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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-01 MinutesClarington Accessibility Advisory Committee March 1, 2017, 6:30 P.M. Meeting Room 1A Present: Councillor Partner André O’Bumsawin Tim Van Leeuwen Maureen Reed Sally Barrie Also Present: Jeannette Whynot – Accessibility Coordinator Regrets: Jacquie Watchorn Shea-Lea Latchford Meeting was called to order at 6:31pm. André O’Bumsawin Chaired the meeting in the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair. 1.Adoption of Minutes Moved by Sally Barrie seconded by Maureen Reed That the minutes of the meeting of February 1, 2017 be approved. Carried 2. Presentation No presentations 3. Business Arising From Minutes (a) Multi-Year Accessibility Plan The Accessibility Coordinator advised Committee members that she was seeking their input on the multi-year plan survey questions. The Coordinator provided Committee members with a copy of the questions used by York Region during their 2015 multi-year plan consultation. The Committee collaboratively suggested improvements to the questions, including different styles of questions, level of detail and the opportunity to add additional comments. The Committee mutually agreed that questions should not be too broad and that it would better to have a series of questions that probed information in specific areas. The Accessibility Coordinator thanked the Committee for their feedback and Clarington Accessibility - 2 - March 1, 2017 Advisory Committee advised members she may seek additional input as questions are developed. (b) ServiceOntario Bowmanville Update Councillor Partner and the Accessibility Coordinator provided the Committee with a brief update about the status of ServiceOntario Bowmanville. The Committee was advised that they had received emails and phone calls from various people stating that there are plans in place to address the accessibility issues in the spring. The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that she had sent an invitation, on behalf of the Committee, to Minister Tracy MacCharles. It invited her to take a look at the ServiceOntario Bowmanville, in its current state. To-date, no response has been received and it’s unclear if the Minister would be willing to tour the Bowmanville location prior to the fixes being made. The Accessibility Coordinator advised the Committee that she will keep them updated with any developments. The Committee discussed and agreed that although they are deeply disappointed that the new location of ServiceOntario Bowmanville is far from accessible, their goal is to ensure it is made accessible. By focusing on the end goal, an accessible location, the Committee agreed it was the best course of action to ensure positive change. (c) National Access Awareness Week The Committee was asked if there were any other ideas for activities/events for National Access Awareness Week, which is May 29-June 2, 2017. Sally Barrie pointed out that the Committee agreed to attend Maple Fest, which is May 6 th and if they add too much to National Access Awareness Week it may not work out very well given that everyone is a volunteer with limited time. The Committee mutually agreed that they will seek to have National Access Awareness week proclaimed, have their flag raised, do social media outreach and give a delegation to Council on May 29th. Committee members asked André O’Bumsawin if he would feel comfortable giving the delegation again this year since his presentation was so well received by Council last year. André O’Bumsawin agreed to give the delegation but asked for assistance in creating the presentation. The Accessibility Coordinator suggested that the delegation focus on the update to the Multi-Year Plan; Committee members mutually agreed this was an appropriate topic to speak on. The Committee requested that time be allotted on next month’s agenda to work on the presentation. Clarington Accessibility - 3 - March 1, 2017 Advisory Committee 4. New Business (a) Snow Removal + Accessibility Tim Van Leeuwen expressed his concern about the accessibility of sidewalks during the winter months. He showed the Committee several photos demonstrating his concerns. André O’Bumsawin agreed with the concerns raised and discussed similar issues where he lives. The Committee agreed that the pictures shown demonstrated a significant barrier for people with and without disabilities. There was a brief discussion on the various types of people that conduct snow clearing in the winter months which contribute to the issues brought forward. Some roads are plowed by the Region, others are plowed by the Municipality, bus stops are maintained by contractors for Durham Region Transit and sidewalks are largely contracted out by the Municipality or are the responsibility of property owners. The combination of service providers responsible for snow clearing seems to be contributing to many of the issues raised by Tim Van Leeuwen and André O’Bumsawin. As the Council liaison to the Operations Department, Councillor Partner offered to discuss the issue at her next meeting with the Operations Department Head. The Committee appreciated the offer and asked that she report back to the Committee. (b) Federal Consultation on the Canadians with Disabilities Act The Accessibility Coordinator provided Committee members with a brief summary of the February 8th Federal Consultation on the Canadians with Disabilities Act. The Committee was provided a copy of the Coordinators notes from the event and went over some of the highlights. A brief discussion about the direction of the new legislation took place. The Coordinator promised to keep the Committee up-to-date on the development of the legislation as information is made available. 5. Regional Update (a) Regional Updates André O’Bumsawin advised the Committee that he interviewed for a position on the Durham AAC and expects Council to approve his nomination at their next meeting. André O’Bumsawin stated he attended the most recent Durham AAC meeting and although he was not allowed to vote, he was impressed with the amount of work going into the Regions new website. The Regional AAC recently appointed a new Chair for the year and will receive a presentation on accessible housing at their March AAC meeting. Clarington Accessibility - 4 - March 1, 2017 Advisory Committee (b) Regional AAC Minutes A copy of the January Regional AAC Minutes were distributed to the Committee for review. 6. Other Business No other business discussed. 7. Date of Next Meeting Wednesday April 5, 2017 at 6:30 PM. 8. Adjournment Moved by Sally Barrie seconded by Maureen Reed That the meeting adjourn. Carried The meeting concluded at 7:48pm. _________________________ Chair _________________________ Secretary