MINUTES - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20180110
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2018
Time and Location: 4 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall
Committee Members: Tyler Barker (Chair), John Lenchak (Vice Chair), Gordon
Barnes, James Hoyes, Jo-anne Spitzer, and Councillor John
Abel
Member(s) Absent: None
Other Attendees: Ivy Henriksen, Acting Accessibility Advisor, and Nicole
Trudeau, Council/Committee Secretary
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m.
1. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Gordon Barnes
Seconded by John Lenchak
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
3. Receipt of the Minutes
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Page 2 of 4
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of December 6, 2017
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Gordon Barnes
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of December 6, 2017,
be received for information.
Carried
4. Delegations
None
5. Matters for Consideration
1. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor
Re: Town of Aurora 2018-2024 Accessibility Plan
The Committee discussed various aspects of the Accessibility Plan including the
composition of the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the criteria of the
Inclusivity Award, previously the Accessibility Award, which is awarded at the
Town’s annual Community Recognition Awards.
Moved by Gordon Barnes
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the memorandum regarding Town of Aurora 2018-2024
Accessibility Plan be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend to Council:
(a) That the 2018-2024 Accessibility Plan be approved; and
(b) That the Accessibility Award be reinstated as a category of the
Town’s Community Recognition Awards, in addition to the
Inclusivity Award, and awarded to an individual, group or
business that has contributed to the elimination of barriers for
people with disabilities in Aurora; and
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Page 3 of 4
(c) That the Terms of Reference for the Accessibility Advisory
Committee be reviewed to increase the number of members;
and
(d) That staff develop a recruitment, public outreach and education
strategy for the Accessibility Advisory Committee within three
(3) months.
Carried as amended
2. Round Table Discussion
Re: National Access Awareness Week 2018 – Aurora Accessibility Event
The Committee discussed various options for the Aurora Accessibility Event
during National Access Awareness Week, including activities to highlight and
celebrate the following four pillars: education, celebration, participation, and
accomplishments.
The Committee requested that staff circulate the date, venue and draft work
plan for the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting of February 7, 2018.
Moved by James Hoyes
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the comments and suggestions of the Committee regarding an
Aurora Accessibility Event during National Access Awareness Week
2018 be referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
6. Informational Items
3. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor
Re: Community Transportation Grant Program – Municipal Stream
Staff provided an overview of the Community Transportation Grant Program –
Municipal Stream, including the deadline, eligibility requirements and program
guidelines.
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, January 10, 2018 Page 4 of 4
For local community transportation projects, the Committee discussed
potential community organizations with transportation assets or resources to
partner with to meet the eligibility requirements of the grant program.
As the deadline for submitting the full application is February 28, 2018, the
Committee requested an update at the Accessibility Advisory Committee
meeting of February 7, 2018.
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by John Lenchak
1. That the memorandum regarding Community Transportation Grant
Program – Municipal Stream be received for information.
Carried
7. New Business
Staff provided an overview of the Transit Assistance Program (TAP) being offered
by York Region—a one-year pilot program to help make transit more affordable for
eligible residents—which will run from April 2018 to March 2019, with applications
being accepted by Access York starting on January 22, 2018. Staff noted that the
information flyer circulated by York Region is posted at Access Aurora and will be
included on the agenda for the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting of
February 7, 2018.
The Committee discussed barriers to accessible General Committee and Council
meetings including the cancellation of Council meeting coverage on the Aurora
Rogers TV community channel, the need for a barrier-free Council Chambers, and
challenges with the audio/visual system in Council Chambers.
8. Adjournment
Moved by Councillor Abel
Seconded by John Lenchak
That the meeting be adjourned at 5:23 p.m.
Carried
Committee recommendations are not binding on the Town unless adopted by Council.