Report to: General Committee Report Date: June 18, 2007

SUBJECT: Update of Town of Markham Accessibility Guidelines

PREPARED BY: Eardley Adams, Project Manager, Facilities

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report titled “Update of Town of Markham Accessibility Guidelines” dated June 18, 2007 be received;

AND THAT staff receive feedback over the summer months and report back to General Committee in September 2007 with the recommended guidelines

AND FURTHER THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:

None

FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Since the ODA (Ontarians with Disabilities Act) does not impose any strict implementation deadlines, applying the Guidelines becomes a self imposed target and the financial affordability will dictate the pace in which existing facilities can be retrofitted. In discussions with the Finance Department, it is proposed that an annual amount be included in future budget to undertake the retrofit of existing facilities and also that these costs be reflected in the reserve study over the next few years. An annual amount of $50,000 has been approved in the 2007 Capital Budget for accessibility upgrades of existing facilities. An annual amount of $30,000 has been approved in the 2007 Capital Budget for accessibility audits of existing facilities.

There are three main strategies for implementation of the guidelines and it is intended that all three strategies will be utilized to ensure maximum compliance in the most efficient and cost effective way:

1. Work that can be incorporated into operation activities and/or existing departmental operating or capital budgets.

2. The budget for new building construction and major renovations will include the cost of meeting the new Guidelines.

3. Work to be funded from the multi-year Annual Audit Program and the Annual Accessibility Upgrade Capital Program.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the report is to present to Council the updated Markham Accessibility Guidelines and Checklist, and to request Council adoption of the new Markham Accessibility Guidelines as the benchmark for Town-owned roadways and facilities.

BACKGROUND:

Council adopted the current “Joint Municipal Guidelines for Accessibility” in 1998. Since that time the Province enacted new legislation, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001(ODA). The ODA requires every Municipality to prepare an accessibility plan (Plan). Markham’s first Plan was prepared in 2003 and the most recent update to the Plan was adopted by Council in November 2006. One of the objectives stated by the Asset Management Department in the Plan was to update the present Joint Municipal Guidelines for Accessibility to satisfy the new ODA requirements.

DISCUSSIONS AND OPTIONS

Associated Planning Consultants in joint venture with SPH Planning and Consulting (SHP) were retained in February 2006 to conduct the review of the existing Joint Municipal Guidelines for Accessibility and to prepare an updated guideline that would satisfy the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA).

A draft of the Accessibility guidelines was completed in August 2006. The Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC) has reviewed and endorsed the draft guidelines. The draft document has also been reviewed by affected Town Departments.

To understand the potential financial impact of implementing the guidelines the Asset Management Department engaged SPH to conduct accessibility audits on the Markham Civic Centre and the Milliken Mills Community Centre. These audits were used to illustrate the financial costs associated with upgrading existing Town facilities and to assist on planning how the work can be implemented over time. Audits of the two facilities are included as Section 4 and 5 of Attachment 1.

Accessibility compliance can be easily integrated into the design of new facilities and major renovation or expansion of existing facilities with little additional costs. In future an Accessibility Consultant will be engaged as part of the design team for the design and construction of new Town buildings and major renovation work to existing Town buildings. Each project will be presented to the MAAC for their review and comment.

Multi-year Facility Accessibility Audit Program

An annual amount of $30,000 has been approved in the 2007 Capital Budget for accessibility audits of existing facilities. It is proposed that this annual audit program continue for a number of years so that all existing Town buildings can be audited to determine the measures required to bring them into compliance with the new Guidelines. Priority will be given to the largest and busiest facilities. The audits will be used to develop a multi-year facility accessibility upgrade capital program.

To facilitate the audit process the consultant has developed a Checklist which incorporates all aspects of the Guidelines. This checklist will assist in making the audit process more standardized while reducing the complexity of the audit process. A copy of the Checklist can be found in Section 2 of Attachment 1.

Annual Accessibility Upgrade Capital Program

Based upon the results of the accessibility audits, Asset Management will develop a program to implement the required improvements over time. An amount of $50,000 has been allocated in the 2007 Capital Budget for Accessibility upgrade related projects. This amount will be reviewed to determine if it should be increased in the future.

In addition to this program, staff will ensure that building components replaced under the normal replacement cycle will be designed to meet the new guidelines. There are some improvements that may require special funding and will be identified once the audits have been performed.

The Guidelines are an evolving document and future changes are anticipated

The Guidelines will have to be constantly reviewed and updated. Three aspects of the Accessibility Legislation are currently being reviewed by the Province of Ontario which includes:

· Way finding (signage)

· Heritage buildings

· Customer Service

It is not certain when the Province of Ontario will complete their review on the above matters. However, amendments to the Guidelines will be necessary to accommodate these changes once the Province approves and releases the documents.

The Planning Department has initiated a comprehensive review of the accessibility requirements for all developments requiring Planning approval. The Planning Department will present the results of their review to Council once it is complete.

FINANCIAL TEMPLATE:

Not applicable

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:

Not applicable

ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:

The Markham Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC) has been closely involved with and has participated in the review and development of the proposed Guidelines. The MAAC supports the new Guidelines and the approach staff are recommending for implementation.

ENGAGE 21^ST CONSIDERATIONS:

The Accessibility Plan together with the Guidelines will assist the Town in identifying the needs of persons with disabilities and focus attention on removing barriers and improving opportunities.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

Strategic Initiatives, Planning Department, Urban Design, Engineering Department, Operations Department, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, Fire Services Department and Markham Public Libraries have participated in the review and development of the Guidelines.

RECOMMENDED BY:

_______________________________ ___________________________________

Steve Andrews, P. Eng., Jim Sales, Commissioner of

Director of Asset Management Community and Fire Services

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment 1 (See Binder titled “Accessibility Guidelines Overcoming Barriers”)

Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2007\Asset Management\capital facilities\Accessibility Guidelines JUNE 18 07.doc