Report
to/Rapport au :
Corporate
Services and Economic Development Committee
Comité des services
organisationnels et du développement économique
and Council/et au Conseil
21 March 2007 / le 21 mars 2007
Submitted by/Soumis par : Chair/président
Accessibility Advisory Committee/Comité
consultatif sur l’accessibilité
Contact/Personne-ressource : C. Langford,
Advisory Committee Coordinator/coordonnatrice
du comité
580-2424, ext/poste
28934 Carole.Langford@ottawa.ca
|
|
|
Ref N°: ACS2007-CCV-AAC-0001
|
SUBJECT: ACCESSIBILITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE - 2006 ANNUAL REPORT, 2007 WORKPLAN AND REVISED TERMS OF
REFERENCE
OBJET : COMITÉ
CONSULTATIF SUR L’ACCESSIBILITÉ - RAPPORT ANNUEL DE 2006, PLAN DE TRAVAIL 2007
ET MANDAT RÉVISÉ
REPORT RECOMMENDATIONS
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee
recommend that the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee
recommend Council:
a) Receive the 2006
Annual Report of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, as detailed in Document
1;
a)
Approve the objectives
contained in the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s 2007 workplan, as detailed
in Document 2; and
b)
Approve the Accessibility Advisory Committee’s revised Terms of
Reference, as outlined in Document 3.
RECOMMANDATIONS DU RAPPORT
Que le Comité consultatif sur l’accessibilité recommande que le Comité des
services organisationnels et du développement économique recommande au
Conseil :
a) De recevoir le Rapport
annuel de 2006 du Comité consultatif sur l’accessibilité, tel que décrit à la
pièce jointe no 1;
b) D’approuver les
objectifs qui sont présentés dans le plan de travail 2007 du Comité consultatif sur l’accessibilité, tel que décrit à la pièce jointe no 2;
et
c) D’approuver le mandat
révisé du Comité
consultatif sur l’accessibilité, tel que décrit à la pièce-jointe no 3.
BACKGROUND
City Council, 6 December 2006, reconfirmed its
governance structure. This included the
advisory committees, and the requirement for each to complete a workplan
outlining proposed projects and activities for the upcoming year. The workplan is to identify each and every
activity the Committee plans to undertake in the upcoming year, whether they
have a budgetary impact or not. The
item should be identified, a brief description of the project or activity
should be noted, and the anticipated timing of the item should be
provided.
On 5 December 2005, City Council approved $1,500 for
the Accessibility by Design Award and provided no additional funding for the
advisory committees in 2006.
The Lead Department Representatives are to provide the Committee
with information on the departmental workplan and priorities, where the
workplans of the Committees tie into that workplan, and where the Committee can
assist the Department. The Lead
Department Representative will also advise on what staff and/or financial resources
are available as part of departmental priorities.
There was no funding approved for the
advisory committee 2007 workplans.
DISCUSSION
At its meeting of 21 March
2007, the Accessibility Advisory Committee approved its 2006 annual report and
2007 work plan. The final 2006 annual
report and 2007 workplan of the Accessibility Advisory Committee are at
Document 1 and Document 2 respectively of this report.
The mandate of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is to
develop an awareness and understanding of issues and concerns of the citizens
of the City of Ottawa with disabilities, with a goal to improving the quality
of life for those with disabilities. The
complete revised Terms of Reference can be found at Document 3 of this report.
CONSULTATION
All
departments were consulted and the following comments were received:
CORPORATE
SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Corporate Services will continue to
support the Accessibility Advisory Committee by working collaboratively with
the Committee to achieve City of Ottawa Municipal Accessibility Plans, as well
as to provide direction on future municipal accessibility plans. CS supports
changes to the Committee’s Terms of Reference, as they strengthen the advisory
body role of the committee in alignment with COMAP, the Accessibility for
Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), and the City’s strategic direction.
PUBLIC WORKS AND SERVICES
The
Department has reviewed the 2006 Annual Report, 2007 Work Plan and Revised
terms of Reference as prepared by the Accessibility Advisory Committee. As Public Works and Services is not the lead
Department for this Advisory Committee, we will work with and support Corporate
Services on Accessibility issues and initiatives as required.
PLANNING, TRANSIT AND ENVIRONMENT SERVICES
The
Planning, Transit and the Environment Department has no specific comments on
this report and is supportive of the Committee's 2007 Workplan objectives.
COMMUNITY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES
Community
and Protective Services appreciates the work undertaken by the AAC in 2006 and is supportive of the AAC’s
workplan in 2007.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Estimated costs associated with the 2007 workplan item to
plan and oversee a public forum are $5,000. Funds are available within Client Services and Public
Information Branch.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION
Document 1 – 2006 Annual Report of the Accessibility
Advisory Committee
Document 2 – Proposed 2007
Workplan of the Accessibility Advisory Committee
Document 3 – Accessibility Advisory Committee Revised
Terms of Reference
DISPOSITION
City Clerks Branch staff will forward
the recommendations approved by the Corporate Services and Economic Development
Committee to City Council for ratification.
