JOINT PEEL-CALEDON

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (AAC)

William Goursky, Chair, presided.

1. CALL TO ORDER

William Goursky, Chair of the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. and welcomed everyone present.

Item 8b was dealt with.

8. REPORT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR AND MEMBERS

b. William Goursky, Chair, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Providing an Update on the 3rd South Asian Heritage Day and Awards Ceremony in Vaughan, May 3, 2008 (Oral)

Received

William Goursky displayed the Recognition Award 2008, an annual award presented to the Region of Peel on May 3, 2008 at the 3rd South Asian Heritage Day and Awards Ceremony in Vaughan, for outstanding contributions in the area of accessibility. William Goursky commended AAC members and staff for their hard work and dedication in the area of accessibility.

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

RECOMMENDATION AAC-13-2008:

That the minutes of the April 22, 2008 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved.

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION AAC-14-2008:

That the agenda for the May 20, 2008 Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting be approved.

4. COMMUNICATION ITEMS

a. Ontario Human Rights Commission, Article dated May 6, 2008, titled “Three Quarters of Ontario Transit Providers Commit to Announce all Stops”

Received

b. Toronto Star, Article dated May 10, 2008, titled “Accessibility that Cooks”

Received

5. PRESENTATIONS

a. Jeff Payne, Manager, Regulatory Compliance, Clerk’s Division, Corporate Services, Region of Peel, Providing an Update on the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee Terms of Reference Project

Received

Jeff Payne, Manager, Regulatory Compliance, Clerk’s Division, provided an update on the project to review the Terms of Reference for the Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee, in accordance with direction from the Committee in 2006. He provided a brief background of the AAC Terms of Reference which were first approved by Regional Council on December 2002. In May 2003, the Terms of Reference were updated to include Caledon in the formation of a joint committee. In December 2004, they were further amended so that the term of non-elected members aligned with the term of Council and that Committee membership include elected representation from each municipality. Jeff Payne highlighted proposed additional changes to the Terms of Reference, noting that several amendments would be subject to the Town of Caledon establishing its own AAC Committee.

E. Kolb, Regional Chair, arrived at 1:15 p.m.

Jeff Payne noted that the current Terms of Reference require non-elected members to be an elector or resident of Peel, however, there may be instances where a non-resident of Peel represents a business or service within the Region of Peel. Jeff Payne suggested that the definition be revised to reflect a non-elected member as an elector or someone who represents an organization within Peel. William Goursky suggested adding the words “someone who provides a service in Peel”.

Jeff Payne encouraged feedback from members on the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference, noting that the revisions will be finalized and presented for approval at the July 3, 2008 Regional Council meeting.

William Goursky asked if there would be a conflict with Regional Council meetings if AAC meetings were moved to Thursday. Jeff Payne explained the three week Council cycle where the third Thursday of the cycle is reserved for the scheduling of subcommittee meetings.

Councillor Sandra Hames indicated that the City of Brampton AAC schedules 12 meetings during the year, however, the August meeting is usually cancelled and the December meeting serves more as a social event than a formal committee meeting.

Glenn Barnes inquired if there was an AAC staff working group in place of the previous steering committee. Jeff Payne responded that a staff working group does not exist, however, there is a staff Committee that oversees projects and provides review to ensure that projects identified in the Accessibility Plan are implemented. The Committee includes representation from various Regional departments.

With regard to the proposed change to the number of meetings held annually, Glenn Barnes stated that the City of Mississauga AAC only meets six times a year because there is a working group in place with representatives from almost every department which allows most of the business to be addressed at the meeting. He suggested that Peel AAC consider increased departmental involvement at its meetings.

Councillor Paterak commented on the proposed change to exclude reference to the Town of Caledon within the Committee name. He recommended that this change not be implemented until the new Caledon AAC is in place. Councillor Paterak suggested contacting Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor or the Town Clerk for updates on the status of the new Caledon AAC.

Naz Husain concurred that more departmental involvement would be beneficial to the Committee.

William Goursky indicated that there is a need to have certain on-going subcommittees to plan and organize yearly activities or events such as the International Day of Disabled Persons.

