Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Meeting Time:
-
Location:
175 Talbot Street East
Leamington Ontario
N8H 1L9
Committee Members:
  • Christine Easterbrook, Chair
  • Gord Queen, Vice Chair
  • Therese Lecuyer
  • John Boyko
  • Charles Wimperis
  • Debbie Alexander
  • Rosemary Cobby
Administration:
  • Renée Trombley
  • Katherine Hebert

1.
Tour of the Sun Parlor Home Facility 

At 2:00 PM, Diane Gleason, Administrative Assistant at Sun Parlor Home, will be leading the committee through the facility prior to the start of the ECAAC Meeting on site.

A tour of the Sun Parlor Home was undertaken by the ECAAC members, led by Diane Gleason. Some items noted on the tour were:

  • the bathrooms in the resident rooms are small and may not accomodate a wheelchair
  • common bathroom toilets are too far away from the wall/grab bars - may need to make some adjustments when appropriate

It was noted that there are 206 residents at the Sun Parlor Home, and it is at capacity. There are approximately 320 employees of the home, including Health Care and Operations staff.

Discussion took place with regard to levels of care available at the Sun Parlor Home, the level of ability of the residents and the waiting list. 

The Chair noted that the Committee should send a letter thanking the Sun Parlor Home administration for the tour and to communicate the items identified by the committee as suggestions for possible improvements. 

2.
Recording of Attendance

​The Chair noted that all members were in attendance.

3.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

4.
Adoption of Regular Meeting Minutes
This item has attachments.

1.2017-06-29 ECAAC Meeting Minutes.pdf

Minutes from the June 29, 2017 ECAAC Meeting. 

  • 21-2017
    Moved ByMr. Queen
    Seconded ByMs. Lecuyer

    That the minutes of the June 29, 2017 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adopted as presented.

Carried

5.
Delegations and Presentations

There are no scheduled delegations or presentations. 

6.
Communications

6.1
Correspondence

  • 22-2017
    Moved ByMr. Wimperis
    Seconded ByMs. Lecuyer

    That the correspondence for the August 10, 2017 meeting be received. 

     

Carried

6.1.1
Ontario Human RIghts Commission

6.1.2
Accessibility Directorate of Ontario

The Chair discussed the Access Talent initiative. She noted that the program promotes tje hiring of employees that have a disability.

It was further discussed that the Transportation Standards and Health Care Standards are nearing completion and that there is a committment to review the Education Standard.

Ms. Cobby indicated that she submitted an application to participate in the review committee for the Education Standard. She will keep the committee informed on whether she is accepted. 

 

6.1.3
AODA Toolbox

Ms. Cobby noted that the Municipality of Peterborough has posted their accessibility plan. She indicated that there are several considerations within their plan that could be used as interactive poll questions for the ECAAC Facebook page. 

6.1.4
Forbes

6.1.5
Mud - Tech News

6.1.6
Evening Standard - Lifestyle

6.1.7
The Toronto Star

6.1.7.1
News - GTA

The Chair expressed that this type of waiting list and lack of support services for those who need assistance is an attrocity. Municipalities and the province will have to address the growing need for accessible housing in our communities.

6.1.7.2
News - GTA
6.1.7.3
News - GTA

6.1.8
The AODA Weekly News

6.1.9
Disability Horizons

6.1.10
CBC News - London

Discussion took place with regard to the risks of not being visible to motorists while in a wheelchair. Some visibility tools such as flags and signs bring unwanted attention to the use of a wheelchair, which is not somehting that people who use wheelchairs are striving for. The onus should be on motorists to be more cautious in high risk situations (parking lots and hidden crosswalks etc.)

Mr. Boyko expressed that people who use wheelchairs have been working for several years to be recognised as a person and not as a person in a wheelchair. Adding flags and signs etc. to the chair will be a regression in progress. 

 

7.
Unfinished Business

7.1
Accessibility Workshop

7.1.1
Caterer

Discussion took place with regard to the lunch options that would be within the alloted budget. 

Ms. Trombley circulated a draft budget package as well as information for the committee to consider. 

It was decided that a hot lunch would be preferable if the budget allows for it. 

  • 23-2017
    Moved ByMr. Queen
    Seconded ByMs. Alexander

    That only full day paid tickets be offered for the workshop.

  • 24-2017
    Moved ByMr. Queen
    Seconded ByMs. Alexander

    That adminsitration coordinate a hot lunch, provided that it comes within the alloted budget with a backup plan of wraps and salad should the budget not support the hot lunch. Administration will also coordinate a basic morning refreshment for registration hour and break. 

Carried

7.1.2
Budget

A hard copy of the budget will be available and circulated at the meeting.

Ms. Trombley presented the budget from 2016 compared with the draft budget for 2017. She identified some areas where cost savings could be realized.

The committee discussed the need to book ASL Interpreters and Note-Takers in advance of the event. It was noted that there were no participants last year that utilized the services of the ASL interpreters.

It was discussed that the no assistive services would be booked unless there is a need identified specifically in the registration process. 

Mr. Wimperis indicated that he may know an ASL interpreter who could volunteer at the event if needed. He will follow up and report back to the committee.

7.1.3
Speaker Update

A hard copy of the speaker summary will be available and circulated at the meeting.

Ms. Trombley expressed her progress and process in soliciting some speakers for the workshop. She noted that at the last meeting the committee expressed the desire to have organizations that deal with employment for those who have disabilities.

Discussion took place with regard to the options available to the committee with regard to speakers. It was noted that the Accessibility Directorate will be responding to the request of the committee for a representatitve at the workshop after they meet in the coming weeks.

  • 25-2017
    Moved ByMr. Queen
    Seconded ByMr. Wimperis

    That the Accessibility Directorate be persued as the desired speaker for the workshop if they indicate that they are able to accomodate. 

Carried

8.
Reports and Questions

There are no items under Reports and Questions. 

9.
New Business

9.1
Facebook

9.1.1
Poll Question

Discussion took place with regard to possible new poll questions. It was noted that the question would be changed monthly. 

10.
Next Meeting Date

The next meeting of the ECAAC is scheduled for Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 3:00 PM.  

11.
Adjournment

  • 26-2017
    Moved ByMs. Lecuyer
    Seconded ByMr. Wimperis

    That the August 10, 2017 meeting of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee be adjourned at 4:10 PM.

Carried
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