HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 12, 2020
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
February 12, 2020
7:00 pm
Main Committee Room
Attendees: Peter Bashaw
Bianca D’Souza
Saima Fatima
Dan Hughes
Glenn Lang
Anthony Lue
Sue Wilkinson
David Wysocki
John McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade
Tim Higgins, Staff Representative
Rumali Perera, Recording Secretary
Guests: Maurice Brenner, City Councillor, Ward 1 (with Baye)
Matt Greenwood, Pickering Football Club
Heather Hall, Participation House
Tammy Lyle-Gravlev, Pickering Football Club
Abdul Macci, Durham Region Transit Advisory Committee
Gary Marshall, Participation House
Absent: Donna Holmes
Megan Thorpe Ross
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1. Welcome & Introductions
T. Higgins welcomed members and other
participants to the meeting. Introductions made
around the table.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Review and Approval of Agenda
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T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. T. Higgins
amended the agenda to move item 4 after item 5.
Agenda approved.
4. 5 New Business
4.1 Service & Support Animal Initiative
T. Higgins welcomed Councillor Brenner to the
committee and provided a brief overview of the
Service & Support Animal Initiative. He indicated this
initiative would provide leadership to the Province on
service and support animals. Councillor Brenner and
Councillor Cumming had attended the November 22,
2018 AAC meeting where Ontario College of Art and
Design (OCAD) University graduate Ather Shabbar
was also in attendance to discuss innovation labs.
This discussion led to the idea of using innovation
labs for investigating issues regarding service and
support animals in Pickering. T. Higgins highlighted
that the Province is supportive of this initiative and
has agreed (in principle) to provide funding as the
project will inform the business community on best
practices for service and support animals. At the
January 27, 2020 Council Meeting, Council approved
Report CS 08-20, to submit the Ontario Transfer
Payment Agreement to the Province and to set in
motion the City of Pickering Accessibility Advisory
Committee’s Service & Support Animal Task Group.
Councillor Brenner (with his therapy dog, Baye)
appeared before the Committee and provided a brief
background to the initiative. Councillor Brenner stated
that in November 2018, the City was in receipt of
various complaints from Pickering Town Centre
(PTC) regarding service and support animals. PTC
concerns profiled the competing rights of service and
support animal owners with those of other mall
customers.
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Councillor Brenner spoke of his personal experiences
with his dog, Baye, who came from the Ontario
Basset Rescue. After being assessed by Therapeutic
Paws of Canada, it was recommended that Baye
would make a good therapy dog.
Councillor Brenner further discussed concerns and
issues over support animals in Pickering. For
example, he noted that Pickering’s Animal Services
does not charge a licensing fee for therapy dogs. He
highlighted the difference between a support dog and
a therapy dog, noting the main difference is that
therapy dogs must be invited into buildings as a
support system to an organization/institution. The
difficulty, however, is identifying the difference
between a support dog and a therapy dog. This
becomes even more difficult when owners can simply
purchase a harness labelled “support dog” for the
cost of $10. Hence, the City needs to partner with
businesses to create a set of clear guidelines to
better address related issues.
Councillor Brenner also spoke of the importance of
proper training not only for the pet, but more
importantly, for the handler. He further stated that the
handler must ensure that the pet is comfortable and
that no harm is done either to the pet or to
surrounding humans.
Councillor Brenner suggested that the City should
explore the idea of bringing dogs into the City as a
way to de-stress employees. To avoid issues with
respect to competing interests, this could be done in
a meeting room to which staff are invited.
D. Wysocki stated that the Innovation Lab is a way to
bring together a variety of engaged stakeholders to
address conflicting perspectives. Following the
Innovation Lab, recommendations will be made to the
City of Pickering, Durham Region and the Province.
Following this, the initial lab participants will be invited
back, as they were instrumental in identifying issues
and establishing a knowledge base. He stated that
the vision is to have about 20-25 invited guests
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attend the Innovation Lab, and after
recommendations are formulated, to extend the
consultation to a broader group. At this point, draft
publications, web resources, and an interim report
would be shared. This public event will be accessible
both virtually and in-person.
A number of considerations/concerns/questions were
expressed by the members, including:
The manner in which businesses and
municipalities can enforce guidelines, when
the system primarily relies on animal owners to
make the right choice.
The importance of looking at other provinces
and countries, when deciding the types of
animals that should be considered as
service/support animals.
The rights of those who require
service/support animals versus those who do
not.
The safety of workers as the Occupational
Rights and Hazard board trumps the Human
Rights Tribunal.
The importance of having current laws around
support animals, as both humans and pets
have been injured due to poor choices in the
past.
Councillor Brenner stated that it would be good for
school systems to allow kids with autism to bring their
pets into the classroom, however, the Durham District
School Board has publicly declined this possibility.
A. Lue stated that people with disabilities should be
allowed to bring their service animals, however, those
with anxiety should follow stricter rules as this is
harder to distinguish.
D. Hughes questioned the manner these
recommendations would be marketed to the
community and businesses.
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P. Bashaw added that sometimes people carry
stuffed animals as a substitute for a support animal.
He noted that this could be something that OCAD
University might investigate.
Councillor Brenner notified members of an upcoming
site plan review for the Pickering City Centre.
T.Higgins stated that the Committee would like to
invite the new City Centre project architect to discuss
accessibility once this person has been hired.
Councillor Brenner stated the importance of the
involvement of the Committee in reviewing the City
Centre project before concrete is poured.
4.2 Participation House
P. Bashaw welcomed the representatives of
Participation House and provided a brief introduction
to the agenda item.
