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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCLD-40-04 Report 113 QfJ!illgron REPORT CLERK'S DEPARTMENT Meeting: COUNCIL Date: December 13, 2004 Report #: CLD-40-04 File#: By-law #: Subject: 2005 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT RECOMMENDATIONS: It is respectfully recommended that Council approve the following: 1. THAT Report CLD-40-04 be received; 2. THAT the 2005 Accessibility Plan attached as Schedule A to Report CLD-40-04 be adopted in accordance with the Ontarians With Disabilities Act, and 3. THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee be thanked for their ongoing commitment and work, Submitted b . O~Q~-e.(~ Reviewed by: Franklin Wu, Chief Administrative Officer PLB CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1 C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506 . REPORT NO.: CLD-40-04 PAGE 2 OF 2 BACKGROUND AND COMMENT In accordance with the Ontarians With Disabilities Act, each year the Council of every municipality shall prepare an accessibility plan addressing the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to persons with disabilities in the municipality's by-laws and in its policies, programs, practices and services. Accordingly, the proposed Accessibility Plan for 2005 is attached hereto as Schedule A. It is recommended that Council adopt the plan as the Municipality of Clarington's 2005 Accessibility Plan. Once adopted, the plan will be made available to the public on the Municipality's website, through the Clarington Public Library and through the Municipal Clerk's Department. If requested, a Braille copy of the Plan will be provided. David Kelly, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee will be in attendance at the Council meeting to summarize the Plan for Council's information. CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON 40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOWMANVILLE, ONTARIO L 1C 3A6 T 905-623-3379 F 905-623-6506 Schedule "A" Leading the Way 2005 ACCESSIBILITY PLAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT December 13, 2004 Introduction In September 2003, the Council of the Municipality of Clarington endorsed the first Municipality of Clarington Accessibility Plan according to the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This plan identified measures the Municipality had taken in the past and the measures the Committee and Municipal staff would take to identify, remove and prevent barriers to people with disabilities who use the facilities and services of the Municipality, including both staff and members of the community at large. The 2005 Accessibility Plan provides an update on activities over the last year and an outline of initiatives for 2005. The Accessibilitv Advisorv Committee In accordance with the Act, an Accessibility Advisory Committee was established in 2002. The Committee consists of ten community members and one member of Council. The Committee meets the first Thursday evening of each month in the Municipal Administrative Centre. In order to better understand the operation of the municipality and the iniatives already in place to address accessibility issues, the Committee has heard presentations from the Planning and Services Department, the Engineering Services Department, the Building Division and the Operations Department. These presentations have proven to be very informative and enlightening for the members of the Committee, as they have shown the framework within which the municipality must operate in performing the services provided to the residents. Clarington Accessibility Plan Page 3 Initiatives The 2004 Plan identified that the Committee would work closely with the Municipality to: · Review various by-laws and policies, ie, purchasing, taxi licensing, parking, traffic/transportation · undertake a public building analysis · investigate Community Services programs · Review site plans for new development and buildings, structures and premises being purchased, constructed, significantly renovated or leased by the Municipality · Provide a forum for persons with disabilities to raise issues and concerns · coordinate the dissemination of information regarding issues faced by persons with all types of disabilities and regarding the work undertaken by the Committee · Develop an Awards of Excellence to recognize businesses that have eliminated barriers · Prepare a Directory of Services In order to effectively consider these various items, the Committee formed the following Sub-Committees: Business Awards of Excellence, Transportation, Operations and Site Plan Review. The following is an outline of activities each Sub-Committee has undertaken. Business Awards of Excellence In order to raise awareness in the Clarington business community of accessibility issues and to illustrate simple steps that can be taken to reduce accessibility challenges in stores and facilities across the municipality, the "Clarington Accessibility Business Community Challenge" is being launched. The Clarington Accessibility Plan Page 4 "Challenge" will determine which Clarington business community can tackle the highest proportion of accessibility projects within a three-month period. Starting in January, Clarington business organizations will announce to their members that the Clarington Accessibility Committee is seeking their cooperation and participation to implement simple and inexpensive steps to make their establishments more accessible. All businesses participating in the challenge will be honoured with a Certificate of Accessibility that can be displayed in their establishment. The business community with the highest percentage of accessibility projects will be honoured and a sign will be erected in the winning community to acknowledge them as the Most Accessible Community in Clarington for 2005. T ransDortation The Transportation Sub-Committee was formed to review the transportation policies of the Municipality, including public transit (bussing) and taxi licensing, The group endeavoured to keep abreast of transportation issues pertinent to persons with disabilities and report back to the full committee to provide information and, when appropriate, to suggest actions the committee might want to take. After speaking with the municipal staff involved with transportation, the committee decided that the provision of more accessible taxis for our community was a priority. Members spoke with a number of other municipalities and organizations but by summer learned that a private company, Slue Line Taxis, was being licensed to provide service for Clarington with three accessible cabs. They were also able to report that, in addition to this very welcome