HomeMy WebLinkAboutJune 16, 2021 Page 1 of 7
Minutes/Meeting Summary
Accessibility Advisory Committee
June 16, 2021 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm
Attendees: P. Bashaw
S. Fatima D. Hughes G. Lang A. Lue
A. Taverna
M.Thorpe Ross D. Wysocki J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development
T. Ryce, Supervisor, Cultural Services I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning E. Tayles, Conservator T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) R. Perera, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: T. Lyle-Gravlev P. Milton
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Review and Approval of Agenda
T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. Agenda
approved.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Review and Approval of Minutes - May 19, 2021
Moved by D. Hughes Seconded by M. Thorpe Ross
That the Minutes of the May 19, 2021 meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved.
Carried
4. Presentations/ Delegations
Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate)
4.1 Ashley Creed, Parks Canada Re: Rouge National Urban Park – Beach front
Project Ashley Creed, Parks Canada, joined the meeting via audio connection to present the Rouge National Urban Park- Beach front project. Through the aid of a
PDF presentation, Ms. Creed outlined the current
issues and design challenges, project goals, project scope, and inclusive design opportunities and challenges.
A question and answer period ensued between
Members of the Committee and Ashley Creed, regarding providing opportunities for public engagement during the earlier stages of the project and whether there would be a formal format where
members of different backgrounds may provide their
input. 4.2Jeannette Campbell, The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN)
Re: Employment of People with Disabilities
Jeannette Campbell, The Ontario Disability Employment Network (ODEN), joined the meeting via audio connection to speak to improving business performance through innovative labour solutions. She
noted that ODEN is a network of employment service
providers united to increase employment opportunities for people who have a disability. She discussed facts regarding disability and services provided by ODEN.
Committee members noted the reluctance of
employers to seek to hire individuals with disabilities, and discussed opportunities to drive businesses to hire individuals with disabilities.
T. Higgins noted that the Five Year Accessibility Plan
would be before the Committee soon and the issues
identified through this delegation could be addressed in the Plan.
Discussion ensued regarding:
• obtaining a base number of City employees
currently having a disability and setting a goal
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Ref # (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
for the next five years to increase the base line;
• inclusive hiring practices to employ people with disabilities being opportunities to address and remove discrimination; and,
• businesses and organizations needing to move
beyond education to implement actionable goals to hire people with disabilities.
4.3 Seana Haley Re: A Request for an Accessible Playground in
Pickering
Seana Haley joined the meeting via audio connection to present a request for an accessible playground in Pickering. Through the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Haley outlined the importance of
having accessible playgrounds and the need to
comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code and Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.
Discussion ensued regarding:
• accessible playgrounds enhancing relationship
building opportunities between children with disabilities and those without;
• setting a pragmatic approach;
• search engines that are driven by users being a tool to identify accessible playgrounds; and,
• the importance for parents and guardians with
disabilities to be able to access playgrounds.
5. New Business
5.1 Site Plans Review:
S 04/21-Highmark (Pickering) Inc. (1640 Kingston Rd. & 1964 Guild Rd.) I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, noted that the applicant proposes to build a 16-storey and
a 12-storey apartment building containing 346 units
and provided specifications of the site plan proposal. She noted that the application is currently going through a zoning amendment.
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Ref # (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and I. Janton,
regarding:
• whether doorways in regards to widths are accessible;
• the AODA requiring 10% of units to be designed as accessible units, however, they are not required to be sold as accessible units, and requiring the applicant to sell these units as accessible units;
• ensuring that accessible units are designed the way it is specified in the site plan;
• the current zoning on Guild Road and
details on the zoning amendment application; and,
• adding accessible features in the playground and ensuring that woodchips are
not used. S 03/78(R21) Submission # 1 DWK Holdings Inc. (1735 Orangebrook Court)
I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, noted that the applicant proposes to construct an addition for storage use to the property. There were no comments or questions from
Members of the Committee. S 10/83(R21) Submission # 1 DDSB - Bayview Heights Public School (1400 Garvolin Ave)
I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, noted that the applicant proposes to transform a number of existing class rooms to a kindergarten/day care centre.
A question and answer period ensued between Members of the Committee and I. Janton regarding whether there would be washrooms in the facility and the kindergarten needing to be separate from
the school. T. Higgins suggested that the Highmark (Pickering) Inc. (S A 04/21) and the DDSB - Bayview Heights
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Ref # (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
Public School (S 10/83 (R21)) come back to the Committee for comment in the fall.
5.2 Accessible Playgrounds A. Mostert, Manager, Landscape & Parks Development, appeared before the Committee via
electronic connection to present on Children’s play
spaces that are Accessible to persons with disabilities. He spoke on the difference between accessible versus inclusive playgrounds, design and accessibility standards for playgrounds, play
component types, accessible routes, and
accessible components. A. Mostert noted that he would look into including information about accessible parks on the City’s
website.
Members discussed moving beyond the technicalities and looking at the needs of the Communities. A. Mostert noted that the City would
aim to involve local residents when replacing
existing play structures. 5.3 Esplanade Park Project
T. Ryce, Supervisor, Cultural Services, appeared
before the Committee via electronic connection to speak on a new mindfulness, Music, and wellness space that the City would be seeking a grant on. She noted that she is before the Committee to ask
for a letter of support for the Community
Foundations Grant Application. She spoke on the East End Revitalization Project, draft site plan for project proposal, a memorial for COVID-19 victims, and the installation of free notes harmony sculpture
instruments.
Members discussed the number of people that could be accommodated in the space and the project being a great opportunity for community
development.
T. Ryce, Supervisor, Cultural Services, noted that both phase one and phase two would have sound installations and that she hopes that the Committee
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Ref # (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate)
would provide a letter of support for the grant application that is to be submitted next week.
Moved by D. Wysocki Seconded M. Thorpe Ross That the Accessibility Advisory Committee endorse
the Mindfulness, Music, and Wellness space
project and that a letter be provided in support for the Community Foundations Grant Application. Carried
5.4 Pickering Museum Blacksmith Shop Project E. Tayles, Conservator, appeared before the Committee via electronic connection to speak on
the Greenwood Blacksmith Shop. She spoke on
the different programs and workshops, and posed a number of discussion questions to the Committee.
Members discussed an interactive display screen
for those who would not be able to access the second floor of the facility. 5.5 Service and Support Animals Initiative
(SSAI)
T. Higgins noted that the project is currently on pause as the City is currently in negotiations with the Province regarding an amendment to the
contract. Staff are looking to resume the project in
the fall. 5.6 Awards
T. Higgins noted that he would need to provide a
nomination for the Regional Accessibility award and
the David C. Onley award.
6. Correspondence
There were no items of correspondence.
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Item/ Details & Discussion & Conclusion Action Items/Status Ref # (summary of discussion) (include deadline as appropriate)
7. Other Business & Updates
There were no updates from members.
8. Next Meeting – September 15, 2021
9. Adjournment
Meeting Adjourned: 9:25 pm