Road network, number of roads (future plans, roundabouts, safety).
5. Bike trails and walking routes (increasing the number thereof)
6. Inclusivity for all types of transportation, cars, buses, taxis, wheelchairs, walkers.
7. Bike lanes on roads (staff suggestion from the City of Waterloo).
*Upon GRAAC input, the following were added:
8. Neighbourhood traffic calming.
9. Promoting use of trails, non - vehicle use.
Vote results on the suggested priorities for City of Waterloo transportation issues:
April 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 4
1. 10 green cards
2 yellow cards
2. 5 green cards
6 yellow cards
3. 9 green cards
2 yellow cards
4. 6 green cards
5 yellow cards
5. 6 green cards
5 yellow cards
6. 9 green cards
2 yellow cards
7. 3 red cards
6 yellow cards
2 green cards
8. 5 green cards
5 yellow cards
1 red ca rd
9. 7 yellow cards
4 green cards
Importance ranking:
1. Maintenance of roads, walkways &trails (including snow removal)
2. Public transit service; number of buses, frequency of buses (intensified housing)
3. Road network; number of roads (future plans, roundabouts, safety)
And overall...
*Inclusivity for all types of transportation; cars, buses, taxis, wheelchairs & walkers.
Sharon Ward - Zeller suggested that she draft a letter to the city with these priorities,
with the help of Gord Cummer.
Brad Ullner made a motion to have Kelly and City of Kitchener staff accompany
committee members on a walking tour of the construction area downtown in front of
city hall. It was seconded by Ken and carried.
April 2009 - GRAAC Minutes Jc
Motion to adjourn by Myron Steinman
NEXT MEETING: Thursday May 28th, 2009, 1:30 — 4:30 p.m. at Kitchener City Hall in
the Conestoga room
200 King Street West
Please forward agenda items, if any, for consideration to co- chairs by May 19th.
April 2009 - GRAAC Minutes 6