Town of Markham

Advisory Committee on Accessibility

Minutes

Wednesday, November 17, 2010, 3:30 p.m.

Canada Room

Committee members present: Jaqueline Bell Carl Bodnar Councillor Valerie Burke Allan Ho Jocelyn Horsford Robert Hunn Rhonda Jacobson Regional Councillor Gord Landon Sidney Polak - Chair Carole Robertson

Regrets: Prescott Harrison Joan Jenkyn

Staff present:

Don Taylor, Manager, Executive Operations

Warren Ruparain, Accessibility Coordinator

Kitty Bavington, Council/Committee Coordinator

The meeting of the Advisory Committee on Accessibility convened at 3:38 pm with Sidney Polak presiding as Chair.

1. Minutes – October 27, 2010

Moved by: Carole Robertson

Seconded by: Alan Ho

That the minutes of the October 27, 2010 meeting of the Town of Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility be approved.

CARRIED

2. Presentation – Disability Service Groups

Representatives from three organizations in the Chinese community made a presentation regarding services provided to disabled persons.

David Yung, from the Under the Banyon Tree Centre for the Developmentally Disabled, works with developmentally and physically disabled persons, running a centre that provides training for adults over 21, and ensures that individuals can live independently.

Wendy Mong from Spirit of Life, described the organization as a voluntary charitable provincial group, dedicated to assisting to people with developmental disabilities and special needs. The program raises public awareness and coordinates services for families, working specifically with Chinese families and immigrants with language barriers.

Mariana Chu, from Heep Chi Association, was unable to attend, but her organization was introduced as a parents group, which is a charitable non-profit organization for developmentally challenged children of Chinese heritage.

Regional Councillor Gord Landon noted his personal disassociation with the Under the Banyon Tree Centre.

The Committee and the guests discussed various aspects of the organizations and the challenges involved in providing assistance. It was emphasised that the services provided are available to all ethnic backgrounds. The purpose of the presentation today is to bring awareness of developmental disabilities.

The Committee discussed its partnership with the business community and other outreach initiatives. Alan Ho was requested to continue to liaise and work with these three organizations on outreach initiatives, and to keep the Accessibility Advisory Committee informed.

3. Promotions Subcommittee

Warren advised that the community booth at Markville Mall is not available until January, 2011. Interested members were asked to let Warren know of dates they are available in January to hand out brochures.

4. Opportunities Subcommittee

The Chair circulated a draft list of challenges and opportunities for the Committee to consider priorities. The committee discussed and analyzed the potential of achieving each of the opportunities. Members were requested to review the list and come to the next meeting prepared to identify and move forward on priorities for 2011.

The Committee identified the following as key opportunities to be considered:

- More involvement with Board of Trade

- Work with BIAs

- Implementing $3m accessibility grant projects

- Budget preparation

Councillor Valerie Burke advised that Council members have an opportunity to address site plan accessibility issues when the plans are presented to Council. It was noted that the Seniors Advisory Committee is contacting Sylvia Patterson of the Affordable Housing organization for advice on how to address that group’s needs, and that the AAC could also approach her for advice.

5. Other Business

a) BIA Mandate

The Committee noted that the Town assigns the BIA’s responsibilities, and requested an update when it is clarified at upcoming Council/BIA workshops.

b) Recruitment for York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Committee received recruitment applications for the York Region AAC. There is currently no Markham AAC representation on the York Region committee. The deadline for applying is December 1, 2010.

c) Bob Hunn provided “Access to Markham Guide”, a booklet that would be helpful and should be updated. The guide was produced by fundraising efforts, and it was suggested that that the Committee may be interested is similar fundraising opportunities.

Bob also provided a brochure – “Guide of Historical buildings in Markham”. Warren advised he is working with staff to include identification of accessible buildings in the brochure.

Bob also provided a brochure from the Town of Pickering, similar to the Markham AAC brochure, for information.

d) Warren advised that December 3 is International Day for People with Disabilities. A sledge hockey game is being organized to promote inclusive recreation, and all members were encouraged to attend the event. Details were provided by e-mail.

e) Rhonda Jacobson advised that on November 24, a presentation will be made by Occupational Therapists regarding home renovations and funding sources to accommodate disabled persons. An e-mail with more information will be sent out.

f) The Committee agreed that future presentations should have a time limit of 15 minutes plus 10 minutes for Q&A. More presentations on topics of interest should be organized, using the resources available.

Moved by: Rhonda Jacobson

Seconded by: Jaqueline Bell

That future presentations to the Accessibility Advisory Committee be arranged based on areas of interest and resources available.

CARRIED

g) It was brought to the Committee’s attention that there is an accessibility issue with the new VIVA busses with respect to the visually-impaired. Suggestions were made that a letter be sent to York Region, or that Regional Councillor Landon may have an avenue of approach. Warren will discuss the best approach with Don Taylor, and this item will be placed on the next agenda.

h) The Committee questioned the location and content of accessibility information on the Town’s website.

6. Next Meeting - Wednesday, December 15, 2010, in the Canada Room

The Committee adjourned at 5:15 p.m.

Attachment: Outstanding Items List (updated on November 17, 2010)

1. Promotions and Business Initiatives Subcommittee

a) Brochure: Interested Committee members will arrange to distribute the brochures at the community booth in Markville Mall. Warren will coordinate.

b) Insert in Markham Life Magazine

c) ACRA nomination for Markham business achievement in public service

d) Board of Trade Awards: invite winner to AAC meeting to celebrate the achievement.

2. Outreach Subcommittee

a) Memo from Alan Ho, regarding working with other organizations in such events as roundtable meetings and breakfast meetings

b) Joining the Coalition of Ontario Accessibility Advisory Committees. Warren will provide more information regarding the benefits of joining.

3. Site Plan Review Subcommittee

a) Subcommittee will develop a checklist of principles and features including the Markham Accessibility Guidelines, to provide consistency in the reviews.

b) Warren to provide info on enforcement of compliance with the approved plans

4. Opportunities Subcommittee

a) Compile a list of opportunities for consideration.

5. York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee

The deadline for applying is December 1, 2010.

6. AAC membership renewal of terms

Clerk to provide forms at a future meeting. Recruitment will begin in November or later.

7. Lack of accessible parking on Main Streets in Unionville and Markham.

Markham BIA has attended to discuss parking issues. AAC members were encouraged to attend a future BIA meeting and submit an article for their newsletter. (Rhonda, Jaqueline and Sidney to attend)

Unionville BIA attended in September, 2010 and encouraged AAC to work on parking and washroom issues with the Town.

8. Main Street Environmental Assessment

Warren and Markham BIA to coordinate efforts to ensure accessibility issues are not missed. A presentation was made in June, and Dale MacKenzie will make a further presentation with design details.

9. Bench Installation

Investigate/arrange presentation in April/May on practices regarding installation of benches along sidewalks, in malls, and other locations, and what funding is available.

10. Toronto Parking Regulations

Handicapped parking is permitted in any “no parking” areas in Toronto. Gord Landon offered to bring this matter forward at the next Parking Advisory Committee meeting.

11. Heritage/BIA

- Staff to provide info on coordination of accessibility and heritage in the Niagara-on-the- Lake area (Warren)

- Update on the BIA mandate to be provided following Council/BIA workshops

12. Snow removal

Staff to check on number of complaints for snow removal.

13. Staff presentations

Committee members to indicate to staff the department heads/managers they wish to have a presentation from.

14. VIVA Buses

Accessibility issues to be addressed