improvement in service, the municipally- sponsored specialized transit system, Handi Transit would have a second Clarington van in operation by September. Handi Transit has also improved Clarington Accessibility Plan Page 5 conditions by offering sensitivity training to the Blue Line drivers to help them learn to work with persons with a variety of disabilities. The sub-committee also reviewed the conventional bus service available in the Municipality, asking about accommodation for those with special needs. They were told that any changes were on hold until decisions had been made about the Region of Durham assuming responsibility for all public transit. Regional Council has hired consultants to prepare a business case for regional transit and the resulting report was presented to a committee of Regional Council and the appropriate agencies on November 4. It is expected that the Region will begin to take responsibility for all transit in January, 2005 with service remaining much as it is now for the first year with the same providers. By January 2006, decisions will have been made as to the best ways to amalgamate the systems for seamless travel throughout the region and for connection with GO Transit. It has been recommended by the consultants that specialized transit remain a distinct arm of the service, separate from but closely amalgamated with conventional transit. The sub-committee has also obtained a copy of GO Transit's latest Accessibility Plan required by the Ontarians with Disabi/ities Act and can provide current information about GO's plans to improve accessibility of service throughout the GTA. For the first few months of operation, the committee members have primarily been educating themselves and passing information along to the AAC at large. They will continue to monitor progress throughout the coming year as the Region assumes control and will continue to keep the AAC informed and look for opportunities when it might be appropriate for the group to offer its expertise to the relevant parties. Clarington Accessibility Plan Page 6 ODe rations The Operations Sub-Committee proposes to cover many areas of concern, placing priority on issues that have safety and seasonal factors involved. The goals of the sub-committee are as follows: Short-Term Goals 1. Condition of sidewalks and the scheduling of repair and/or upgrade work 2. Trimming or removal of trees, hedges or other hazards along pathways, sidewalks or other walkways maintained by the Municipality. 3. Review the maintenance schedule for equipment that assists persons with disabilities to gain access to public facilities (power doors, lifts, ramps). 4. Review of by-laws and enforcement of specific areas related to persons with disabilities. Lone-Term Goals 1. Research the cost and requirements for the installation of crossing alarms (for the visually impaired) at the major intersections within the Municipality. 2. Review and offer insight into the setup and planning of festivals and special events to be more accessible. 3. Audit the snow removal policies for sidewalks in high traffic or non- residential areas, where responsibility for clearing is unclear. 4. Establish a link between the community and the Operations Department for citizens to voice concerns regarding accessibility issues. Site Plan Review The Planning Services Department conducted a very useful orientation session for the Sub-Committee members and the Municipal Clerk's Department. As site plans became available from the Planning Services Department, the sub- Clarington Accessibility Plan Page 7 committee met to review those plans for commercial establishments. It is very interesting as the plans are reviewed from the viewpoint of people with various types of disabilities to determine how easy or difficult it would be for them to access the buildings. They have questioned a number of aspects of the site plans. They have also made several suggestions, most of which have been taken into consideration by the Planning Services Department for discussion with the applicants. The upcoming year will see a large challenge with the new addition to the medical building on King Street East, Bowmanville. Additional Activitv In the spring of 2004 the Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee undertook to organize and host the Clarington Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion 'Roll for Hope'. This event took place on June 13, 2004. The Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event is a national fund raising campaign created to support research into spinal cord injury and to fund community based accessibility initiatives. The decision to become involved in the event was based on the Committee's ability to use the event to promote awareness of accessibility issues, engage the community and raise funds for both local and national projects dealing with accessibility issues. The event was, by all measures, a success. Approximately 60 volunteers and another 60 participants raised/donated approximately $8,000 for the Rick Hansen Foundation. As well, over 20 local businesses donated prizes and cash. The Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Rotary Clubs of Courtice and Bowmanville anticipate grants of approximately $3,000 from the Rick Hansen Foundation to help with the installation of accessible picnic tables at Clarington Accessibility Plan Page 8 two new Rotary Parks. The grants are a direct result of the Committee's work on the Clarington event. The Clarington Accessibility Advisory Committee has committed to participate in the upcoming Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion event planned for June 12, 2005. During this event, the winners of the Clarington Accessibility Business Community Challenge will be announced. 2005 Initiatives The Committee has been working on the initiatives as outlined earlier in this document. These initiatives are quite comprehensive and work has begun on each one. During 2005, the Committee members will continue to work diligently toward the completion of these initiatives. We will continue to provide a forum for issues and concerns to be raised and provide information regarding accessibility issues to the residents of the Municipality of Clarington. Communication of the Plan This plan will be available on the Municipality's web site as well as at the Municipal Administrative Centre. We will make every attempt to make it available to those with disabilities. A Braille copy will be provided, upon request. Questions related to this plan should be directed to: Patti L. Barrie, A.M.C,T. Municipal Clerk Municipality of Clarington 40 Temperance Street Bowmanville, Ontario L 1 C 3A6 Telephone: (905) 623-3379 E-Mail: pbarrie@municipaltY.c1arinqton.on.ca