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AGENDA - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20190508Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 7 p.m. Holland Room Aurora Town Hall Public Release May 1, 2019 Town of Aurora Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Date: Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall 1. Approval of the Agenda Recommended: That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved. 2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof 3. Receipt of the Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 3, 2019 Recommended: That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 3, 2019, be received for information. 4. Delegations 5. Matters for Consideration Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Page 2 of 2 1. Round Table Discussion Re: National AccessAbility Week Recommended: 1. That the comments and suggestions regarding National AccessAbility Week be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate. 2. Round Table Discussion Re: Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 Recommended: 1. That the comments and suggestions regarding the Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate. 3. Round Table Discussion Re: Accessibility Trailer – Whitchurch Stouffville Recommended: 1. That the comments and suggestions regarding the Accessibility Trailer – Whitchurch Stouffville be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate. 4. Round Table Discussion Re: Changes to Social Assistance Recommended: 1. That the comments and suggestions regarding the Changes to Social Assistance be received. 6. Informational Items 7. Adjournment Town of Aurora Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: John Lenchak (Chair), Hailey Reiss (Vice Chair), Matthew Abas, Gordon Barnes, Max Le Moine, Jo-anne Spitzer, and Councillor Rachel Gilliland Members Absent: None Other Attendees: Ivy Henriksen, Manager of Customer Service, Mat Zawada, Accessibility Advisor, and Nicole Trudeau, Committee Coordinator The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. 1. Approval of the Agenda Moved by Gordon Barnes Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services, with the following additional item, be approved: • Item 5 – Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Accessible Trailer Application Carried 2. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50. Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Minutes Page 1 of 5 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Page 2 of 5 3. Receipt of the Minutes Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 6, 2019 Moved by Councillor Gilliland Seconded by Max Le Moine That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 6, 2019, be received for information. Carried 4. Delegations None 5. Matters for Consideration 1. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor Re: Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 Staff provided an overview of the contents in the Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 including Appendix “A” – Completed Items, Appendix “B” – Recommended Accessibility Items 2018-2024 and Appendix “C” – Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR) Implementation Plan 2018-2024. The Committee requested that the Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be a standing item on the Accessibility Advisory Committee agenda for continued discussion, including recommended accessibility items. Moved by Max Le Moine Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer 1. That the memorandum regarding Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be received; and 2. That the following Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be considered by staff: Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Minutes Page 2 of 5 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Page 3 of 5 (a) That the Town of Aurora Accessibility Plan 2018 to 2024 be a standing item on the Accessibility Advisory Committee agenda, beginning with the next Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting on May 8, 2019. Carried 6. Informational Items 2. Memorandum from Max Le Moine, Accessibility Advisory Committee Member Re: National AccessAbility Week Proposal Mr. Le Moine presented an overview of the National AccessAbility Week Proposal including official dates, celebration dates, event calendar, internal (Aurora Public Library and Town staff) and external (school boards and community organizations) involvement, and next steps. The Committee discussed the activities taking place during National AccessAbility Week, being recognized from May 26 to June 1, 2019, including an information fair (Stronach Aurora Recreation Centre), historical displays (Town Hall), lunch and learn (Council Chambers), open house (Stronach Aurora Recreation Centre), and book displays (Aurora Public Library), along with suggestions for additional participation and community involvement. Moved by Gordon Barnes Seconded by Matthew Abas 1. That the memorandum and presentation regarding National AccessAbility Week Proposal be received for information. Carried 3. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor Re: Wildlife Park Trail Staff provided an overview of the design and technical requirements of the Wildlife Park Trail, to address comments made by the Committee at the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting on March 6, 2019, including rest areas, natural features of the area and an accessible exterior path of travel (entrances, ramps and handrails). Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Minutes Page 3 of 5 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Page 4 of 5 The Committee discussed the location and design of rest areas, along with an opportunity for the Committee to provide comments on the location and placement of rest areas at a future Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting. Moved by Gordon Barnes Seconded by Max Le Moine 1. That the memorandum regarding Wildlife Park Trail be received for information. Carried 4. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor Re: 2019 Community Recognition Awards Staff provided an overview of the 2019 Community Recognition Awards including award categories and criteria, as Committee members were encouraged to participate and nominate individuals, groups or businesses for an award, including the Inclusivity Award. The Committee was also encouraged to visit www.aurora.ca/cra before the nomination deadline on Friday, April 5, 2019, for more information including a full list of award categories and to download a nomination form. Moved by Matthew Abas Seconded by Gordon Barnes 1. That the memorandum regarding 2019 Community Recognition Awards be received; and 2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee members be encouraged to submit nominations for the 2019 Community Recognition Awards. Carried 5. Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor Re: Accessible Trailer Application Staff provided an overview of the Accessible Trailer Application from the Town of W hitchurch-Stouffville including availability for outdoor events (May to October), expectations of Whitchurch-Stouffville staff and renters Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Minutes Page 4 of 5 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Wednesday, April 3, 2019 Page 5 of 5 (municipalities and school boards), and the increased rental price per day, plus damage deposit. The Committee discussed the financial contributions made to Whitchurch- Stouffville to fund the accessible trailer, including the donation from the Town of Aurora, along with suggestions to give or exchange information with other municipalities to assess the need, identify barriers and issues of concern. Moved by Max Le Moine Seconded by Hailey Reiss 1. That the memorandum regarding Accessible Trailer Application be received for information. Carried 7. Adjournment Moved by Matthew Abas Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer That the meeting be adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Carried Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Minutes Page 5 of 5 Changes to Social Assistance: What Was Announced and What It Means What is social assistance?  Basic financial assistance for the “benefit unit”: eligible individuals, their spouses/partners and dependants  Ontario Works (OW, “welfare”) - limited/no income, must participate in job readiness program unless exempt, administered by municipalities  Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) - people with disabilities (or within a prescribed class), limited/no income, administered by province  Rates for Single Person  OW: Basic Needs $343, Shelter – max $390 = $733  ODSP: Basic Needs $682, Shelter – max $497 = $1169 Why are we here?  Lisa MacLeod (Minister of Children, Community and Social Services) announced changes to the Social Assistance system  Government’s stated priorities for marginalized communities: moving people to employment, locally-focused social services, supporting people with disabilities “with dignity”, cutting red tape and restoring accountability  Changes will happen over next 18 months from November 2018 (1) Limited Rate Increases  Rate increase of 1.5% in September/October 2018  No promises for future investments in benefit rates or recognition that current rates are inadequate  Claim that people will benefit from low income tax credit (LIFT)  Max $850/single person  Few people on OW or ODSP will benefit  Doesn’t start helping until 2020 (2) Earned Income Exemption  Current rules:  Keep first $200 / month (OW and ODSP)  Clawback of 50% on any additional money earned from work  Proposed new rules:  OW: Keep first $300 / month (starting after 1 month instead of 3)  ODSP: Keep first $6000 / year  Clawback of 75% on any additional money earned from work  Results:  Less benefit the more you work o OW - Better off if earn $201 - $499/month, worse off if earn more than $500 per month  Faster ineligibility o OW – Ineligible at $1277, versus now at $1666 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 1 of 17 (3) Changing the Definition of Disability  Current ODSP definition: (a) substantial physical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrent and expected to last one year or more; (b) effect of the impairment results in a substantial restriction in activities of daily living; and (c) verified by health care provider  Current CPP-D definition:  “Severe and prolonged”  Not able to work at all or on a regular basis  Likely to last a long or unknown time or eventually cause your death  Many people with disabilities will not qualify for ODSP, such as those with episodic disabilities, shorter-term / not permanent health conditions  Examples: multiple sclerosis, mental health disabilities, sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, migraine, some forms of cancer  Forced to rely on OW  37% less in benefits (single person from $1169 to $733)  Work / training requirements  Will they have access to health-related benefits?  