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May 20, 2026
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Main Committee Room May 20, 2026 - 07:00 PM Members of the public may observe the meeting proceedings by viewing the livestream on the HTML Agenda or the archived video available on the City's website. How to Participate Individuals looking to make a verbal delegation may do so in accordance with the City’s Procedure By-law. In lieu of a verbal delegation, individuals may also submit written comments to clerks@pickering.ca. To register as a Delegation, please submit a Delegation Request Form by visiting pickering.ca/meetings. For inquiries related to accessibility, please contact Legislative Services Phone: 905.420.4611 | Email: clerks@pickering.ca Review and Approval of Agenda Disclosure of Interest Approval of Minutes Minutes, April 15, 2026 Page 4 Delegations/Presentations New Business Site Plan Review: 1970 Brock Rd, S12/86(R26) (7:10 pm)Page 9 Isabelle Janton, Senior Planner, Site Planning George Ashe Library and Community Centre (GALCC) Presentation (7:25 pm) Diana Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects 1. 2. 3. 3.1 4. 5. 5.1 5.2 Fire Station 5 – Update re: AAC Comments (7:55 pm) Diana Poida, Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects 2025 Year End Report and 2026 Work Plan– Delegation Planning (8:05 pm) Katherine Hale Sam Snyders 2026 Municipal Election - Information for Committee Members (8:15 pm) Keith Hearst, Records, Elections, and Privacy Coordinator Tim Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator Report to Council: Automatic Accessible Doors at City Facilities (8:20 pm) Tim Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator Inclusive Play Spaces (8:30 pm) Sam Snyders Multi-Year Accessibility Plan (MYAP) Planning – Partners and Emergent Themes (8:40 pm) Page 14 Tim Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator National Accessibility Awareness Week (NAAW) Events (8:45 pm) Page 26 Tim Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator Canada Day – Tranquility Tent (8:50 pm) Tim Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator Other Business Correspondence 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 5.10 6. 7. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda May 20, 2026 - 2 - Next Meeting - June 17, 2026 Adjournment 8. 9. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda May 20, 2026 - 3 - 1 Present: Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Main Committee Room April 15, 2026 - 07:00 PM S. Azhar D. Currie K. Hale M. Shackleton S. Snyders A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Regrets: B. Ferguson C. Rudberg-Chin D. Schick Councillor M. Brenner Councillor M. Nagy 1. Review and Approval of Agenda Moved By M. Shackleton Seconded By D. Currie That the Agenda for the April 15, 2026, Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting be approved. Carried 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Minutes - 4 - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 15, 2026 2 3.1 Minutes, March 18, 2026 T. Higgins reviewed the March 18, 2026 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes and provided an update pertaining to Item 5.5, Accessible Public Skating. S. Snyders noted that a productive meeting had been held with City staff regarding the potential implementation of a pilot program offering a bi-weekly accessible public skate, and confirmed that opportunities continued to be explored with City staff. Moved By K. Hale Seconded By S. Snyders That the Minutes of the March 18, 2026, Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 4. Delegations/Presentations 4.1 Onila Miranda, Pickering Resident Re: Love Is a Human Right — Make Ableism a Global Crime O. Miranda did not appear before the Committee to provide a delegation. 5. New Business 5.1 Ontario Human Rights Code (OHRC) - Ableism Policy This item was deferred to a future meeting. 