HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 21, 2025 Page 1 of 5
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
May 21, 2025
Hybrid Electronic Meeting Main Committee Room 7:00 pm
Attendees: S. Azhar
D. Currie B. Ferguson K. Hale C. Rudberg-Chin
M. Shackleton
D. Schick S. Snyders K. Sullivan T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator Absent: A. Khan A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Councillor M. Brenner
Councillor M. Nagy
Item/ Ref #
Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
1 Review and Approval of Agenda
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded by M. Shackleton
That the Agenda for the May 21, 2025, Meeting of The Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be approved.
Carried
2 Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3 Approval of Minutes
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include
deadline as
appropriate)
Moved by K. Sullivan
Seconded by B. Ferguson
That the Minutes of the April 16, 2025, meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4 Presentations/Delegations
There were no presentations.
5 New Business
5.1 Sub Committee Planning
K. Sullivan provided a brief summary of the Accessibility
Advisory Sub-Committees discussions regarding building on
the presentation provided by the Accelerating Accessibility Coalition (the “Coalition”) at the April 16, 2025, Pickering Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting (PAAC).
Discussion between Committee Members ensued regarding
participating in the Durham Region Multi-Year Accessibility
Plan (MYAP) virtual consultation event. Committee Members noted items to raise at the virtual consultation including:
• the value of the Coalition providing a presentation to
the Region of Durham;
• recommending a follow up meeting between the Region, the Coalition, and PAAC Members to discuss the Subcommittee’s work on the Accessibility
Symposium; and,
• the development of the City’s Accessibility Checklist for Developers.
Discussion between Committee Members continued
regarding:
• learning from the experience of other Municipalities while organizing the Accessibility Symposium, such as inviting members from the building and development community
to participate;
• receiving an update on the progress of the Accessibility Checklist, to be provided by I. Janton at the June 18, 2025, PAAC meeting;
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include
deadline as
appropriate)
•there being opportunity to provide vision and input to new federal housing programs such as the Canada Build Program, and recognizing a shift from traditional built homes to factory built homes;
•building partnerships with federal, provincial, and other
government and community groups;
•engaging with Pickering’s new Member of Parliament, noting the City’s interests concerning accessibility and
housing; and,
•sharing the draft version of the Accessibility Checklist for Developers, with the Coalition for their input and information.
5.2 National Accessibility Awareness Week (NAAW)
T. Higgins noted that National Accessibility Awareness Week
(NAAW) provided an opportunity for Municipalities andorganizations to develop training activities.
T. Higgins toprovide a
summary ofactivities toCommitteeMembers.
5.3 Canada Day
T. Higgins provided a brief summary of the features of theTranquility Tent Event being held on Canada Day.
T. Higgins toprovideavailable time
slots via email
to CommitteeMembers.
5.4 Durham Region Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP)
T. Higgins provided that the Region would be holding a virtualconsultation event and that Committee Members could attendto provide suggestions to inform the Regions MYAP.
Committee Members provided suggestions including:
•improving housing standards;
•increased transit options with integrated design and
coordination with the lower tier municipalities;
•identifying partnerships such as the Coalition and theHidden Disabilities Sunflower program; and,
•an opportunity for the PAAC to partner with the
Regions Accessibility Advisory Committee.
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include
deadline as
appropriate)
5.5 Recreation Program Registration
B. Ferguson indicated that he had met with K. Bradley, Special Advisor, Community Initiatives to discuss enhancing the Recreation Program Registration process to better capture the accommodation needs of the registrants.
Discussion between Committee Members ensued regarding:
• ensuring inclusive language that was more indicative of specific needs;
• ensuring the registration process is user friendly;
• providing messaging that there were alternative methods to seek accommodations and updating their profile;
• implementing a registration system that could be used
across City services with one citizen ID, reducing the burden of registering for and finding new services; and,
• exploring advanced technologies to streamline
services and provide AI generated information.
T. Higgins
recommended that Committee Members watch YouTube video
“We are the Super Humans”.
5.6 ONAP Conference
T. Higgins provided a summary of topics covered at the Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) Conference such as emergency evacuation plans and the faults with accessibility and the introduction of evacuation chairs. Instructions and communications regarding
accessibility tools were provided at the Conference.
Discussion between Committee Members ensued regarding inviting Fire Services to speak at a future Committee meeting.
T. Higgins to
send Information Materials to Committee Members.
6 Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
7. Other Business
7.1 The Accessibility Advisory Committee Action Item list is to be
added to the June AAC Meeting.
7.2 S. Snyders raised concerns regarding the City’s automatic doors and how they are monitored and whether there could be monthly inspections.
8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates
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Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include
deadline as
appropriate)
T. Higgins surveyed the members for updates and Committee
Members shared experiences and initiatives pertaining to Accessibility.
9. Next Meeting – June 18, 2025
10. Adjournment
Moved by C. Rudberg-Chin Seconded by B. Ferguson
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 9:17 pm