HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 19, 2021
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
May 19, 2021
Electronic Meeting
7:00 pm
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Saima Fatima
Dan Hughes
Glenn Lang
Anthony Lue
Tammy Lyle-Gravlev
Phyllis Milton
Anna Taverna
John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering B oard of Trade
Arnold Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development
Margaret Kish, Principal Planner, Policy
Tim Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison)
Rumali Perera, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: Megan Thorpe Ross
David Wysocki
Guests: Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility Coordinator, Municipality of Clarington
Peter Feldmann, Assets and Projects Manager, Parks Canada
Larry Noonan, Altona Forest
Tara Joy Knibbe, Director, Research, Abilities Centre
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda
approved.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Review and Approval of Minutes
- April 21, 2021
Moved by D. Hughes
Seconded by A. Lue
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
That the Minutes of the April 21, 2021 meeting of the
Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/ Delegations
4.1 Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility
Coordinator
Municipality of Clarington
Re: Enhancing Accessibility by Installing
Mobile Device Charging Stations at Local
Trails
Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility Coordinator,
Municipality of Clarington, joined the meeting via
audio connection and presented the Committee with
a PDF presentation regarding the installation of
Mobile Device Charging Stations at Local Trails. She
noted that the goal was to install up to eight
accessible charging stations for mobility devices
(motorized wheelchairs, scooters) in local parks and
along paths and trails in Clarington to provide the
opportunity for individuals to charge their mobility
devices while outside accessing parks and public
spaces. She discussed the design, site locations,
and, signage.
4.2 Peter Feldmann, Assets and Projects
Manager, Parks Canada
Re: Enhancing Accessibility by Installing
Mobile Device Charging Stations at Local
Trails
Peter Feldmann, Assets and Projects Manager,
Parks Canada, joined the meeting via audio
connection to present questions regarding t he Mobile
Device Charging Stations Initiative by Clarington.
Discussion ensued between Mr. Feldmann and Ms.
Whynot, regarding:
• outlet specifications for the C harging Stations;
• whether the charging stations had been
installed yet; and,
• the average capacity of the charging station.
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
4.3 Larry Noonan, Altona Forest
Re: Mobile Charging Stations in Park Trails
Larry Noonan, Altona Forest, joined the meeting v ia
audio connection to discuss Charging Stations in
Park Trails. Mr. Noonan noted that he works for
Altona Forest and volunteers for Rouge National
Park. Mr. Noonan discussed concerns regarding
possible vandalism to these charging stations and
noted that the charging stations should be placed in
high traffic areas to avoid vandalism.
A discussion ensued between Committee Members
regarding:
• the distance between the e ach charging
station;
• the timeline for the stations to be placed in the
parks; and,
the possibility of providing charging pads in
bulk at maps or signage areas.
4.4 Tara Joy Knibbe, Director
Research Abilities Centre
Re: National Disability Survey
Tara Joy Knibbe, Director, Research, Abilities Centre,
joined the meeting via audio connected and delivered
a PowerPoint presentation regarding the National
Disability Survey. She provided an introduction of the
Abilities Centre and the Canadian Disability
Participation Project. She discussed the c ore
components of the Access Project, the National
COVID-19 Disability Survey, and the results of the
survey pertaining to demographics, main stressors,
needs and unmet needs, general health, Social
Isolation & Physical Activity, and the COVID-19
Vaccine. She concluded her delegation by outlining
the next steps of the project.
5. New Business
5.1 Enhancing Accessibility by Installing
Mobile Device Charging Stations at Local
Trails
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
Arnold Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks
Development, noted that the City would be installing
Mobile Device Charging Stations and would be
conducting further research on the matter. Mr.
Mostert discussed wiring specifications that would be
used and noted that these stations would be part of
the Beachfront Park Study. Mr. Mostert noted that the
locations for the stations could be promoted through
the City’s website.
Discussion ensued b etween Committee Members
regarding:
• Jackery portable power stations;
• whether research had been conducted in
regards to thinking outside the box and
possible damage and safety concerns with
placing the charging stations near water; and,
• the convenience of providing charging pads in
bulk and accessing grants and programs to
cover the associated costs.
5.2 National Disability Survey
T. Higgins surveyed members for comments
regarding the National Disability Survey and building
the Five Year Accessibility Plan.
Discussion ensued regarding:
• the high costs of accessible devices;
• the importance of recreation and the COVID-
19 pandemic presenting new innovative
opportunities;
• incorporating accessible recreation programs;
• possible ways to incorporate equipment
lending and whether the Abilities Centre offer
equipment lending;
• communicating accessible program
opportunities to families and supporting the
families as a whole and incorporating the
families to these programs;
• offering online programs; and,
• online programs at times not being feasible for
individuals with Autism.
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
5.3 Pickering Housing Strategy
Staff Delegation:
Margaret Kish, Principal Planner, Policy
City of Pickering
Margaret Kish, Principal Planner, Policy, provided an
update on the Phase 2 of the City’s Housing Strategy
Study. She discussed the three phases of the project
and noted that it is now in the second phase.
Ms. Kish provided information on the housing gaps
that were identified in the first phase and noted that
the tools identified in the draft housing strategy and
action plan included planning policy, financial
incentives, partnership, education, advocacy, and
other actions. She concluded her delegation by
outlining the next steps of the strategy.
A question and answer period ensued between the
Committee Members and Margaret Kish, regarding:
• updating the AAC on the components of the
accessibility and affordability section
requirements in the application prior to
launching the strategy;
• increasing the City’s standards for accessibility
and affordability;
• concrete actions to encourage developers to
pursue accessibility and affordability; and,
• housing being a complex issue and concerns
regarding the parties involved.
5.4 2020 Year End Report and 2021 Proposed
Work Plan.
T. Higgins surveyed members for additional
comments to the 2020 Year End Report and 2021
Proposed Work Plan.
Moved by G. Lang
Seconded by P. Bashaw
That the 2020 Year End Report and 2021 Proposed
Work Plan be approved and forwarded to Council’s
consideration at the May 25, 2021 Council Meeting.
Carried
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status
Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as
appropriate)
Discussion ensued regarding delegating at the May
25, 2021 Council meeting on the 2020 Year End
Report and 2021 Proposed Work Plan.
5.5 Service & Support Animals Initiative (SSAI)
- Update
This Item was deferred to the June 16, 2021 AAC
Meeting.
5.6 The Ontario Disability Employment Network
(ODEN)
This Item was deferred to the June 16, 2021 AAC
Meeting.
5.7 Awards
This Item was deferred to the June 16, 2021 AAC
Meeting.
6. Correspondence
7. Other Business & Updates
7.1 Member Updates
There were no updates from Committee Members.
8. Next Meeting – June 16, 2021
9. Adjournment
The meeting adj ourned at 9:12 pm.
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