5.2 Resident Portal - Digital Transformation K. Fox, Supervisor, Customer Care, appeared before the Committee and, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, provided an overview of the City of Pickering’s new Online Service Portal Project. K. Fox advised that the initiative was guided by the City’s Digital Strategy and was intended to complement existing in-person and telephone services. K. Fox noted that the project was being developed with staff input and through ongoing public engagement. K. Fox invited the Committee to provide feedback through an online survey available at letstalkpickering.ca/digital, and advised that engagement opportunities would continue throughout spring 2026. A question-and-answer period ensued between Committee Members and - 5 - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 15, 2026 3 staff regarding: • clarification of the public engagement undertaken to date; • whether services would be available in multiple languages; • what outreach methods were being used beyond online platforms; • whether personalized orientations would be offered for residents who typically access City services through other channels; • whether the system would include predictive capabilities based on user profile information; • whether the system could identify the correct level of government to direct inquiries; • what services were most frequently used by residents; • whether the search function would use keywords and interpret statements to auto-direct requests to the appropriate division; • whether an integration tool with the Region would allow the system to receive and route complaints on behalf of residents; • whether automated updates or notifications would be provided to reduce the need for follow-up inquiries; • whether collected data could be analyzed to anticipate community needs; and, • whether quick links for services would adjust based on seasonal trends. 5.3 AAC’s Annual Report to Council T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator, provided a brief summary of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) 2025 Year End Report and 2026 Proposed Work Plan and invited Committee Members to provide a delegation at the May 25, 2026 Council meeting to speak to the work done by the AAC. Moved By S. Snyders Seconded By D. Currie That the Accessibility Advisory Committee endorse the 2025 Year End Report and 2026 Proposed Work Plan, subject to minor administrative changes. Carried 5.4 Report to Council - Automatic Accessible Doors at City Facilities T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator, noted that discussions with City staff had been well received and that staff were approaching the work with a collaborative focus. A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members regarding opportunities to - 6 - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 15, 2026 4 simplify the process for reporting malfunctioning automatic accessible doors at City facilities through the new Resident Online Portal with the use of a numbering system. T. Higgins to bring a draft report to Committee at the May 20, 2026 Accessibility Advisory Committee. 5.5 City of Vaughan’s Inclusive Design Standards (IDS) A. Topple, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade, provided a brief summary of the Vaughan Inclusive Design Standards (IDS) Document. A. Topple noted that the document outlined the City’s expectations for accessible design and expressed concerns that some elements created redundancy by replicating work typically completed by plan examiners and would require consistent monitoring for Building Code updates to be incorporated. A. Topple highlighted that the document included preferred construction methods, including items that extended beyond Building Code requirements, and addressed some day-to-day considerations not captured through existing standards. A discussion between Committee Members ensued regarding: • that accessible doors, doorways and inclusive play spaces were addressed, noting the value of planning for accessibility; • the Vaughan IDS package serving as a useful guide and whether the Vaughan IDS aligned with the package the City of Pickering currently had under development; and, • creating a process that balanced accessibility and efficiency. 5.6 Roundtable Updates T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator, acknowledged the passing of K. Sullivan and recognized his contributions to the Committee. 6. Other Business • S. Snyders requested that an item regarding inclusive play spaces be included in the Accessibility Advisory Committee's May 20, 2026 Meeting. 