The Corporation of the Town of Huntsville

Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting

Meeting held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

In the Huntsville Civic Centre, Partners Hall

Chair:       

Debbie Kirwin

Members:           

Donna Glashan

John Kenny - left at 3:50 p.m.

John Krochak – via telephone

Bruce Liddle

Doug Millman

Rod Mundy

Laurel Shaw

Deb Willows

Mayor Claude Doughty – left at 3:27 p.m.

Absent:

Grant Wager

Agatha West

Staff:      

Ed Ross, IT Assistant Coordinator

Tanya Calleja, Licensing Coordinator

1.  ADOPTION OF AGENDA

Moved by Deb Willows     AAC4-08            

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:  the Accessibility Advisory Committee Agenda dated February 19, 2008 be adopted as printed and circulated.

Carried.

2.  DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST

- Nil -

3.  DELEGATION

(a)  Accessibility of Town’s Website – Ed Ross

Ed Ross, IT Assistant Coordinator provided a brief history as well as the current status of the Town’s website in regard to accessibility.

Mr. Ross noted that the quality of accessibility on the website had eroded along with its accelerating growth and that the Website Committee will be reconvening in the next few months to discuss a facelift and identify priorities for the next phase of development.

Questions were raised as to what accessible information and testing Mr. Ross used in the implementation of the website.

It was noted that there are new 2005 AODA standards of which contains a website component.

Mr. Ross noted that this would be a great opportunity to revisit our accessibility mandate and to incorporate some of the recent accessibility advances into our technical design.

A discussion took place as to whether a consultant should conduct a basic review of the website.

It was noted that Mr. Ross would review new accessible information as well as look into other screen reader possibilities and once convened, will review the new requirements with the Website Committee in order to incorporate them as part of the next phase of development.

4.  MINUTES

Moved by Deb Willows     AAC5-08

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:  the Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes dated January 15, 2008, as amended, be adopted as printed and circulated.

Carried.

5.  BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES

(a)  Visitability

A discussion took place regarding the visitability criteria and as to whether the Committee should stay with recommending the three main components (level entrance, main floor washroom with ability to close the door and hall size) or include all seven.

It was noted that the visitability criteria component of the Affordable Housing Development Fee Initiative had been denied but that the visitability criteria is an excellent educational tool for Builders and Architects to use.

It was further noted that the Committee may want to consider inviting local Architects to a Committee Meeting to discuss visitability.

Deb Kirwin and Doug Millman will review the possibility and discuss at the next Committee Meeting.

(b)  Curb Cuts

Deb Kirwin noted that Denise Corry, Coordinator of Council Services / Interim CAO Team Member sent an email to Peter Brown, Director of Public Works regarding addressing the curb cuts at the Post Office and The Finds and that Mr. Brown would review the matter when the weather permits.

(c)  Accessible Bus

Deb Kirwin noted that Peter Brown was to complete a Study regarding the Accessible Bus and that the recommendation for extended hours will be on hold until after the Study has been completed.

(d)  Education Huntsville

Deb Kirwin noted that Deb Willows had yet to hear back from Education Huntsville regarding the next meeting date.

(e)  Shoppers Drug Mart

Deb Kirwin provided an overview of her visit to the new Shoppers Drug Mart location regarding signage, the corral and the mailbox. 

(f)  Joint AAC Meetings

Deb Kirwin noted that a meeting will be set up in May or June 2008 with Bracebridge and Gravenhurst with the Town of Huntsville hosting. 

Possible discussion topics are to be discussed at the next Committee Meeting.

(g)  Chamber of Commerce Brochure

Deb Kirwin noted that all Chamber of Commerce Members had been distributed with the Accessibility Criteria Draft Questionnaire, with a covering letter attached.

(h)  Muskoka Heritage Place

Teri Souter, Muskoka Heritage Place Manager has asked to attend a Committee Meeting regarding an accessible audit in the spring at Muskoka Heritage Place.  Ms Souter will be invited to attend our next meeting.

6.  ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION

(a)  Accessibility Award – Huntsville / Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce – Business Excellence Award – (Schedule G attached)

A discussion took place regarding AAC Motion 13-07 that was passed on April 17, 2006 recommending that the Huntsville / Lake of Bays Chamber of Commerce be encouraged to include recognition through their Business Excellence Awards to businesses that address accessibility within their establishments.

It was noted that an award had been given several years ago to one local retailer, but one had not been given since. It was also noted that the presentation of this award would not only recognize a business owner for their well deserved efforts, but also to provide the Committee with the opportunity to bring forth accessibility issues to the forefront of the minds of business owners.

A recommendation of a candidate was made.

Discussion took place regarding the award itself, whether it would be the award trophy currently given by the Chamber or whether the Town would provide it.  

Deb Kirwin will contact Kelly Haywood at the Chamber and report back to the Committee at the next meeting.

7.  REPORTS 

(a)  AODA (AMCTO Training)

Deb Kirwin provided an overview of the first AMCTO AODA Training Session that covered Accessibility Plan writing. 

It was noted that there would be future training sessions for each of the five AODA Standards as they are set.

Ms. Kirwin outlined the education material provided on the types of disabilities and barriers (Schedules A & B) and the tools necessary to prepare a plan (Schedules C, D, E & F). 

Ms. Kirwin further noted that understanding how different disabilities and the barriers associated with them relate to the five AODA Standards enables a municipality to identify and remove barriers without creating new ones.

A discussion took place regarding the potential difficulties in filling in the various worksheets due to the subjectivity of the results.

Ms. Kirwin requested that the Committee review the attached Schedules as the Committee would be aiding the Town in reviewing the 2008 Accessibility Plan.

(b)  Site Plans

This item was deferred until the next meeting.

(c)  Senior’s Report

Bruce Liddle noted that the handrail had been installed in the ladies public washroom in Club 55 along with a coat hanger.

(d)  CPR Training

Doug Millman noted that he had recently attended a free CPR Training and has a training kit for anyone who would like to take it home to review.

8.  UPDATES

- Nil -

9.  NEW BUSINESS

(a)  River Mill Park – Playground Equipment

A question was raised as to the status of the playground equipment for River Mill Park.

Deb Kirwin noted that at present time, the playground had yet to be determined and that a band shell or trail may be decided upon instead.

10.  ADJOURNMENT

Moved by Bruce Liddle     AAC6-08            

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT:  the Accessibility Advisory Committee adjourn to meet again on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. in Partners Hall, Huntsville Civic Centre.

Carried.

___________________________________

Chair

The Corporation of the Town of Huntsville

Accessibility Advisory Committee

Recommendations

Meeting held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

In the Huntsville Civic Centre, Partners Hall

No Recommendations.