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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 15, 2017 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee March 15, 2017 7:00 pm Pickering Soccer Club Attendees: S. Bernardo, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade B. D’Souza A. Doucette E. Fulton D. Hughes S. Milton, V. Ronaldi D. Selsky, Manager, Capital Projects & Infrastructure J. Whynot D. Wysocki T. Higgins, Staff Representative L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: P. Bashaw M.Thorpe Ross S. Wilkinson Guests: Mary-Anne Pietrusiak, Pickering Rouge Canoe Club Dave Sora, Pickering Soccer Club Jen Clark, PSC Coach Franco Taverna, Pickering Soccer Club Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introduction T. Higgins welcomed committee members and guests, noting the agenda tonight would be focused on accessibility in the context of sports and recreation programs. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins provided an outline of the evening’s agenda, noting the addition of one presentation from the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club. Page 2 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by D. Hughes Seconded by A. Doucette That the January 11th and February 15, 2017 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried Moved by B. D’Souza Seconded by A. Doucette That the February 15, 2017 minutes of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 4. New Business 4.1) Recreation & Parks Master Plan T. Higgins noted that the Recreation & Parks Master Plan had been forwarded electronically to members, in order to seek comments with respect to overall issues and concerns regarding accessibility. He noted the Director, Community Services had provided suggested categories for feedback:  What you currently like about parks and recreation in Pickering  Overall issues/concerns regarding accessibility  Future priorities He requested that members provide comments by Monday and noted that he would coordinate all comments on behalf of the Committee. D. Hughes noted that the City’s website does not indicate the focus or goals of the meetings, only the strategic plan, indicating that information should be provided as to the purpose of the meetings. T. Higgins noted he would look into this and provide clarification as needed. T. Higgins to action Page 3 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 4.2) Pickering Rouge Canoe Club Mary-Anne Pietrusiak, Fundraising Director, Pickering Rouge Canoe Club, appeared before the Committee and provided an overview of the youth programs and camps offered through the PRCC. She noted their success with the inclusion of disabled youth with the hiring of a specialized coach to expand their programs. She also noted their focus on growing the Club to build on programs, noting a huge potential with respect to the para canoe and kayak program. Ms. Pietrusiak also noted plans to build a clubhouse within Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park as part of an accessible and inclusive waterfront. They are in the process of applying for a grant, which will help fund the building of an accessible dock, to be installed this summer. She noted the PRCC was seeking a letter of support from the Accessibility Committee to forward along with their grant application. The deadline for submission is March 31, 2017. Moved by E. Fulton Seconded by V. Ronaldi That the Accessibility Advisory Committee forward a letter of support to the Pickering Rouge Canoe Club for inclusion with their grant application. Carried S. Milton noted she would forward a copy of the City’s Standard Operating Procedure on kids and accessibility to programs to Ms. Pietrusiak for feedback. 4.2) Pickering Soccer Club Presentation & Tour Dave Sora and Franco Taverna, PSC, appeared before the Committee and presented members with an overview of the inclusive programs offered at the Pickering Soccer Club, through the aid of slides as well as a video presentation. D. Sora also outlined their training and outreach initiatives as well as their numerous activities and events. He also noted T. Higgins to action S. Milton to action Page 4 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) their various partnerships and hosting programs. Mr. Sora continued the presentation by outlining the key functions and goals of the PSC for the future.  Creating a new model of accessible sports  A good portion of their work is made possible through grants  Focus on youth which is more leisure orientated rather than competitive  Design and development of inclusive programs  Training model to include youth and set standards to take across Ontario  Working with a number of partners  Currently populating an app which will indicate the locations of accessible programs  Share ideas with organizations such as universities  Create high quality programs for kids with disabilities A discussion period ensued with D. Sora seeking input from members with respect to what they felt the biggest barriers were for kids with disabilities to participate in sports and recreation programs, and what role the PSC could play to increase this. D. Wysocki questioned outreach, with Mr. Sora noting they currently reach out to schools, in particular, special education teachers, noting awareness is improving. They also reach out to various organizations such as Grandview Children’s Centre. D. Hughes noted the following concerns with respect to barriers for parents;  Cost of programs with additional transportation costs incurred with the adding another night out to attend a program  Time commitments  Disruption in routines can cause issues, such as for children with autism  Need to determine best use of time/finances for parents  Possibly provide dual programs, such as having a parent support group while the child is involved in their program. Page 5 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) V. Rinaldi questioned whether the child or parents were surveyed for input after the program has been completed. D. Sora noted they do use evaluation tools for feedback, hold parent advisory groups as well as speaking with the parents on the field. He noted the main goals parents seek for their children seemed to be friendships and socialization. D. Sora, F. Taverna, and J. Clark provided members with a tour of the facility, noting that it was also available for rental purposes. T. Higgins noted this was a good opportunity for the Accessibility Committee to partner with the Pickering Soccer Club in order to share resources and knowledge going forward. 