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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-24If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext 2131 Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday September 24, 2025, 6:30 p.m. In-Person and Online via Microsoft Teams Present: Lesley Scherer (Chair) Keith Brettell (Vice-Chair) Councillor Traill Barb Henn Jagmeet Singh Kohli Sanja Wirch Regrets: Bea Kraayenhof Hawa Mire Sheikh Hossain Also Present: Jeannette Whynot, Staff Liaison 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 6:32 p.m. 2. Land Acknowledgement Statement L. Scherer shared a personalized Land Acknowledgement Statement. 3. Declarations of Interest No declarations were made. 4. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes Moved by K. Brettell, seconded by B. Henn That the minutes of April 8, 2025, and May 24, 2025, meetings be approved as presented. Carried. 5. 2025 Accessibility Awards Recap L. Scherer shared that she attended the event along with the staff liaison and that Grounded Community Hub was the winner from Clarington. The guest speaker was Clare Kumar, who Page | 2 was a great speaker, however it was noted that elements of her presentation were better suited for a different audience. It was also noted that dinner was good, however the utensils were difficult to use with the bone-in chicken that was served. J. Whynot shared that overall, the event was better than the previous year’s and there was a significant improvement with the accessibility of the event. Committee members expressed excitement for the improved accessibility and optimism for future events. 6. Accessibility Banners Discussion J. Whynot shared that she would like to have new accessibility banners created and would like the Committee’s input on their design and content. The intent is to use the banners in Municipal facilities to promote awareness of accessibility to the community, especially during key times of the year like National AccessAbility Week. For the banners to be long-lasting, it’s important that they do not have dates and are more general in nature as opposed to promoting a very specific day, like International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd). Members recommended that the banners utilize the design elements of the Together We Are Clarington campaign because accessibility is one element of that campaign, so these banners should visually tie into the larger campaign for cohesion. Members discussed using different slogans or quotes in relation to different kinds of disabilities. The Committee discussed using icons to represent different disabilities, however some members expressed concerns that using disability specific imagery would lead to some people feeling excluded. Others noted that icons and imagery reduce language and communication barriers. The Committee expressed preference for including disability facts or statistics along with short one-line phrases and capturing graphics. Next steps: L. Scherer asked that committee members send their ideas to her by October 3rd so they can be shared with the staff liaison. J. Whynot will share their feedback with the design team and provide an update at a future meeting. 7. Priorities for Remainder of AAC Term L. Scherer opened a discussion on what their priorities are for the remainder of their term. K. Brettell shared that he is interested in looking at ways to make residential street parking more accessible for people with disabilities. L. Scherer shared that she would like to look at making paid on-street and off-street parking more accessible by exempting cars with accessible permits from paying. J. Whynot advised that these are excellent examples of recommendations the committee can make to Council per their Terms of Reference. However, members who are interested in working on these recommendations will need to conduct research and report back to the Committee with a draft motion. J. Whynot recommended that anyone who is interested in Page | 3 working on either of the parking recommendations will meet separately as a working group and bring their research and draft motion to a future meeting for discussion. 8. New Member Introduction L. Scherer introduced the Committee’s newest member, Jagmeet. Members briefly introduced themselves and welcomed him to the Committee. 9. Staff Updates J. Whynot shared that with Halloween approaching she will be sharing information about accessible trick-or-treating in the upcoming weeks. Lawn signs will be available at some facilities and Treat Accessibly information banners will be put up at facilities as well. Additionally, she will be promoting Treat Accessibly at Bowmanville AppleFest on October 18th and welcomed members to join her if they are available. J. Whynot asked the Committee for ideas on recognizing December 3rd – International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Social media posts highlighting municipal accessibility initiatives, collaboration with other AACs and an open mic night or talent show for people with disabilities were proposed. B. Henn and L. Scherer will explore the feasibility of an open mic or talent show through a working group. J. Whynot provided a brief update on current projects. The recently completed adult change tables installed at municipal facilities were highlighted. Through the discussion, B. Henn recommended the municipality acquire sound admitting soccer or multi-sport balls to make programming more inclusive for people with vision loss. J. Whynot advised it was an excellent recommendation and she will investigate it. 10. Other Business Councillor Traill shared she is making progress with having the property owner add additional accessible parking spaces at Metro in Bowmanville. 11. Next AAC Meeting. Either Wednesday October 22 or October 29th, 2025, 6:30pm. Hybrid format. J. Whynot will send a scheduling poll to determine the majority’s preference. 12. Adjournment Moved by C. Traill; seconded by S. Wirch. That the meeting be adjourned. Carried Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m.