HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 9, 2019CGa 0f
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
October 9, 2019
7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Bianca D'Souza
Saima Fatima
Donna Holmes
Dan Hughes
Glenn Lang
Anthony Lue
Megan Thorpe Ross
Tim Higgins, Staff Representative
Brenda Gregory, Committee Coordinator
Absent: Sue Wilkinson
David Wysocki
John McLellan, Ajax -Pickering Board of Trade
Guests: Isabelle Janton, Planner II - Site Planning
Sabrina Yung, Manager of Community Engagement, Pickering Public Library
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1.
Welcome
T. Higgins welcomed members and other
participants to the meeting. Introductions made
around the table.
2.
Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3.
Review & Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Item 4.2 to be
heard before Item 4.1; due to the absence of D.
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Wysocki, T. Higgins will provide update for Item 4.3.
Agenda approved.
4.
New Business
4.2 CNIB Phone It Forward Program
S. Yung appeared before the committee to provide
information on the CNIB Phone It Forward Program.
The Pickering Public Library has formed a new
partnership with this program, which asks for gently -
loved smartphones to be sent in prepaid envelopes to
CNIB — after checking eligibility of the phone on the
CNIB website. Donated smartphones are wiped to
the highest data security standards, loaded with
accessible apps, and provided to people with sight
loss who need them, along with technical training,
discounted maintenance, and data plan support.
Donors will receive a tax receipt for the phone.
Display stands with full details and a supply of the
prepaid envelopes can be found at both the Main and
George Ashe Library branches.
S. Yung stated that CNIB reported that there was low
participation and collaboration with their organization
in the Durham Region. The library is reaching out to
their own community partners to try and develop
some further partnership for CNIB. The library is
considering a phone drive which would have the
CNIB team on site to engage and discuss their
programs with the community.
Part of the CNIB partnership has the library
considering ways to effectively engage with their
hearing impaired clients. The library is looking at
different ideas included enhanced staff training,
setting up CNIB in their branches to assist client, and
working with CNIB to develop best practices/apps for
the blind.
Further discussion ensued regarding some of the
services the library provides for the hearing impaired.
S. Yung mentioned the Home Library Service which
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bring audio books and materials along with portable
Wi-Fi and Maker Space that can convert documents
into alternate formats. They also have a staff member
who is a specialist in the Daisy Reader.
It was suggested that the Committee could participate
in the "In The News" community speaker program to
inform the community about accessibility.
4.1 Site Plan Review
Isabelle Janton appeared before the Committee to
provide an update on four active site plans:
S 05/19 (Taunton Road)
Sales pavilions for two builders Lebovic and Fieldgate
located at Taunton and Burkholder.
Will have parking spaces located in front. Lebovic
proposes a small chairlift to access entrance way;
Fieldgate will have ramp. Washrooms will be fully
accessible.
No plans have been submitted for what will actually
be built on this site. Committee noted that builders
took care to consider accessibility for their sales'
pavilions but it is unlikely that homes being build will
be accessible. It was recognized that because
pavilions are open to the public they have to be
accessible as per AODA regulations, but there is no
such regulations for residential dwellings.
Committee further questioned the need for the
chairlift, with A. Lue noting that assistance would be
needed to access and in his experience, assistance
is not usually available.
S 06/19 (Icon Forest District)
Proposed semi-detached and townhomes at the
northwest corner of Finch and Altona. Houses facing
both Finch and Altona, with interior townhomes
accessed by private road.
There is a heritage home on the property that will be
demolished. Materials from this home will be reused
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and incorporated into a landscape feature i.e.,
seating area and will include a plaque acknowledging
the heritage property.
Platform for eventual sidewalk on both Finch and
Altona will be done by the builder. There will be
sidewalk along the private interior road.
There will be a playground area. City will make sure
play structures are accessible.
Each home has its own parking. There will be no
parking on road but there will be visitor parking, which
includes accessible spots, at corner in one area.