7. Correspondence There was no correspondence. - 7 - Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes April 15, 2026 5 8. Next Meeting - May 20, 2026 9. Adjournment Moved By D. Currie Seconded By S. Snyders That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. - 8 - ""C t------< ro 0 i-----; ci::: ~ :J CJ "" Brockridge Community Park f------ - - - - ""C ro 0 ci::: ro >-0 ci::: Finch Avenue Denmar Park -04!0/- P](KER]NG Location Ma File: S 12/86(R26) Munici al Address: 1970 Brock Road City Development Department © The Corporation of the City of Pickering Produced (in part) under license from: © King's Printer, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. All rights reserved.;© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, Department of Natural Resources. All rights reserved.;© Teranet Enterprises Inc. and its suppliers. All rights reserved.;© Municipal Property Assessment Corporation and its suppliers. All rights reserved. l:\PLANNING\01-MapFiles\02 -Applications\S\2026\S 1286(R26) Brock & Kingston Holdings lr.c\S 12-86.aprx N A Date: May. 04, 2026 SCALE: 1:3,000 THIS ISNOTAPL.ANOFSURVEY. - 9 - BR O C K R O A D KING S T O N R O A D #1970 EXISTING 2-STOREY HERITAGE BUILDING 362M2 #1980 EXISTING 1-STOREY BLDG. CAFE & RETAIL 232.6M2 EXISTING 1-STOREY BLDG. 631.8M2 (TOTAL) #1670 EXISTING 1-STOREY BLDG. (RETAIL & OFFICE) 568.2M2 1-STOREY BLDG. EX. SIDEWALK EX. ENCLOSED COURTYARD EX . S I D E W A L K EX . S I D E W A L K LANDSCAPING LA N D S C A P I N G LA N D S C A P I N G EXISTING SURFACE PARKING LANDSCAPING EX. FENCING PO R C H EXISTING SURFACE PARKING EXISTING SURFACE PARKING PR O P E R T Y L I N E PROP E R T Y L I N E LANDSCAPING EXISTING SURFACE PARKING EXISTING SURFACE PARKING EXISTING SURFACE PARKING EXISTING SURFACE PARKING 8 5 9 18 4 26 17 9 7 8 7 17 10 PR O P E R T Y L I N E PROPERTY LINE PROPERTY LINE PR O P E R T Y L I N E BF-A BF-B BFBFBF NEW "DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION" SIGN DO NOT BLOCK ��0��'��3��(��/��(��&��7�����3��$��1��(��/��6��<��6��7��(��0��(��/��(��&��7�����3��$��1��(/��6��<��6��7��(��0BUNRACKBUNRACKrestrooms NEW DELIVERY PARKING / LOADING ZONE 3 NEW PICK-UP WINDOW NEW TRAFFIC SIGN " STOP" NEW ORDER WINDOW NEW MENU BOARD EX. PYLON SIGNAGE BOARD WENDY'S SIGNAGE TO BE INSERTED TURN LEFT TO DRIVE THRU DIRECTIONAL SIGN NEW "DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION" SIGN GARBAGE CONC. PAD PER WENDY'S STANDARDS CONC PAD AT ORDER POINT. MAGNETIC LOOP DETECTOR DETAILS PER WENDY'S PROTOTYPES NEW HEIGHT RESTRICTION BAR NEW HEIGHT RESTRICTION BAR BOLLARD FOR MENU BOARD PROTECTION TRAFFIC SAFETY BARRIER POSSIBLE KNOCK DOWN BOLLARDSNEW ZIPPER MERGE SIGN DR I V E TH R U PAVEMENT AT PICK UP WINDOW 50MM BELOW INTERNAL FINISH FLOOR. MAGNETIC LOOP DETECTOR FOR TIMER SYSTEM PER WENDY'S PROTOTYPES NEW "LEFT TURN ONLY" SIGN EXISTING SURFACE PARKING EXISTING EXIT TO REMAIN EX. DOOR TO BE REMOVED NEW ENTRY DOORS EX. TREE TO BE REMOVED EX. LIGHT STANDARD AND SIGN TO BE RELOCATED EX. CURB TO BE REMOVED AND REWORKED EX. CURB TO BE REMOVED AND REWORKED NEW BARRIER FREE SPACES BF-A EX. CURB TO BE REMOVED. NEW BARRIER FREE PARKING SPACES PROPOSED WENDY'S 207.5M2 EX. CURB TO BE REMOVED AND REWORKED BF-B TC BC TC 87. 8+^.TC TC BC TC87.8+^.TC BC sw EXISTING #1670 1-STOREY BLDG. (RETAIL & OFFICE) 568.2m2 87.7 8 7 . 8 87.0 87.20 87.70+^.TC 87. 8 7 . + ^ . T C TCBC87.7 BC TC BC BC TC TC BC BC TC TC BC BC TC TC TC BC 87. 0BC88 . 0 TC B C T C TC TC B C TC B C BC BC TC BC TC BC TC B C TC TC BC BC TC BC TC TC BC BC TC BC TC 87.TC TC BC TC TC PROPOSED CURB PROP O S E D CURB 87. 87. 87. 87. 2 BC TC 8 .0 Ex. CU R B T O BE RE M O V E D Ex. CU R B T O BE RE M O V E D 87. Ex.CB #1 TOP.86.40 Ex.CB #3 TOP.87.56 Ex.CB #2 TOP.87.19 Ex.CB #4 TOP.87.11 Ex.CB TOP.86.57 Ex.CB #5 TOP.87.01 Ex.CB #7 TOP.87.20 Ex.CB #6 TOP.87.74 MATC H E x . ASPH A L T MATC H E x . ASPH A L T MATCH Ex. ASPHALT MATCH Ex. ASPHALT MATCH Ex. ASPHALT MATCH Ex. ASPHALT PROP O S E D CURB BC ELEC PANELS TEL E P H O N E BAC K B O A R D 2HR FRR DEMISING WALL BY LANDLORD 2H R F R R D E M I S I N G W A L L B Y L A N D L O R D GM 2HR FRR DEMISING WALL BY LANDLORD ACTIVE TREE PROTECTION FENCING TREE PROTECTION FENCING TREE PROTECTION FENCING TREE PROTECTION FENCING PATCH CONCRETE TO MATCH EXISTING NEW SOD NEW SOD NEW SOD NEW SOD DIRECTION SIGNAGE DIRECTION SIGNAGE DIRECTION SIGNAGE SIGNAGE 1500MM ABOVE FDC Seal: ISO A0 Checked By: Mar 30, 2026 - 3:14pm Drawing No.: Date Plotted: Drawn By: Drawing Title: Project: Revision No.: Scale: Date Checked:Project No. DateNo. REVISIONS AND DISTRIBUTION LOG Note 101 - 20 Camden Street Toronto, Ontario M5V 1V1 www.cmvarch.com T 416.506.1600 F 416.506.0956 A100 3 AS NOTED PROPOSED WENDY'S NEW TENANT RENOVATION 1970 BROCK ROAD PICKERING ONTARIO SITE PLAN KP DC 20A109 1 DEC 2025 ISSUED FOR ZONING REVIEW 2 FEB 2026 ISSUED FOR ZONING REVIEW 3 MAR.30, 2026 ISSUED FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL KEY PLAN (NTS) SITE SITE STATISTICS: REQUIRED:PROPOSED: PARKING: BARRIER FREE: