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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-026-07 REPORT 112. ClfJ!pn REPORT CLERK'S DEPARTMENT Meeting: COUNCIL Date: June 25, 2007 \2esd ~(Y) -c- 361-D{ Report #: CLD-026-07 File #: By-law #: Subject: 2007 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the following: 1. THAT Report CLD-026-07 be received; 2. THAT the 2007 Accessibility Plan attached as Schedule A to Report CLD-026-07be adopted in accordance with the Ontarians With Disabilities Act; and 3. THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee be thanked for their ongoing commitment and work. Submitted by: o~~ Reviewed by: Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer PLB CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506 REPORT NO.: CLD-026-07 PAGE 2 OF 2 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT In accordance with the Ontarians With Disabilities Act, each year the Council of every municipality shall prepare an accessibility plan addressing the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with disabilities in the municipality's by-laws and in its policies, programs, practices and services. Accordingly, the proposed Accessibility Plan for 2007is attached hereto as Schedule A. It is recommended that Council adopt the plan as the Municipality of Clarington's 2007Accessibility Plan. Once adopted, the plan will be made available to the public on the Municipality's website, through the Clarington Public Library and through the Municipal Clerk's Department. If requested, a Braille copy of the Plan will be provided. David Kelly, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be in attendance at the Council meeting to summarize the Plan for Council's information. CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506 Schedule A to Report CLD-026-07 Leading the Way 2007 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT June 2007 Introduction The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 received Royal assent on June 13, 2005. The requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 are to be followed, however, until such time as the regulations for the new Act have been published. Clarington's 2007 Accessibility Plan provides an update of past activities and initiatives identified for 2007, in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001. The Accessibilitv Advisory Committee In accordance with the Act, an Accessibility Advisory Committee was established in 2002 to advise and assist the Municipality in developing and facilitating strategies toward a barrier-free Clarington for citizens with disabilities. This aim shall be achieved through the review of Municipal policies, programs and services and the identification, removal and Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 2 prevention of barriers faced by persons with disabilities. A definition of disability barriers is attached hereto as Appendix "A". The membership of the Committee is in place for the term of Council (until November 30, 2010) or until their successors are appointed. The members of the current committee are: David Kelly, Chair Sally Barrie Keith Brettell Norman Hannan Tim Hick Darlene Matthews Councillor Ron Hooper Meetings are held the first Wednesday evening of each month in the Municipal Administrative Centre and are open to the public. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 3 2006 Activities During the past year, the Committee focused the majority of its efforts on providing a forum for issues and concerns to be raised and in providing accessibility information to the residents of the Municipality. . Bowmanville Home Show The Committee took part in the Bowmanville Home Show April 21 to 23, 2006. A display booth was arranged with the Accessibility Banner, display screens and numerous pamphlets highlighting programs and renovation tips. The information was well received by the public. . ~plefest Event On May 6, 2006, the Committee participated in Maplefest, a BIA-sponsored event in downtown Bowmanville. Once again, the information provided was well received and the event was very well attended. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 4 . Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event On June 11, 2006, the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event was held at the Valleys 2000 Trail. A barbeque and entertainment were provided. Although attendance was not as great as hoped for, a good time was had by those who did participate. . Community Proiects With funds made available from previous Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Events, two accessible picnic tables were purchased and placed in Courtice Memorial Park and Soper Creek Park in Bowmanville. A ceremony was held dedicating the tables to the memory of Evylin Stroud, a very active former member of the Accessibility Advisory Committee. Also using the funds from the Rick Hansen Events, one family was assisted in the conversion of their van for wheelchair accessibility and one family was assisted with the purchase of a wheelchair. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 5 . Sensitivity Traininq Part of the 2006 work plan was to provide sensitivity training sessions. These sessions were offered for all full-time staff members of the municipality, through the Durham Region Employment Network. Through a series of interactive exercises and guest speakers, the staff were exposed to various disabilities, ie, vision, hearing, cognitive and mobility. The sessions proved to be very valuable in highlighting the difficulties that persons with disabilities have in dealing with day to day life. . Self-Serve Gas Stations The Committee is very interested in making all aspects of life accessible for all. One difficulty that has been encountered is the transformation of full-serve gas stations to self-serve stations. To address this matter, a resolution was passed by the Committee, and subsequently endorsed by Municipal Council, calling on the Prime Minister and the Premier to review this matter Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 6 with the goal of ensuring that all gas stations provide at least one full-service pump at the same price as the self-service pump. . Sidewalk Construction Much discussion has taken place over the construction of sidewalks and the equipment used when placing contraction joints during construction. The committee was able to source out groovers that should alleviate the problem of ridges left when contraction joints are placed in the sidewalks. Through a resolution to Municipal Council, this information has been forwarded to the Engineering Services Department for their information and implementation, if appropriate. . Site Plan Review The Committee has continued its review of site plans submitted to the Planning Services Department. In particular, much emphasis has been placed on the Newcastle Branch Public Library, with the architect attending a committee meeting and discussing the Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 7 plans at great length. The suggestions put forth by the Committee were received with great interest and many of them have been incorporated into the design of the new facility. In fact, the Committee has passed a resolution to use funds remaining from previous years' Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion events to purchase the push button hardware for the washroom doors. FUTURE ACTIVITIES The Committee is very anxious to continue with its workplan in improving accessibility issues for the residents and visitors of the Municipality of Clarington. Plans for the upcoming year include: . Review of public building analysis with the view to identify, remove and prevent barriers to persons with disabilities . Continue to review site plans and to take an active role in the design and concept of municipal buildings. The Committee looks forward to reviewing the design of the Newcastle and District Recreation Complex Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page 8 . Meet with staff members from all municipal departments in order to develop departmental audits which will identify any barriers to persons with disabilities . Investigate the possibility of partnering with the local BIAs in the planning of their special events to assist in the elimination of barriers . Review recreation programs to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to participate . Commence a public education awareness program related to accessible parking . Continue to provide information regarding accessibility issues to the residents and visitors of the Municipality of Clarington. Communication of the Plan This plan will be available on the Municipality's web site and at the Municipal Administrative Centre. Every attempt will be made to have it available to those with disabilities, including the provision of a Braille copy upon request. Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Questions related to this Plan should be directed to: Patti L. Barrie, CMO Municipal Clerk Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L 1 C 3A6 Telephone: (905) 623-3379 E-Mail: pbarrie@c1arinqton.net Page 9 Clarington Accessibility Plan - 2007 Page I 0 Appendix "A" Disability Barriers Barrier Type Example Physical A door knob that cannot be operated by an elderly person with limited upper-body mobility and strength. Architectural A hallway or door that is too narrow for a wheelchair or scooter. Informational Typefaces that are too small to read by a person with low vision. Communicational A professor who talks loudly when addressing a deaf student. Attitudinal A recreation swimming program which discourages people with development disabilities from participating. Technological Information on a municipal web site which cannot be accessed by a person who is blind who has reading software for a computer. Policy/Practice A practice of announcing important messages over an intercom that people with hearing impairments cannot hear clearly.