Accessibility Advisory Committee

Meeting #:
Date:	Monday, September 21, 2020
Time:	2:00 P.m. - 4:00 P.m.
Location:	Online Video Conference

Members

• Councillor Matt Mahoney , Ward 8
• Councillor Pat Saito, Ward 9
• Naz Husain, Citizen Member (Chair)
• Carol-Ann Chafe, Citizen Member (Vice-Chair)
• Asim Zaidi, Citizen Member (Vice-Chair)
• Rabia Khedr, Citizen Member
• Clement Lowe, Citizen Member
• Anita Binder, Stakeholder Member
• Alfie Smith, Stakeholder Member
• Sally Wall, Stakeholder Member

Members Absent

• Emily Daigle, Citizen Member
• Steven Viera, Citizen Member

Staff Present

• Reanne Kassar

STAFF PRESENT 

Camille McKay, Manager, Parking Enforcement

Alana Tyers, Manager, Service Development

Amr Merdan, Urban Designer

Anthea Foyer, Planner Culture

Bryan Sparks, Communications Advisor

Cyrus Hiranandani, Traffic Signals Technician

Daniela Paraschiv, Manager, Asset Management, Accessibility and Energy Management

Nadia Dawe, Manager, Transit Operations

Pamela Shanks, Corporate Policy Consultant

Shazia Kalia, Senior Buyer

Wesley Booker, Legal Counsel Labour and Employment

Virginia Kalapaca, Project Leader, Landscape Architect

Dan Sadler, Supervisor, Accessibility

Jennifer Cowan, Accessibility Specialist

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator

Allyson D'Ovidio, Legislative Coordinator

Sacha Smith, Manager and Deputy Clerk, Legislative Services

Ted Siu, Communications Specialist

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER

Carol-Ann, Vice-Chair chaired the September 21, 2020 AAC meeting and called the meeting to order at 2:02 PM.

 

Dayna Obaseki, Legislative Coordinator provided a preamble regarding how virtual Accessibility Advisory Committee meetings will be conducted.

2.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

That the order of the September 21, 2020 Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda be amended to have Item 7.1 before the Deputations listed on the agenda.

Approved, as amended (R. Khedr)

3.

DECLARATION OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST

Nil. 

4.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

4.1

Accessibility Advisory Committee DRAFT Minutes – December 2, 2019

Approved (A. Binder)

 

Note: The meeting order was amended. Item 4.1 was followed by Item 7.1 and then back to Item 5: Deputations. The minutes below reflect the order of the agenda.

5.

DEPUTATIONS

5.1

Rich Padulo, Founder, Treat Accessibly to present on Treat Accessibly

Rich Padulo, Founder, Treat Accessibly presented on an Accessible Halloween. Treat Accessibly is an established grass-roots national movement by displaying a bright orange sign indicating that the resident(s) of that household will be handing out Halloween treats from an accessible area near their home, such as the foot of the driveway or the sidewalk. This year’s (2020) program will be coupled with the new social distancing practices. The program is to ensure a safe and inclusive Halloween for all by advocating for a curbside trick or treating. Treat Accessibly’s focus is on creating awareness by providing tips on making your homes accessible and providing homeowners the option to either print or pick up free lawn signs at their local Home Depots or participating Re/MAX to display that they will be participating in the curbside Halloween program. Treat Accessibly has pre-existing support from a number Ontario Ministers, other municipal governments as well as a variety of community organizations.

 

Members of the Committee applauded the initiative. Carol-Ann Chafe, Chair inquired if service animals were considered in the program. Mr. Padulo responded by noting that the program outlines homeowners are advised to keep their own pets inside their homes to ensure they are not obstructing service animals.

 

Councillor Mahoney requested that staff benchmark with other municipalities regarding the program and endorsement.

 

DIRECTION to staff to determine the feasibility of drafting a Corporate Report to General Committee and/or to report back on the program and to benchmark with other municipalities regarding endorsement.

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0001-2020
  Moved By N. Husain
  1. That the deputation and associated presentation by Rich Padulo regarding Treat Accessibly be received for information.
  2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee are in support of Treat Accessibly and having accessible and inclusive Halloweens.
  Received

6.

PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD - 15 Minute Limit 

Public Comments: Any member of the public interested in speaking to an item listed on the agenda may register at or call 905-615-3200 ext. 5425 by Thursday, September 17, 2020 before 4:00 PM.

Pursuant to Section 42 of the Council Procedure By-law 0139-2013, as amended:

Accessibility Advisory Committee may grant permission to a member of the public to ask a question of Accessibility Advisory Committee, with the following provisions:

1. The question must pertain to a specific item on the current agenda and the speaker will state which item the question is related to.
2. A person asking a question shall limit any background explanation to two (2) statements, followed by the question.
3. The total speaking time shall be five (5) minutes maximum, per speaker.

No members of the public registered to speak.

7.

MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED

7.1

Accessible Parking Signage

Camille McKay, Manager, Parking Enforcement spoke to this item noting the AAC’s previous request to add an enforcement telephone number to accessible parking signage and is seeking further direction on the matter.