Unclear what test the government will apply to medical reviews What don’t we know?  How will rates be simplified?  How will disability-related benefits be consolidated? Who will have access, to how much money, by what means?  How will local discretionary funds be allocated and distributed?  What wrap-around services will be provided? To whom? What will be the conseque nces for not participating? What does this mean? Ontario Works ODSP  More people with disabilities getting less money than ODSP and being required to try to work  Higher monthly earnings exemption but also higher clawbacks  Wrap-around supports – good for people in crisis but may not be enough for people with disabilities  Local service delivery  Fewer mandatory benefits  Fewer people with disabilities qualify – only “severe” and “prolonged”  Health Spending Account  Higher earnings exemption calculated annually, but also higher clawbacks  No information on access to supports for employment or community participation even if people want to work What can I do?  Inform others  Talk to your MPP about what you think of the changes  Write to Minister MacLeod Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 2 of 17 CHANGES TO SOCIAL ASSISTANCE: What Was Announced, What It Means, and What’s Next1Your Name and Your Clinic NameDate hereInformation partners: Income Security Advocacy CentreSocial Assistance and Action CommitteeAccessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 3 of 17 Who are we?•INCLUDE INFORMATION HERE ABOUT YOUR CLINIC AND WHAT YOU DO2•This presentation was created in partnership with the Income Security Advocacy Centre (a specialty legal clinic) and the Social Assistance Action Committee (a group of GTA legal clinic caseworkers)Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 4 of 17 Social Assistance in Ontario•Basic financial assistance for the “benefit unit”: eligible individuals, their spouses/partners and dependants•Ontario Works (OW, aka “welfare”) for people who have limited/no income, recipients must participate in job readiness program unless exempt, administered by the municipalities•Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) for people with disabilities who have limited/no income, or those who qualify as a prescribed class, administered by the province•Rates for a Single Person •OW: Basic Needs $343, *Shelter – max $390 =$733•ODSP: Basic Needs $672, *Shelter – max $497 = $11693Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 5 of 17 Changes to Social Assistance•Lisa MacLeod, the Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, announced changes to the Social Assistance system•Government’s stated priorities for marginalized communities•Moving people to employment•Locally-focused social services•Supporting people with disabilities “with dignity”•Cutting red tape and restoring accountability •When will the changes happen? •Over next 18 months•More details expected in “Winter 2019”•First steps•Work with municipalities on a phase-in plan•Consult with First Nations to develop a specific approach 4Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 6 of 17 1. Limited rate increases•Rate increase of 1.5% in September/October 2018•No mention of how inadequate rates are or any announcement about future investments in benefit rates•1 in 7 people in Ontario live in poverty •Many of those people are living on social assistance •LIFT – low income tax credit •max $850/single person•Initial analysis shows that very few people on OW or ODSP will benefit•One in six Ontario taxpayers would get the LIFT Credit and, on average, would receive about $450 in tax relief starting January 1, 2019. Will not be relevant until July 2020. 5Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 7 of 17 2. Earned income exemptions•Current rules: •Keep first $200 / month without deductions – both OW and ODSP•Clawback of 50% on any additional money earned from work•Proposed new rules: •Keep first $300 / month (starting after first month instead of three months) on OW•Keep first $6000 / year on ODSP, regardless of month in which income is earned•Clawback of 75% on any additional money earned from work6Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 8 of 17 Impact on total income – Ontario Works7Impact on total monthly income for single person on Ontario WorksAmounteligible for from OW (basic needs and maximum shelter)Income from work (net income)Current Rules: first $200 in net income exempt, then 50% deductedProposed Rules: first $300 in net income exempt, then 75% deductedChange in total incomeAmount deducted from OW benefit Amount person gets from OWTotal income (Income from work + Amount from OW)Amount deducted from OW benefit Amount person gets from OWTotal income (Income from work + Amount from OW)$733 $100$0 $733$833$0 $733$833 $0$733 $200$0 $733$933$0 $733$933 $0$733$300$50 $683$983$0 $733$1033+ $50$733$400$100 $633$1033$75 $658$1058+ $25$733 $500$150 $583$1083$150 $583$1083 $0$733$600$200 $533$1133$225 $508$1108- $25$733$700$250 $483$1183$300 $433$1133-$50$733$800$300 $433$1233$375 $358$1158- $75$733$900$350 $383$1283$450 $283$1183-$100Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 9 of 17 Impact on total income – ODSP•Change to annual exemption amount may be good for people with episodic disabilities or unpredictable work •Can earn $3600 more without deductions = more income for those who can work, at least if earning a certain amount•Less benefit the more you work •Worse off if earning over $13,200 annually (equal to $1100 / month) •Unclear about income reporting – monthly or annually? 8Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 10 of 17 3. Changing the Definition of Disability•“Looking at aligning Ontario’s new definition of ‘disability’ more closely with federal government guidelines” •Current ODSP definition: (a) substantialphysical or mental impairment that is continuous or recurrentand expected to last oneyear or more;(b) effect of the impairment results in a substantial restriction in activities of daily living; and(c) verifiedby health care provider•Current CPP-D definition: •“Severe and prolonged”•Not able to workat all or on a regular basis and can only earn a small amount•Likely to last a long or unknown time or eventually cause your death9Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 11 of 17 What will this mean for people applying for ODSP in the future? •Many people with disabilities will not qualify for ODSP•Episodic disabilities, shorter-term / not permanent health conditions •For example, multiple sclerosis, mental health disabilities, sickle cell anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, hepatitis C, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic pain, migraine, some forms of cancer, etc.•Will be forced to rely on Ontario Works •37% less in benefits (e.g., from $1169 to $733)•Work / training requirements: “Participation Agreements” / “Action Plans” •Will they have access to health-related benefits?TIP: APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOR ODSP (IF SUFFICIENT MEDICAL DOCUMENTATION IS AVAILABLE) IN ORDER TO BE ASSESSED UNDER THE CURRENT RULES10Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 12 of 17 What will this mean to people on ODSP now?•The government has indicated it will grand-parent most current recipients, but there are many unknowns•Medical Reviews •Many current ODSP recipients have “Medical Review Dates”•This means that on or after this date, ODSP can check in to see if the person still meets the definition of “Disability” in order to continue to receive ODSP benefits•It is unclear which test will be used to judge if the person still has a disability•Rapid Reinstatement•Currently, if someone stops receiving ODSP (for a reason other than being found not to be disabled on medical review) then that person can apply for Rapid Reinstatement to get back on benefits when they become eligible again•Often this happens when people earn too much money for a period of time or move out and then back to the province•It is unclear if Rapid Reinstatement will continue, or if former recipients will need to prove they meet the new definition of disability11Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 13 of 17 What don’t we know?•How will rates be simplified?•Currently, benefit rate depends on many factors including shelter cost, the number of people in the family, the characteristics of the family member (spouse, child under 18, child over 18)•Government says that the number of rates will reduce from 240 to 4 – but how?•How will disability-related benefits be consolidated? Who will have access to these benefits? How much will they receive, and by what means? •Current supplemental benefits include: Special Diet Allowance, Work-Related Benefit, Mandatory Special Necessities (diabetic and surgical supplies, incontinence supplies, medical transportation), Assistive Device Co-Payments, Vision Care•Government announced that people with disabilities will be able to select their own health-related expenses through this “Health Spending Account”12Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 14 of 17 What don’t we know?•How will local discretionary funds be allocated and distributed?•Often when funds are downloaded to municipalities they become discretionary so there is no longer a right to appeal if you are denied the benefit•Will there be enough funding to meet the needs of recipients?•What wrap-around services will be provided? To whom? What will be the consequences for not participating?•Wrap-around services recognize that people are not necessarily “job ready” – they need life stabilization before employment•Commitment to improve access to mental health and addiction supports, childcare, housing, life skills, job training•If a recipient chooses not to participate in a program that their caseworker recommends, will this affect their benefits?13Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 15 of 17 What do these changes look like all together?•Ontario Works •More people with disabilities relying on it•Less money in monthly benefits than ODSP•Requirements to work / take employment-related training – “Action Plans”•Higher monthly earnings exemption but also higher clawbacks•Wrap-around supports – good for people in crisis who need specific supports but may not be enough for people with disabilities •Local service delivery – incentives and outcomes for employment services unclear•Fewer mandatory benefits•ODSP •Fewer people with disabilities qualify – only “severe” and “prolonged” disabilities •Health Spending Account•Higher earnings exemption calculated annually, but also higher clawbacks•No information on access to supports for employment or community participation even if people want to work 14Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 16 of 17 NEXT STEPS/QUESTIONS?15Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Wednesday, May 8, 2019 Item 4 Page 17 of 17