4.3) Recreation Programs & City Events S. Milton, Supervisor, Recreation Services, appeared before the Committee to provide an outline of upcoming events. She noted the accessibility components in the programs, stating that some programs do require a volunteer with the child. She explained some issues with respect to accommodation experienced by other municipalities, being non-disclosure by parents with a child with special needs. She noted they are working together with municipalities to get people to understand the purpose and importance of disclosure when registering their child in programs. S. Milton informed members of the following upcoming events and encouraged members to attend;  Canada 150 Youth Forum – May 4, 2017  Art Fest – May 28, 2017  Canada Day Festivities – July 1, 2017 4.4) Site Plan Reviews T. Higgins provided an overview of the site plan application for 1464 Whites Road submitted by Icon Dunfair. It was noted there seemed to be no provisions for accessibility provided in the plans. It was recommended that the developer provide additional consideration for accessibility on this site. It was also noted that consideration should be given during construction to keep disruption to a minimum on pathways. Page 6 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Discussion ensued with respect to concerns regarding the lack of incorporating accessibility into developments, and the need to have both accessibility and affordability. T. Higgins noted this would be included on the next agenda for discussion purposes. 4.5) Local Issues Update & Capital Projects D. Selsky, Manager, Capital Projects & Infrastructure appeared before the Committee to provide an update on upcoming accessibility related capital projects recently approved by Council, which include a number of walkway reconstructions, sidewalk retrofits which include tactile plates at various intersections, as well as multi-use paths. (See Appendix 1 for complete list of locations) D. Selsky also noted that new sidewalk installation fronting Shoeless Joes would be included in the Region’s Bus Rapid Transit project scheduled for completion in 2017. J. Whynot questioned the narrow sidewalks along Valley Farm and Finch on the Palmer Bridge. D. Selsky noted that plans were in place this year for rehabilitation of the bridge deck as well as widening to include sidewalks on both sides. 4.6) Marketing & Communications T. Higgins noted he was working with D. Wysocki in preparing a list of topics for upcoming news releases, and would be seeking the Committee’s assistance in this regard. T. Higgins to action 5. Review of AAC and City Accessibility Plans T. Higgins noted he was in the process of working with D. Selsky in updating the appendix in the 5 year accessibility plan to better reflect 2017. He noted that when presenting the Committee’s year end report and 2017 work plan, it would be a good opportunity to present the priorities of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. He encouraged members to provide him with input and would have a draft available at the next meeting for members to review and begin to plan a presentation. He T. Higgins to action Page 7 of 8 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) also noted members had been provided with a copy of last year’s report and that it would be the same format for this year. 6. Other Business and Updates 6.1) D. Hughes noted that he would be attending an appeal hearing with respect to a resident with a cognitive impairment who had been denied full service on Durham Transit. V. Ronaldi noted concerns with respect to the issues surrounding transit, such as a lack of information, with residents unsure of the policies and criteria surrounding taking public transit, noting they need to be provided with feedback. D. Hughes questioned how workers are trained with respect to sensitivity training to deal with issues of this nature in order to provide better care to residents. T. Higgins noted he would invite a representative to attend a future meeting. 6.2) D. Hughes informed the Committee that his organization, Enhanced Day Program Inc. has booked a table for the Canada 150 Youth Forum and encouraged members to attend. 6.3) D. Wysocki advised of an open web forum being hosted by the Region of Durham with respect to internet use and web accessibility. T. Higgins to action 7. Next Meeting: Wednesday April 12, 2017, Main Committee Room Meeting Adjourned: 9:30 pm Copy: City Clerk Page 8 of 8 Appendix 1 Capital Projects addressing accessibility needs:  Brock Road – Kingston Road to Finch Avenue Multi Use Path completed in 2016.  Walkway Reconstruction – Longbow Drive to Rowntree Crescent completed in 2016.  Glenanna Road sidewalk retrofits including tactile plates at intersections from Fairport Road to Heathside Crescent completed in 2016.  The Esplanade North sidewalk retrofits including tactile plates at intersections from Valley Farm Road to Glenanna Road completed in 2016.  Stonepath Circle sidewalk retrofits including tactile plates at intersections from Aspen Road to Aspen Road completed in 2016.  Shadybrook Drive Circle sidewalk retrofits including tactile plates at intersections from Strouds Lane to Belinda Court completed in 2016.  Eyer Drive sidewalk retrofits including tactile plates at intersections from Oklahoma Drive to just north of Hampton Court completed in 2016.  Walkway Reconstruction – Finch Avenue to Lydia Crescent to be completed in 2017.  Waterfront Trail Reconstruction from Brock Road to Sandy Beach Road to be completed in 2017.  Finch Avenue new asphalt sidewalk installation from Valley Farm Road to Rosefield Road to be completed in 2017.  Finch Avenue new asphalt sidewalk installation from Rosefield Road westerly 200 metres to be completed in 2017.  Bayly Street new Multi Use Path from Westshore Community Centre to Begley Street to be completed in 2017.  Kingston Road / Whites Road intersection in conjunction with the Region’s Bus Rapid Transit Project sidewalk retrofits including tactile plates to be completed in 2017.  Kingston Road Sidewalk Strategy. Darrell to review existing sidewalk locations and recommend new sidewalk installation locations for infill projects from Notion Road to Altona Road to be completed in 2017.