 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and noted the importance of having a telephone number on accessible parking signage on public and private properties.  Sally Wall, Citizen Member noted that 311 is not an accessible telephone line for the hearing impaired as TTY is required.  Ms. McKay responded by noting that the current signage meets all the regulation requirements and suggested an alternate method through a social media campaign to create more awareness.

 

Councillor Saito requested that any future new installations or replacements of accessible parking signage should include the City of Mississauga’s 311 telephone number.

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0002-2020
  Moved By Councillor P. Saito
  1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that when any new Accessible Parking Signage is being installed or being replaced that Accessible Parking Signage include the City’s General 311 line.
  2. That staff create a social media campaign to be included in a future report to General Committee regarding Accessible Parking Signage. 
  Carried

7.2

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Update

No update was provided. 

7.3

Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee Update

Naz Husain, Citizen Member provided a brief verbal update regarding the Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee.  She highlighted Transhelp’s increased ridership and community involvement during the pandemic. She also noted she participated in screen reader testing for the Transhelp’s website.

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0003-2020
  Moved By S. Wall

  That the verbal update provided by Naz Husain, Citizen Member and ROP AAC Member regarding the Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee Update be received for information.

  Received

7.4

Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) Work Plan

Dan Sadler, Accessibility Supervisor presented the new AAC Work Plan.  Mr. Sadler referred to the facilitated session that took place in November 2019 that involved the members focusing on the City’s accessibility successes and the improvement areas.  He noted the deferred items due to the impact of COVID-19 and outlined the overall format and structure of the work plan.

 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and raised the following questions regarding the other services areas and projects impacted by COVID-19.  Jennifer Cowan, Accessibility Specialist responded by nothing that the Corporate Services Recovery Plan will be presented at the upcoming Facility Accessibility Design Subcommittee.

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0004-2020
  Moved By A. Smith

  The the presented Accessibility Advisory Committee Work Plan be approved as discussed at the September 21, 2020 Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. 

  Approved

7.5

AAC Manual

Dan Sadler, Accessibility Supervisor spoke to this item by noting the AAC Manual correlated with the committee orientation that took place at the beginning of the new Term of Council. The manual identifies the purpose and mandate of the Committee, outlines the associated legislations, the deliverables, the roles and responsibilities, member conduct and representation, subcommittees, StART (Staff Accessibility Resource Team) and accessibility at the City.

 

DIRECTION to staff to include a COVID-19 section and to send out a digital copy of the AAC Manual to all the AAC Members.

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0005-2020
  Moved By C. Lowe

  That the AAC Manual be received for information. 

  Received

8.

SUBCOMMITTEE REPORTS

8.1

Promotional Awareness Subcommittee Report – February 24, 2020

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0006-2020
  Moved By A. Zaidi

  That the deputation by Jennifer Cowan, Accessibility Specialist regarding 2019 National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) Wrap-up to the Promotional Awareness Subcommittee on February 24, 2020, be received.

  Received
• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0007-2020
  Moved By A. Zaidi

  1. That the brainstorming session facilitated by Jennifer Cowan, Accessibility Specialist regarding the 2020 and 2021 National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) to the Promotional Awareness Subcommittee on February 24, 2020, be received;
  2. That subject to the comments provided during the brainstorming session, the Promotional Awareness Subcommittee is satisfied with the initiatives the City is undertaking with respect to the 2020 and 2021 National AccessAbility Week (NAAW).

  Received

9.

INFORMATION ITEMS

9.1

Rick Hansen Foundation - Accessibility Certification Program (Verbal)

Dan Sadler, Accessibility Supervisor spoke to this item noting that Rick Hansen Foundation (RHF) was offering a complimentary assessment to help organizations better understand their current level of accessibility and provide ways on how to improve accessibility at their facilities. The RHF is offering an Ontario Rating system with these assessments. The City of Mississauga opted out of the first round of applications to provide external organizations the opportunity to increase their accessibility. The City has the Facility Accessibility Design Subcommittee and standards that help ensure accessibility is considered on a number of levels during project implementation. The City will reconsider applying for the second round of assessments by the RHF. During the pandemic, AAC Members received an email with the opportunity to apply to join the RHF Accessibility Certification External Review Committee.

 

Members of the Committee spoke to the matter and raised the following questions and comments;

• Inquired about the qualifications for the consultants conducting these assessments;
• Inquired about inclusive design; and
• Inquired who is responsible if the standards are not met.

 

Mr. Sadler responded to the questions from the Members of the Committee.

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-0008-2020
  Moved By N. Husain

  That the Rick Hansen Foundation - Accessibility Certification Program be received for information. 

  Received

10.

OTHER BUSINESS

Rabia Khedr, Citizen Member noted Accessibility Standards Canada is launching a public consultation focusing on the priorities for accessibility standards, engagement and research. Ms. Khedr also noted the establishment and her membership on the COVID-19 Disability Advisory Group (CDAG). The CDAG will advise the Honourable Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion on persons with disabilities experiencing issues, challenges, systemic gaps and providing strategies and steps to be taken during this pandemic crisis.

11.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING

FADS – FACILITY ACCESSIBILITY DESIGN SUBCOMMITTEE
Monday, September 28, 2020 at 1:30pm
Online Video Conference

 

AAC – ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Monday, November 9, 2020 at 2:00pm
Online Video Conference 

12.

ADJOURNMENT

3:46 PM (R. Khedr)