EIGHTH MEETING OF THE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ACCESSIBILITY
TOWN OF
Canada Room,
Members Regrets
Robert Hunn (Chair) Sharon Prasow
Vito Bigioni (Vice-Chair) Martha Shultz
Dr. John White Carole Robertson
Sherry Setnyk Regional Councillor Jack Heath
Connie Weber
William Broger
Sam Jhangiani
Yvonne Hurst, Committee Clerk
The meeting was held in the Canada Room to facilitate the
audio/visual presentation with respect to the Markham Village Library
expansion. The meeting convened at the
hour of
1. MINUTES OF SEVENTH
THE TOWN OF
THAT the
minutes of the Town of
CARRIED.
2.
Mr. G. Shoalts, Shoalts and Zaback
Architects, was in attendance to give a presentation on the preliminary
schematic design review of the library expansion. Also at the meeting was Debra Walker, Chief
Executive Officer, Markham Public Libraries and Ron Wark, Project Consultant,
Town of
Issues that will be addressed are:
- east side access very steep – stairs will be removed and reconfigured
-
ramp slopes will exceed the minimum requirement of
- a larger ground floor single washroom is included for persons with special needs
- barrier free elevator
- lower level will not be for public use as it is not accessible
- public stairs to the second floor will have a gentle rise and run
- will address accessibility issues when colours, lighting, furniture and signage are chosen
- large print book VIP area (visually impaired person)
- size of doors and width of aisles between the book shelves will be made wider than the width required by the Building Code
- there will be oversize doors at both entrances with operators
- the entrance will be regraded to improve accessibility
- it is anticipated that the high speed public transit will stop in the general area of the library
- it was decided not to connect the library to the existing arena due to costs and the fact that the arena is reaching the far end of its lifespan and it is not known what the Town may decide with respect to the building
- the children’s area will be included in the north section
- a single use washroom has been provided for in the children’s area (Committee suggested that the single use washroom be placed more central on the floor nearer the elevator)
- there will be enclosed study rooms on the second floor for those patrons needing a quiet area
- (Committee suggested a small stool so that children can reach the sinks to wash their hands.)
- (Committee suggested a ‘double’ handrail down the staircase so that smaller children can hold onto the railing while going up or down the stairs.)
- the second floor washroom will be completely accessible
- (Committee suggested that the study rooms should be made accessible)
- a wood model was displayed showing the proposed design of the new addition
- the addition has been designed to reflect the features of the old agricultural building that was originally on the site
- the shade garden is accessible (Committee suggested that the doors to the shade garden be automatic)
- it was noted that there was elevator access to the lower level for any member of staff who is unable to negotiate the stairs
Mr. Shoalts displayed a set of drawings that showed the floor plan for the library addition and how it is to be integrated with the existing building. He noted that next steps include a detailed plan by early to mid-December; design approval in the winter of 2005; tenders in June of 2005 and the new construction complete by March, 2006. Renovations are expected to be complete by September of 2006 with a grand opening of the new facility by October, 2006.
3. JANET
CARNEGIE – COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
ACCESSIBILITY COMMITTEE WEB PRESENCE
Ms. J. Carnegie, Communications
Director, was in attendance to discuss the options, and possible content, of
the Accessibility Committee website. Ms.
Carnegie noted that information on the Markham Advisory Committee on
Accessibility can now be obtained through the Town of
Ms. Carnegie noted that design changes are being addressed to make the website more user friendly. Also, software is to be installed to allow user departments to update information to keep it current. She requested that members of the Committee access the website and provide any feedback and recommendations by email on how the site could be improved as soon as possible.
Suggestions from the Committee included:
- identify the ‘Chair’ of the Committee
- include the minutes of the Committee on the website
- inclusion of the Accessibility Guide on the website (Ms. Carnegie indicated that Town staff would be willing to assist in including the guide on the Town’s website.)
- suggestion that the issue of including a stool in restaurant washrooms for the use of children be included on the website.
4. ACCESS/ABILITY SURVEY
The Committee reviewed the AccessAbility Survey provided by committee member, Sam Jhangiani. Mr. Jhangiani indicated that the survey was initially geared to agencies serving York Region to determine the percentage of agencies in the Region who have accommodations for the hearing impaired. The second half of the survey was geared to agencies located in York Region. He noted that the information can be downloaded to a CD and provided to the Committee since the information is public.
THE TOWN OF
THAT the AccessAbility Survey presented by Committee member, Sam Jhangiani, be received as information.
CARRIED.
5. ACCESS
TO
The Chair, Robert Hunn, advised that the issue of a joint project to produce an Accessibility Guide was placed before the other accessibility groups in York Region. He noted that the Chairs of all municipalities within the Region were in attendance. He further noted that it was the consensus of the members that the Guide should include the entire Region.
It was suggested that all the groups within the Region meet to develop a consistent format and develop guidelines for information to be included in the Guide. The project would need the assistance of committee members with respect to compiling data for the Guide.
Vito Bigioni, Connie Weber and Sherry Setnyk indicated that they would be willing to sit on a committee, with representatives of the other York Region groups, to develop the standards and criteria for the Guide.
6. NEW BUSINESS
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004 (AODA)
Information was circulated with respect to the introduction of new legislation for people with disabilities. The new legislation is titled Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2004 (AODA) and will replace the current Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA). A number of changes were outlined including mandatory standards, timelines, enforcement and incentives.
7. NEXT
MEETING
The next scheduled
meeting of the Accessibility Committee is on
8. ADJOURNMENT
The
Advisory Committee on Accessibility adjourned at the hour of