HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-02-02Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee
Minutes for the meeting of
February 2, 2022 6:30 p.m.
Via Microsoft Teams
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
Tim Van Leeuwen
Pinder DaSilva
Sarah Taylor
Deb Kalogris
Marina Ross
Councillor Janice Jones
Also Present: Erica Mittag, Community Development Coordinator — Diversity and
Inclusion
Jeannette Whynot, Accessibility Coordinator
Regrets: Sarah McConaghy
Catherine McConaghy
1. Call to order
The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m.
2. Declaration of Interest
None
3. Review of Previous Meeting Minutes
Moved by Deb Kalogris; seconded by Sarah Taylor
That the minutes of the meeting of January 12, 2022 be approved.
Carried
Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 2, 2022
4. Guest Speaker: Erica Mittag, Community Development
Coordinator — Diversity and Inclusion
Re: Creation of Municipal Civic Awards
Erica presented information about the Municipality's intention to create a Civic Awards
Program. Over the years, the Municipality has received numerous requests over the
years to recognize people in community doing great work and having a positive impact
on the community. Currently there are recognition programs in place, but nothing as
formal as a Civic Awards Program.
As staff are developing a framework for the program, it became clear that the AAC
needed to be consulted. Currently the Committee nominates a
business/person/organization for the Durham Accessibility Award and then holds a
separate event to recognize everyone who was nominated but did not win. With the
creation of the Civic Awards Program there is an opportunity to include "Accessibility" as
a category, which would overlap with the current Accessibility Award and nominations
being recognized.
A brief discussion of potential options going forward were discussed. Staff suggested
that knowing the Committee is supportive of including Accessibility as an award
category in the Civic Awards Program is a great first step. From here, staff will come
back to the Committee with additional recommendations for their consideration and
approval.
Moved by Pinder DaSilva, Seconded by Sarah Taylor,
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee supports the establishment of the Civic
Awards Program and the inclusion of an Accessibility Award as part of that program.
Carried
5. Business Arising from Previous Meeting Minutes
5.1 2021 Annual Status Update
Moved by Deb Kalogris, seconded by Sarah Taylor
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee accept the 2021 Annual Status Update
Carried
5.2 National AccessAbility Week 2022: Brainstorming
Committee is encouraged to continue brainstorming ideas and determining what they
would like to help organize.
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Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 2, 2022
To interview with the newspaper, a staff member will need to be part of the interview.
The Client Services Manager is aware and will help ensure a staff member is able to
support this initiative while Jeannette is on parental leave. With it being budget approval
season, Jeannette advised that this can be done in the early spring.
Staff are supportive of the contest ideas. Sarah Taylor volunteered to help develop the
contests, both the art and scavenger hunt.
6. New Business
6.1 Inclusive Community Grant
Once again the Inclusive Community Grant is open for applications. Last time we
applied we received just under $60,000 to install the mobility device charging stations.
Jeannette requested the Committee share ideas for projects we could apply for. Ideally,
projects would benefit both seniors and people with disabilities.
The Committee came up with the following suggestions:
• Installation of automatic sliding doors
• Tactile plates at road crossings
• Installation of more accessible swings in parks
• Installation of picture communication signage in parks
• Creation of a sensory garden
o Sensory gardens have features that touch on all five senses through a
variety of mediums.
• Raised community garden beds
• Sensory additions to our pools
Given the short window for applications, Jeannette advised that she would take these
ideas back to staff and determine the best one to move forward with. Once an idea was
secured, Jeannette advised she would work with the Committee Chair to create a letter
of support from the Committee. Additionally, she would work with Councillor Jones to
gain Council's support for the project and application.
The Committee mutually agreed this was an appropriate course of action given the
short timelines.
6.2 Re -applying for the Accessibility Advisory Committee post -election.
Reminder it's an election year. After the October election there may not be any
meetings from Oct -Dec. Towards the end of the year there will be calls committee
members.
Per the Terms of Reference, Committee members can only serve 2 terms in a row; can
still apply but Council would have to give approval for additional terms.
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Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 2, 2022
6.3 Mobility charging stations moving forward
To date, there are 6 installed in parks and public spaces. The Municipality intended to
install a solar powered option in a more remote area that does not have electricity
available, however this has proven to be a large challenge. The technology to support
the batter size we need does not exist. Therefore, we are shifting our approach and will
re -allocate the money to add 6-8 more hard -wired stations at indoor and outdoor
locations.
Staff have identified the following locations:
• Rickard Arena
• Allan Strike Centre
• Orono Library (currently not accessible but a major accessibility upgrade is
scheduled for later this year)
• Newcastle Area
• Bowmanville Mall
• Newcastle Community Hall
• Memorial Park (if appropriate infrastructure is available, staff to double check)
• Clarington Fields
Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer requested that the site plan sub committee include requesting
charging stations in their site plan comments. Additionally, the Committee asked why
locations in North Bowmanville weren't on this list right now. Staff explained that
charging stations can be incorporated into park development, but right now there's not
enough infrastructure to support them.
Moved by Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer, Seconded by Deb Kalogris
Whereas mobility device charging stations have proven to be a successful addition to
the Clarington community and local neighborhoods ;
And whereas accessibility considerations should be brought forward as early in the
planning stages as possible and;
And whereas Clarington has the opportunity to be a leader in offering mobility device
charging stations throughout its community;
Now therefore be is resolved that the Accessibility Advisory Committee shall
recommend the inclusion of mobility device charging stations in new commercial builds,
where appropriate and that the Municipality of Clarington includes mobility device
charging stations in new municipal facilities and outdoor spaces, where appropriate.
Carried
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Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes — February 2, 2022
7. New Business
Sylvia Jaspers-Fayer spoke about the new electronic price tags on shelves at Metro —
signs appear to be different sizes & not very accessible. Other Committee members
agreed to check out the signs and also provide feedback at the next meeting.
Sarah Taylor will be meeting with Jennifer from the newspaper tomorrow morning to talk
about accessibility
Pinder DaSilva invited everyone to the Abilities Centre lunch and learn on February 22.
Information on the latest information from the National Disability Survey will be
presented. Jeannette advised she would send everyone information about it through
email.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Sarah Taylor, Seconded by Deb Kalogris
That the meeting be adjourned
Carried
Meeting adjourned at 7:53 pm
Next meeting: Wednesday March 2, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. via Microsoft
Teams
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