THE JOINT PEEL- CALEDON

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

G. Barnes presided.

1. Call to Order

Glenn Barnes called the meeting to order at 2:10 p.m. and asked everyone in attendance to introduce themselves for the benefit of those who were unable to attend the August 5, 2003 meeting.

Christine Zelman advised members that Beverley Davis had stepped down from her position on the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).

2. Approval of Minutes

RECOMMENDATION AAC-03-2003:

That the minutes for the August 5, 2003, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved.

3. Region of Peel Draft Accessibility Plan

Presentation by Shaun Hewitt, Finance Department, Region of Peel, Accessibility Plan Work Group.

Shaun Hewitt reviewed Peel's Draft Accessibility Plan while accepting comments and advice from members throughout the presentation. A handout was distributed supporting his presentation. Mr. Hewitt spoke to the fact that the 2003 Plan identifies a base line for future plans, required resources, and key directions. He explained that input and questions from AAC members was the key purpose of the meeting. He reviewed relevant requirements and definitions for the AAC members. He reiterated that the Region's commitment to improving accessibility and the fact that improving accessibility will be tied into the Region's strategic planning process. He explained that the Accessibility Plan also includes TransHelp (a service provided by the Region of Peel) as it is classified as a Public Transportation Organization.

The approaches of the Accessibility Plan Work Group (APWG), Senior Management Team and the actions/measures taken within individual departments in order to develop the Draft Plan were explained. In response to a question about focus groups in section 5.6, it was clarified that "staff" focus groups are used within individual departments at the Region of Peel to heighten internal awareness and communication regarding accessibility issues. Maureen Tymkow enquired about the percentage of Regional employees with disabilities and how many of these employees sit on staff focus groups. Kent Gillespie explained that records of disabilities are not kept at the Region of Peel as it is not relevant to work performance.

It was mentioned that in the past, there have been documents released to the public from the Region of Peel that have not accommodated those with visual disabilities for example print on top of pictures, size and colour of print. Therefore, it was suggested that steps be taken to ensure all future documents are consistently accessible for the visually impaired.

Glenn Barnes requested that a fourth barrier defined as "attitudinal" be added instead of capturing it with the Service barriers. The group suggested educational programs to promote awareness should be noted under the attitudinal barrier. Terri Hamilton asked why the Region had not listed the barriers that had been identified. Sue Ritchie replied that the Plan was written at a high level because the APWG was not confident that all barriers had in fact been identified. It was requested that the wording be changed to reflect that "at least" 19 major barriers were identified "at this time".

Members discussed the hiring of dedicated resources. Pat Saito advised that she has difficulty supporting two new staff members as was recommended in the Plan. She suggested that support be provided by the APWG members, and not by a hired assistant. Members discussed hiring a full time Accessibility Plan Coordinator and that the individual be hired as soon as possible.

Pat Saito requested that an Accessibility Education Awareness program be removed from point #5 under section 6.1 and be identified as a separate point.

Accessible methods of distributing the Plan were discussed. It was noted that the Plan will be available on the Region's Website, on audio CD, CD ROM and other formats upon request.

Members requested that the words "facilities and infrastructure" be added to various sections where it speaks to By-laws, Policies, Programs, Practices and Services.

Meeting recessed at 3:30 p.m. and resumed at 3:50 p.m.
G. Barnes presided.

AAC members discussed Appendix I which lists the Region's past achievements in over coming barriers. It was mentioned that even though the actions taken were noted as complete, that might not be the case as guidelines and requirements change over time. Pat Saito suggested that the title be changed to past initiatives instead of past achievements.

Time lines and expectations of the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) were discussed. Kent Gillespie clarified the expectations set out by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and advised that the Province requires a Plan (not a preliminary Plan) be approved by Council before September 30th. He reminded the members that this Plan is the first of many annual Plans and this process will be in continual development. The next Plan should be developed earlier in the year (possibly in spring) to allow AAC members more time to review and provide input.

RECOMMENDATION AAC-04-2003:

That within Section 5.6 of the Draft Plan, focus groups shall be termed as "staff focus groups" for clarification;

And further, that steps be taken to ensure all future Regional documents are consistently accessible for the visually impaired;

And further, that a fourth barrier be added to the Draft Plan to accommodate "attitudinal" barriers;

And further, that the first paragraph in section 5.8 of the Draft Plan be edited to clarify that "at least 19 barriers have been identified at this time";

And further, that the request for an Assistant Coordinator be removed from the Draft Plan and that only an Accessibility Plan Coordinator be hired as soon as possible;

And further, that an Educational Awareness program (internal and external) be added as item 10 of the Draft Plan;

And further, that the words "facilities and infrastructure" be added in various sections where it speaks to By-laws, Policies, Programs, Practices and Services;

And further, that the word "Achievements" be changed to "Initiatives" in Appendix I and related references in the body of Peel's Draft Plan.