Comments have been sent to builder asking that
parking should be dispersed over entire site.
There is limited ability to meet accessibility needs,
demonstrating the need to reach out to builders
asking for more thoughtful designs which are
responsive to accessible needs/requirements.
Committee grades this development's accessibility an
F.
S 08/19 (2620 Brock Rd.)
Tenkey Property in Duffin Heights situated on a
narrow strip of land off Brock, north of Dersan
consisting of 30 stacked 4 -storey townhouses.
Development will be sharing access roads and visitor
park with developments to north and south. Plan
appears to only indicate one accessible parking spot.
Plans indicate inaccessible 10 -step stairways for
entry into each unit. There are no planned
accessibility features i.e. interior elevators.
Committee indicated a desire to have invitation
extended from the builder to have opportunity to
provide some creative thoughts on alternative
renderings that may provide win/win solutions for
both builder and residents with disabilities.
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There is limited potential for this site to respond to
accessibility. Committee grades this development's
accessibility an F.
S 10/19 (Chartwell)
A 22-storey seniors' residence consisting of seniors'
apartments, assisted living, and memory care located
at the southeast corner of Valley farm and Kingston.
Units range in 442 to 588 sq ft with some barrier-free
units. Construction will start in 2020.
There are a lot of amenities, including theatre, pool,
group fitness area, bistro, games room, terraces.
Building and units appear to be highly accessible.
Main access off of Valley farm; additional access
from Kingston through Daniels' development.
There will be key card entry. No above ground
parking, only underground. Plan shows accessible
parking adjacent to the elevators. The Committee
noted that the underground parking plan revealed a
lack of accessible parking spots which, although meet
AODA requirements, are not robust enough for this
type of build as contemplated by Pickering's
accessible parking By-law
There are a number of bicycle parking spots but
Committee questioned the actual need for bicycle
parking spots. Would it not be better to convert to
secure scooter parking?
It was noted that Chartwell has lots of experience in
building for this demographic. Committee is
interested in finding out Chartwell's approach in
designing units to meet a range of disabilities. The
committee grades this development's accessibility a
B+.
A related discussion was held regarding the length of
the lights for crossing at Valley Farm and Kingston,
noting that with this new development and the
expected increase in seniors, light length should be
reevaluated.
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4.3 Service & Support Animal Initiative - Update
T. Higgins has been working with D. Wysocki who is
leading the service & support animal project team
with a view to completing and submitting a proposal
for partnership funding from the Ontario Ministry for
Seniors and Accessibility.
In light of the significance of province -wide service &
support animal concerns, the Ministry has
encouraged the City of Pickering's leadership on this
issue. The Ministry has indicated a willingness to
consider funding up to 75% of the City of Pickering's
project costs subject to mutual agreement/approvals
on the project design. .
Plan is to develop information regarding the rules and
best practices with respect to service and support
animals, particularly as it relates to businesses.
Monograph to be prepared to discuss what
businesses must or need to do, share best practices,
and provide reference materials. Funding needed to
cover the production and distribution as well as
training.
P. Bashaw inquired if it was worthwhile to speak with
someone who developed the Nova Scotia support
animals program? T. Higgins indicated yes.
The Committee considered what the deliverable
P. Bashaw to provide T.
would look like. Have range of outreach opportunities
Higgins with contact in Nova
been considered i.e., YouTube video, social media,
so that information is easily obtainable and sharable
while being fun and engaging.
Scotia.
4.4 General Accessibility Update
Children's Games hosted by DRPS to be held on
Saturday, October 26th at the Pickering Recreation
Complex. T. Higgins is encouraging AAC members to
attend.
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Accessible Education Towards Accessible
Employment is the theme of this year's ONAP
conference, to be held in Lindsay on October 23rd
and 24th. Former Lieutenant Governor David Onley
will be the keynote speaker. Forum topics include:
Universal Design Learning, Creating Inclusive
Placement, Mental Health in the Workplace
Life Experiences, and Workplace Accommodation. T.
