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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-030-08Gj~~~;~p~ REPORT Leading he Way CLERK'S DEPARTMENT Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRAT~I7ON COMMITTEE Date: November 3, 2008 RE'~olt,~~iCrn~~~~-`~~v~ Report #: CLD-030-08 File #: By-law #: Subject: NEWCASTLE ACCESSIBILITY CHALLENGE RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee recommend to Council the following: 1. THAT Report CLD-030-08 be received for information. Submitted by: att a , CMO Reviewed by: ranklin Wu, unicipal Clerk ~ Chief Administrative Officer PLB' CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506 REPORT NO.: CLD-030-08 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT PAGE 2 In order to raise awareness and to provide educate to the business community and to the residents of Clarington, the Accessibility Advisory Committee is holding the "Newcastle Accessibility Challenge" on November 26, 2008. This exercise is based on a similar exercise which was held in Bowmanville in March 2005: The participants in that event found the experience to be very enlightening. With the use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, participants will complete simple tasks such as accessing an ATM machine and making a small purchase at a local store in the downtown Newcastle area. The event will commence at 1:00 p.m. at the Newcastle Community Hall and wrap up at the Hall with a short reception during which participants can share their experiences. The entire exercise will be completed by 3:00 p.m. An Accessibility Checklist which provides ideas to improve accessibility (included as Attachment No. 1) has been forwarded to the Newcastle BIA for information purposes. It is the hope of the Committee that the members of Council, many local businesses and the press will take part in the Challenge to bring greater awareness to the challenges faced every day by individuals with a disability or a mobility issue. Attachments The Accessibility Checklist Attachment No. 1 to Report CLD-030-08 THE CLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY BUSINESS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE - THEACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST There are many ways to help make your business establishment a little more accessible. We have compiled a wide variety of ideas for you to consider. These suggestions range from things that cost very little to more elaborate projects. Take a look at this list and then look around your premises. Think about what you can do to make your. establishment a little more user friendly for people with accessibility challenges. •b Where ever possible, eliminate stairs and steps. If stairs/steps are unavoidable, place key products on the lower level • Add handrails outside the front entrance regardless of whether there is a ramp or stairs :• Place a straight backed chair with no arms inside the store to allow customers to rest, and then continue with their shopping • Make the aisles as wide as possible • Keep aisles clear of clutter or displays • Have as high a level of lighting as possible without glare :• Avoid glare/highly reflective surfaces around signs • Use simple, clean and large font for all signs or shelf tickets • Use good contrasting colours for any signs or shelf tickets • Keep the level of music low enough to be pleasant background noise and not to interfere with customers' communication with staff • Wind chimes or piped out music to help locate the entrance • Display counters with four-inch toe plates for a cane to travel against • Display racks without wire legs that a cane could get caught up in :• Hang signs from ceilings at least six and a half feet off the ground • Debit controller with raised number pads. The CNIB have stick on bumps that can be added to the touch pad so that the buttons can be identified in a tactile manner • Call up/delivery services • Web sites for easier navigation ¢• Greater use of Pic symbols on store signs , • Staff attend sensitivity training session • Build a lower level counter space to accommodate people in wheelchairs • Door bells at front door so that people requiring assistance to enter the store can notify staff • Doormats that are flush • Non-slip/skid treatment to potentially slippery floors d• Move sandwich board advertisement signs completely away from foot traffic • Install alarm systems with both audible and visual cues • Mark edges of steps with strong contrast • Offer assistance over steps where stepped access cannot be avoided • Offer alternative methods of providing services such as bringing merchandise to an accessible place, delivering to customer's homes, or delivering by mail • Position door handle at a height of 1000 mm from the ground • Replace door handle by one that is easier to grip such as a D-shape handle and one with better contrast • Offer personal shopper assistance • Highlight hazardous areas • Ensure that seated customers do not lose their place in line • Ensure that announcement systems are both visible and audible • Lap trays or clip boards (for customers that cannot bend down to use counter) :• Induction loop (technical equipment) to help those hearing impaired understand • Alter staff practices. In situations where it is not reasonable to make a counter fully accessible, provide a customer service desk and assistance in another part of store Clam ~~(~~/n Ener ztn Ontario~.