LOT AREA: (MINIMUM) LOT FRONTAGE: (MINIMUM) FRONT YARD DEPTH: (MINIMUM) INTERIOR SIDE YARD WIDTH: (MINIMUM) FLANKAGE SIDE YARD WITH: (MINIMUM) REAR SIDE YARD DEPTH: (MINIMUM) LOT COVERAGE: (MAXIMUM) BUILDING HEIGHT: (MAXIMUM) GROSS FLOOR AREA: (TOTAL) 96 SPACES (5.0 PARKING SPACES FOR EACH 93m2 OR PART THEREOF OF GROSS LEASABLE FLOOR AREA 6 SPACES 10,000 M2 100 M 10 M 3 M 20 M 3 M 0.2 12 M 1825.5 M2 151 SPACES 6 SPACES 12,137 M2 (EXISTING) 109.7 M (EXISTING) 23.18 M (EXISTING) 4.8 M (EXISTING) 24.56 M (EXISTING) 2.82M (EXISTING) 0.15 (EXISTING) 7.5 M (EXISTING) 1825.5 M2 (EXISTING) - 10 - TENANT SIGNAGE T/O SLAB ELEV: 0'-0" T/O FEATURE PARAPET ELEV: 26'-4" B/O CANOPY ELEV: 10'-0" T/O PARAPET ELEV: +/- 24'-4" TO MATCH EXISTING T/O ROOF T/O SLAB ELEV: 0'-0" T/O FEATURE PARAPET ELEV: 26'-4" B/O CANOPY ELEV: 10'-0" T/O PARAPET ELEV: +/- 24'-4" TO MATCH EXISTING T/O ROOF REMOVE EXISTING OVERHANG REMOVE EXISTING OVERHANG REMOVE AND REPLACE EXISTING DOOR REMOVE EXISTING OVERHANG REMOVE EXISTING DOOR AND FILL TO MATCH EXISTING REMOVE ROOF AS REQUIRED FOR NEW DESIGN REMOVE EXISTING WINDOWS REMOVE EXISTING OVERHANG T/O SLAB ELEV: 0'-0" T/O FEATURE PARAPET ELEV: 26'-4"LE A S E L I N E TENANT SIGNAGE B/O CANOPY ELEV: 10'-0" T/O PARAPET ELEV: +/- 24'-4" TO MATCH EXISTING T/O ROOF T/O SLAB ELEV: 0'-0" T/O FEATURE PARAPET ELEV: 26'-4" B/O CANOPY ELEV: 10'-0" T/O PARAPET ELEV: +/- 24'-4" TO MATCH EXISTING T/O ROOF DRIVE THRU> MADE FRESH TO ORDER FDC SIGNAGE 1500MM ABOVE EXISTING FDC WITH ARROW POINTING DOWN GM Seal: ISO A0 Checked By: Mar 30, 2026 - 3:14pm Drawing No.: Date Plotted: Drawn By: Drawing Title: Project: Revision No.: Scale: Date Checked:Project No. DateNo. REVISIONS AND DISTRIBUTION LOG Note 101 - 20 Camden Street Toronto, Ontario M5V 1V1 www.cmvarch.com T 416.506.1600 F 416.506.0956 A200 1 AS NOTED PROPOSED WENDY'S NEW TENANT RENOVATION 1970 BROCK ROAD PICKERING ONTARIO ELEVATIONS KP DC 20A109 1 MAR. 30, 2026 ISSUED FOR SITE PLAN APPROVAL - 11 - GATE FENCING PR O P E R T Y L I N E PROP E R T Y L I N E PR O P E R T Y L I N E PROPERTY LINE PR O P E R T Y L I N E BF-A BF-B DO NOT BLOCK DR I V E TH R U BF-A BF-B 3 TC BC TC TC BC TC BC sw 87.20 TCBC BC TC BC BC TC TC BC BC TC TC BC BC TC TC TC BC B C T C TCB C TC B C TC B C BC BC TC BC TC BC TC B C TC TCBC BC TC BC TC TC BC BC TC BC TC TC BC TC BC TC Ex.CB #2 TOP.87.19 Ex.CB #7 TOP.87.20 Ex.CB #6 TOP.87.74 BC - 12 - - 13 - 1 MYAP Planning Emergent Themes Contents Overview ...........................................................................................................................1 Opportunities for Accessibility Improvement 2026-2030 ..................................................1 Emergent Successful (Best) Practices ..........................................................................1 Ableism .........................................................................................................................2 Residential Accessibility ................................................................................................2 Employment ..................................................................................................................2 Sport & Recreation ........................................................................................................2 Outdoor Spaces ............................................................................................................3 Hidden Disabilities (Sunflower) .....................................................................................3 AI and Adaptive Technologies ......................................................................................3 Procurement ..................................................................................................................3 Elections ........................................................................................................................3 Succession Planning .....................................................................................................3 Overview: The Ontario Government has not introduced new AODA standards since 2016, and none are on the horizon. On the understanding that AODA compliance, having previously been achieved by Pickering, will be maintained, opportunities to improve accessibility from 2026 through 2030 may be found in the following thematic areas. Opportunities for Accessibility Improvement 2026-2030 Emergent Successful (Best) Practices Networks - The Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) and