Higgins will be attending.
This year (2019) AODA compliance reporting to be
done. A 21-part questionnaire to be answered. T.
Higgins will be working with the internal Accessibility
Core Staff Team at its October meeting to research
and respond to this questionnaire.
Durham Region Accessibility Awards to be held on
October 30th, 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. AAC put forward
the Polar Plunge for an award. S. Milton and D. Poole
will be on hand to accept the award. This is great
opportunity to highlight the Polar Plunge fund raising
achievements and encourage other municipalities
and organizations to get involved.
T. Higgins was invited by Mayor Ryan to join in chat
with resident who is visually challenged. S. Milton
also present. Discussion held on inclusion challenges
residents encounter in Pickering and at the Rec.
Centre. It was felt that more could be done in
Pickering to encourage more social interaction and
inclusion for people with disabilities. An event has
been proposed, with focus on creating comfort for,
and with, engaging with people with disabilities.
T. Higgins reported that he received an email from
former AAC member V. Ronaldi. V. Ronaldi was in a
car accident while in a Durham Transit special
services taxi. Issues had been raised with Durham
Transit in December 2017/January 2018 regarding
the safety of their taxis. It was noted that there has
been a change in DRT leadership since and perhaps
Durham Transit will be more receptive to
recommendations going forward.
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4.5 Member Updates
G. Lang reflected on the participation of the
Committee at the Canada Day event. Feedback from
residents regarding the City's accessibility was
largely positive. There was, however, mention made
of sidewalk accessibility, safety, and connectivity.
I. Janton noted that Planning asks builders to build
platforms for sidewalks — or cash in lieu. Therefore,
as City is built out, an increase in sidewalks will be
seen. Committee suggested having S. Booker and A.
Mostert on a future agenda to discuss sidewalk
concerns further. Discussion should also include
lighting at major intersections.
B. Gregory further noted that connectivity and
walkability in the City can be difficult not just for those
in mobility devices but also people with strollers,
walkers.
I. Janton discussed situation observed from her office
window of residents crossing over Glenanna from
North Esplanade where curb cuts exist, although no
official crosswalk. In discussing this with her Director,
I. Janton has been tasked with creating some ideas
on how to make this crossing less hazardous.
A. Lue advised that he had received an invitation to
the Accessibility Professional Network (APN) 1st
T. Higgins to extend
invitation for S. Booker and
A. Mostert to attend future
AAC meeting.
A. Lue to send information
regarding the APN
conference to T. Higgins.
Annual Conference, arranged through the Rick
Hansen Foundation. Details will be sent to T. Higgins.
A. Lue also mentioned that he had a TED talk coming
up.
D. Hughes advised that he had applied for the
Metrolinx Accessibility Advisory Committee and that
he was accepted. He believes that he is the only one
from Durham Region on this committee.
D. Hughes discussed the upcoming Remembrance
Day events on November 10th, noting that AAC will
be purchasing a wreath. Representatives from AAC
to be on hand to lay the wreath. Additional discussion
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held regarding opening up City Hall to seniors and
veterans to wait in beforehand — rather than outside
in the possible inclement weather.
In a related comment, D. Hughes noted that the City
did not have an Afghan Veterans Memorial.
Remembrance events for the Afghan war have been
hosted by RCL Branch 606 but this is not ideal due to
site constraints. D. Hughes is suggesting a plaque
adjacent to the cenotaph here at the City and is
approaching the Ajax -Pickering Board of Trade to
seek business donations for the plaque.
5•
Review & Approval of Minutes
Moved by D. Hughes
Seconded by A. Lue
That the Minutes of the June 12, 2019 meeting of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
6'
Other Business & Updates
There was no other business or updates.
7'
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned 9:25 pm
:bg
Copy: City Clerk
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