THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

AAC - 1/2021

Thursday, May 20, 2021

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

Members Absent:

• C.Belleth
• A. Groves
• A. Misar

Staff Present

• G. Kent, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Corporate Services
• P. O'Connor, Regional Solicitor
• K. Dedman, Commissioner of Public Works
• N. Polsinelli, Commissioner of Health Services
• K. Lockyer, Regional Clerk and Director of Clerk's
• J. Jackson, Director of Culture and Inclusion
• C. Thomson, Deputy Clerk and Manager of Legislative Services
• R. Khan, Committee Clerk
• S. Valleau, Legislative Specialist
• S. MacGregor, Legislative Technical Coordinator

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

Rusha Khan, Committee Clerk, called the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting to order on May 20, 2021, at 1:34 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 a meeting with a constituent. 

2.

ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-1-2021:

  That Raj Chopra be elected Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the remainder of the Council term or until a successor is appointed.
• RECOMMENDATION AAC-2-2021:

  That Mary Daniel be elected Vice-Chair of the Accessibility Advisory Committee for the remainder of the Council term or until a successor is appointed.

Committee Member Raj Chopra assumed the Chair.

3.

DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Nil.

4.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• RECOMMENDATION AAC-3-2021:

  That the agenda for the May 20, 2021 Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting, be approved.

5.

DELEGATIONS

5.1

Sylvia Harris, Development Manager, Indwell Community Homes; and Ted Boruta, Project Manager, Invizij Architects Inc.

Presenting the Accessibility Features of the Region of Peel New Supportive Housing Project, Indwell’s Lakeshore Lofts

• Received

Sylvia Harris, Development Manager, Indwell Community Homes; and Ted Boruta, Project Manager, Invizij Architects Inc., presented a Region of Peel funded project, the Indwell's Lakeshore Lofts' accessibility features. 

At the request of Sylvia Harris, Committee Members provided suggestions for consideration in future developments:

• The use of colour contrast, including minimize the use of gray tones for those with low vision or colour-blindness
• Considerations be given to the use of outdoor lighting
• Incorporate contrast around elevators, such as using a rug, for easier identification and directional guidance
• Incorporate relieving stations for service animals
• Minimize the use of hanging baskets and landscaping materials that could interfere with walkways
• The use of audio supports and markings in elevators, including voice prompts

Item 6.1 was dealt with

5.2

Lisa Kelly, Programs Manager and Louie Di Palma, Vice President, Small to Medium Size Enterprise Programs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

Presenting the Discover Ability Network

• Received
• RECOMMENDATION AAC-4-2021:

  Whereas the Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee is in support of the Discover Ability Network Program and recommends endorsement with the broader Region of Peel;

  Therefore it be resolved, that staff investigate a potential partnership between the Region of Peel and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce regarding joining the Discover Ability Network program and report back to a future Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting with recommendations.

Lisa Kelly, Programs Manager and Louie Di Palma, Vice President, Small to Medium Size Enterprise Programs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, provided a high-level overview of the Discover Ability Network. They highlighted talent shortages experienced by employers and discussed the percentage of Canadians living with a disability, both visible and non-visible. They also shared statistics on Canadians with disabilities. As a result, the Discover Ability Network connects business to qualified talent with a disability and free resources at no charge. The program includes a job matching platform, free training and networking to connect employers with job seekers.

6.

REPORTS

6.1

Public Health 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 Accessibility related planning, services and functions currently rolled out at Region of Peel clinics and in progress with the Mass Vaccination Program.

Committee member Naz Husain commended Region of Peel Public Health staff on their accommodation efforts for persons with disabilities, however, highlighted concerns for persons that are home-bound.

6.2

Annual Accessibility Status Report 2020

(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 2020 calendar year.

6.3

Accessibility Planning Program Update – May 20, 2021

(For information)

• Received

Veronica Montesdeoca, Accessibility Planning Specialist, reminded Committee Members of the upcoming National Accessibility Event scheduled for June 2, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Committee was also informed of the upcoming GTHA Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting scheduled for June 18, 2021. 

7.

COMMUNICATIONS

7.1

Deb Thompson, Member, Action Not Words

Letter dated April 20, 2021, Presenting a Position Paper on Congregate Care for Persons with Disabilities a Call for Reform in Ontario (Receipt recommended)

• Received

7.2

Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

News Release dated April 27, 2021, titled “Accessibility Standards Advisory Council Welcomes New Chair Matthew Shaw” (Receipt recommended)

• Received

8.

OTHER BUSINESS

8.1

Raj Chopra, Region of Peel Accessibility Advisory Committee Member

Regarding Health Standards and Public Consultations
(Oral)

• Received

Committee Chair, Raj, provided an update regarding the proposed health care accessibility standards which address accessibility barriers in the health sector in Ontario, specifically in hospitals. She noted that public consultation was underway on the initial recommendations for the development of the standards and encouraged the Committee to participate and provide feedback.

9.

NEXT MEETING

Thursday, September 16, 2021
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.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].

10.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:22 p.m.