4. Town of Caledon Draft Accessibility Plan

Presentation by Eriks Eglite, Staff Working Group Member, Town of Caledon.

Eriks Eglite introduced members of Caledon's Staff Working Group Brian Zimmerman (Sr. Policing & Licensing Officer), Eric Schuppert (Manager of Customer Service), and Mary Schofield (Deputy Building Official). Eriks distributed a handout supporting his presentation and outlined the steps involved in developing Caledon's Draft Plan. Eriks explained that, like the Region, the funding outlined in Caledon's Draft Plan must be incorporated into the budget prior to implementation. Eriks outlined the barriers identified to date (Architectural, Attitudinal, Communicational, Informational, Physical, Technology, Policies and Practices). Eriks explained that Caledon had also focussed particularly on Attitudinal barriers, and has therefore created a plan to promote awareness among front-line and service staff. Eriks defined the Plan as "an ongoing piece of work that needs to be addressed internally through staffing, resources and funding." Possible actions include restructuring service counters, the internal expansion of buildings, audio amplification and the possible use of Braille.

There has also been discussion among Town staff regarding the accessibility of parks and trails. Town and library websites must be reviewed in order to make sure an optimal number of people are being reached within the community. Accommodations may also be made for guide animals within town facilities.

Eriks explained that recommendations for 2004 contained within the Accessibility Plan include consultations with neighbouring communities, particularly with regard to cross-border issues such as transportation. Caledon staff suggests that accessibility initiatives be entrenched in the next Town of Caledon strategic plan.

AAC Members provided positive feedback to the Draft Caledon Accessibility Plan, particularly regarding the inclusion of attitudinal barriers and the mention of specific barriers at Town facilities.

Architectural and physical barriers within the Town of Caledon were discussed by AAC members. Members provided suggestions to Eriks regarding certain inaccessible locations within the community. Curb cuts, sidewalks and traffic lights were issues raised. The efficiency or effectiveness of legislated building codes was discussed with regard to producing truly accessible facilities, as some code compliant building elements are not accessible (washrooms, wheelchair ramps and parking spaces were used as examples).

Brian Zimmerman stated that Caledon is presently working on implementing accessible parking spaces from which snow can be easily removed.

Pat Saito mentioned that Mississauga's staff working group plans to advocate to the Province for changes to the building codes. She recommended that the AAC advocate as well, saying that if each municipality advocated, then the building codes would eventually be changed.

RECOMMENDATION AAC-05-2003:

That "Achievements" be renamed "Initiatives" in Caledon's Draft Plan.

5. Other Business

a) Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule

Glenn Barnes asked for input into finalizing the future meeting dates for the AAC. Kent Gillespie explained that the changes have to be reviewed and incorporated into the Draft Plan and then a report must be written by Corporate Services staff and signed by the Chief Administrative Officer, Roger Maloney, before being distributed to Regional Council a week prior to their meeting.

AAC members concurred that it would be most appropriate for the Draft Accessibility Plan to be submitted to the September 18th, 2003 meeting of Regional Council instead of the September 11th General Committee meeting to enable the AAC members to be present.

It was decided that the AAC will not meet again until October. Members agreed that the third Tuesday of the month from 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. would be the best time to meet, allowing for occasional amendments as required.

Kent advised that an APWG member would book the future meetings at different sites within the Region of Peel.

RECOMMENDATION AAC-06-2003:

That the revised Accessibility Plan be presented to Regional Council on September 18, 2003.

RECOMMENDATION AAC-07-2003:

That members of the AAC meet on the third Tuesday of each month as required.

b) Access Ontario Conference Attendance and Funding Source

Five members of the AAC expressed interest in attending the conference. Kent Gillespie advised that the funding would be provided by the Region of Peel and the Town of Caledon. Christine Zelman will be contacting those members with regard to booking flights, hotel rooms and registration for the conference in Sault Ste. Marie on September 9th and 10th.

 

c) Presentation Date of Peel's Draft Accessibility Plan to General Committee or to Regional Council

Dealt with under item 5 a.

 

d) Presentation Date of Caledon's Draft Accessibility Plan to Caledon Town Council

It was decided that Caledon's Draft Accessibility Plan will be presented to Caledon Town Council on Monday, September 8, 2003.

 

e) Web Site Accessibility Testing

Glenn Barnes provided members with a handout of results from a Website accessibility test he conducted on both the Region of Peel and City of Mississauga Websites.

6. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.