NINTH MEETING OF THE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY

 

TOWN OF MARKHAM

Ontario Room, Markham Civic Centre

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

 

MINUTES

Members                                                                                  Regrets

Robert Hunn (Chair)                                                                 Sharon Prasow

Vito Bigioni (Vice-Chair)                                                          Martha Shultz

Carole Robertson                                                                     Dr. John White            

Sherry Setnyk                                                                          

Connie Weber

William Broger

Sam Jhangiani

Regional Councillor Jack Heath

 

Staff

Yvonne Hurst, Committee Clerk

 

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

 

 

1.         MINUTES OF EIGHTH MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE MEETING IN 2004 HELD ON OCTOBER 20, 2004

           

            THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT the minutes of the Town of Markham Accessibility Committee meeting held on October 20, 2004, be adopted.

 

CARRIED.

 

 

2.         “ACCESS TO MARKHAM GUIDE”

 

The Chair, Robert Hunn, advised that he attended the York Region Accessibility Committee meeting earlier this day (November 17, 2004).  He noted that this Committee agreed that a letter will be sent out to the ten (10) Accessibility Committees in the Region asking if there is interest in participating in the preparation of an “Access Guide”. 

 

The Committee discussed the issue of ‘accessibility standards’ for the guide.  It was pointed out that East Gwillimbury, Vaughan, Richmond Hill and Markham have established standards of accessibility.  The East Gwillimbury standards were developed using the City of Peterborough standards and are thought to be a good starting point to establish standards for all of the Region of York.

 

Vito Bigioni indicated that he will ask the Markham Lions Club if funding might be available for Markham’s portion of the information to be gathered across the region.

 

The Committee considered the production of a ‘hard copy’ guide but it was noted that a hard copy would be out of date by the time it was produced.  A guide on the Town’s web site could be updated regularly.  However, it was pointed out that electronic access may not be available to all those that require the information.  The City of Toronto has substantial advertising in its guide that would offset many of the publishing costs.

 

With respect to the gathering of information for the guide, it was suggested that volunteers (students or restaurant/hotel staff) obtain the necessary information on-site rather than having a business self-identify.  It may be an opportunity for high school students to complete the hours of volunteer work required by their curriculum.

 

The Committee also discussed the kinds of businesses that will be surveyed.  It was suggested that 15-20 options can be provided in each category rather than attempting to be all-inclusive in every category.  Shopping, attractions, transportation, dining/lodging and places of worship were identified as possible categories for the collection of information.

 

The Markham Accessibility Committee has been requested to take the lead role in this endeavour.

 

It was noted that the City of Peterborough presents awards to businesses that go above and beyond the City’s accessibility guidelines.  It was suggested that perhaps the Town of Markham could recognize businesses that provide outstanding accessibility to its residents.

 

            Other suggestions included:

-                     possibility of including a link in the guide to restaurants and other businesses that have met the accessibility standards;

-                     request that Town of Markham IT personnel update Markham’s information in the guide on a regular basis;

-                     include an email address in the electronic guide to allow for feedback/comments etcetera;

-                     need to make sure website is accessible to the visually impaired (not too many graphics, large fonts, consideration of text colour)

-                     print a hard copy of the guide for those who are not computer literate or do not have access to a computer.

 

 

3.         MANDATE OF THE COMMITTEE

 

The Chair, Robert Hunn, noted that the Terms of Reference were included with the committee’s agenda.

 

The issue of the Accessibility Committee’s involvement in complaints received by the Town was addressed.  The Committee discussed a recent complaint (no wheelchair access to a recycling bin at John St. and Bayview).  Regional Councillor Heath noted that the Contact Centre receives complaints and forwards them to Town staff for action.  He also pointed out that the Committee’s feedback on accessibility issues at the Centennial Community Centre brought this issue to Council’s attention resulting in monies being allocated for renovations to improve the accessibility of this building. 

 

After discussion, the Committee indicated an interest in receiving information with respect to complaints of an accessibility nature.

 

THE TOWN OF MARKHAM ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDS:

 

THAT the Town staff be requested to forward to the Markham Accessibility Committee a monthly summary of complaints received by the Contact Centre relating to accessibility issues, including:

-                     where the complaint originated

-                     how the complaint will be handled

-                     whether the complaint was resolved

 

CARRIED

 

            The Committee also discussed the issue of conducting ‘audits’.  It was noted that a member of the Accessibility Committee, or a person trained by the Committee, should do the audit.  It was noted that the Committee has reviewed a number of plans (including Thornhill Seniors’ Centre, Centennial Complex and Markham Village Library) and has made a number of accessibility-related recommendations.

 

It was suggested that the Committee schedule a site visit to the Angus Glen Community Centre by contacting Alan Wolfe, Project Consultant, Town of Markham.  The Chair, Robert Hunn, will contact Mr. Wolfe and arrange a site visit for the January 15th meeting. 

 

It was noted that Milliken Mills Library is an upcoming new project and information on this and other new projects will be provided to the Committee for comment as they come on stream.

 

           

4.         MATERIALS FROM TRISH ROBICHAUD

 

The Chair, Robert Hunn, circulated a pamphlet outlining the sensitivity training service provided by Trish Robichaud.  It was suggested that the information be forwarded to the Town’s Human Resource Department with a suggestion that this type of training will be valuable to front line staff and councillors assistants.

 

 

5.         NEXT MEETING

 

The next scheduled meeting of the Accessibility Committee is on December 15, 2004.  Sherry Setnyk indicated that she would not be in attendance at the next meeting due to her son’s school concert.

 

 

6.         ADJOURNMENT

 

            The Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at the hour of 8.06 p.m.