The meeting was called to order at 10:35 a.m.

Steve Foglia in the Chair.

Additions & Corrections to the Agenda

None.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None.

Presentations/Deputations

None.

Approval of Minutes

1.

Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes of November 19, 2015.

Moved by:       Jeremy Slessor

Seconded by: Councillor Bisanz

THAT the Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes of November 19, 2015 be approved.

Carried

Items for Discussion

2.

Discussion regarding the facility audit schedule - Newmarket Theatre, Newmarket Old Town Hall and the Newmarket Public Library.

The Council/Committee Coordinator provided an update on the facility audit schedule.  Discussion ensued regarding Building Code Act and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act requirements, results from previous audits and follow up from those audits, compliance timelines and revisions to the audit checklist.   

The Committee agreed upon the following audit schedule:

·         March 10 – Ray Twinney Recreation Complex

·         June 16 – Magna Centre

·         September 15 – Community Centre and Lions Hall

The Council/Committee Coordinator to arrange a date with the Capital Project Coordinator for an audit of the Old Town Hall to be conducted. 

3.

Discussion regarding development of criteria for an Annual Accessibility Award.

The Committee discussed criteria for the Accessibility Award and determined that Newmarket residents and businesses based in Newmarket would be considered for the award.  The Council/Committee Coordinator to prepare an application form for the Committee’s consideration, with the intent to have the application circulated to various stakeholders, including schools and the Chamber of Commerce as soon as possible. 

4.

Discussion regarding criteria for an accessibility logo.

The Council/Committee Coordinator provided a verbal update on the requests that Corporate Communications staff have made with respect to the logo contest.  Discussion ensued regarding logo size, inclusion of all disabilities in the logo and exclusion of text.  The Council/Committee Coordinator to prepare an application form for the Committee’s consideration, with the intent to have the application circulated to all Newmarket schools as soon as possible. 

5.

Verbal Update from the Recreation Programmer - Inclusion & Leisure Services regarding National Access Awareness Week.

In the absence of the Recreation Programmer – Inclusion & Leisure Services, the Chair advised that the Access Awareness Week subcommittee has met to discuss event plans and the Chair advised that work is underway to secure a location for the event.  Discussion ensued regarding advertising and event participants.   

6.

Verbal Update from the Committee Chair regarding an Emergency Evacuations for People with Special Needs Workshop held by York Region.

The Chair provided a verbal update on an Emergency Evacuations for People with Special Needs Workshop that he attended.  An overview of the Region’s emergency preparedness plans was provided, including how emergency medical personnel plan to evacuate residents from multiple floor facilities, including those residents in wheelchairs.  Those in attendance were requested to think outside the box to determine whether there are further considerations that has been overlooked.  In addition, the workshop featured a speaker from the United States that worked at a hospital in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, who discussed her experiences with emergency situations and preparedness. 

7.

Verbal Update from the Committee Chair regarding work being completed by the Southlake Hospital Accessibility Review Team.

The Chair provided an update on the audit being conducted by the Southlake Accessibility Review Team, on which he and Linda Jones are both members.  He advised that the team is going through the facility to review and identify areas of concern, some of which are inaccessible washrooms, wheelchair friendly areas in the waiting room and lighting among other matters.   

New Business

a)

Richard Wilson provided a verbal update on his work with the Site Plan Review Committee and expressed disappointment that some accessibility related issues are not being addressed and advised that the information being provided has been very preliminary and offers little to comment on.  He suggested that a memorandum be prepared to the Planning & Building Services department to address issues related to accessibility.   

Adjournment

Moved by:       Jeremy Slessor

Seconded by: Councillor Bisanz

THAT the meeting adjourn.

Carried

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:11 p.m.