Document 1
ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
2006 ANNUAL
REPORT
INTRODUCTION
During the 12 month period of this report
(January to December 2006) the Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) met 10
times to develop and comment on an awareness and understanding of the issues
and concerns affecting citizens living with a disability. Within this time period, AAC held two joint
meetings with the Seniors Advisory Committee to discuss common related issues
and presented a report to the Transportation Committee and City Council, as
detailed below.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ON-GOING ISSUES
City Of Ottawa’s Municipal Accessibility
Plan (COMAP) 2007
From February to November
2006, the AAC provided input to staff on the 2007 COMAP report. As well,
an AAC member participates on the Accessibility Steering Committee, which
oversees the process of the Municipal Accessibility Plan (COMAP).
Joint Meeting With The Seniors Advisory Committee
The
AAC and the Seniors Advisory Committee held two joint meetings to discuss
common issues relating to their mandate.
Staff was in attendance to respond to questions on the following issues:
·
Affordable and
accessible housing;
·
Recreational
programs i.e. availability of personal supports, accessibility of recreation
facilities and cost recovery policy;
·
Communication,
the 3-1-1 information line, TTY telephone lines that are available at city facilities;
·
Ttransportation,
Para Transpo, Rural Transportation, Community Pass, Pedestrian Crosswalk
Timing.
As a result of the joint meetings, the
Committees submitted a report outlining chronic problems with the Para Transpo
Service. This report was considered at
the Transportation Committee on 16 August 2006 and City Council on 23 August
2006.
Bank Street Public Advisory Committee
In
April, a member of the AAC attended a meeting of the Bank Street Public
Advisory Committee (PAC), which is responsible for
getting input to the proposed redevelopment plan for Bank Street.
AODA Forum: Building Momentum for
an Accessible Ontario
Two AAC members participated in an all-day forum at the National
library providing feedback to accessibility issues in retrofitting historic
sites in Ontario to address accessibility issues in the context of maintaining
historic integrity. The session not
only addressed mobility issues, but also designs to afford those with visual
and auditory issues the opportunity to enjoy visiting historic sites.
2006 Accessibility by Design Committee
The 2006 Accessibility By Design award ceremony
was held on 5 December 2006. A member
of the AAC was part of the judging panel who selected the winner for this
year’s award. The Accessibility By
Design Award was given to Barry J. Hobin & Associates Architects for the
renovation of the Glebe Community Centre.
Site Plans
AAC continues to advise, review site plans and provide
comments on an ongoing basis to the Planning, Transit and Environment
Department. Over 115 different plans
were reviewed in 2006. A special thanks
to past Member James St. John for his continued involvement in reviewing the
site plans and providing comments to the appropriate planners.
AAC Sub-Committees
The AAC is committed to ensuring the development of awareness and
understanding of issues pertaining to citizens with a disability living in
Ottawa. The representation on the
Sub-Committees provide the ongoing opportunity to raise issues and make
recommendations regarding policies and programs which promote equal access to municipal
services’ delivery of goods, services, accommodations, employment, membership
and participation.
Accessibility Day
The Accessibility Advisory Committee participated in
the 3rd Annual AccessAbility Day on 24 August 2006. The City in conjunction with VoicePrint
hosted a half-day event, which took place at City Hall and had kiosks with
information from various organizations on accessibility.
Ottawa General Hospital
Several Members participated in a two-hour tour of
the Civic Hospital Campus to provide the hospital with feedback on
accessibility.
Accessible Cab Service in Ottawa
The AAC heard from the public on issues relating to
the accessible cab service in Ottawa.
Corporate Accessibility Specialist and the Transit
Accessibility Specialist
The
Corporate Accessibility Specialist and the Transit Accessibility Specialist
provide an update on ongoing issues that benefits the Committee by keeping it
apprised of the city’s plans and developments.
By receiving monthly updates, the AAC is regularly aware of issues
relating to accessibility at the municipal and provincial level, including
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.
Creation
of a Scent Free Environment
A
draft report prepared by the Environmental Advisory Committee was presented to
the AAC. The Committee approved a
motion recognizing scents sensitivity as a disability and supported promoting a
community campaign to educate the public in reducing the use of scented products. The Scent Free report was approved at City Council on 14 June 2006.
Demonstrations
AAC has participated and
provided input to staff and organizations on improved accessibility in several
demonstrations on a variety of OC Transpo buses and products such as the
BeachRings.
