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
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.