Report to: General
Committee Report
Date:
SUBJECT:
PREPARED BY: Eardley Adams, Project Manager. Extension 2710
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report
titled “Markham Accessibility Guidelines - Stakeholder Feedback” dated
AND THAT Council thank the local stakeholders for their effort to review the guidelines and for providing their comments;
AND THAT Council endorse the Markham Accessibility Guidelines for overcoming barriers within the interior and exterior of Town owned facilities;
AND THAT Staff be authorized and directed to do all things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Not applicable
PURPOSE:
The purpose of
this report is to update Council on feedback received from local stakeholders on
their review of the Markham Accessibility Guidelines (the guidelines). The purpose is also to have Council endorse
the Markham Accessibility Guidelines for Town owned facilities.
BACKGROUND:
At its meeting of
In July 2007, copies of the Markham Accessibility Guidelines were distributed to Union Villa, Participation House, and the Markham Seniors Centre for their review. All three organizations enthusiastically received the document and expressed eagerness to participate. However, due to the summer holiday season, they were unable to complete their review and submit their comments until mid-October. The comments have been reviewed by staff, the consultant and the Accessibility Committee. The comments and responses are summarized below.
OPTIONS/ DISCUSSION:
The comments provided by stakeholders together with
staff responses are summarized below.
Comment 1
“The binder needs to be available in large print, Braille and in audio formats.”
Response
Large print format is available. However, Braille and audio format would
require that the guidelines be translated into these formats.
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind –
CNIB has provided the following cost estimates to complete the translation.
·
Converting
the guidelines to Braille, approximately 500 pages $4,500 and $275.00 per copy
·
Conversion
of the guidelines to audio $2,390
Staff discussed this matter with the
Accessibility Committee. It was agreed
that as the
guidelines provide professional designers with technical standards for designing
buildings, the demand for the Braille and audio formats would be very limited. On this basis and given the high cost of the translation,
it is recommended that translation of the guidelines
into Braille and audio cannot be justified at this time.
Comment
2
“In Section B - Interior Environments pages B32 and B33, re: change tables - these would need to adjustable and capable of being lowered and raised for persons to be transferred to and from a wheelchair.”
Response
Currently, the Town provides change
tables for infants in washrooms as a convenience for parents. The change tables discussed in the guidelines
are contemplated for use by severely-disabled children and adults. This is a relatively new development that
requires careful study and development. As indicated in the above comment, for these
tables to be functional they would require mechanisms to allow for transferring
of the disabled person to and from their chair to the table. They would also require a significant amount
of space. As a result, the installation
of these tables will be expensive. Furthermore,
there is no regulatory requirement for these tables and the demand for them is unknown.
On this basis, they would only be installed in locations with a demonstrated
need for an adult changing table.
Although the guidelines establish the
basic parameters for the changing tables, they do not specify the details for
their design. Each installation will be
designed to incorporate site specific requirements and the most up to date design
features. Each design will be reviewed
by the Accessibility Committee. Once we have
sufficient experience with the installation of these tables, a standard design will
be finalized and incorporated into the guidelines. It is not recommended to change the
guidelines at this time.
Comment 3
In Exterior Environments, it is mentioned that "an accessible pedestrian route is required leading from designated accessible parking spaces to the nearest accessible entrance", but what is not mentioned is that there should also be an unobstructed accessible pedestrian route along sidewalks to the nearest accessible entrance for those arriving on foot, thereby not approaching from the parking spaces.”
Response
The quote regarding providing an
accessible pedestrian route form an accessible parking spot to the building
entrance is included in the Section ‘A’ Exterior Environments, sub- section
Parking. Section ‘A’, Exterior
Environments also has a sub-section entitled Accessible Routes and Approaches. This sub-section states that “Continuous and
level pedestrian routes that lead from the site boundary of a facility to its nearest
entrance or other amenities must also be a priority”. This statement will be amended to the
following:
“Continuous and level pedestrian
routes are required leading from the site boundary of a facility to its nearest
entrance or other amenities”.
Comment
4
“On page A5, the minimum vertical clearance for parking is stated as "2.75 m or 9 ft". We have a problem because height clearance needed for our vans is at least 10 ft.”
Response
The guidelines provide for a minimum vertical clearance
of 2.75 m (9 feet). It also allows for a
vertical clearance of 3.55 m or (11’-8”) in locations that require access by special
transit vehicles such as Mobility Transit Vehicles.
The guidelines will be amended to require that
the minimum vertical clearance over passenger loading zones will be 3.55 m or
(11’ – 8”).
Comment
5
“Page A6, I couldn't find the definition of bollard at the back.”
Response
The following definition of a bollard will be
added to the guidelines. “A bollard is one of a series of short posts used for
preventing vehicles from entering an area”.
Conclusion
The Markham Accessibility Guidelines establish the
Town as a leader in providing accessible features within Town facilities. Staff will continue working with the
Accessibility Committee to regularly review and update the guidelines to ensure
that they reflect the best practices, code requirements, and public
expectations for the provision of accessible environments within Town facilities.
The comments provided by the various stakeholders have been very helpful in finalizing the updated Markham Accessibility Guidelines.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS AND TEMPLATE: (external link)
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS:
Not applicable
ACCESSIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS:
The report has been reviewed by the Accessibility Committee. They concur with the recommendations.
ENGAGE 21ST CONSIDERATIONS:
Not applicable
BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:
Not applicable
RECOMMENDED
BY: ________________________ ________________________
Steve Andrews P. Eng. Peter
Loukes P.
Director of
Operations
and
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
Q:\Commission
Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2008\Asset
Management\FACILITIES\Markham Accessibility Guidelines - Stakeholder Feedback - Jan 22, 2008.doc