HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-08-07 MinutesCLARINGTON ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
AUGUST 7, 2003, 6:30 P.M.
MEETING ROOM #1A
Present: Councillor Jane Rowe
Brian Duffey
Tim Hick
David Kelly
Keith Kelly
Evylin Stroud
Walter Zutell (attended the meeting at 6:45 p.m.)
Patti Barrie, Municipal Clerk
Catherine Eisan, Secretary
Absent: Katrina Bradford
Shannon Leveille
Pat Rundle
Suzanne Wortman
Councillor Rowe chaired the meeting.
1. Adoption of Minutes
Moved by Evylin Stroud, seconded by David Kelly
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on June 24, 2003, be adopted.
“CARRIED”
2. Election of Chair
It was agreed to refer this matter to the end of the meeting.
3. Draft Accessibility Plan
The Clerk reviewed the Draft Accessibility Plan and responded to
questions from the Committee Members. David Kelly submitted a list of
preferred terms for disability issues which he obtained from Accessibility
Ontario. The Chair agreed to take the terminology into consideration but
advised that the Municipality must adhere to the Ontarians with Disabilities
Act and the terms utilized within that Act.
Future initiatives of the Committee will be amended to include an Award of
Excellence for Accessibility and Preparation of Directory of Services.
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Advisory Committee
In preparing a directory of services, it was suggested that the publication
should provide tips and lists of programs and facilities that are available
for persons with disabilities and perhaps provide space for advertising.
4. “Sounds of Silence” Workshop
The Clerk advised of a “Sounds of Silence” Workshop to be held on
September 17, 2003, which is being sponsored by the Canadian Hearing
Society.
5. Other Business
a) It was requested that the municipality investigate the difference in
curb cuts for electric and manual wheel chairs and the slant of
sidewalks.
b) A question arose as to the timing of the traffic lights at Highway 2
and Mearns Avenue. There is concern that the light does not
remain green long enough to allow safe crossing.
c) The Clerk requested clarification regarding the number of
Clarington residents with visual impairments who are registered
with the Canadian National Institute of the Blind. The Municipal
Elections Act states that a Clerk “shall make such changes to some
or all of the ballots as considered necessary to allow electors with
visual impairments to vote without assistance.” It was determined
that the cost of providing braille ballots would be prohibitive given
the very small number of individuals who read braille. The
Committee discussed whether the use of magnifiers would be of
use to persons with visual impairments but it was determined that
this would probably not be of assistance. It was the consensus of
the Committee that the municipality should include in their
advertisements that anyone requiring assistance should contact the
Clerk’s Department.
It was also suggested that all election ads include a notation that if
any individual knows of someone who requires assistance with the
voting process to please ask that person to contact the Clerk’s
Department.
6. Election of Chair
This matter was deferred to the meeting to be held on September 4, 2003.
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Advisory Committee
7. Other Business
Evylin Stroud questioned an article which she had read in the Canadian
Statesman regarding a pedestrian friendly downtown and wondered
whether the Accessibility Advisory Committee could be involved in this
process.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Walter Zutell, seconded by David Kelly
THAT the meeting adjourn at 8:00 p.m.
“CARRIED”
Chair
Secretary