MEETING NO. 3

Members

Robert Hunn (Chair)

Sidney Polak

William Broger

Ted Chivers

Vito Bigioni

Prescott Harrison

Carol Robertson
Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Councillor Valerie Burke

Staff

B. Labelle, Committee Clerk

The Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility convened at the hour of 3:35 p.m. with Mr. Robert Hunn in the Chair.

1. MINUTES OF THE MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY
COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON MARCH 21, 2007

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Town of Markham Accessibility Committee meeting held on March 21, 2007 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. CALL CENTRE FAQ DOCUMENT REVIEW

The Committee discussed the status of the Frequently Asked Question document and agreed to forward suggestions and potential amendments to Mr. T. Chivers who will be coordinating the potential implementation with Markham Contact Centre staff. The Committee resolved that the Council of the Town of Markham endorse the Question and Answer document and implement a process in which it would be used by Contact Centre staff to respond to callers who request information on accessibility matters in the Town of Markham.

Members discussed whether the washroom facilities in the Centennial Community Centre were completed as they did not appear to be fully accessible to persons with disabilities. The Committee also enquired about the accessibility of washroom facilities at Angus Glen Community Centre. Councillor V. Burke advised that she would follow up the matter at the next meeting of the Building and Parks Advisory Committee.

3. DRAFT LETTER TO MARKHAM-STOUFFVILLE HOSPITAL
REGARDING PAY PARKING

Mr. S. Polak presented the Committee with a draft letter to Markham-Stouffville Hospital requesting they review the current pay parking system as it does not provide easy access for persons with disabilities. Members also noted that the parking conditions at the Medical Centre were less than optimal. The Committee agreed that the letter was appropriate and that the hospital should review its current parking system. It was suggested that a meeting with hospital administration staff accompany the issuance of the letter.

4. PEDESTRIAN WALK BUTTONS AND SIGNALIZATION

Members discussed several areas where the pedestrian walk button at an intersection was inaccessible to people in wheelchairs. The following areas were noted specifically:

Markville mall area – all pedestrian walk buttons are inaccessible at intersections adjacent to Markville mall
McCowan Road and Highway 7 – the pedestrian walk button at the northwest corner of the intersection was noted to be inaccessible due to the placement of a newspaper box
Kennedy Road Plaza north of Highway 7 – the pedestrian walk buttons at the southwest and northwest corners were noted to be inaccessible

The Committee discussed audible signalization and the process used by the Region of York to determine which intersections on major roads required the system. It was noted that the Region was looking to phase in audible signalization and the installation of larger pedestrian walk buttons on all major intersections and would also review additional proposals upon request from a resident living in that area.

5. EDUCATION AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

The Committee discussed the potential to launch an education and awareness campaign in order to engage the residents of the Town of Markham with respect to accessibility issues and that it possibly coincide with National Access Awareness Week (May 22 – June 2) . It was agreed that the use of local newspapers, television, radio and regular Town distributions were all viable delivery mechanisms.

Members further discussed the opportunity to implement a program to audit and award local businesses for excellence relating to accessible services. Committee Members were asked to forward the names of local businesses they considered to provide exemplary service to persons with disabilities. There was also discussion regarding the process in which awards would be handed out to those businesses. Members agreed that a sticker or window sign could be awarded to each business to promote their establishment as an “accessible friendly environment”.

The Committee discussed the criteria to be used in evaluating potential businesses. There was agreement that an “accessible friendly” designation should be awarded to those businesses that not only have the proper accessible amenities but also provide an appropriate level of customer service to disabled persons. It was suggested that the Markham Board of Trade, the Canadian National Instituted for the Blind (CNIB) and other agencies should be contacted as potential partners in the program. It was suggested that local residents, caregivers and mobility transit riders may be appropriate candidates to participate in the evaluation and selection process.

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the week of May 22 – June 2 be proclaimed National Access Week in the Town of Markham.

ADJOURNMENT

The Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at 5:05 p.m.