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[The following link opens a .pdf file of this page]
THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF YORK
REPORT NO. 1
OF THE REGIONAL
ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 25, 2006
For Consideration by the
Community Services and Housing Committee of
the Regional Municipality of York
on March 8, 2006
Chair: W. Morley
Members: T. Robichaud, Vice Chair
Z. Brown
B. Caiger
Regional Councillor J. Frustaglio
K. Hill
D. Humeniuk
R. Hunn
M. Proulx
Regional Councillor D. Wheeler
Staff Present: C. Abankwa-Harris, L. Gonsalves, J. Hulton, S. Neill, J. Simmons, D. Trojan
The Accessibility Advisory Committee began its meeting at 4:43 p.m. on January 25, 2006.
UPDATE - COMMITTEE PROCEEDINGS
The Accessibility Advisory Committee advises the Community Services and Housing Committee of the following matters having been considered by the Accessibility Advisory Committee with the following action:
ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
1. Wilf Morley and Trish Robichaud were elected Chair and Vice Chair respectively for 2006.
COMMUNICATIONS
[The following links open .pdf files of the Communications]
2. Chris Somerville, Clerk, Township of King [3.7MB], dated December 15, 2005 regarding 'Township of King Accessibility Plan Update 2005'. Received with Committee's congratulations to be conveyed to the Township of King.
3. Michele Kennedy, Town Clerk, Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, dated January 4, 2006 regarding 'Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville � 2006 Accessibility Plan'. Received with Committee's congratulations to be conveyed to the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.
4. Joann Simmons, Regional Municipality of York, Commissioner, Community Services and Housing dated January 18, 2006, regarding report to Transit Committee entitled 'York Region Transit Mobility Plus Eligibility and Application Process Update'. Received.
Committee requested a report to the next meeting regarding issues surrounding the appeal process for eligibility decisions.
5. Joann Simmons, Regional Municipality of York, Commissioner, Community Services and Housing dated January 18, 2006, regarding 'AAC feedback and advice chart with staff responses'. Received.
Staff was requested to investigate alternative methods to access electronic Agenda material, in consultation with affected Committee members.
6. Kim McKinnon, for Mobility Transit Advocacy Committee, c/o Community Legal Clinic of York Region dated December 1, 2005, regarding 'Deputations to AAC on October 26, 2005'. Received.
OTHER BUSINESS
7. Lisa Gonsalves, Senior Program Manager ODA, Community Services and Housing brief update on the 'Development of the York Region 2006 Accessibility Plan'. Received.
Committee was advised that the Draft 2006 Accessibility Plan is scheduled for consideration by the Community Services and Housing Committee on March 8, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. and Regional Council on March 23, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. All members were invited to attend.
8. Committee was advised of an information fair entitled 'Focus on Special Needs' being held at the Aurora Community Centre on April 29, 2006.
9. Committee was advised of the Ministry of Transportation's new Accessible Parking Permit Program, effective January 16, 2006. A hand-out detailing the program was circulated.
Committee inquired as to the process for increasing enforcement of the use of accessible parking spaces by non-permit holders. Staff was requested to forward the question to the Joint Committee of York Regional Police and local By-law Enforcement Officers and forward any response to the local Accessibility Advisory Committees.
10. Concern was expressed regarding the accessibility of polling stations and voting procedures during the recent federal election. Staff was requested to send a letter to the local municipal Clerks offering assistance to address accessibility issues for the November 2006 municipal election.
11. Committee was provided with clarification regarding reappointment to the Committee at the conclusion of the term of office, as detailed in the Terms of Reference.
12. C. Abankwa-Harris advised Committee of the results of a recent Environics poll regarding issues for people with disabilities. Residents of York Region when asked what they would be prepared to spend existing or increased tax dollars on, placed 'increased spending on services for people with disabilities' third to public health and roads in order of importance and over water quality, public transit, policing and ambulance services. Ninety seven percent (97%) of residents further responded that it is important for programs, services and facilities in York Region to be fully accessible.
13. Concern was expressed regarding the managing of a walker during the VIVA bus demonstration. Staff was requested to forward the concern to York Region Transit staff.
The Accessibility Advisory Committee adjourned at 5:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
January 25, 2006 W. Morley
Newmarket, Ontario Chair
Susan Neill
Tel. (905) 830-4444 x 1305