SECOND MEETING OF THE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Canada Room

Wednesday, February 16, 2005

MINUTES

Members Regrets

Robert Hunn (Chair) Carole Robertson

Vito Bigioni (Vice-Chair) William Broger

Connie Weber Regional Councillor Jack Heath

Sherry Setnyk

Dr. John White

Sam Jhangiani

Staff

Yvonne Hurst, Committee Clerk

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

1. MINUTES OF FIRST MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2005 HELD ON JANUARY 19, 2005

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

THAT the minutes of the Town of Markham Accessibility Committee meeting held on January 19, 2005, be adopted.

CARRIED.

2. MARKHAM CENTRE

Mr. D. Clark, Town Architect was in attendance to provide an overview of proposed development on the 1000 acres known as Markham Centre. Mr. Clark advised that full development of the area is expected to take over 30 years and will be developed with a significant density. The area will eventually be home to approximately 30,000 residents as well as providing employment for many of these residents. Development will include apartments, townhouses and businesses.

Mr. Clark noted that the ‘vision’ for the Markham Centre was approved by Council in the mid 1990’s and given final approval by the Ontario Municipal Board in 1997. The downtown area will be compact development; more urban in nature and pedestrian friendly resulting in less reliance on the automobile for transportation.

Mr. Clarke pointed out that activity has begun on the site with a 16 storey apartment tower being erected. Residents will be able to live, work, shop and play in this downtown area. The 4-point transportation strategy for Markham Centre includes policy initiatives, the road network, transit system and education and support programs. The proposed rapid transit system will include 3 north-south corridors and 1 east-west corridor (a Civic Mall). Public safety will be addressed with respect to the Civic Mall where pedestrian traffic will be integrated with a new rapid transit system. There is approximately 50 acres of parkland with a 10 acre park as the focus of the downtown.

Mr. Clark outlined a number of accessibility issues that have been addressed:

- all new transit vehicles are accessible at platform level.

- sidewalks and paved boulevards are part of the final design (there will be a change in the texture for these to assist the visually impaired)

- crosswalks will also have textured materials

Mr. Clark noted that the Markham Centre Advisory Committee as well as Town staff review every issue relating to Markham Centre development. Performance measures are documented and available at the Town offices. The measures were put together in the form of a checklist by the Markham Centre Advisory Committee to ensure that every issue is evaluated. He advised that the Performance Measurement document is available at the Development Services counter. The Committee requested that a copy of the document be provided to each member for review at the March meeting.

With regard to accessibility issues, it was noted that developers while adhering to current building requirements, are not necessarily innovative in their approach to accessibility issues. It was therefore, suggested that a member of the Markham Advisory Committee on Accessibility sit on the Markham Centre Advisory Committee to provide guidance/suggestions with respect to accessibility issues.

To bring developers on-side with respect to accessibility issues it was suggested that a better education program regarding accessibility issues should be implemented (using the Town website to get the message across) and an awards program be considered to recognize builders who have been innovative and progressive in addressing accessibility issues.

3. ACCESSIBILITY AUDIT

Discussion regarding the Accessibility Audit was deferred to the March meeting.

4. REPORTS

a) Bill 188 Forum

Connie Weber noted that, while the present Ontarians with Disabilities Act is good it is not good enough. The government is endeavouring to produce Accessibility legislation that is more open to change as change is required.

Comments provided were:

- Changes would begin immediately but small businesses should be allowed to change as funds are available;

- Important to let the government know if there should be more standards included in the legislation

- Government needs to know if you support Bill 188

- Approximately 50 attended representing most of the accessibility committees.

b) Forum on York Region Accessibility Plan

The Committee noted that Accessibility Plans must be updated each year. No information has been received as yet with respect to an updated Plan for the Region of York.

5. ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE

It was suggested that an insert be included in the Community Guide 2006 listing accessible businesses or use the Guide to promote accessibility awareness (e.g. Markham is making its buildings accessible – Are You?). It was also suggested that the information be included on the Town’s website.

Vito Bigioni advised that York Region will be scheduling a meeting for all accessibility committees to discuss the Accessibility Guide and then the Markham Accessibility Committee is expected to take the lead. He noted that the committee will be looking to include at least two businesses in each area that meet all the standards. It was suggested that, since no communication has been forthcoming for 3 months, the York Region Accessibility Committee be contacted to ask for an update. The Chair was requested to write a letter to the York Region Committee and ask if it would be appropriate for Markham to schedule a meeting.

6. NEW BUSINESS

Petition – Re: David Lepofsky, Chair of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee

A copy of a memo, dated February 7, 2005, addressed to all Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committees, from Cam Jackson, MPP, Burlington (PC Advocate for Disabled Persons) was circulated to the Committee. The attached petition calls on the Social Policy Committee of the Ontario Legislature to grant special standing to David Lepofsky, Chair of The Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee, so that he can provide a detailed technical briefing to the Committee on Bill 118, the Accessibility For Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004, and to assist the Committee through the Amendment Process and final votes. The Committee were asked, if in agreement, to sign the petition and return to Mr. Jackson.

Whitchurch-Stouffville Accessibility Committee

A memo was circulated from Brenda Lobraico, Chair of the Accessibility Advisory

Committee Whitchurch-Stouffville. Ms. Lobraico was looking for information on how Markham encourages existing businesses to become accessible. It was noted that, at the present time, the only avenues open to the Town are to bring accessibility issues to the attention of businesses and use moral persuasion. It was suggested that members provide ideas, to the Chair, on how this issue could be addressed and that the subject be placed on a future agenda for further discussion.

Accessibility Programs

Vito Bigioni noted that while Angus Glen is a great facility with an excellent

swimming pool there are no accessible swimming programs. There are two ice rinks at the facility but there are no accessible skating/hockey programs. He stressed that now that the facility is available it is important to have programs that address the needs of the physically challenged. He suggested that programs do not have to be provided at every facility but should be provided at least in one facility in York Region. Many residents at the present time must travel to the Bloorview Community Centre. It was suggested that residents telephone the Town and make staff aware that these programs are not available and that they are needed.

It was further suggested that a list of residents who would use programs for the physically challenged and which programs would be used be brought to the Accessibility Committee.

Markham Accessibility Plan

John White asked if there was an updated Town of Markham Accessibility Plan and if there is an updated plan that it be provided to the Accessibility Committee. If an updated plan is not available, what is the status?

7. NEXT MEETING

Item for the next agenda: “Inclusion of Accessibility Friendly Places in the Markham Community Guide 2006” (Sam Jhangiani)

The next scheduled meeting of the Accessibility Committee is on March 16, 2005.

8. ADJOURNMENT

The Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at the hour of 8.25 p.m.