Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC)

Tuesday, August 20, 2024 at 3:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Hybrid in-person and virtual meeting

Members:

• L. Root, Chair
• A. Cameron, Vice-Chair
• M. Ashkewe
• S. Cooper-Webb
• S. Ferguson Prior
• E. Lowenger
• C.Lytle
• D. McMurdo
• D. Stienstra

Members Absent

• K.Beitz
• B. McPherson
• J. Popkey
• T. Stevens
• J.Svehla

Staff:

• L. Warren, Project Specialist, Accessibility
• S. Boghossian, Accessibility Services Coordinator
• K. Wazonek, Accessibility Services Coordinator
• K. Berry, Project Manager
• J. Starchuk, Project Manager
• S. Ilic, Project Manager
• L. Mollame, Policy Planner II
• T. Adkin, Manager, Museums and Culture
• G. Meades, Acting Manager, Legislative Services/Deputy City Clerk
• A. Sandor, Council and Committee Coordinator
• J. Tang, Legislative Coordinator

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1.

Call to Order

The Chair called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

1.1

Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgment 

Chair Root provided the Indigenous Territorial Acknowledgement.

1.2

Disclosure of Conflict of Interest and General Nature Thereof

There were no disclosures or conflicts declared. 

1.3

Approval of Agenda

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by:  Member Ferguson Prior

  That the August 20, 2024 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda be approved. 

  Carried

1.4

Approval of Minutes

• Moved by: Member Stienstra
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  That the June 18, 2024 meeting minutes be approved.

  Carried

2.

Consent Agenda

• Moved by: Member Stienstra
  Seconded by: Member Ferguson Prior

  1.That the August 20, 2024 Consent Agenda as outlined below be received:

  • Update on Accessibility Renovations at Silvercreek Park memo be received.
  Carried

2.1

Update on Accessibility Renovations at Silvercreek Park

3.

Committee Items

3.1

Finding Your Way: Walking, Cycling and Rolling (Active Transportation Wayfinding Strategy)

• Moved by: Member Stienstra
  Seconded by: Member Lytle

  1.That the Finding Your Way: Walking, Cycling and Rolling (Active Transportation Wayfinding Strategy) report be received.

  2.That Staff report back with a report outlining the changes being made from the comments of the Committee by Q1 of 2025.

  3.That the following comments be captured:

  • Brantford wayfinding is a good example – wayfinding includes maps of where trails were strategically, identified distances from one notable location to another. Both directions and all route opportunities. Seating opportunity throughout the trail.
  • Up Gordon Street hill – two signs that tell a person they are on the great lakes trail and on the Guelph Goderich trail, neither tell the slope details
  • Wheel Map App – for Iphone/ QR codes and other technology – having an app that shows areas that are fully accessible, and how good the grading is to help understand if the hill can be used with a wheelchair (could integrate existing data from Google Maps for example)
  • Topographical maps
  • Signage at the beginning of a trail that includes information of what is coming up (surface type, obstacles, seasonal information/weather related, slopes, grading, length of trails, traffic crossings)– so that people don't get stuck on a trail.
  • Information of trails that intersect high traffic areas
  • Information on when the next accessible exit is – how many metres for example ( at the entrance(s) to a trail)/ Where the next curb cut/curb ramp is
  • Specific language that details the accessible features of a trail – lighting, slopes, rest areas, etc. Not just an umbrella label that the trail 'is accessible'
  • Trail by Riverside Glen, far end of Victoria – lots of areas that have different surfaces.
  • Call boxes/safety communication devices like on the University Campus
  • Guelph Lake area – how to implement signage and wayfinding that depicts the various types of trails in an area
  • Riverside park (from downtown to Victoria) - transition between leaving Riverside Park crossing Woodlawn
  • Downtown trails, including Royal City Trail – don't know what is coming – ability to anticipate what is coming (slopes, grading, length of trails, traffic crossings, trail surfaces)
  • Ensure that accessible fonts are used
  • That any apps be free to download
  Carried

3.2

Introduction: Orin Reid Park Development Project

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  1.That the AAC receive the staff report titled Introduction: Orin Reid Park Development Project report.

  2.That the AAC support the proposed design goals and objectives to inform the Orin Reid Park Development Project.

