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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-06-19Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee June 19, 2019, 6:30pm MAC Meeting Room 1A If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Present: Shea -Lea Latchford, Chair Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, Vice -Chair Pinder DaSilva Tim Van Leeuwen Deb Kalogris Councillor Jones Marina Ross Sarah McConaghy Catherine McConaghy Also Present: Jeannette Whynot — Accessibility Coordinator Regrets: None The meeting was called to order at 6:31 pm. 1. Approval of May 2019 Meeting Minutes Moved by Deb Kalogris and seconded by Pinder DaSilva, That the minutes of the May 1, 2019 meeting be approved. Carried 2. Discussion: Universal Design Standards After reviewing the Town of Oakville's Universal Design Standards, the Committee mutually agreed that having a version for Clarington is necessary and an important step forward. The Committee supports staff reviewing the Town of Oakville's Standards to ensure they are reflective of the places and spaces the Municipality of Clarington owns and operates. The Committee further supports advising Council on the need for a Universal Design Standard through a delegation to Council in the fall. Moved by Catherine McConaghy and seconded by Sarah McConaghy That the Accessibility Advisory Committee provide a delegation to Council in October or November regarding the need to adopt a Universal Design Standard for the purpose of ensuring Municipal projects are barrier -free and accessible to all using current best practices. Carried Clarington Accessibility - 2 - Advisory Committee 3. National AccessAbility Week — Debrief, next year Jeannette Whynot provided the Committee with an overview of the activities undertaken during National AccessAbility Week. There was a pop-up banner and information table in the Bowmanville Library Branch, Courtice Community Complex, Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex and the Diane Hamre Recreation Complex (formerly Newcastle Community Complex). Each table had AAC brochures and information, "swag", provincial resources, and a comment/feedback box. Through this update Committee members discussed the need to purchase two additional pop-up banners so banners can be at more municipal facilities during awareness days/weeks. Moved by Pinder DaSilva and seconded by Sarah McConaghy That the Accessibility Coordinator purchase, on behalf of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, two additional pop-up banners. Carried Ms. Whynot also provided the Committee with a brief summary of her delegation to Council on May 27t". Several Committee members attended the meeting and stated that the presentation was excellent and well -received by Council. 4. Durham Accessibility Award 2019 — Nomination The Committee discussed the purpose of the Durham Accessibility Awards and brainstormed several nominee ideas. After a vote, Brianna's Sweet Treats was selected as the recipient for this year. Once again, the Committee would like to recognize all of the nominated businesses/organizations in their own ceremony later in the fall. Ms. Whynot will forward the business selected for this year's award to the Region of Durham. 5. #RespectTheSpace Campaign + Other Awareness Initiatives Ms. Whynot provided the Committee with information about Burlington's #RespectTheSpace campaign. This campaign raises awareness about respecting accessible parking spaces and the access aisles between them. The Committee was advised that the Municipality will be undertaking their own #RespectTheSpace campaign but will expand its scope to include respecting sidewalks Page 2 of 4 Clarington Accessibility - 3 - Advisory Committee and other public spaces that are important to people with disabilities. In support of this, Ms. Whynot showed the Committee the first #RespectTheSpace video which shows Tim Van Leeuwen navigating a sidewalk blocked by a car. The video was well -received by the Committee and members expressed their support for this campaign. 6. Updates: MAC Accessible Washroom The Committee was advised that a power -door operator will be installed in the accessible washroom on the ground floor of the MAC. The light switch will also be upgrade at some point this year to an automatic sensor as part of the Municipality's lighting updates at Town Hall. Tim Van Leeuwen asked if the second floor accessible washroom would also receive a power -door operator. Ms. Whynot advised that it wasn't scheduled at this time, but that she would put in a request. The Committee was advised that depending on how the budget looks, it may have to wait until next year. Snow Removal Jeannette Whynot advised the Committee that the Director of Operations was unable to attend tonight's meeting because of a prior commitment, but he is scheduled to attend the September 4t" meeting. Although it is later than the Committee expected, Ms. Whynot advised everyone that discussing snow removal in September can still affect the 2019/2020 season. 7. Other Business Marina Ross advised the Committee that she applied to be a Youth Accessibility Leader through the Federal Government's Enabling Accessibility Fund. Marina will have the opportunity to work with a local business or organization to remove an accessibility barrier by helping them apply for a $10,000 grant. Sarah McConaghy also advised that she was accepted into the same program. Shea -Lea Latchford advised the Committee that she talked with Steve Myers from Community Services and Fire Chief Gord Weir at a recent event. She requested that they be invited to future meetings to discuss how the Committee can work with their respective departments. Ms. Whynot advised that she would invite them to future meetings as requested. Tim Van Leeuwen requested that the #RespectTheSpace campaign be expanded to include respecting accessible/barrier-free washrooms. Ms. Whynot advised that the Municipality can likely incorporate that type of messaging in its social media postings. Page 3 of 4 Clarington Accessibility -4- Advisory Committee 8. Adjournment Moved by Deb Kalogris and seconded by Sarah McConaghy, That the meeting adjourn (end). Carried The meeting concluded at 7:52 PM. Chair Secretary Page 4 of 4