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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-01-18 MinutesCLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE JANUARY 18, 2007, 6:00 P.M. MEETING ROOM #1A Present: Keith Brettell Norman Hannan Tim Hick Darlene Matthews Councillor Adrian Foster Absent: David Kelly, Chair Also Present: Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk Councillor Foster assumed the Chair in the absence of David Kelly. 1. ADOPTION OF MINUTES Moved by Keith Brettell, seconded by Darlene Matthews THAT the September 7, 2006 minutes be amended in section 2. f) by deleting the word “Washroom” from the title; and THAT the minutes of the September 7, 2006, meeting, as amended, and the minutes of the October 4, 2006 meeting be adopted. CARRIED 2. ITEMS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES There were no items for consideration under this section of the agenda. 3. NEW BUSINESS a) Correspondence from The Canadian Hearing Society Correspondence was received from The Canadian Hearing Society questioning what actions the Municipality has undertaken to address accessibility issues for the deafened and hard of hearing public. A letter will be forwarded to The Canadian Hearing Society to advise that the Municipality of Clarington has installed a new sound system in the Council Chambers which includes measures for the deafened and hard of hearing. Further suggestions on accessibility issues will be sought from the Society. b) Browsealoud Web Services A demonstration of the Browsealoud Web Services for speech enabling websites was provided. The program highlights the content of the website as it is read aloud, thereby allowing visually impaired and illiterate residents to Clarington Accessibility - 2 - January 18, 2007 Advisory Committee utilize the website. The Durham Region Employment Network may have additional information related to this matter, through the Community Access Program (CAP). c) Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event 2007 Councillor Foster advised that the Committee raise $7,000 from the 2006 Rick Hansen event. He indicated that a number of events across the Province raised less money than anticipated. Discussion ensued as to whether the committee should continue with this event in 2007 or whether we should look at a different type of event. The mandate of the committee was questioned— does it include fundraising or should the committee be focusing more on education of the public? Councillor Foster will forward all information pertaining to the Rick Hansen event to Keith Bettrell for review. d) Garnet B. Rickard Recreation Complex Observation Deck This item will be discussed at the next meeting. 4. OTHER BUSINESS a) Councillor Foster advised the Committee that Council has recently approved Community Improvement Plans which provide funding for façade improvements and suggested that accessibility issues could perhaps be included. b) The Committee expressed concern with the possibility of more gas stations becoming self-serve in the near future and the accessibility policies of the gas companies do not apply to self-serve stations. The Provincial Directorate will be contacted to determine if this issue has been raised with them. 5. DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be scheduled upon the appointment of the 2007-2010 Committee. 6. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Keith Brettell, seconded by Tim Hick THAT the meeting be adjourned. CARRIED _________________________ Chair _________________________ Secretary