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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAAC Minutes May 9 2018 Page 1 of 6 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee May 9, 2018 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: P. Bashaw B. D’Souza A. Doucette D. Hughes T. Higgins, Staff Representative L. Roberts, Recording Secretary Absent: E. Fulton V. Ronaldi M. Thorpe Ross S. Wilkinson D. Wysocki J. Whynot Guests: Donna Holmes, CNIB Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome T. Higgins welcomed everyone to the meeting. 2. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins provided a brief review of the agenda items. 3. New Business 3.1) 2017 Year End Report & 2018 Work Plan T. Higgins provided an overview of the 2017 year end report and 2018 work plan being submitted to Council on May 14th. He stated that the report had been circulated to members for review and comment. Discussion ensued with respect to the format for presenting the report to Council and it was noted the presentation should be based on key issues including accessible housing, Page 2 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) employment opportunities for people with disabilities, accessible transit and expanding programs for youth after age 18, as well as highlighting examples of the excellent accessibility work completed in City facilities. It was also suggested that members relay real life experiences with respect to transit and employment issues. P. Bashaw inquired about the possibility of creating an event to invite developers and contractors as well as those knowledgeable in the area of design for accessible building, and young engineers for discussion purposes. D. Hughes noted the importance of bringing developers on board - while they have no problem with barrier free construction, the issue surrounds the size of condos being built. He noted for example in the City of Toronto, condos are often approximately 560 square feet, making it unrealistic to accommodate accessibility. He suggested the first steps would be to reach out to community organizations such as the Ajax/Pickering Board of Trade to determine the needs in this area, and then to create viable business model. It was proposed that the Committee could consider this type of a forum for discussion during the summer months. 3.2) Accessible Transportation Update T. Higgins provided an update with respect to accessible transportation. He noted a meeting has been scheduled with Durham Transit on June 13th, which will include all accessibility coordinators across Durham Region, as well as Advisory Committee members from the other Durham municipalities. He stated that since the DRT meeting coincides with the planned AAC meeting date in June, that we should consider rescheduling the June AAC meeting to encourage members to attend the Regional meeting. He informed members he had placed a hold on 6 spots for our membership to attend the DRT meeting. He stated that since this was the first major step with Durham Transit in consulting with the community on accessibility, that the AAC members should give priority to being there.. Page 3 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) T. Higgins noted that D. Wysocki had expressed concerns with the fact that the recommendations in the Transportation Standards Update report did not directly reference the important concept of accessible transit customer service. Discussion also ensued with respect to transit workers and a lack of appropriate training. Suggestions were made with respect to partnering with organizations such as Mental Health organizations to assist with training. It was noted that, in the final analysis, the responsibility for solving these issues lies with Durham Transit, to serve its riders without discriminating under the Human Rights Code. T. Higgins encouraged all members to attend the June 13th DRT meeting. He indicated that this was a great opportunity for the AAC’s members to raise specific issues and provide examples. T. Higgins suggested that the team’s choreography for the DRT meeting be planned to ensure meaningful outcomes are achieved such as ongoing processes of consultation and continuous improvement. 3.3) Service & Support Animals Update Donna Holmes attended the meeting to provide additional information with respect to service and support animals. She provided T. Higgins with a number of brochures detailing information on guide dogs, fostering and various other programs. D. Holmes also noted that service dogs have a chip to identify their license as a working dog. She also indicated owners of service dogs have a card, which includes a photo of them with their dog and all pertinent information on the back. It was requested that these brochures be scanned and forwarded to all members. Members discussed a possible forum to be held during the summer months, noting that WindReach Farm would be a good location. It was noted that the RCMP Musical Ride will take place at the WindReach site on June 19th. D. Holmes also provided T. Higgins with information from CNIB on ShopTalk, which outlines a program for those with All members L. Roberts to action Page 4 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) sight loss to be able to explore businesses more easily and independently. The correspondence outlined how the use of an app gives the users a description of the business, as well as their location. Information about a particular business is contained within a device known as a beacon, which will not interfere with any other technology and can be placed inconspicuously on a ceiling or wall. It was noted that a number of beacons will be piloted along Yonge Street, just south of St. Clair Avenue as well as in Oshawa at the Oshawa Centre. 3.4) Self-Serve Kiosks T. Higgins noted he had forwarded information from the City of Pickering regarding new self-serve kiosks. He provided an overview of the items noted in the City’s Municipal Matters pertaining to upcoming improvements, highlighting the following:  Health & Wellness Centre coming to the corner of Brock Road and Taunton Road  Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park improvements  Pickering Innovation Corridor lands  Kingston Road Corridor Intensification Study  Self –service kiosks at George Ash Library & Community Centre and Pickering Recreation Complex  Nelson F. Tomlinson Community Centre undergoing improvements for full accessibility  Quieter Parks Maintenance  Language Translation services T. Higgins noted he would forward this information along to all members electronically. 3.5) Residential Accessibility Design Standards D. Hughes provided members with a Power Point presentation on residential accessibility design standards. Through his presentation, he outlined details of the condominiums currently being developed by Daniels Corporation. He noted each unit would have at least one accessible bedroom, noting the developer was willing to work with purchasers to offer additional details pertaining to T. Higgins to action Page 5 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) accessibility as required. Through the presentation he outlined specific details as follows; Living space  Rough ins for power doors  Moving space with a clearance of 34”  Sufficient space on both sides of doorways  Roll-out threshold on the balcony Kitchen  Under sink clearance  Minimum clearance between island and cupboards approximately 40”  Accessible counter heights  Side opening oven doors  Double door fridges  Cooktop with knee clearance  Dishwasher drawer Bathroom  Roll in tiled shower  Grab bars in shower  Handheld shower faucet  Under sink knee clearance  Minimum transfer space beside toilet for clear transfer – 900mm X 1500 mm  Minimum turning radius of 1500 mm D. Hughes noted further modifications would include electrical outlet placement, accessible hardware, sliding doors, closets with accessible reach, color/tonal contrast package for finishes and emergency back-up power to one outlet within the suite. D. Hughes explained how this design goes above and beyond the required Ontario Building Code standards with respect to doorways. He also noted these features can be provided at little or no additional cost to the developer. At the conclusion of the presentation, it was noted such criteria would support the implementation of the Committee’s site plan grading system. It was suggested that we incorporate at least the following into of the site plan evaluation criteria list: Page 6 of 6 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  Doorframe width  Turning radius  kitchen  washroom  rough in for door opener 3.6) AAC Review P. Bashaw provided a brief overview of his experience at the recent Accessibility Directorate of Ontario focus group on accessibility committee best practices. He noted representatives from all over the province participated and that the achievements of Pickering’s Accessibility Advisory Committee compared very favourably to committee performanace in other municipalities. 3.7) Event Coverage T. Higgins provided a brief overview of the upcoming events in which he encouraged members to participate in. He noted he would finalize the presentation to Council for May 14th the following day. He also provided a brief update on coverage for the two events being held on May 26th, being the Accessibility Awareness Week at the Pickering Town Centre as well as the May 26th Your City event, and the July 1st Canada Day event. 5. Correspondence T. Higgins advised that he had received correspondence confirming receipt of the Committee’s nomination for the David C. Onley Award. 6. Review & Approval – April 11, 2018 Minutes & Business Arising Due to a lack of quorum, the minutes of the April 11, 2018 Accessibility Advisory Committee will be brought forward for approval at the next meeting. Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm Copy: City Clerk