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THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK

 

 

REPORT NO. 5

OF THE REGIONAL

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETING HELD ON NOVEMBER 28, 2007

 

 

For Consideration by the

Community Services and Housing Committee of

the Regional Municipality of York

on February 13, 2008

 

 

 

 

Chair:               Regional Councillor D. Wheeler

 

Members:          J. Cameron

M. Gaukel

C. Gorlewski

B. Hall

K. Hill

D. Humeniuk

W. Morley

Regional Councillor V. Spatafora

 

Staff Present:    B. Bridle, A. Campbell, S. Cheng, D. Clark, B. Crowe, L. Davies,  

S. Doyle, M. Gallant, L. Gonsalves, D. Gordon, E. Jolliffe,             

P. Marshall, I. McNeil,  E. Sherbert, L. Simas, J. Simmons.

 

The Accessibility Advisory Committee began its meeting at 4:07 p.m. on November 28, 2007.

 

 

1  UPDATE - COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS

 

The Accessibility Advisory Committee advises the Community Services and Housing Committee of the following matters having been considered by the Accessibility Advisory Committee with the following action:

 

 

PRESENTATION

 

1. David Clark, Chief Architect, Infrastructure and Development, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation, regarding 'Richmond Hill Pedestrian Bridge Access'.  Received with a request that Mr. Clark provide an update at the February 27, 2008 AAC meeting.

 

 

[The following links open .pdf files of the Plans]

 

PRESENTATION OF DRAFT 2008 DEPARTMENTAL ACCESSIBILITY PLANS

 

1. Simon Cheng, Director, Human Services Planning, Planning and Development Services Department. 

 

2. Deputy Chief Eric Jolliffe and Darwin Trojan, Manager, Occupational Health and Safety, York Regional Police.

 

3. Marc Gallant, Senior Multimedia Specialist, Corporate Communication Services. 

 

4. Andrew Campbell, Director, Solid Waste Management, Environmental Services Department.  

 

5. Don Gordon, General Manager, York Region Transit, Transportation Services Department. 

 

 

The Committee recommends that:

 

1. The above 2008 Departmental Accessibility Plans be received;

 

2. Staff be requested to provide an overview of the site plan for the Vaughan Community Environmental Centre, as well as the incorporated barrier-free design standards, at the February 27, 2008 AAC meeting;

 

3. Staff be requested to ensure consistency and continuity in future reports and training sessions by utilizing terminology that places people versus the disability first, i.e., "persons or citizens with disabilities";

 

4. Staff be requested to ensure a full review of the Region's website is undertaken with a view to creating a single layer site, and that consideration be given to those using screen reader technology, including the use of the variable font feature.

 

 

[The following links open .pdf files of the Communications]

 

COMMUNICATIONS

 

1. Cordelia Abankwa-Harris, Director, Policy and Program Support Services, Community and Health Services Department, dated November 22, 2007, regarding '2008 Draft Departmental Accessibility Plans – Feedback'.  Received. 

 

Staff were requested to give consideration to a chronological summary of the progress, benefits and achievements of the Accessibility Advisory Committee since its inception.

 

2. Valerie Evans, YRAAC member, dated November 21, 2007, regarding 'Notice of Resignation from the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee'.  Received. 

 

The Committee received Valerie Evans' resignation, with regret, and requested staff to follow up with a letter thanking Valerie for her contributions to the Committee.  As per the Committee's Terms of Reference, the Regional Chair will appoint a representative from the previous recruitment list. 

 

3. Lisa Gonsalves, Senior Program Manager, ODA, Community and Health Services Department, forwarding a copy of a letter dated November 7, 2007, to The Accessibility Directorate of Ontario, regarding the establishment of a formal venue for the Chairs of the Accessibility Advisory Committees (AAC) of Ontario.  Received.

 

4. Barb Bridle, Committee Coordinator, Regional Clerk's Office, dated October 19, 2007, forwarding a report from Transit Committee, 'York Region Transit Update – Proposed Transportation Standard - Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)'.  Received.

 

5. Barry Crowe, Director, Property Services, dated November 28, 2007, regarding 'Accessible Washroom in the Great Hall and Ramp from the Administrative Centre to the Gates of York'.  Received. 

 

The Committee recommended that staff continue to explore further options for a unisex accessible washroom. 

 

 

OTHER BUSINESS

 

1. The Committee presented Lisa Gonsalves, Manager, Program and Policy Development, with a gift basket in appreciation of her leadership and contributions to the Committee, and wished her well on her upcoming secondment.  The recruitment process to replace her is underway. 

 

2.  A communication from Joann Simmons, Commissioner, Community and Health Services Department, was circulated outlining the following scheduled 2008 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting dates:  February 27, April 23, June 18, September 24, and November 26, 2008.

 

 

The Accessibility Advisory Committee adjourned at 6:25 p.m.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

November 28, 2007                                                                             D. Wheeler

Newmarket, Ontario                                                                            Chair

 

Barbara Bridle

Tel. (905) 830-4444 x 1303