William Goursky also suggested extending the term of the Chair and Vice-Chair of the AAC from one year to align with that of other committees of Council.

 

H. Bajwa arrived at 1:35 p.m.

 

William Goursky suggested that the process for selecting Committee members be revised to provide more opportunity to individuals who do not already sit on another AAC. The Committee concurred that it would be beneficial to the Committee if membership were expanded to allow more people to join.

Jeff Payne thanked the Committee members for their input and agreed to consolidate all of the information which will then be provided to the members for further comments.

b. Chris Bullock, Manager, Development and Construction, Employee and Business Services, Region of Peel and Mauro Maurati , Project Manager, Martinway Contracting Ltd., Providing an Update on the Universal Design Standards

Received

Chris Bullock, Manager, Development and Construction, Employee and Business Services, provided an overview on the Universal Design Standards to date. He indicated that this was a collaborative initiative between the Region of Peel and Martinway Contracting Ltd., the developer for the project. Using the Chapel View Apartments ( John Street) as a template, building standards have been developed to address varying needs for people with disabilities . These standards may then be used in future projects and eventually applied to the residential sector as well.

Mauro Maurati, Project Manager, Martinway Contracting Ltd., explained the concept of universal design as:

“an approach to the design of all products and environments to be as usable as possible by as many people as possible regardless of age, ability or condition.”

He indicated that the three main goals of a universal design standard are as follows:

• To design and construct a contemporary residential unit/building that addresses the greatest number of needs for individuals with varying disabilities.
• The unit should be inclusive of elements that are beneficial and practical to anyone occupying the unit.
• Residents should not need to move to another unit/building should their physical disabilities change.

Mauro Maurati presented a list of items that addressed the majority of issues identified by the Committee to make a building universally accessible in both the common areas of a building as well as the design of the suites.

Naz Husain noted that, along with extra large signage and Braille, the use of high contrast colours is beneficial for way finding and for persons with low vision.

William Goursky suggested repositioning the grab bar located within shower stalls to avoid scalding or burning. Chris Bullock clarified that the slides represent the concept being presented and that the details and specifications still need to be refined.

Jan Spry requested clarification on how the flat surface cook-top would be configured for the use of a person in a wheelchair. Mauro Maurati explained that folding or removable cabinet doors could be installed below the cook-top to accommodate for a wheelchair.

 

S. McFadden, Regional Councillor, departed at 2:10 p.m.

 

Glenn Barnes requested clarification on how the price was determined for the common areas and whether this price was based on a per-floor or per-suite charge. Chris Bullock indicated that the price for common areas was on a per-unit cost.

Jim Hardman inquired if an intercom or video system was being installed for the deaf. He noted that for security purposes, the cameras would need to be strategically placed in the lobby area to capture all possible sight lines. Mauro Maurati responded that the intercom system has Braille, but was not aware if cameras were being installed and offered to look into the option. He commented that for security purposes, the positioning of peek holes in suite doors could be adjusted accordingly.

Councillor Sandra Hames inquired as to the savings that would be generated through the installation of low-flush toilets. Chris Bullock responded that savings in water consumption would be more as an operational issue and would offset some of the capital costs. Councillor Hames commended the project team for taking the lead in this initiative instead of waiting for building codes or legislation to mandate such changes.

Councillor Richard Paterak stated that most buildings contain closed circuit cameras for security purposes and suggested that the option be considered. He commented that the use of grab bars should be standard considering the future requirements of an aging population and recommended petitioning the Provincial government to include this as part of the Ontario Building Code. Councillor Paterak also recommended standardizing the use of Safe-T-Elements, an electronically controlled solid plate cover installed on top of an existing stovetop burner which helps prevent fire hazards. Chris Bullock stated that the use of Safe-T-Elements is part of the current guideline requirement, however, he noted that stove-tops do not come with this feature pre-installed, and therefore, have to be retrofitted.

