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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-06-02 MinutesCLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE June 2, 2010, 6:00 P.M. MEETING ROOM 1A Present: Elaine Simpson, Vice-Chair Sally Barrie Keith Brettell Corine Goodwin Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer Councillor Ron Hooper Absent: David Kelly, Chair Also Present: Anne Greentree, Deputy Clerk Elaine Simpson, Vice-Chair assumed the role of the Chair. 1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Sally Barrie, seconded by Keith Brettell THAT the minutes of the meeting held on May 5, 2010 be approved. “CARRIED” 2. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF LAST MEETING a) Recreation Facility Accessiblity Anne provided the Committee with an update on the accessibility at the Clarington Fitness Centre. Mark Sutherland has advised that the pool lift th at this facility had the annual inspection on April 16 and it is fully operational. This lift is now added to their monthly inspection schedule for their operators. Regarding the family changes rooms at the CFC, this matter will be addressed in the renovation design stage of the capital project. The Courtice Community Complex changes rooms will need to be investigated further as it appears that moving the privacy walls would require some effort and funding. Sylivia requested that the wheeled chair that they use to transfer a person to the lift also be included in this monthly inspection as the wheels are often seized on the chair. Additionally, Sylvia requested that all lifeguards be trained to be able to operate the chair/lift because when they are not competent it makes the customer feel very inadequate. Clarington Accessibility - 2 - June 2, 2010 Advisory Committee 3. NEW BUSINESS a) Accessible Election Equipment - Demonstration Anne gave the members a demonstration of the audio/tactile ballot assistive marking tools, and highlighted the various accessible tools we will be offering to our electors in the 2010 Municipal Elections, at the Advance Voting opportunities and on Voting Day. Anne sought feedback on writing tools that should be considered.. Members provided feedback as follows: ? Sally suggested that we contact the hand clinic in Toronto, part of the University Health Network, for suggestions on easy to use writing tool options. Sally will forward the contact information to Anne. ? Elaine agreed to test the table height adjustment (which may be used at each of the voting locations) while sitting in her scooter to help staff determine if the devised table lifts will be suitable. Anne/Patti will contact Elaine when they are ready to conduct the test. ? Members supported the concept of the tools and Elaine stated that the amount of work being undertaking by staff to accommodate the needs of our electors should be communicated to the public. Anne confirmed that a report will go before Council advising of our accommodation measures both before and after the election. b) Accessible Election Policies and Procedures - Update Anne gave the members an update on the election Policies and Procedures, which the Committee reviewed at their last meeting. The draft has been amended to include standards on which we based our assessment of our Voting Locations. Each location has been inspected and graded. c) FYI – Municipal Monitor Article Members received a copy of the article, Setting the Standard – impending changes to accessible built environment, from the May/June 2010 Issue of Municipal Monitor. The Committee felt this was a very interesting article. d) Accessibility Experts – Recognition Certificate Anne advised of the Recognition Certificate received by the Municipality of Clarington for their outstanding efforts and commitment towards making Ontario accessible. Clarington Accessibility - 3 - June 2, 2010 Advisory Committee 4. OTHER BUSINESS a) Channel Island at Highway 2 and Courtice Road It appears to be completed now as the interlock brickwork is done. Keith reported that he has travelled over the island and it is nice and smooth and he had no issues with it. b) Expo Update Sylvia advised that she attended the most recent planning meeting for the Expo. Guy Longo, the gentleman creating the video was also in attendance. Sylvia enquired if David attended the video shoot as he had volunteered to be a spokesperson in the video. No one was able to confirm if David had attended. Sylvia further advised that the organizing committee did not get enough volunteers for the initially planned wayfinders, so now there will only be two. Clarington has an option to host a booth at the event. The Committee discussed this option and it was agreed that although it would be nice to have a booth there is an issue with the lack of volunteer resources to cover the booth activities. Anne agreed to contact Tracy to see what other municipalities have planned with respect to a booth. Anne will send an email out to advise members of what other municipalities are doing. The next planning committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, th June 9 from 2:00 pm– 4:00 pm. As well, there is an additional planning th meeting scheduled for June 15. No one was available to volunteer to th attend the June 9 meeting. b) DREN Award – to Municipality of Clarington Councillor Hooper, along with Councillor Novak, attended the Durham Region Employment Network 2010 Employability Awards celebration. He reported it was a very well run event. The Municipality of Clarington received one of the Accessibility Awards; an award presented for achievements of accessibility based on the success for the removal of barriers to ensure accessibility within our business. Councillor Hooper suggested that the AAC should consider looking to businesses within our community who employ persons with disabilities for the 2011 nominations. Madeleine Meilleur, Minister of Ministry of Community and Social Services was in attendance and spoke to the new recreation facility, designed for persons with disabilities, to be constructed in Whitby -- Abilities Centre. Clarington Accessibility - 4 - June 2, 2010 Advisory Committee b) Tripping Hazard – Liberty and King Intersection Sylvia advised of a watermain valve at the south-west corner of the Liberty and King Street intersection. Anne will advise the Operations Department. 5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on September 1, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. in Committee Room 1A. 6. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Ron Hooper, seconded by Corine Goodwin THAT the meeting be adjourned. “CARRIED” The meeting adjourned at 7:25 p.m. _________________________ Chair _________________________ Secretary