  3.That the following comments be captured for consideration:

  • Recommend an adult change table be included
  • That existing AAC comments regarding other Parks and Splash Pads be considered.
  • Wheelchair accessible bench/picnic table like the one in Riverside Park that can be folded and seating that can be transferred onto
  • Consider seating options that people can laydown on/stretch out on and with various armrest placements
  • Multiple surface types
  • Accessible EV parking options (some taxi companies are transitioning their vehicles to hybrid)
  • Important to have an area of the splash pad where you can enter and choose how wet you get – areas where other peoples' actions won't affect how wet a person may get.
  • That staff explore accessible cricket pitch options and features
  Carried

3.3

Additional Residential Dwelling Unit Incentive Program - Accessible Design Component

• Moved by: Member Lytle
  Seconded by: Member Lowenger

  1.That the Additional Residential Dwelling Unit Incentive Program - Accessible Design Component report be received.

  2.That the AAC receive the draft list of accessible design features, included in this report, as part of the Additional Residential Dwelling Unit Incentive Program.

  3.That the following comments be captured for consideration:

  • Include some language about permanent ramps instead of rented/temporary two track ramps recommended
  • Faucets have winged taps rather than knobs
  • Mirror height or mirrors with hinges to pull down
  • Ensure there is enough room in bathrooms to get in and move around and also close the door
  • Accessible entrance or pathway directly from the street/sidewalk
  • Not exclusively listing a wheel-in (roll-in)shower
  • Talk to Guelph Nonprofit Housing
  • consider including the opportunity to offer free assessments as part of the program for homeowners so that they know what is needed to make their ARDU accessible.
  Carried

3.4

Guelph Museum - Renovation Feedback

• Moved by: Member Ashkewe
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  1.That the Guelph Museum - Renovation Feedback report be received.

  2.That the comments regarding the following elements when designing an accessible, memorable and inspiring experience be captured:

  • family area is positioned well as it's a bright space and the exterior design is enjoyable
  • Look into sensory pods that are also wheelchair accessible - that include sound proofing, locks on doors and lighting options

  3.That the AAC recommend the following stories be considered for inclusion at the Museum to best reflect life in Guelph – past, present, and future, and the lived experiences of people with disabilities:

  • Look into Robert Munsch, and Jean Little
  • Applied biomechanics – lots of athletes who have come through there
  • Recommend engaging with Accessibility Services for Guelph-specific stories/histories
  • McFadden's Movement Group
  • Talk to veterans in the city 
  Carried

3.5

AAC Member Handbook Appendix A - Review

• Moved by: Member Lowenger
  Seconded by: Member Cameron

  1.That the AAC Member Handbook Appendix A – Review report be received.

  2.That the AAC review Appendix A of the Member Handbook and connect with staff by September 6, 2024, if interested in making changes to a section of the Appendix.

  3.That the AAC provide staff with their feedback and recommendations for discussion at the October 15, 2024 AAC meeting

  4.That the following comments be captured:

  • In the definition of intersectionality recommend adding religion and changing 'gender' to 'gender-identity' and include gender expression
  • Revert the second recommended edit to the original version
  • Recommend maintaining plain language
  • Consider the version of intersectionality that is defined on Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women's website
  • Add to definition of intersectionality that was coined by black feminist activist Kimberlé Crenshaw and that intersectionality has it's roots in black and indigenous feminist work
  Carried

4.

Announcements

1. The Design of Public Spaces Standards Development Committee recommendations are now posted for public feedback. Share your feedback on these initial recommendations to help make the design of public spaces more accessible. The feedback deadline is August 29, 2024.
2. The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSAA) is planning an AAC Forum that will be taking place on October 2, 2024. More information about this event will be available in the coming days and will be distributed to AAC members. Please hold the date if you are interested in participating.
3. Two member resignations have been received. We thank both members for their dedicated service and contributions to the AAC. 
   • • Zehava Jacobs: effective June 25, 2024
     • Donna McMurdo: effective August 31, 2024
4. Please be advised that Committee Liaison Sarah Boghossian will be on maternity leave effective October 2, 2024. For any committee-related communications, kindly use:
   • • Email: [email protected],
     • Phone number: 519-822-1260 extension 2670 (Leanne Warren),
     • TTY 519-826-9771 or Text: 226-821-2132 

5.

Adjournment

That the Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 4:55 p.m.

6.

Next Meetings and Future Topics

Next Meetings:

Tuesday, October 15 from 3-5 p.m.

 

Tuesday, December 17 from 3-5 p.m.

 

Future Topics:

• AAC Member Handbook Appendix A - Committee Feedback
• Recreation Inclusion Programming
• Playground Replacement Project
• Heritage Conservation District Project Plan and Guidelines