Presentations At Standing Committees
·
Driveway
Snow Windrow
·
Creation of an Ombudsperson
·
Accessibility Lens in the
City of Ottawa
Presentations / Staff Updates
The Accessibility Advisory Committee
received presentations and updates from City staff pertaining to the following
(to which the AAC provided comments and suggestions):
·
New Citywide Right-Of-Way Lighting Policy
·
Bus Shelters In Front Of Rideau Centre– Need Replacement To
Open Concept Design
·
Building
Accessibility Policy
·
Recreational
Programs For Persons With Special Needs
Presentations From Various Organizations
·
Alliance
Equality For Blind Canadians
·
Ottawa
Information Radio
·
Corporate
Training Needs Identification – Disability And Inclusion Project
·
Right This
Way Access Consulting
Document 3
Approved by Council 9 May 2001
Amended 03 December
2003
(As per Council
approved Governance Report)
Amended
January/February, 2007
ACCESSIBILITY
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Terms of
Reference
MANDATE
The
mandate of the Accessibility Advisory Committee is defined
by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act; briefly it is
to advise Council and staff to ensure that persons with disabilities have the
same level of access to municipal services and programs as do those without
disabilities.to
develop an awareness and understanding of issues and concerns of the citizens
of the City of Ottawa with disabilities, with a goal to improving the quality
of life for those with disabilities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The
Accessibility Advisory Committee shall be responsible for:
(a)advising
providing
advice and recommendations to City Council on the
preparation, implementation and effectiveness of the City's Accessibility Plan
prepared pursuant to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This shall include, but not be limited to:
a) consultation with the
community, groups and organizations to capture and communicate emerging issues
to City Council and the City administration;
b) Evaluation of:
a. by-laws and regulations
which have an impact on citizens with disabilities such as parking, zoning,
sidewalk ramping, obstructions on sidewalks, etc.);
b. policies and programs
which promote awareness of, and equal access to, municipal services for
citizens with disabilities in the areas of communication and delivery of goods,
services, accommodations, employment, membership and participation within the
City.
(c)2. reviewing
site plans and drawings and
providing
advice to Council on accessibility issues relating to buildings, structures or
premises:pursuant
to the guidelines set out in the City's Accessibility Plan
I.
owned
or leased by the City of Ottawa; or
II.
which
are subject to a Municipal Capital Facilities Agreement; and
III.
any
other project that is specifically identified by City Council as a P3 project.
(d)providing a forum for persons with disabilities to
raise issues and concerns;
(e)providing advice and guidance to Ottawa City
Council, through the Corporate Services and Economic Development Committee, on
matters pertaining to policies, practices and programs in the City of Ottawa,
that affect persons with disabilities;
(f)conducting advocacy on behalf of persons with
disabilities;
(g)providing feedback to Council on the effectiveness
of the City’s policies and practices as they affect citizens with disabilities;
(h)monitoring progress of development and
implementation of by-laws and regulations which have an impact on citizens with
disabilities (e.g. parking, zoning, sidewalk ramping, obstructions on
sidewalks, etc.) and advising involved City staff and/or City Council as
appropriate;
(i)raising issues and making recommendations regarding
policies and programs which promote equal access to municipal services for
citizens with disabilities in the areas of delivery of goods, services,
accommodations, employment, membership and participation within the City;
(j)coordinating the dissemination of information to
the disabled community and the public at large regarding the Advisory Committee
and any pertinent Corporate decisions;
(k)consulting with the community, groups and
organizations to capture and communicate emerging issues to City Council and
the City administration;
(l) raising
the awareness of the citizens of Ottawa and the public sector to issues
impacting persons with disabilities.
ORGANIZATION
The
Accessibility Advisory Committee shall have a maximum citizen membership of
between 9 - 15 citizen members, including:
·
Up to 14 residents at large will
represent the full range of disabilities (i.e. blind/visually impaired; mobility
limited; deaf/hearing impaired; developmentally delayed; learning disabled;
mental health disability; and environmental sensitivity). A majority of
the members of the committee shall include persons with disabilities
·
1 member from the Disabled Persons’
Community Resources
·
A minimum of one citizen appointment
representing the rural community
The process for choosing membership for the
Accessibility Advisory Committee will follow the approved Appointments
Policy. All appointments to the
Accessibility Advisory Committee shall be approved by Both the Corporate Services and
Economic Development Committee and Ottawa City Council
shall approve all appointments to the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
In addition,
the Accessibility Advisory Committee shall also have in a resource, liaison
and/or advisory capacity, the following:
·
1 Staff representative from the
Corporate Services Department (non-voting)
·
In addition, staff resources from
the following departments will be invited to attend Committee meetings, as
required: Corporate Services Department, Employee Services Branch, Planning,
Transit and the Environment Department, (Transit Services); Community and
Protective Services Department (By-law Enforcement Services) (non-voting)
LEAD
DEPARTMENT/REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The
lead department for the Accessibility Advisory Committee shall be the Corporate
Services Department. The Accessibility
Advisory Committee shall report through the Corporate Services and Economic
Development Committee to Ottawa City Council,
however may report to another Standing Committee where appropriate, depending
on the issue.
WORKPLANS AND ANNUAL REPORTS
The Accessibility
Advisory Committee must report annually to City Council through the Corporate
Services and Economic Development Committee (timing to be determined by the
Chair, Advisory Committee Coordinator and City Clerk) on the activities of the
Committee in the current year and on the Committee’s workplan for the following
year.