SIXTH MEETING OF THE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Wednesday, June 18, 2003

 

MINUTES

 

Members                                                                                              Regrets

Robert Hunn (Chair)                                                                             Martha Shultz

Barbara Howe (Vice-Chair)                                                                 Shirley Marsh, Planner

Sharon Prasow                                                                                    

Connie Weber                                                                                     

Dr. John White

Carole Robertson

Frank Zambri

Councillor S. Daurio

 

Staff

Yvonne Hurst, Committee Clerk

 

Guests

Kenneth Gunn, Elections Co-ordinator, Town of Markham

David Clark, Town Architect – Markham Centre

Mr. Henry Wong, Wong Gregersen Architects – Older Adults Centre, Thornhill Community Centre

 

The meeting convened at the hour of 7:00 p.m.

 

1.         DEMONSTRATION OF TOUCH-SCREEN VOTING SYSTEM

 

            Kenneth Gunn, Elections Co-ordinator for the Town of Markham, was in attendance to provide a demonstration of the new touch-screen voting system to be used by the Town in the upcoming municipal election.  He noted that the system has been used throughout the United States and by the City of Toronto.  The System uses a touch screen computer complemented by audio that directors a visually impaired elector through the program.  The program will not allow over voting but will queue the elector to revisit the ballot and will prompt if under voting has occurred. 

 

            The System will allow the visually impaired to have total privacy when voting.  The Touch Screen System in conjunction with Internet voting will be available during the advance voting days.  Advance voting days will be held on November 3 to November 7.  Internet voting can be done at any computer and if a resident does not have access to a computer, systems will be available at the libraries.  Secure PIN numbers will be provided for security.  Two PIN #’s will be required to access the system.  While names of voters are held at the Town offices, the votes are electronically transmitted to Omaha, Nebraska.

 

            Mr. Gunn pointed out that the proposed voting systems are a little more secure than the traditional method of paper ballot voting.  He noted that a blind elector can still choose to have someone assist him/her when casting his/her vote.  With respect to telephone voting, this method was not available.

 

            Jonathan Hall and Glen Foot, representatives from iVotronic – Touch Screen Voting System, were also in attendance to assist with a demonstration of the system.  It was noted that the unit is light and run by battery.  The audio walks the elector through the process and is user friendly.  The program is available in English, French and seven other languages.  For the visually impaired a template will magnify the ballot to a 24 pitch.  Also, if the elector cannot see the 24 pitch then audio is available.

 

            Carole Robertson, committee member, participated in a simulated vote.   

 

            The Town’s web site contains key dates for the election.  Advance polls will be open from 12:00 noon to 8:00 p.m. each day from November 3 to November 7.  Information will be found on the Town’s website in a format that is user friendly for the visually impaired.  The Cities of Toronto and Mississauga are also using the touch screen system in the upcoming municipal elections. 

 

2.         MARKHAM CENTRE

 

         David Clark, Town Architect was in attendance to present an overview of the Markham

Centre Development.  Mr. Clark noted that the process involved in the planning of Markham Centre began 10 years ago and is supported with an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that was passed in 1997.  The site consists of 1,000 acres (south and east of the Town Centre).  IBM, Motorola and hotels (Markham Suites) provided the catalyst for the development of Markham Centre. 

 

Mr. Clark advised that the goal in developing the Markham Centre is to provide a vibrant, mixed use town centre.  He provided an overview of the Town Centre concept including growth projections and urban development and expansion policies.  Development is driven by the ‘new urbanism’ concept that promotes pedestrian movement not cars.

 

The area will consist primarily of eight-storey structure, however, part of the development will consist of high-rise buildings and increased density.  The goal of the development is to provide residents with the opportunity to live, work and play in a pedestrian friendly area.

 

Mr. Clark reviewed the 11 guiding principles for the development of Markham Centre that includes strategies for transportation (rapid transit initiatives, dedicated busways and accessible buses), road networks, Town initiatives (Markham By-pass, Rodick Road extension, Birchmount Road extension, Highway 404 crossing).

 

            Mr. Clark noted that the downtown core of Markham Centre consists of 243 acres with 65 acres of parkland.  The Committee requested that The Ontarians with Disabilities Act be implemented when the plans are developed for the Town Centre.

 

3.         CNIB PRODUCT REVIEW

           

            Connie Weber agreed to provide her overview of CNIB products and the ZOOM TEXT software at the next meeting of the Accessibility Committee.

 

4.         ODA – ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

 

            Councillor Daurio noted that the Region of York has made significant progress with its Accessibility Plan.    Robert Hunn, member of the York Region Accessibility Committee, advised that the York plan is expected to go before Regional Council on September 18, 2003. 

 

            The Committee made the suggestion that Town of Markham staff might find it useful to contact Regional staff with respect to the content and process used in the preparation of the Regional plan. 

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY RECOMMENDS:

           

            THAT the Advisory Committee on Accessibility request Council to report on the status of the preparation of the Town of Markham Accessibility Plan as required by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

 

            CARRIED.

           

 

5.         ADOPTION OF THE MINUTES OF THE FIFTH

            MEETING OF THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ADVISORY

COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY – MAY 21, 2003

 

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY RECOMMENDS:

           

            THAT the minutes of the Fifth meeting in 2003 of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility held on May 21, 2003 be adopted.

 

            CARRIED.

 

 

6.         UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

            Jillian’s Place

 

Councillor Daurio noted that Town staff has been requested to try and incorporate the concept of Jillian’s Place into the new Markham East recreational facility.

 

7.         NEW BUSINESS

 

Pathways

 

Councillor Daurio pointed out that pathways in the Town are not accessible by wheelchair.  This issue would be simple to correct if the width of the pathway was considered prior to construction.  It was suggested that an audit be made of the pathway system in the Town.  It was suggested that the surface treatment of pathways should also be considered as material such as cobblestones presents a problem for wheelchairs. 

 

8.         NEXT MEETING

 

The Committee concurred that a meeting should be held on July 30 (if the York Room is available) with August 6th as an alternate date.  The Clerks Department will be requested to check on availability of the meeting room and advise committee members.

 

9.         ADJOURNMENT

 

            The Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at the hour of 9:00 p.m.