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HomeMy WebLinkAboutJanuary 8, 2020 Page 1 of 9 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee January 8, 2020 7:00 pm Main Committee Room Attendees: Peter Bashaw Saima Fatima Donna Holmes Glenn Lang Anthony Lue John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade Megan Thorpe Ross David Wysocki Tim Higgins, Staff Representative Rumali Perera, (Acting) Committee Coordinator Absent: Bianca D’Souza Dan Hughes Sue Wilkinson Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Welcome & Introductions T. Higgins welcomed members and other participants to the meeting. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. T. Higgins added items 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5 and 6.6 under Other Business and Updates. Agenda approved. 4. 4 Review & Approval of Minutes Page 2 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) Moved by D. Holmes Seconded by S. Fatima That the Minutes of the December 11, 2019 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 5. 5 New Business 5.1 Site Plan Review - Jerry Coughlan Health & Wellness Centre. J. McLellan appeared before the Committee, to lead/facilitate the Committee’s review of the site plan application for the property located at 2580 Brock Road. He noted that the upcoming facility is a treatment and learning centre for children with disabilities, generously sponsored by Pickering builder, Jerry Coughlan. J. McLellan along with the Committee summarized accessibility features discernable from the site plan application as follows:  proposal provides only seven accessible parking spaces (consistent with Ontario minimum requirements)  only two accessible washroom stalls are provided per floor  two elevators (one small and one large) are planned as well as and two staircases Committee comments were noted as follows:  The Committee felt that Jerry Coughlan would aspire to see his significant donation result in a centre of excellence in terms of accessibility design.  In general, since a primary audience of this facility will be children and others with disabilities, all aspects of the design should be tailored to achieve a high degree of accessibility, going beyond minimum AODA and the Ontario Building Code where feasible. Page 3 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  In light of its intended use, and as encouraged by Pickering’s parking by-law, the facility should aim to exceed the minimum requirements for accessible parking. T.Higgins noted that the City’s Parking By-law 7529/16 encourages that accessible parking spaces exceed the minimum Ontario requirements where merited by the nature of the business/service and the needs of its anticipated clientelle.  Increase the number of accessible washrooms to accommodate the anticipated numbers and demographics of clients and visitors. For example, in light of the intended use of the facility it may be appropriate to provide more accessible washrooms/stalls.  Increase the size of the accessible washrooms for better turning radius  Provide adult change tables for the washrooms  Need for lifts, such as in bathrooms for transfers (track system may be most effective and flexible).  In light of the intended use of the facility, accessible access to the building by Durham Regional Transit should be explicitly addressed in the design.  Conduct a consultation on wayfinding and signage. (This will be important as the proposal does not indicate a reception area)  Consider accessible standards for signage for wayfinding, including to common areas such as washrooms, accessible washrooms, lobby, elevators, break/lunch room(s), exits, emergency instructions and exits, etc.  Provide touchable/braille gender signs on the washrooms for the visually impaired.  Consider adequacy of back-up generators for the elevators  Consider following hospital design standards standards rather than vanilla commercial codes. Committee Questions were noted as follows:  The conceptual vision of the facility Page 4 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)  More information on the types of services provided and the persons served (both in numbers and anticipated accessibility needs  The capacity of the elevators P. Bashaw noted that the Ontario College of Art and Design University (OCADU) might be interested to engage its Master’s of Inclusive Design program students in contributing ideas for this facility. T. Higgins stated that OCADU specializes in inclusive design and often offers free consultation as part of its Master’s and other class projects. It may be beneficial to reach out to OCADU to seek such a partnership on this project. A. Lue noted the importance of education in regards to inclusiveness and accessibility. He stated that he is currently obtaining his Rick Hansen certification. T. Higgins noted that a main recommendation is to invite the developer and the owner of this property to a future meeting(s) to continue to discuss this application with a view to achieving a centre of accessibility excellence. 5.2 2019 AODA Compliance Reporting T. Higgins noted that following analysis and consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, the Accessibility Core Staff Team and various city staff, the 2019 report has been filed with the Regulator indicating that the City of Pickering is fully AODA-compliant. A copy of the 2019 AODA Compliance Report is attached to the minutes. 6. Other Business & Updates 6.1 Traffic Lights Members of the PAAC expressed concern over the traffic light timings. It was noted that sufficient time was not always provided to allow people with disabilities to cross roads safely. Page 5 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) G. Lang noted that the City should conduct an audit process with an eye to future growth. G. Lang noted, for example, that rapid transit lanes and bus lanes add more complexity. He also noted that some municipalities create two-stage traffic lights. This does not require the timing for the traffic lights to be increased as this could then impede traffic flow. T. Higgins noted that responsibility for roads and traffic lights was often complicated by jurisdiction; that is, municipal, regional and provincial. J. McLellan noted that the former traffic light timing standard for Toronto assumed a pedestrian walking speed of 1.2 meters per second whereas the new standard is 1 meter per second. Toronto took into consideration that older men take about 0.9 meters per second; older women taking