HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO 24-10
;::itq Report To
A Council
PICKERING Report Number: CAO 24-10
Date: December 13, 2010
35
From: Debbie Shields
City Clerk
Subject: 2010 Municipal Election - Report on Accessibility
- File: A-2000
Recommendation:
1. That Report CAO 24-10 of the City Clerk be received for information.
Executive Summary: The City Clerk is responsible for conducting the municipal
election and establishing policies and practices to ensure that all electors have the
opportunity to participate. As per section 12.1 (2) of the Municipal Elections Act, 1996,
within 90 days after voting day in a regular election, the City Clerk shall submit a report
to Council about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers that affect electors
and candidates with disabilities.
Financial Implications: There are no financial implications.
Sustainability Implications: There are no sustainability implications.
Background: The Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended by Bill 212, now
requires that every municipality, within 90 days after voting day in a regular election,
submit a report to Council about the identification, removal and prevention of barriers
that affect electors and candidates with disabilities. Please see below for a listing of
initiatives that were undertaken by the City of Pickering to deliver an accessible election.
Initiative Actions
Outreach to groups knowledgeable in Reviewed various agency websites and
accessibility to obtain feedback on reports (i.e. CNIB), including a ,review of
plans area municipality accessibility plans.
Report CAO 24-10 December 13, 2010
Subject: 2010 Municipal Elections -Accessibility Report Page. 2
36
Received approval from the Pickering
Accessibility Advisory Committee on
Accessible Election Procedures on April
28, 2010.
Ensure all voting locations are Site inspections were conducted for all
accessible to electors with disabilities voting locations, which included an
accessibility checklist for election staff to
determine:
- barrier free paths of travel from the
parking lot to the entrance;
- barrier free parking;
- door operators or accessible doors;
- adequate lighting;
- the availability of accessible
washrooms;
- access to the facility via public
transit; and
- a voting area with adequate space
for a wheelchair or scooter.
All locations were found to be accessible
and if not, specific modifications were
completed.
Voters could also be accompanied by a
support person, service animal or obtain
assistance from Election Officials in
casting their vote.
Prominent signage at each voting location
to ensure that all electors can clearly see
where to go and vote.
Magnifying sheets were available at each
voting location to assist those electors with
low vision.
Provide voting opportunities in Voting locations were established at the
institutions and retirement homes following facilities to allow eligible
residents the opportunity to vote;
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report CAO 24-10 December 13, 2010
Subject: 2010 Municipal Elections -Accessibility Report Page 3
any institution in which 20 or more
beds are occupied by persons who
are disabled, chronically ill or
infirmed; and
a retirement home in which 50 or
more beds are occupied.
In the City of Pickering, these institutions
were;
- Village Retirement Centre;
- Abbeylawn Manor; and
- Bay Ridges Long Term Care
Centre.
Accessible voting technologies During the four days of the Advance Vote,
the "ImageCast Precinct Ballot Marking
Device Light" was made available for
voters. This unit services both voters and
accessible voters (voters who cannot mark
a paper ballot with a pen and require
assistance to mark a ballot).
This machine includes the ATI (Audio-
Tactile Interface), a set of headphones, a
Sip and Puff Input Interface, and a Paddle
Button Input Interface, which can assist a
variety of persons with disabilities.
This device was also available, upon
request, on election day.
In the case where an elector with a
disability was unable to attend a voting
place, he or she could appoint a voting
proxy to vote on their behalf.
CORP0227-07/01 revised
Report CAO 24-10 December 13, 2010
Subject: 2010 Municipal Elections -Accessibility Report Page 4
38
Advertising Advertisements to encourage individuals
with accessible needs to come out to the
advance voting were posted in the
Pickering News Advertiser on September
29th and October 6th and 13th
Accessibility measures were identified on
each Voter Notification Card, which was
mailed to all eligible residents.
The City's On Hold messaging for the
phone system contained a message in
October advising eligible voters of
available accessible voting technology.
Notice of temporary disruption of services
procedures were in place, in the event that
a polling location became unavailable
during either the advance vote or on
election day.
Alternate formats Election information to be made available
in accessible formats, if requested.
Candidates The City Clerk's Office provided
Candidates with information on how to
make their campaign more accessible.
Candidate meetings were all held at
accessible venues.
Training In accordance with the Accessibility
Standards for Customer Service
Regulation, Regulation 429/07, all Election
Officials received accessible customer
service training.
This training encompassed a review of the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities
Act, 2005 and provided an overview of the
City's policies and procedures.
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Report CAO 24-10 December 13, 2010
Subject: 2010 Municipal Elections -Accessibility Report Page 5
Feedback Election Officials were asked to review the
polling location on election day to ensure
accessibility (i.e. no items blocking
entrances or pathways).
A survey was sent to election officials
post-election, that enquired about any
accessibility issues at the voting place.
Feedback will be incorporated into the
2014 election.
The City Clerk continues to welcome feedback to identify areas where accessibility
amendments need to be considered, and ways in which the City can improve the
delivery of an accessible election.
Prepared By: Approved/Endorsed By:
cx
Lisa Harker, MPA Debbie Shields
Coordinator, Records & Elections City Clerk
Approved/Endorsed By:
Tony Prevedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
DS:lh
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Recommended for the consideration
of Picked ity Co ncil
p~liU~• 2~, 2010
Ton revedel, P.Eng.
Chief Administrative Officer
CORP0227-07/01 revised