H. Hall appeared before the committee to provide an
overview of the work done by the Participation
House. She stated that they recently opened a
residential version of the Participation House in
Oshawa and Bowmanville. They offer community
activation, upskill learning on a one-on-one basis or
in a group setting. Members will volunteer to build
their resumes to eventually move to placement
programs. She further stated the Participation House
is working on travel training in order to build
independence so members no longer need to pay
$65/day for their services. She highlighted the
program does not have a strict age cap and anyone
is welcome to their services as long as they are
learning. She noted the importance of tailoring the
program according to individual needs and
accommodating different learning styles.
G. Marshall appeared before the committee to speak
about transitioning of members to the Salvation Army
concession stands to teach independence and speak
up for themselves. He noted that the program
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currently has 5 members at different levels of
achievement. They work with the Participation House
from September to May, which is when most training
is done, at which time they gain experience for
employment. He noted the program currently have 20
people employed and have placed six people into
grocery stores and the municipality of Clarington. He
identified that the biggest challenge is for business to
recognize that individuals with disabilities can be
good employees who are worth hiring.
H. Hall further stated that the Participation House
also provides job shadowing, where staff will provide
on-site support to individuals with disabilities at their
place of employment.
T. Higgins noted that perhaps once the City Centre
project is complete, Pickering could set an example
for the rest of the Region through a partnership with
the Participation House.
Questions and discussions ensued regarding:
Exploring an entrepreneurial model
How connections are built between businesses
and Participation House
The challenge of convincing employers about
the benefits of employing individuals with
disabilities
The difficulties programs such as Co-op
student placement pose to the model of the
Participation House
4.3 DRT Transit Advisory Committee
T.Higgins welcomed Abdul Macci, Pickering’s
representative to the Durham Region Transit
Advisory Committee.
Abdul Macci appeared before the Committee to
discuss and provide an update on:
Low income ridership pass by the Ontario
Works for $44.80/month
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The declining levels of specialized transit
volumes – difficulties for individuals with
disabilities using the 900 routes
The demand for specialized transit is low in
Pickering in comparison to Oshawa
D. Hughes appeared before the committee to express
the following concerns:
Pickering has been isolated by the DRT
DRT does not accommodate individuals with
cognitive disabilities
The lack of customer service and the lack of
humanity from DRT
The lack of fare integration between DRT and
other transit providers
DRT requires individuals to book a week
ahead and requires an end time
The passport program – individuals receive an
amount from the Province for transit for the
year, hence, the new low income ridership
pass is not the most adequate solution
T. Higgins stated that the Committee would like to
work with the new Regional Chair, Regional CAO,
and DRT General Manager to improve accessible
customer service. Pickering is growing very rapidly
and accessible transportation is key given a large
and growing population with disabilities.
4.4 Increasing Activity Levels Through Inclusion
T. Higgins welcomed and introduced Tammy Lyle-
Gravlev and Matt Greenwood from the Pickering
Football Club (PFC) and noted that the Football
Club’s presentation follows on from Nancy Heath’s
presentation to the AAC on November 13th, 2019.
T. Lyle-Gravlev appeared before the Committee to
speak on the Pickering Football Club’s (PFC) new
research project which will investigate barriers
associated with recreational and sport opportunities.
Based on previous programming, partnerships, and
research, PFB has identified a number of community
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groups who remain isolated from recreational
opportunities due to barriers. The new Ontario
Trillium Fund Grant allows PFC to explore and test
innovative ways to increase activity levels among
members of priority populations, including
newcomers, seniors, people with disabilities, LGBTQ,
and indigenous populations in the Pickering/Durham
Region. The research aims to help identify barriers to
accessing quality programs, opportunities and
experiences.
T. Lyle-Gravlev spoke of the recently held seniors
focus group on February 11th at the Pickering Soccer
Centre, 1975 Clements Road.
Upcoming focus groups were identified including:
Wednesday February 19
o Focus Group: People with Disabilities
o Location: Pickering Soccer Centre,
o Event Room: 7:00 - 9:00 pm
Wednesday February 26
o Focus Group: Community Sport
Organizations
o Location: Chestnut Hill Dev. Rec
Complex, 1867 Valley Farm Road,
Meeting Room #3
o Time: 6:30 -8:30 pm
T. Higgins suggested that the PFC reach out to the
members of the AAC to participate in the upcoming
focus groups. He also noted that PFC should contact
Nancy Heath for input and participation in one of the
focus groups.
J. McLellan suggested that the PFC attend the next
Pickering-Ajax Board of Trade meeting.
T. Lyle-Gravlev noted that a barrier to the study is
transportation. She noted that transit routes are
structured in a way that fails to correlate with
municipal facilities and customers with disabilities.
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4.5 Accessibility Event Checklist
T. Higgins spoke of an Event Accessibility Checklist
that he was preparing in response to a dispute
between a Pickering resident and RibFest security.
T. Higgins to circulate via
email to Members for
information.
5. 5 Review & Approval of Minutes
Moved by A. Lue
Seconded by P. Bashaw
That the Minutes of the January 8, 2020 meeting of
the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved
pending minor edits.
Carried
6. Other Business & Updates
6.1 Member Updates
T. Higgins surveyed the Committee members for
updates and final remarks.
T. Higgins provided an update on the renovation of
the pool in the Pickering Recreation Complex. He
noted that $20,000 is the cost for the solution and
that this was placed in the capital budget. He also
noted that he filed the grant submission to JumpStart.
P. Bashaw informed the Committee that he had found
a contractor to allow entrances into houses through
the parking garage, if the front door entrance is not
accommodating for people with disabilities.
S. Fatima noted that she attended the Durham
Region Accessibility Awareness Group Meeting,
which was a great opportunity and that she is
planning to invite them to the Pickering Islamic
Centre.
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7. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 9:21pm
:rp
Copy: City Clerk