THE JOINT PEEL- CALEDON

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Glenn Barnes, Chair - presided

1. CALL TO ORDER

Glenn Barnes, Chair of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee called the meeting to order at 1:40 p.m. and welcomed everyone present.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting held on November 16, 2004

RECOMMENDATION AAC-1-2005:

That the minutes of the November 16, 2004 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved.

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION AAC-2-2005:

That an item regarding the "Heroes and Legends - Siemens Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction in Support of Easter Seals Kids" to be held February 9, 2005 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario, be added to the agenda under Communication Items as Item 4i;

And further, that a discussion regarding a presentation by the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee to the Public Hearing on Bill 118 be added to the agenda under Other Business as Item 8;

And further, that the agenda for the January 18, 2005 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved, as amended.

See also Communication Items - Item 4h and 4i

4. COMMUNICATION ITEMS

a. Region of Peel Press Release, Dated December 20, 2004, Recognizing TransHelp Driver Jayne Munden for being Bestowed by the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) with its Highest Honour, The Employee Excellence Award, for her Heroic, Lifesaving Efforts

Received

b. Globe and Mail Article, Dated December 16, 2004, Regarding Societal Attitudes Towards Persons with Disabilities

Received

c. Region of Peel Press Release, Dated December 9, 2004, Highlighting Participation by the TransHelp Advisory Committee at the 2004 Region of Peel International Day of Disabled Persons

Received

d. Region of Peel Press Release, Dated November 16, 2004, Region of Peel Opening New Public Health Clinic in Meadowvale

Received

e. abilities, Canada's Lifestyle Magazine for People with Disabilities, Issue 61, Winter 2004, Article titled "Home Sweet Home", authored by Ron Wickman, Architect, Describing the Importance and Economic Sense of Flexible Housing Design

Received

f. abilities, Canada's Lifestyle Magazine for People with Disabilities, Issue 61, Winter 2004, Article titled "Landmark Legislation: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004", authored by Dr. Marie Bountrogianni, Minister, Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Explaining How the Proposed Legislation will Allow Persons with Disabilities to Participate Fully in Society

Received

g. abilities, Canada's Lifestyle Magazine for People with Disabilities, Issue 61, Winter 2004, Article titled "A Milestone for Moviegoers", Detailing Initiatives by the Motion Picture Theatre Associations of Canada to Implement a Uniform Policy in Partnership with Organizations Representing Persons with Disabilities for Moviegoers with Disabilities who Require a Support Person for Assistance

Received

h. Anne Stokes, Clerk, Standing Committee on Social Policy, Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Letter dated January 4, 2005, Advising of Upcoming Public Hearings Regarding Bill 118 and Deadlines for Written and Oral Submissions

Received

See also Approval of Agenda

i. "Heroes and Legends" Siemens Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner and Auction in Support of Easter Seals Kids, February 9, 2005, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building, 255 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario (Details Available at www.connsmythedinner.com)

Received

See also Approval of Agenda

M. Horn arrived at 1:47 p.m.

5. PRESENTATIONS

a. James Kilgour, Emergency Management Coordinator, Presenting an Overview of the Emergency Planning Function at the Region of Peel

Received

William Goursky inquired about the priority given to the evacuation of public housing and nursing homes, most notably high-rise structures, in the event of an emergency. James Kilgour, Emergency Management Coordinator, responded that strategies have been developed to deal with the types of facilities identified and contingencies are in place to deal with situations where elevators are not available. Glenn Barnes, Chair of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) noted that many new buildings have generators in place that mitigate the impact of a power outage on the overall accessibility of the facility. R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor, added that Business Continuity Plans are in place and one of the tasks of the Emergency Management Coordinator is to ensure consistency between these plans throughout the organization. James Kilgour stated that the first priority of emergency management is to ensure life safety including the consideration of accessibility factors.

Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Coordinator, inquired if medical emergencies fall under the responsibility of the Emergency Management Coordinator. James Kilgour confirmed that epidemic and pandemic planning is part of the scope of emergency planning. He noted that regardless of the type of emergency, the structures and processes required to deal with the emergency are essentially the same.

b. Paul Mountford, Intermediate Planning Officer, Planning and Accommodation Support Services, Peel District School Board, Consulting with the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee Regarding Representation on the Peel District School Board Accessibility Advisory Committee

Received

Paul Mountford, Intermediate Planning Officer, Peel District School Board expressed regrets on behalf of Randy Wright, Controller, Planning and Accommodation Support Services, Peel District School Board who was unable to attend as a result of a scheduling conflict. Glenn Barnes clarified the purpose of the presentation was to seek representation from the Joint Peel-Caledon AAC on the Peel District School Board AAC. Naz Husain and Marlow Horn both expressed their interest in participating on the Peel District School Board AAC. Meenu Sikand stated that she would follow up with Randy Wright and provide additional details to the AAC members who indicated their interest.

E. Kolb departed at 2:05 p.m.

c. De-briefing of International Day of Disabled Persons Events, held on December 3, 2004, Round Table Discussion With Members of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee and Regional Staff

Received

Glenn Barnes opened the discussion by congratulating staff for their initiative in organizing and participating in the events recognizing the International Day of Disabled Persons.

Meenu Sikand highlighted the following achievements: strong support from the Region of Peel Executive Management Team (EMT); collaborative effort between three key Regional departments (Social Services; People, Information & Technology and Corporate Services); attendance/participation by approximately 150 staff and positive feedback with roughly 50 per cent return on event surveys. Survey feedback suggested the following enhancements: undertake to hold events at other facilities throughout the Region; include information about mental health; make the "Ten Commandments" video available for staff meetings and events; positive feedback with respect to the personal stories shared by the AAC members and the impact of the experiential learning centres.

Kent Gillespie reflected that the event demonstrated the change in attitude toward persons with disabilities. As a result of the event it is clear that the AAC is having an impact on the organization and the Region will start to see the broader benefits going forward.

Several of the members expressed appreciation to Meenu Sikand for her efforts and significant contribution toward the success of the event. Group discussion followed regarding some of the survey feedback and it was agreed that future events should also include information regarding cognitive/learning disabilities.

A brief discussion regarding the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference occurred.

William Goursky inquired about the status of the terms of reference for the AAC. Charlotte Gravlev, Regional Clerk, advised that Regional Council approved the report amending the AAC terms of reference and the terms of the current members of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee have been extended to coincide with the term of Regional Council pending approval by the Council of the Town of Caledon.

6. REPORT FROM THE ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING COORDINATORS

a. Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon

Received

Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon, informed the AAC that five sensitivity training sessions for Town of Caledon staff have been completed and currently staff is examining how to incorporate sensitivity training into new employee orientation. Planning for follow-up sensitivity sessions is underway and will include the "Ten Commandments" video. Colleen Grant advised that a barrier template has been created and is currently being rolled out to the various Town of Caledon departments. Further, staff is reviewing a process to facilitate the review of site plans by the AAC.

b. Meenu Sikand, Accessibility Planning Coordinator, Region of Peel

Received

Meenu Sikand noted that she attended a provincially sponsored universal design workshop with staff from Health and Social Services. As part of the workshop a tour of the new Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) facility in Toronto was arranged. Meenu suggested that the AAC might want to undertake a tour of the facility to see examples of current accessibility design standards.

7. REPORT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR

Received

Glenn Barnes provided an update to the AAC members on a recent meeting he had with GO Transit staff regarding accessibility issues at the Port Credit GO station resulting from construction projects in 2004.

Glenn Barnes noted that the Coalition for Persons with Disabilities - Peel, Halton and Dufferin, is currently seeking new members. Information about the Coalition is available from the following website: www.disabilityaccess.org

8. OTHER BUSINESS

A group discussion occurred regarding a presentation by the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee to the Public Hearing on Bill 118, the proposed Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

It was agreed that members of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) would make a presentation to the Public Hearing on Bill 118 on either January 31, 2005 or February 1, 2005 subject to confirmation. The location of the hearing and the time of the presentation will be confirmed closer to the date and communicated to the members by Naz Husain.

The AAC Sub-committee will meet regarding the presentation on Thursday, January 27, 2005 from 10:00 a.m. to noon in the 5th floor Boardroom, Region of Peel Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

9. NEXT MEETING

The Next Scheduled Meeting will be:

Tuesday, February 15, 2005 (1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.)
Region of Peel Headquarters
Council Chamber, 5th floor
10 Peel Centre Dr.
Brampton, Ontario

10. ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.