about 0.8 meters per second; elementary children take about 0.6 meters per second to safely cross the road. This then allows for some crossings such as those near schools to have tailored crossing time allowances. T. Higgins noted that City Staff should be consulted about how Pickering intersection crossing times are determined. With this information, the Committee could then assess opportunities to adopt best practices. D. Holmes noted that Markham, in her opinion, has the best standards with respect to traffic lights. P. Bashaw noted that the City should also consider the time for individuals in wheelchairs to cross as well as possible mitigations for and reduced visibility during winter weather conditions. D. Wysocki recommended the City use an audit system to assess the timing of key Pickering traffic lights. As an example, D. Wysocki surfaced a website ( https://www.walkscore.com/cities-and- neighborhoods/ ) as a potential tool to audit municipal walkability/safety. Page 6 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) D. Holmes recommended using voice activation at traffic lights to notify pedestrians when vehicles are turning. T. Higgins noted that this would require collaboration across the region. A. Lue noted that due to a growing retirement population, the City will need to provide better walkability. T. Higgins noted that a report would be going forward to Council in April or May outlining the work and the future priorities of the AAC. He noted that roads and traffic should be considered as a topic for this report. He also stated that the presence of the AAC members at this meeting is much valued. J. McLellan stated that the City should strive to be a City that welcomes and encourages walking as new condominiums are being built. To inform follow-up discussions with City staff, The members of the committee identified the following intersections where traffic light timing is a concern: 1. Glenanna and South Esplanade 2. Valley Farm Road and South Esplanade 3. Whites Road and Hwy 2 4. Liverpool and Kingston Road 5. Valley Farm Road and Hwy 2 6.2 Civic Awards T. Higgins provided Members with information regarding the upcoming Civic Award nominations. AAC members identified the following potential nominees for a Civic Accessibility Award. 1. Luke Edward Feetham 2. Jerry Coughlan 3. Don Terry 4. The Pickering Soccer Club – “In Motion” program 5. An organizer (TBD) for Pickering student volunteers at various events Page 7 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 6. Dan Hughes – Axxess Condos 7. David Wysocki 8. Pina D’Intino T. Higgins encouraged members to email him directly with additional suggested nominations for the Access Award for Disability Issues. He noted that the deadline to submit nominations is the 2nd Thursday of February. 6.3 5 Year Accessibility Plan T. Higgins asked the members to read the 5 year Accessibility Plan carefully and to provide comments to inform the progress update to 2020. 6.4 Service and Support Animals This report will be going forward to Council on January 27th 2020 for approval. D. Wysocki noted that the planned Innovations Lab will involve untangling the different perspectives of key stakeholders. T. Higgins noted that from the perspective of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the identification of “competing rights” would be an important theme to be treated in the public Monograph to be published. 6.5 Tot Pool Enhancement T. Higgins stated that a resident letter was received noting that a child with a disability could not safely enter/exit the tot pool in the Recreation Complex. As a consequence, the City plans to install hand rails into the tot pool and has listed $20,000 on the 2020 capital budget on the understanding that grant money be sought as an offset. T. Higgins noted that he would be seeking a grant through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart funding program. P. Bashaw stated that, some time ago, a child at the Pickering Recreation Complex had fallen off the ladder into the pool when the ladder broke off. He further noted that Variety Village has a ramp to enter its pool. T. Higgins to (re)email the members a copy of the 5 Year Accessibility Plan. T. Higgins will be drafting a letter expressing AAC support for the Jumpstart proposal. Page 8 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) A. Lue stated that a training facility in Arizona allowed individuals in wheelchairs easy access in to the pool and provided the following link to a short video clip of the Tucson facility: https://ability360.org/sports/aquatics/ P. Bashaw noted that Petticoat Creek Conservation area has a highly accessible pool. 6.6 Future Meetings & Events T. Higgins noted the following items for the next meeting:  two Councillors will be joining the Committee to speak about the service and support animal initiative.  Abdul Macci from the Durham Region Transit Commission TAC governance committee will be joining to coordinate efforts.  Tammy Lyle-Gravlev from the Pickering Football Club will be joining to discuss a newly-funded research initiative to improve inclusion. T. Higgins advised members of the following upcoming events:  Your City event – May 23, 2020  Canada Day – July 1, 2020 P. Bashaw noted that the Participation House offers an 8-week course for individuals with disabilities in conducting basic day-to-day activities. The course then assists these individuals in finding employment. He noted that Pickering should consider implementing a similar program. T. Higgins recalled from the recent ONAP Conference in Lindsay that Kawartha Lakes has partnered with a number of organizations to stimulate employment for people with wide-ranging disabilities. He proposed that Pickering should seek similar partnerships to advance the employment agenda. P. Bashaw to reach out to Participation House and invite its representatives to present at a future AAC meeting. Page 9 of 9 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) D. Wysocki noted that there had been previous AAC discussions about establishing an accessibility- friendly coffee shop at the renovated Pickering Recreation Complex. T. Higgins observed that such a coffee shop could be incorporated into the new City Centre plans. 6.7 Member Updates T. Higgins surveyed the Committee members for updates and final remarks. No action items from updates. 7. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 9:22 pm :rp Copy: City Clerk Attachments 1. 2019 Accessibility Compliance Report