other Durham Region municipalities continue to collaborate in identifying accessibility issues and successful practices. Private Sector Innovation - A handful of forward-looking private sector builders, boards of trade, and other organizations continue to pioneer innovations in accessible residential accessibility - 14 - 2 Other jurisdictions - Other Canadian and foreign jurisdictions are actively developing accessibility legislation, regulations and policies and are pioneering best practices and technologies that are helping to shape the inclusion landscape. As an example, U.S. residential accessibility standards are far more rigorous than the Ontario Building Code. Ableism The Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability | Ontario Human Rights Commission notes that: • Statistics Canada reports that Ontarians with disabilities continue to have lower educational achievement levels, a higher unemployment rate, are more likely to have low income status, and are less likely to live in adequate, affordable housing than people without disabilities; and, • “Disability” continues to be the most frequently cited ground of discrimination under the Ontario Human Rights Code (Code) in human rights claims made to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario (HRTO). Residential Accessibility See new Federal Standards. Discuss Accelerating Accessibility Coalition, Site Plan Checklist, future Stakeholder Symposium. Employment Statistics Canada reports that Ontarians with disabilities continue to have a higher unemployment rate, are more likely to have low income status, and are less likely to live in adequate, affordable housing than people without disabilities. Sport & Recreation Aurora’s Municipal Guide for Recreation Inclusion appears to be quite valuable for recreation staff training and program design reference, especially since the AODA and its Regulation provides little guidance for municipal recreation programs. - 15 - 3 Outdoor Spaces For benefits of outdoor spaces for people living with disabilities see ONAP April 2026 Conference materials. Pickering has an abundance of natural outdoor spaces to leverage. Hidden Disabilities (Sunflower) In 2026 the City of Pickering announced its participation in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, reinforcing its commitment to providing inclusive, safe, and welcoming spaces and services for all. Through this globally recognized program, individuals with hidden or non-visible disabilities can discreetly signal their need for support by wearing the Sunflower symbol, or if they prefer, seek out staff wearing Sunflower lanyards, which indicate that they have been trained in the program. AI and Adaptive Technologies Adaptive and Other Technologies - Adaptive and other technologies are continuously emerging that promise to benefit accessibility. For example, artificial intelligence software is becoming available to aerially map and inventory City infrastructure and readily assess accessibility deficiencies/opportunities for improvement. Procurement See new Federal Standard. Elections See ONAP April 2026 Conference materials. Succession Planning Planning transition - from a Tim to a Team. - 16 - 1 Community Partners Contents Abilities Centre Durham ....................................................................................................3 Accessibility Acceleration Coalition ..................................................................................4 Accessibility Advisory Committee .....................................................................................4 Accessibility Core Staff Team ...........................................................................................4 Aequum Access Ltd. .........................................................................................................4 Age Friendly 55+ ..............................................................................................................4 Seniors Homes ..............................................................................................................4 AODA Alliance ..................................................................................................................5 Autism Homebase ............................................................................................................5 Business Community ........................................................................................................5 Canadian Hearing Services ..............................................................................................5 Durham Region AODA Coordinators ................................................................................5 Durham Region Police Services (DRPS) ..........................................................................6 Durham Transit .................................................................................................................6 Education ..........................................................................................................................7 Durham District School Board .......................................................................................7 Durham Catholic District School Board .........................................................................7 French Language School Board ...................................................................................7 Durham College ............................................................................................................7 Ontario Tech University .................................................................................................7 Trent University .............................................................................................................7 Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) ......................................................................7 Government ......................................................................................................................7 Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) ................................................................7 Ontario Ministry for Seniors & Accessibility (MSAA) .....................................................7 Federal Government .....................................................................................................7 Hidden Disability Sunflower Program ...............................................................................8 Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres ......................................................8 Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) ...................................................8 Parks Canada ...................................................................................................................8 - 17 - 2 Pickering Football Club .....................................................................................................9 Service Clubs ....................................................................................................................9 Lions ..............................................................................................................................9 Masons ..........................................................................................................................9 Rotary ............................................................................................................................9 WindReach Farm ..............................................................................................................9 - 18 - 3 Abilities Centre Durham LEAD Project – A collaboration of the City of Pickering and LEAD (Leading Equitable and Accessible Delivery) was initiated in 2023 and a series of improvement planning consultation workshops were held in the spring of 2023, culminating in a comprehensive 2024 report to the City. The LEAD report identified multiple opportunities to improve inclusion and accessibility at all organizational levels, and to enhance Pickering’s accessibility programs, policies, processes, and services. Follow-up actions are included in the AAC’s 2024 and 2025 annual work plans and longer-term recommendations will be carried forward to the new 2026-2030 Accessibility Five Year Plan. Recommendations from the Abilities Centre LEAD Project, identified potential accessibility enhancements in the following areas: • Leadership; • Governance & Structure; • Strategy; • Financial Management; • Supplier-Partnership Management; • People Resources; • Program & Service Delivery; • Communications and Marketing; and, • Facility & Technology Support. The LEAD Canada program is offered through the Durham Abilities Centre and is funded and endorsed by the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA). LEAD is a methodology to help governments, public and private sector organizations collaboratively define and embed inclusion and accessibility into strategic planning, daily