Glenn Barnes reiterated that the cost excluding these changes outweighs the expenditure. He noted that these costs were not only financial, but to retrofit these changes would be a burden on an individual’s lifestyle and quality of life. Glenn Barnes pointed out the importance of stressing the positive over the negative.

Councillor Paterak cautioned that the implementation of the recommended modifications may result in a reduction in the number of available units. Glenn Barnes suggested these additional costs be specified in a letter to the Provincial government when requesting additional funding.

 

E. Kolb, Regional Chair, departed at 2:40 p.m.

 

In conclusion, Chris Bullock informed that the next step of the project will be to decide on the specifications that will align with the current design standards. He noted that the costs for implementing the specifications will need to be reviewed so that they align with industry capabilities, making sure that the standards are not only achievable by Martinway Contracting Ltd., but also other developers. Chris Bullock stated that the undertaking of these two tasks would be approximately two to three months, at which time a finished product would be presented for final approval by Regional Council. He requested support from the AAC Committee through the formation of a working group to assist in completing these two tasks. The working group would meet on a three week cycle. The following members volunteered to be on the working group: Harvinder Bajwa; Glenn Barnes, William Goursky, Naz Husain and Jan Spry.

6. REPORTS - Nil

7. REPORT FROM THE ACCESSIBILITY PLANNING COORDINATORS

a. Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon (March 2008) (Oral)

Deferred to the June 17, 2008 AAC meeting

 

b. Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon (April 2008) (Oral)

Deferred to the June 17, 2008 AAC meeting

 

c. Colleen Grant, Town Prosecutor and Solicitor, Town of Caledon (May 2008) (Oral)

Deferred to the June 17, 2008 AAC meeting

 

d. Susan Fisher, Acting Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel, Monthly Activity Report

Received

Susan Fisher, Acting Accessibility Planning Specialist, Region of Peel informed the Committee that an audio recording of the 2008 Intermunicipal Accessibility Symposium held in the City of Welland on May 10, 2008, was available and undertook to advise the Committee members once it is received.

 

8. REPORT OF THE ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE CHAIR AND MEMBERS

a. William Goursky, Chair, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Regarding a Resolution from the Town of Newmarket on Disabled Parking Spaces

Deferred to the June 17, 2008 AAC meeting

 

b. William Goursky, Chair, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Providing an Update on the 3rd South Asian Heritage Day and Awards Ceremony in Vaughan, May 3, 2008 (Oral)

This item was dealt with earlier in the meeting

 

c. Glenn Barnes and Harvinder Bajwa, Members, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Providing an Update on the Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion Event, June 8, 2008 (Oral)

Received

Glenn Barnes invited Committee members to attend the upcoming “Rick Hansen Wheels in Motion” event scheduled for June 8, 2008 in Brampton and Mississauga. The Mississauga event will be held at the Lakefront Promenade Park from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Regional Chair Kolb will be the Honorary Chair for the Mississauga event. He further advised that the Brampton event will be held from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Chinguacousy Park. Harvinder Bajwa invited all Committee members to attend, noting there will be many activities, food and music to enjoy.

d. Naz Husain, Vice-Chair, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Providing an Update on the Employment Accessibility Standards Development Committee (Oral)

Received

Naz Husain indicated that no activities have taken place since her last report and the next meeting of the Committee is scheduled for the week of May 26, 2008.

e. Glenn Barnes, Member, Joint Peel-Caledon Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), Providing an Update on the Accessible Transportation Standards Development Committee (Oral)

Received

Glenn Barnes provided a brief update on the Accessible Transportation Standards Development Committee. He advised that the Committee was broken down into small task groups on a per clause basis. Some of the clauses include: fixed routes, taxis, and transportation devices in public areas, among others. The objective of each task group is to review public comments related to each clause. Glenn Barnes advised that he sits on the group tasked to review the fixed routes clause. The Committee received approximately 1,300 comments that need to be reviewed by the end of June 2008.

9. OTHER BUSINESS

10. NEXT MEETING

Tuesday, June 17, 2008
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Council Chamber, 5th floor
Regional Administrative Headquarters
10 Peel Centre Drive
Brampton, Ontario

11. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:56 p.m.