THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

AAC-2/2022

Thursday, April 21, 2022

1:30 P.m. - 3:30 P.m.

Council Chamber, 5th Floor

Regional Administrative Headquarters

10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A

Brampton, Ontario

Members Present:

• C. Belleth
• C. Chafe
• R. Chopra
• P. Crawford-Dickinson
• M. Daniel
• P. Fortini
• N. Husain
• N. Iannicca
• A. Karim
• M. Mahoney
• I. Sinclair

Members Absent:

• A. Groves
• M. Tymkow

Staff Present

• G. Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services
• P. Caza, Regional Solicitor
• K. Dedman, Commissioner of Public Works
• S. Baird, Commissioner of Human Services
• N. Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services
• A. Adams, Regional Clerk
• R. Khan, Committee Clerk
• S. MacGregor, Legislative Technical Coordinator
• J. Jackson, Director, Office of Culture and Inclusion

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Raj Chopra, Committee Chair, called the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting to order on April 21, 2022 at 1:33 p.m., in the Council Chambers, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive. Members of the Committee and staff participated electronically.

Councillor Groves was absent due to other municipal business. 

Committee Member Tymkow was absent due to a personal matter.

2.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil.

3.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-3-2022:

  That the agenda for the April 21, 2022 Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting, be approved.

4.

DELEGATIONS

Nil. 

5.

REPORTS

5.1

Region of Peel's COVID-19 Vaccination Program Update

(Oral)  
Presentation by Paul Sharma, Mass Vaccination Program Co-Lead and Director, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention 

• Received

Paul Sharma, Mass Vaccination Program Co-Lead and Director, Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention, provided an update on the accessibility measures put in place related to Peel’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program. Accessibility considerations included:

• Clinic space and location
• Targeted clinics for specific population groups with accessibility needs
• Homebound Vaccine Program option for residents
• Reduction of barriers through direct support to residents, including the availability of sign language interpreters, communication supports and access to information

In response to a question regarding lessons learned and challenges faced, Paul Sharma stated that staff gained a better understanding of Peel’s diverse community and that there is still a lot more to do in understanding community needs. He highlighted the many great relationships that were developed with community partners and the importance of continued collaboration.

5.2

Our Accessible Brand Journey

(Oral) 
Presentation by Stephen MacEachern, Creative Advisor, Marketing and Communications 

• Received

Stephen MacEachern, Creative Advisor, Marketing and Communications, provided an overview of Peel’s Accessible Brand journey including the creation of accessible brand standards. He highlighted how a clear, concise and consistent brand contributes to accessibility and shared features from the Region of Peel's brand book.

In response to a question on how Peel’s brand will be communicated to the blind or those with low vision, Stephen MacEachern indicated that branding does not only apply to print material and assured that the Region of Peel aims to apply consistent accessibility practices on Peel websites and social media channels to ensure access for everyone. 

In response to a question regarding the cost to produce accessible documents and information, Stephen MacEachern confirmed that application and programs to make documents accessible could be costly as they tend to be time-consuming and labor-intensive.

5.3

Annual Accessibility Status Report 2021

(For information) 

• Received

Veronica Montesdeoca, Accessibility Planning Specialist, provided an update on the progress made and actions taken by the Region of Peel to improve accessibility, remove barriers and implement the requirements set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, as well as the strategies set out in the Region’s 2018-2025 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, for the 2021 calendar year.

In response to a question regarding inaccessible pages on the Region of Peel website, Veronica Montesdeoca, advised that work continues to ensure Peel’s website is compliant. Gary Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services noted that the pandemic response delayed compliance timelines and that accessibility is a priority for the Region of Peel.

5.4

Accessibility Planning Program Update – April 21, 2022

(For information) 

• Received

Veronica Montesdeoca, Accessibility Planning Specialist, provided an update on the work of the Accessibility Planning Program to date. The Committee was reminded of upcoming events, including the Region’s event in commemoration of National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) scheduled for June 1, 2022 from 2:00-3:30 pm.

Veronica indicated that more information, including an invitation for the NAAW event would be shared with Committee members.

Committee member Carol-Ann Chafe advised of other accessibility related events taking place in the community and offered to share the information with members via email.

The Committee was advised that moving forward, members have the option of attending AAC meetings in person.

Juliet Jackson, Director of Culture and Inclusion, noted that the National AccessAbility Week event would be held virtually to accommodate the large number of attendees.

6.

COMMUNICATIONS

6.1

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act Alliance

Email dated March 9, 2022, Regarding the Use of Electric Scooters in the City of Brampton (Receipt recommended) 

• Received
• RECOMMENDATION AAC-4-2022:

  That staff be directed to report back to the next Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting on the use of Electronic scooters in the Region of Peel.

6.2

Angie Melo, Legislative Coordinator, City of Mississauga

Email dated April 7, 2022, Providing a Copy of the City of Mississauga Resolution Regarding Treat Accessibly Initiative (Receipt recommended) 

• Received

7.

OTHER BUSINESS

8.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, June 16, 2022 
9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. 
Council Chamber, 5th Floor 
Regional Administrative Headquarters 
10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A 
Brampton, Ontario 

Please forward regrets to Rusha Khan, Committee Clerk at [email protected]

9.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 2:36 p.m.