operations, program environments, and organizational culture. The LEAD process helps organizations to identify opportunities to improve and enhance inclusion and accessibility at all organizational levels. Pathways2Employment – Following on from Pickering’s successful partnership with the Durham Abilities Centre LEAD Program (discussed above), and in light of pervasive employment barriers encountered by Canadians living with disabilities, Pickering partnered once more in 2025 with the Abilities Centre for its Pathways2Employment program to offer meaningful,150-hour job placement opportunities for 2 Durham youth with disabilities. (MOU attached) Meagan Marques, MSc Director, Grants and Skills Development She, Her, Hers You Belong Abilities Centre - 19 - 4 Accessibility Acceleration Coalition Accessibility Advisory Committee AAC Membership Listing - Abreviated May 6 2026.docx Accessibility Core Staff Team Aequum Access Ltd. David Wysocki and Pina D’Intino operate Aequum Access Ltd. out of Prince Edward County. David and Pina recently moved from Pickering where David was a long-time, highly productive member of our AAC. For example, David led Pickering’s Service and Support Animals Initiative ( SSAI ) as described on pickering.ca. David and Pina have extraordinary accessibility knowledge and skills and generously continue to keep Pickering in the loop on local, regional, provincial and federal accessibility developments and opportunities. • David Wysocki david@aequumaccess.com • Pina D’Intino pina@aequumaccess.com Age Friendly 55+ Seniors Homes VIVA - 20 - 5 AODA Alliance Autism Homebase Business Community Ajax Pickering Board of Trade (`APBOT) Business + Higher Education Roundtable https://bher.ca/initiatives/accessibility Canadian Hearing Services The Canadian Hearing Services (CHS) comprehensive website is a great starting point. For example, https://www.chs.ca/page/accessibility-services provides clear and thorough information about CHS’ range of services, rates and contact information for all of Ontario. Further, I understand that Durham Region had (~2021) contracted three different suppliers to provide a full suite of coverage: • 911 Interpreters Inc.: Translation and interpretation for over 250 languages. • Canadian Hearing Services: ASL registered. Industry lead for the hearing impaired. • MCIS Language Services: Interpretation, translation, ASL, transcription, training, testing, accessibility and consulting. Durham Region AODA Coordinators From the draft TOR I understand the AODA coordinators Membership is available to individuals employed by the municipalities of the Durham Region who are responsible for implementing the accessibility initiatives, including the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) and its associated regulations. The Working Group membership shall include: • one representative from the Region of Durham • one representative from each lower-tier municipality - 21 - 6 • post-secondary reps • Durham Region Transit will attend meetings on a quarterly basis, at minimum • The Region of Durham Manager of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion shall be an ad hoc member of the Working Group Karen Wall | Accessibility Coordinator Office of the CAO Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Division The Regional Municipality of Durham karen.wall@durham.ca | 905-668-4113 extension 2009 | durham.ca My pronouns are she/her Here are the email addresses for the current (May 5th, 2026) members including 2 ad hoc (Patricia and Judy): • Patricia Hines <Patricia.Hines@durham.ca>; • Judy Christianson <Judy.Christianson@durham.ca>; • Ashley MacDougall <Ashley.Macdougall@oshawa.ca>; • Christy Harrison <charrison@scugog.ca>; • Emily Elliott <eelliott@uxbridge.ca>; • Higgins, Timothy <thiggins@pickering.ca>; • Jennifer Harrington Matesic <Jennifer.HarringtonMatesic@durhamcollege.ca>; • Maralee Drake <Maralee.Drake@brock.ca>; • Michele Cotton <cottonm@whitby.ca>; • 'Monica.Jain@ontariotechu.ca'; • Nirosha Balakumar <NBalakumar@clarington.net>; • Sarah Moore <Sarah.Moore@ajax.ca> Durham Region Police Services (DRPS) Durham Transit Deborah Daniel | Program Manager, Community Engagement and Change Management - 22 - 7 Durham Region Transit deborah.daniel@durham.ca | 289-404-5490 DurhamRegionTransit.com My pronouns are she/her. Education Durham District School Board Durham Catholic District School Board French Language School Board Durham College Ontario Tech University Trent University Ontario College of Art & Design (OCAD) Government Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC) Nick Lombardi Senior Strategic Communications Advisor Email: nick.lombardi@ohrc.on.ca Ontario Ministry for Seniors & Accessibility (MSAA) Federal Government - 23 - 8 Hidden Disability Sunflower Program UK Ajax Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres Andrew St. Germain Communications & Community Relations Email: media@ofific.org Ontario Network of Accessibility Professionals (ONAP) Attached is the May 5, 2026April 2025 listing of ~ 350 ONAP members. ONAP Membership List .xlsx Megan Richards in Ottawa coordinates (informally) this group. Megan Richards, M.A., CPACC Program Manager, Accessibility / Gestionnaire de programme, Accessibilité Legislative Services / services législatifs Office of the City Clerk / Bureau du greffier municipal City of Ottawa / Ville d'Ottawa Tel. | tél. 613-580-2424 ext / poste 12752 Parks Canada Omar McDadi, formerly of Parks Canada and Rouge National Park, has collaborated with Pickering on accessible parks, trails etc. Omar McDadi <omar.mcdadi@pc.gc.ca - 24 - 9 Pickering Football Club Service Clubs Lions Masons Rotary WindReach Farm - 25 - National Accessibility Awareness Week (NAAW) May-June 2026 Date Time Organization Event Cost Wednesday, May 13th 10AM (ET) Special Olympics Ontario Volunteering with Special Olympics Ontario Free Wednesday, May 13th 6:30 – 8 p.m. over Zoom. Metrolinx 2026 Annual Public Meeting on Accessibility Free Wednesday, May 20 5:15pm – 8:00pm. ULI Toronto’s Accelerating Accessibility Coalition Coalition Speed Networking Event in Toronto Free Monday, May 25 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Abilities Centre Removing Barriers in Sport: Forum and Demonstration Free Monday, May 25 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. City of Ottawa and George Brown Polytechnic Accessibility Foundations with POUR: Making Digital Content Inclusive free virtual https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/aoda/accessibility -events Tuesday, May 26 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Abilities Centre Community Research Show 'n' Tell Free Tuesday, May 26 7 p.m. EDT Deloitte The Walrus Talks AccessAbility Free Wednesday, May 27 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Abilities Centre Accessibility Symposium: Dismantling Ableism Free Wednesday, May 27 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. City of Ottawa and George Brown Polytechnic Facility Accessibility Design Standards free virtual https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/aoda/accessibility -events Thursday, May 28 6:30 p.m. Abilities Centre Abilities Centre Accessibility Awards Free - 26 - Thursday, May 28 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm Haldimand County special film screenings of the documentary, "Silver Screamers" Free Friday, May 29 5:30 p.m Abilities Centre Abilities Centre Birthday Bash Free Friday, May 29 9:30 am to 3 pm City’s of Ottawa AccessAbility Day Free Saturday, May 30 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Abilities Centre Spring Market Pay what you can Wednesday, June 3 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. City of Ottawa and George Brown Polytechnic Digital Accessibility and Usability: Ensuring Inclusive User Experiences free virtual https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/aoda/accessibility -events Friday, June 5, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. City of Ottawa and George Brown Polytechnic Navigating the AODA: Integrating Service Dogs into the College Environment free virtual https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/aoda/accessibility -events Monday, June 8, 2026 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. City of Ottawa and George Brown Polytechnic The Air We Share: Why Indoor Air Quality and Scents Matter for Accessibility free virtual https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/aoda/accessibility -events Wednesday, June 10 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. City of Ottawa and George Brown Polytechnic Applying an Accessibility Lens to the Built Environment free virtual https://www.georgebrown.ca/about/aoda/accessibility -events Thursday, June 11 9:30am - 12:00pm Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility Accessibility Advisory Committee Forum AAC members - free approximately June 8 to 12 TBD The Regional Municipality of Durham review panelists for the 2026 Durham Region Accessibility Awards. Free - 27 -