MEETING NO. 4

Members

Robert Hunn (Chair)

Sidney Polak

Ted Chivers

Prescott Harrison
Regional Councillor Gord Landon

Councillor Valerie Burke

Staff

Alan Wolfe, Project Management Consultant

Blair 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 APRIL 18, 2007

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That the minutes of the Town of Markham Accessibility Committee meeting held on April 18, 2007 be adopted.

CARRIED

2. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR

This matter was deferred to the next meeting.

3. ACCESSIBLE SERVICE AWARDS

The Committee discussed details concerning a program that would audit and award local businesses for excellence relating to their provision of accessible services. Members discussed the process in which stickers or window signs could be awarded to each business to promote their establishment as an “accessible friendly environment”. Regional Councillor G. Landon advised that the Markham Board of Trade expressed interest in contributing towards the program and the possibility of creating a joint sub-committee was discussed. Members agreed that the 2008 National Access Awareness week would be an opportune time to launch the program. The Committee discussed other organizations that may be interested in partnering with the Town and the Markham Board of Trade and Members were requested to make contact with organizations they have dealt with in the past.

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

That Council endorse the concept of an “Accessible Service Awards” program sponsored by the Markham Accessiblity Committee and the Markham Board of Trade in which local businesses would be recognized for the provision of exceptional services to physically, mentally and visually impaired persons.

CARRIED

4. CENTENNIAL COMMUNITY CENTRE

The Committee heard details concerning the Centennial Community Centre and the implementation of accessible washrooms throughout the facility. Staff advised that of recent improvements highlighting a ramp at the front of the building and an accessible elevator at the rear, private change rooms and refinements made to the design of service counters and the fitness room area. Staff informed Members that the project was still ongoing and, as a result, many of the facility improvements were unfinished. It was agreed that the Committee would be invited to tour the Community Centre once completed. Responding to a previous request, Staff also advised that all washrooms in the Angus Glen facility were accessible and that the elevators in the Civic Centre were under review.

5. ACCESSIBILITY FAQ’S: STATUS UPDATE

Mr. Ted Chivers advised that he and Mr. Sidney Polak had met with the Manager of Corporate Communications who was able to provide a number of media contacts that could be used to issue communications concerning National Access Awareness Week, the Accessible Service Awards program as well as the Frequently Asked Question and Answer (FAQ) document. Mr. Chivers indicated that staff was likely unable to provide assistance with developing a portion of the Town’s website to be used for communicating information relating to the projects mentioned above.

Staff advised that the FAQ document went to the May 14^th, 2007 meeting of the General Committee in which it was referred to staff in order to report back on the implications of implementing the document as a process within the Call Centre. Staff advised that an update on the matter would be forthcoming when the report went back to General Committee.

The Committee discussed one matter referred to in the FAQ document with respect to disabled residents who required assistance with removing snow and/or leaves from their yard. It was suggested that these residents be referred to nearby schools in the event that students could assist them and allocate the time towards their mandatory volunteer hours. The Town of Markham Resource Coordinator was mentioned as a contact that may be able to provide assistance.

6. PROCLAMATION

Staff advised that at the May 14^th, 2007 Council meeting, the Town proclaimed the week of May 27 to June 2, “National Access Awareness Week”.

7. MOBILITY FOUNDATIONS

The Committee discussed a number of mobility foundations that provide temporary mobility aids free of charge. Regional Councillor Gordon Landon advised that he previously worked with a foundation that provided this service and indicated that there may be an opportunity for the organization to provide additional services. Members discussed how other foundations assist with the provision mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches and walkers to those in need. They also discussed the potential to create a referral service to assist disabled persons with what may be needed in the home to accommodate their disability as well as a list of experienced contractors in the field. There was discussion regarding the eligibility and program details related to the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) run by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

8. FUTURE TOPICS OF INTEREST

The Committee discussed future topics of interest for upcoming meetings of the Accessibility Committee. Members inquired about the status of the annual Accessibility Plan and indicated that it was unavailable via the Markham website. The Committee agreed that it would like to review the current document as they were only able to see a draft version of the 2006 plan. Staff was invited to attend a future meeting of the Accessiblity Committee to provide a status update of the Annual Accessiblity Plan.

There was discussion regarding a part-time Accessibility Coordinator position created in other municipalities such as Peterborough. Members discussed Markham’s recent addition of a Diversity Coordinator and inquired as to whether the position could assume the role of coordinating accessibility matters for the Town. The Committee agreed that an Accessibility Coordinator would allow for a strong dialogue with local businesses and stakeholders and act as a central access point for Accessibility Committee business.

Members briefly discussed the potential to organize a blitz on handicap parking offenders in the Town of Markham. It was noted that the proposal had been discussed previously but Members were unsure as to the status. It was also suggested that the fraudulent use of handicap parking permits be included in any future blitz program.

The Committee queried as to whether they will be able to provide input on all accessibility audits conducted by the Town. It was also recommended that the Committee review and establish future audit priorities. Staff confirmed that they will be bringing forward a list of major projects for discussion and the Committee would be able to comment on individual audits as they are completed.

There was discussion relating to a directory previously compiled by the Lion’s Club which identified ‘accessible friendly’ businesses and services in Ontario. The document was noted to be out of date, but Members discussed whether a similar list could be created for the Town to compliment the 2008 Accessible Services Award program. It was noted that a criteria used to evaluate local businesses would have to be established as a primary goal prior to creating a directory.

ADJOURNMENT

The Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at 4:50 p.m.