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HomeMy WebLinkAboutApril 19, 2023 Page 1 of 5 Minutes/Meeting Summary Accessibility Advisory Committee April 19, 2023 Electronic Meeting 7:00 pm Attendees: D. Currie S. Fatima A. Khan P. Milton B. Ferguson T. Lyle-Gravlev M. Thorpe Ross J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade S. Douglas-Murray, Director, Community Services T. Higgins, Accessibility Coordinator (Staff Liaison) A. MacGillivray, Committee Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Absent: R. Rizvi C. Rudberg-Chin S. Snyders Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) 1. Review and Approval of Agenda T. Higgins reviewed the agenda items. The agenda was adjusted to reflect Site Plan Review being deferred to the May 17, 2023 Meeting, and that a discussion regarding Emergency Buttons at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC) will be added to the top of the agenda. Agenda approved. 2. Disclosure of Interest No disclosures of interest were noted. 3. Approval of Minutes Moved by T. Lyle-Gravlev Seconded by B. Ferguson Page 2 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) That the Minutes of the March 15, 2023 Meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee be approved. Carried 4. Presentations/Delegations There were no presentations or delegations. 5. New Business 5.1 Emergency Buttons at the CHDRC S. Douglas-Murray provided an overview of the placement of emergency buttons in the men’s and women’s members changerooms and the CHDRC facility and explained that a member of the public has provided a suggestion that an emergency button be installed in the universal/family changeroom. She further explained concerns around the button being potentially pressed by children in the changeroom, causing false alarms, if the button was installed at an accessible height. S. Douglas-Murray stated the City is exploring solutions and is seeking feedback from the Committee as part of that effort. Discussion ensued with the Committee regarding: • whether there were fire alarm pull stations in or near the changeroom facilities; • whether there is an opportunity to consider a casing to cover the emergency button; • the use of casings that have an audible “screamer” to deter individuals from falsely activating the button; and, • covers that are available to place underneath the button to prevent it from being falsely activated. S. Douglas-Murray thanked the Committee for their feedback and explained that she will be having further conversations with the Facilities Team to explore some of these options. 5.2 Site Plan Review T. Higgins spoke to the outstanding Site Plan Reviews to be undertaken by the Committee and Committee Members were asked to provide any resources they may have regarding these solutions (e.g. links, photos, descriptions) to T. Higgins. Page 3 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) explained that in conversation with I. Janton, Senior Planner - Site Planning, none of the outstanding site plans require urgent review and that they will be deferred to the May 17, 2023 Meeting. 5.3 AAC 2022 Year-End Report & 2023 Work Plan - Final T. Higgins spoke to the final draft of the Committee’s 2022 Year-End Report & 2023 Work Plan and explained that the Report will now be presented to Council on May 23, 2023, instead of April 24, 2023 allowing for more time to review and edit as needed. T. Higgins solicited the Committee for comments and feedback regarding the Report. Members provided positive feedback on the content and layout of the final draft of the Report and asked how long the Committee had to provide any further comment. T. Higgins explained that he will need to submit this Report to management for approval by April 28, 2023. Moved by B. Ferguson Seconded by M. Thorpe Ross That the 2022 Year End Report & 2023 Work Plan be endorsed in principle, subject to any further editorial and administrative revisions. Carried 5.4 Rehearsal – Annu al AAC Report to Council T. Higgins provided an overview of the delegation process that will be undertaken at the Council Meeting when the Committee speaks to the Year End Report / Work Plan. T. Higgins encouraged other Members to attend the meeting and informed the Committee that if they have any accommodation needs with regards to attending the Council Meeting, to make him or A. MacGillivray aware. J. McLellan, Ajax-Pickering Board of Trade rehearsed his segment of the delegation to the Committee regarding ableism in the workplace and T. Higgins indicated that the material will be resent to the Committee well in advance of the May 17, 2023 Meeting to ensure adequate time to review prior to that meeting. Page 4 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) employment barriers to people living with disabilities. T. Higgins provided an overview of C. Rudberg- Chin’s segment of the delegation relating to transit accessibility. M. Thorpe Ross rehearsed her segment of the delegation to the Committee regarding the Service and Support Animal Initiative. 5.5 LEAD Project and the Durham Abilities Centre T. Higgins provided an overview of the LEAD Project and Workshop series that is underway, and reminded the Committee that the next workshop is taking place Wednesday April 26, 2023. He further explained that following the workshops, there will be a Report provided with recommendations from the consulting study. B. Ferguson spoke to the assessment of the City’s processes at the workshops, and the valuable discussions had regarding opportunities for improvement with the Accessibility Core Staff Team. 5.6 Canada Day (July 1, 2023) T. Higgins discussed the Committee’s past and upcoming involvement in the City’s Canada Day event. He spoke to the Tranquility Tent that the Committee provided at the 2022 Canada Day event, and remarked on the partners that were engaged as well as the activities and swag provided. Discussion ensued with Members discussing: • engagement with other Committee Members and the public in person at the 2022 Canada Day Event; • the valuable conversations had between the Committee and the public at past events; • the swag that was offered in the past at the Committee’s Canada Day tent; • the notable contributions of supplies and swag by partners for the Committee’s Canada Day tent in the past; J. McLellan and T Lyle- Gravlev indicated availability to attend and assist with the Canada Day Event. T. Higgins indicated that he will be seeking assistance from the City’s IT Team regarding setting up a Page 5 of 5 Item/ Ref # Details & Discussion & Conclusion (summary of discussion) Action Items/Status (include deadline as appropriate) • whether the Committee can offer information in a pamphlet, QR Code, or presentation format at the Canada Day tent; and, • the IT resources that may be available such as a television or projector to support the Canada Day tent. television or projector as part of the Canada Day tent. B. Ferguson also expressed that he may be able to provide resources to support the technology needs for the Canada Day tent. 5. Correspondence There were no items of correspondence. 7. Other Business There were no items of correspondence. 8. AAC Member Roundtable Updates T. Higgins solicited updates from Members. Members expressed concern around the limited advertising that occurred for the 2023 Durham Ontario Para Games. T. Higgins to relay these concerns to Shauna Muir, Supervisor, Public Affairs & Corporate Communications. 9. Next Meeting – May 17, 2023 10. Adjournment Meeting adjourned. Meeting Adjourned: 9:10 pm