~ ~ ~ October 27, 2008 Mr. V. Lovekin President, Newcastle BIA 20 King Avenue, Unit 10 Newcastle, ON L1 B 1 H6 Dear Mr. Lovekin RE: Newcastle Accessibility Challenae On November 26, 2008, the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee is holding an Accessibility Challenge in Newcastle. The goal of the Challenge is to bring greater awareness to the challenges faced every day by individuals with a disability or a mobility issue. Participants will be provided with assistive devices, ie, wheelchair or walker, and asked to undertake simple tasks throughout the village. When the Committee organized a similar Challenge in Bowmanville in 2005, the participants found the experience to be very enlightening and it brought to everyone's attention just how difficult it is for many members of our population to complete their day-to-day activities; activities which many of us take for granted. This Challenge may bring to light some of the issues which business owners will need to address in order to be in compliance with the Customer Service Standards of the Accessibility for Ontatians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It is our hope that you and members of the Newcastle BIA will participate, along with members of Council and members of the press in this educational exercise. We will begin the Challenge at 1:00 p.m. at the Newcastle Community Hall and finish with a short wrap-up reception at the Hall, finishing at 3:00 p.m. For your information, I have enclosed a listing of suggestions which business owners can incorporate in their buildings and in their processes in dealing with their customers. We hope that you will be able to join with us on November 26 and help to make the Challenge a success. Please advise Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk, at 905-623-3379, Ext. 254, or pbarrie .clarinaton.net by November 12, 2008 of your intention to participate. Yours truly, David Kelly Chair, Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee cc: J. Black, Secretary, Newcastle BIA CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 THE CLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY BUSINESS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE - THEACCESSIBILITY CHECKLIST There are many ways to help make your business establishment a little more accessible. We have compiled a wide variety of ideas for you to consider. These suggestions range from things that cost very little to more elaborate projects. Take a look at this list and then look around your premises. Think about what you can do to make your establishment a little more user friendly for people with accessibility challenges. •S Where ever possible, eliminate stairs and steps. If stairs/steps are unavoidable, place key products on the lower level • Add handrails outside the front entrance regardless of whether there is a ramp or stairs :• Place a straight backed chair with no arms inside the store to allow customers to rest, and then continue with their shopping • Make the aisles as wide as possible • Keep aisles clear of clutter or displays • Have as high a level of lighting as possible without glare • Avoid glare/highly reflective surfaces around signs :• Use simple, clean and large font for all signs or shelf tickets d• Use good contrasting colours for any signs or shelf tickets • Keep the level of music low enough to be pleasant background noise and not to interfere with customers' communication with staff • Wind chimes or piped out music to help locate the entrance • Display counters with four-inch toe plates for a cane to travel against • Display racks without wire legs that a cane could get caught up in • Hang signs from ceilings at least six and a half feet off the ground • Debit controller with raised number pads. The CNIB have stick on bumps that can be added to the touch pad so that the buttons can be identified in a tactile manner :• Call up/delivery services • Web sites for easier navigation • Greater use of Pic symbols on store signs • Staff attend sensitivity training session • Build a lower level counter space to accommodate people in wheelchairs • Door bells at front door so that people requiring assistance to enter the store can notify staff • Doormats that are flush • Non-slip/skid treatment to potentially slippery floors • Move sandwich board advertisement signs completely away from foot traffic • Install alarm systems with both audible and visual cues • Mark edges of steps with strong contrast • Offer assistance over steps where stepped access cannot be avoided • Offer alternative methods of providing services such as bringing merchandise to an accessible place, delivering to customer's homes, or delivering by mail • Position door handle at a height of 1000 mm from the ground • Replace door handle by one that is easier to grip such as a D-shape handle and one with better contrast • Offer personal shopper assistance d• Highlight hazardous areas • Ensure that seated customers do not lose their place in line • Ensure that announcement systems are both visible and audible • Lap trays or clip boards (for customers that cannot bend down to use counter) :• Induction loop (technical equipment) to help those hearing impaired understand • Alter staff practices. In situations where it is not reasonable to make a counter fully accessible, provide a customer service desk and assistance in another part of store