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Home My WebLink AboutCLK 07-14 Cliq 00 A. • Report to Council. PICKERING Report Number:CLK 07-14 Date: December 15, 2014 From: Paul Bigioni Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor Subject: 2014 Municipal Election - Report on Accessibility - File: A-2000 Recommendation: 1. That Report CLK 07-14 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 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. Discussion: 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 plans reports (i.e. CNIB), including a review of area municipality accessibility plans. Received approval from the Pickering • Accessibility Advisory Committee on Accessible Election Procedures on May 28, 2014. • 51 �+ 3 3 W Cl)O 5 O W (A .A �I o V/ A C < mm m! : ulili. CO r C l`G 0 c° CNO N Cn a --I I N N N .-3... O --i I O O CD v O W C- M 7 _ cc cc CC � !y D (D O W W O N C a O W O C G NCO .N_. -IS. 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N cIt 03 --I cNi) CO A -I a Cb I._?x .A ` —I 03 cs)-z a,' CD D N N N CO W N Cn CQ co '>3 O N c c C N co W � c d1 co N C O N Cn G .� C . T. a ,- I W N CD N N -,. Dj co N -' CO N --I .3 .A �1 O C'' �l O W O CO C� C7 01 03 . . •A 'T1 co N -A m NP O CO '77 S co N cn u CO N Cn W. '' (n CNn CO " -A (b7 N O Report CLK 07-14 December 15, 2014 Subject: 2014 Municipal Election —Accessibility Report Page 2 Ensure all voting locations are accessible Site inspections were conducted for all 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. Voters could also be accompanied by a support person, service animal, or obtain assistance from trained Election Officials in casting their vote. Prominent signage was displayed at each voting location to ensure that all electors could 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 institutions. Voting locations were established at the and retirement homes following facilities to allow eligible residents the opportunity to vote; - Abbeylawn Manor - Bay Ridges LTCC - Chartwell Parkway Retirement Residence - Orchard Villa Retirement Residence - Rougemount Co-operative Homes - VIVA Pickering Accessible Voting Technologies During the four days of the Advance Vote, the "ImageCast Precinct Ballot Marking CORP0227-07/01 revised 52 Report CLK 07-14 December 15, 2014 Subject: 2014 Municipal Election —Accessibility Report Page 3 Device"was available for voters. This unit services both voters and accessible voters (voters who cannot mark a paper ballot with a pen and/or 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 proxy to vote on their behalf. Advertising Advertisements to encourage individuals with accessible needs to come out to the advance vote were posted in the Pickering News Advertiser on October 8th and October 15th. Signs were also posted at the Central Library and the Recreation Complex. Accessibility measures were identified on each Voter Notification Card, which was mailed to all eligible voters in the City of Pickering. The City's On Hold Messaging for the • phone system contained a message in October advising residents of available accessible voting technology. Notice of temporary disruption of service procedures were in place, in the event that a polling location became unavailable during either the advance vote or on Election Day. CORP0227-07/01 revised 53 Report CLK 07-14 December 15, 2014 Subject: 2014 Municipal Election —Accessibility Report Page 4 Alternate Formats Election information to be made available in accessible formats, if requested. Candidates The 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. Election Officials were provided with handouts of the City's Accessible Customer Service Training and an overview of the 4 standards in the Integrated Accessibility Standards; 1. Information & Communications Standard 2. Employment Standard 3. Transportation Standard 4. Design of Public Spaces Standard Election Officials alsowatched an Accessible Customer Service Training Video from the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario (AMCTO). Feedback Election Officials were asked to review the polling location on Election Day to ensure ongoing accessibility (i.e. no items blocking entrances or pathways). A survey was sent to Election Officials post-election, that enquired about any CORP0227-07!01 revised 54 Report CLK 07-14 December 15, 2014 • Subject: 2014 Municipal Election —Accessibility Report Page 5 accessibility issues at the voting place. Feedback will be incorporated into the 2018 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: /,vd-61-604/-e4 Lisa Harker Debbie Shields (Acting) Supervisor, Legislative Services City Clerk Appr•v- ./Endorsed By: Paul Bison Director,,Corwor-te Services & City Solicitor DS:Ih . Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council 0 OP / i J/l - 2-61 z014 Tony Prevedel, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer CORP0227-07/01 revised 55