Prescott Harrison

Carole Robertson

Sidney Polak

Ted Chivers

Leila Abboud

Staff

Blair Labelle, Committee Clerk

Alan Wolfe, Project Management Consultant

Eardly Adams, Project Manager

Regrets

Mike Kowalski

Regional Councillor Jack Heath

Others

Pamela Cluff, APC

Shane Holten, SPH Planning &

Consulting

The meeting convened at the hour of 4:00 p.m. with Mr. R. Hunn in the Chair.

At 5:55 p.m. Mr. V. Bigioni assumed the Chair.

1. INSPECTION OF VIVA BUS

Ms. B. Barratt, Transit Inspector, York Region Transit (YRT), was in attendance to demonstrate the accessible functionality of a York Region Viva Bus. The Committee had an opportunity to board the bus and take a brief ride.

Ms. Barratt responded to various questions and noted suggestions voiced by Members. When asked, she informed the Committee that there have been no complaints submitted on behalf of the system designed to secure wheelchairs on the bus. Members suggested that the driver call out upcoming stops so that mobility impaired persons would have an opportunity to prepare for their exit. Members also recommended that the steps off of the bus could be highlighted more definitively than they were to facilitate use by vision impaired persons. The Committee also noted concern with a lack of audio/visual assistance when validating a ticket through one of the automated terminals. YRT was considering an external bike rack system similar to that employed by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

The Committee commended Ms. Barratt and the YRT for outstanding efforts in accessibility planning and operations. Ms. Barratt thanked Members and advised that she will forward the Committee’s comments on to the appropriate YRT personnel. She left her contact information (available through the Clerk’s Department) in case Members wanted to follow up or make alternate recommendations.

2. DRAFT ACCESSIBILITY GUIDELINES

Ms. P. Cluff, APC and Mr. S. Holten, SPH Planning & Consulting, were in attendance to discuss an updated version of the draft Accessibility Guidelines for the Town of Markham. Mr. Holten canvassed Members for comments on the illustration section of the guidelines. The Committee made various suggestions regarding measurement standards, referenced dimensions and signage locations. There was also discussion as to what system of measurement should be implemented. There was agreement that both imperial and metric standards would be referenced within the text portion of the document and only metric would be used for the illustrations.

Members also discussed particulars with respect to ice rink and swimming pool facility change rooms. There was also discussion regarding the design for entrances and exits to washrooms. Many agreed that open vestibule designs are often more accessible than those using automatic doors. The Committee also discussed the maximum distance requirements from entrances and the problem of locating parking stalls on sloped portions of parking lots.

The consultants advised that they will summarize the comments received by Members and would forward the finalized document to Town staff who will deliver a presentation to Council. Staff confirmed that they will make a recommendation that the guidelines be implemented over a five (5) year period. It was estimated that 90% of existing Town facilities were currently in compliance with the proposed accessibility guidelines.

The Committee discussed the audit checklist which will be created to reflect the proposed accessibility guidelines. Staff informed Members that a consultant would be retained to undertake the auditing process on Town owned buildings. Staff agreed that the guideline criteria would most likely be incorporated into existing auditing programs used by other departments within the Town. There was discussion on the possibility of auditing trails and pathways. It was noted that the Pedestrian and Cycling Committee is currently reviewing the matter and a staff report was anticipated.